Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 86364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
“Well, isn’t this an interesting gathering?”
The unfamiliar voice cut through the large room, and we all turned at the same time to find a slender young man with pale-blond hair and a wide grin standing in the doorway with Wilkins a step behind him.
“Simon! You made it!” Sebastian called out. We’d all moved to a collection of sofas and chairs as they shared pictures and chatted. Sebastian jumped up from his chair, Byron trailing a couple of steps behind him. I watched as Sebastian pulled him into a tight hug that Simon returned with a chuckle.
A glance around the room was all it took to see that the vibe of the party had changed yet again, and not for the better. Rome, who had been outgoing and chatty since I arrived, now seemed reserved and subdued. Declan had gotten up to stand beside Pierce’s chair, his hand resting on the tall man’s very tense shoulder. He looked worried, while Pierce was…frightened? Was that the word? I’d almost thought he was hostile, but when I looked into his honey-brown eyes, I realized it was a mix of pain and fear gathering there. How weird…
I would tuck that bit of information away and ask Declan about it the moment we were alone.
Sebastian released the newcomer and smoothly introduced him to Byron. He led Simon into the room, where he introduced us. Simon was and wasn’t what I expected. He appeared to be in his early twenties, not much younger than me, with messily styled blond hair and anime-large blue eyes that dominated his slender face. His clothes were nice, but they didn’t give off that “I spent a year’s salary on this outfit” vibe. Maybe he wasn’t yet another billionaire or trust fund baby, like the rest of this bunch.
As we spoke, there was no missing that his gaze kept sneaking over to Pierce and then snapping back as if he couldn’t control himself. However, he hadn’t spoken directly to the man yet.
“It’s good to see you,” Pierce mumbled.
“Is it?” Simon replied, his voice lilting higher in mocking skepticism.
“What made you choose Cincinnati?” Rome inquired, stepping in before anyone could respond. “I thought I heard you had offers from London and Sydney.”
Simon continued to stare at Pierce for another beat. He sucked in a noisy breath and directed his smile at Rome. “Why wouldn’t I? I have friends in Cincinnati who speak so highly of the city. Besides, it’s just a guest residency for a year. London and Sydney can wait for me.”
“Guest residency? Are you a teacher?” I asked, trying to slice through some of this tension with normal conversation.
A bit of the tension eased from Simon’s expression and his smile became more natural. “No, I’m a professional concert violinist. I was invited to join the London and Sydney symphony orchestras, among others, but I thought I would start with something smaller. Cincinnati’s symphony doesn’t have the same rigorous schedule as those cities, and I was contemplating writing some original work in my spare time.”
“Ahh…so you’re like one of those musical prodigies.”
“Something like that. My parents weren’t thrilled with me pursuing music as a career, but they seemed to have mellowed as I proved myself to be better than average.”
“They only want what’s best for you,” Pierce murmured.
Simon chuckled, but there was an unmistakable edge to it. “What’s best for me? Now, doesn’t that cover a multitude of sins? Sort of like good intentions.”
Yeah, there was a whole undertone of past shit I did not understand, but there was no way in hell I was going to wade into that mess.
While Pierce glared at Simon, Sebastian and Rome attempted to steer the conversation in a new direction. It was as if they thought being loud helped to make things less awkward. I glanced over my shoulder at Declan to find that he was watching me with a look of concern. What did I care about their drama? Like it could touch me.
Okay, fine. I cared. I was a nosy little fucker, and I was dying to ask why the air was rippling with unresolved hostility between Pierce and Simon. But at least I had enough common sense to know that I shouldn’t ask while we were standing right there.
No. I waited like a civilized human being.
Until we were alone in his car.
15
DECLAN FOSTER
That dinner had been difficult.
I fought the urge to sigh with relief as we drove away from Sebastian’s house. The world was growing dark, and the stars popped out against the dark velvety sky.
A cool evening breeze swept through the lowered windows of the car, carrying with it the scent of green grass and a hint of honeysuckle from the giant bushes near the edge of Sebastian’s property.
I wasn’t quite sure what I’d hoped to accomplish by dragging Parker to this dinner with my odd friends. Had I been trying to silence their questions or show him off? That made no sense. He wasn’t mine.