Chapter Thirty-Four

Antoine

I should’ve just told Maman I got food poisoning and stayed away from this damn party. But she said Papy was attending, so I decided to show up to tell him I’m not doing any song and dance for money, in case I wasn’t clear before.

Except Papy is nowhere to be found—at least in the house, where Maman said she saw him last. He’s either hiding to avoid a confrontation…or Nicolas is doing his best to hide him from me. That fucking weasel’s worried I’m going to worm my way into Papy’s heart. He doesn’t understand I have zero interest in doing so.

I check my watch. I’ve been here for an hour already. Screw it. I’m leaving if I don’t find Papy in the next five minutes. I’d rather spend what’s left of my day with Kristen.

I start to make another quick sweep of the house, then pause at a familiar voice.

“Antoine.”

My entire body freezes. Very slowly, I turn…and see Eddie.

He hasn’t changed much. Still the same golden hair, although it’s clipped shorter now. His nose is still narrow, his face a little harder, the square jaw adding a harshness to his demeanor. A pale blue polo shirt and khakis fit his tall, slim frame well. The deep tan says he’s probably done some recreational golf or tennis. Probably tennis. He loves that sport.

“Eddie,” I say, keeping my tone neutral. He and I haven’t spoken since Tessa’s hospitalization.

“You did this to her, you fucking bastard! You! She was so happy, she was fine until you!”

His words still ring in my ears.

“I didn’t realize you were coming,” I say.

“Yeah, uh… Your mother invited me.”

“And you accepted?”

“Yes.” His eyes slide away briefly before meeting mine again. “I want to… I want to mend…” He sighs hard. “We used to be friends, Antoine. I want that again.” He rolls on the balls of his feet.

I stare, trying to process what he’s saying. I’ve imagined this moment, and how I’d feel. I’d be thrilled…grateful. I’d realize our friendship had triumphed after all.

But instead of happiness, I feel wary. Something’s wrong with this scene. Eddie’s having trouble meeting my eyes, shifting his weight back and forth. He used to fidget when he was doing something he shouldn’t. But nothing is forcing him to make up with me unless he wants to.

Then I realize he looks nothing like I remember. Did he always have this …shiftiness? Instead of putting me at ease, he’s making alarms go off.

Still, I keep my voice neutral as I say, “I’d like that, too.”

“Good.” A faint smile crosses his lips. “Glad to hear it. I understand we could be in-laws.”

“We could?” There’s nobody Eddie can marry. So… “Wait, Tessa and Nicolas?” I told my cousin to stay away from Kristen. I didn’t think he’d go for Tessa. Bastard. She’s too mentally…fragile to be used like that.

“No. She never liked him that much.”

“So…who?”

“She’s going to marry you.”

“Me?” I gape at him. “She said I made her miserable. She slit her wrists because of me.”

“Being poor is worse, Antoine.”

“Uh…”

“I know about your grandfather’s deal.”

“Yeah, well, in case you haven’t heard, I’m not planning to play his game. I don’t want his money. I don’t need his trust.”

“Then do it for Tessa. Do it for me.”

“For…? What the hell’s wrong with you, Eddie? If money’s a problem, you can get a job or start your own business. You’re a smart guy. You don’t have to sell your sister to a guy who made her miserable.”

“You don’t understand.”

“That’s right, I don’t.” I stare at him. “I don’t understand how you can come here, act like all can be forgiven between us and then ask me to marry your sister. Am I supposed to give you money, too? How much? Half a billion? Is that the price of your friendship?”

His eyes blazing with fury, he turns dull red, not with embarrassment but the humiliation of having to ask me. “Half the trust would be fair,” he grinds out.

Bitter disappointment weighs down on me. My image of Eddie has always been that of a protective older brother, one who was upset his sister’s relationship with his best friend ended badly. I respected him for that, and always blamed myself for not having been a better boyfriend to Tessa and better friend to Eddie…always wondering if I could’ve done something to avoid the horrible outcome.

But maybe I was wrong all along. Maybe I only wanted to remember the good in my childhood best friend. I find it impossible to believe his character could’ve changed this much in the last several years, no matter how bad his family’s financial circumstances are.

“You said you’d do anything to make it up to me,” Eddie says, his voice hard. “Well, here’s your chance. You owe us.”

“Except I know you too well now, Eddie. I don’t want your friendship. It’s a poisoned apple—pretty to look at, but toxic once you dig in.”

His face twists, ugly and spiteful. “Is that your final decision?”

“Yes.”

“You aren’t going to regret it?”

“No.”

“Do you think you’re so fucking special? You think you’re hot shit because you hang out with Dominic King?”

I glare at Eddie. “Keep Dominic out of this.”

“No, let’s bring him in. I want to see what he says when he finds out what you’ve done to his precious baby sister.”

Ice fear clutches my heart. I cross the distance to him, wrapping a fist in his shirt. “What did you do, Eddie?”

“You’ll see soon enough, asshole.” He whips out a Taser.