Chapter Sixteen
DAD LOVED THE DODGERS game. The tickets Grayson got us were amazing, and once Dad knew my boss was the one who snagged the tickets, he grinned and said, “He’s a good guy that one.” Then after a bite of his hotdog, he turned to me and asked, “Anything I should know about you and him?”
Lori, on the other side of Dad, starting giggling. “It sure looked it last night.”
“What are you both talking about?” I asked, sucking back a drink of my huge Coke.
“The way I saw it. All the yelling, the back and forth shit between the two of you… foreplay,” Dad announced.
My Coke wedged in my throat. I choked on it and then spent the next minute trying to breathe again. Finally, I shook my head at my lunatic father and sister. “First. Dad, do not ever say foreplay in front of me again.”
“Or me.” Lori nodded. “Still, he has a point.”
“Thank you.” Dad smiled. “And I know all about foreplay. How do you think you two—”
“Dad!” we both cried. He chuckled.
“Second,” I started and glared at them. “You both have lost your minds.”
“Kenzie, you’re blind if—”
Dad placed his hand on Lori’s arm and shook his head at her. “Let her be in her denial world. She’s got a lot to learn after living in dweeb world with that ex of hers for a while.”
Lori cackled.
I huffed, sat back, and asked, “Dad, how old are you again?”
“Old enough to know when I see a man clearly made for my girl, but she’s blind to it.”
I gasped. With wide eyes, I looked to my father and asked, “You don’t mean Grayson?”
“I certainly don’t mean Dylan.” He glanced to Lori, and added, “We’ll talk about him later.”
“He’s my boss. He likes to run people’s lives. I had enough of that with Robert. I’m—”
“Puddin’.” Dad sighed. “Your boss ain’t anything like dickface. Just let things keep running the way they are and one day you’ll be jogging the same path Grayson wants to lead you down.”
Throwing my hands in the air, I yelled, “What does that even mean?”
He patted my shoulder. “Don’t worry, you’ll understand one day.” Dad’s cell rang interrupting the confusion swirling around me. He pulled it from his pocket and answered it, “Talk.” Pausing to listen to whoever was on the other end, who spoke for a while, he then said, “Got you. Good play, son.” Then he hung up, placed the phone back in his pocket, and went back to watching the game.
“Ah, who was that?” I asked.
“Nothing.”
I looked to Lori, who gave me wide eyes back. “I didn’t ask what it was about. I asked who it was.”
“Right.” Dad clapped. “I need to shake the snake.” Lori and I both groaned. “Be back in a tick.” He stood and walked up the stairs.
“That was strange,” Lori commented.
Meeting her gaze, I nodded. “I agree. The only person I know of him calling son is…” My eyes widened. “Why would Grayson call our father?”
She smiled. “I don’t know, but I’m looking forward to finding out.”
I wasn’t.
I knew Dad and Lori thought Grayson had a thing for me, and me for him—okay, so I did have feelings for him when he wasn’t being an idiot—but Grayson having one for me? That was crazy. If they got a look at Harpy, the type of women Grayson liked, they’d throw their heads back laughing. Then they’d tell me how loco they were for even thinking it in the first place.
I found my belly twisting with nerves. Why would Grayson call my father?
“Stop worrying. I’m sure it’s fine,” Lori said, reaching over to take my hand in hers. “Let’s beat it out of Dad when he gets back.”
I brightened at the suggestion. “Or we could mention letting Aunt Olive see a certain text.”
We laughed together. “Even better.”
“That laugh sounds kind of evil. What have you both done?” Dad asked as he sat back down between us.
“No line up at the restroom?” I questioned.
“Nope.” He shook his head.
“So, who called earlier?”
He stood and shouted, “Yeah, good hit. Run, boy, run.”
“Dad,” I snapped.
“I’m watching the game, Puddin’.”
“If you don’t sit down and answer me right now, I’ll send that text to Aunt Olive.”
His head dipped forward, his chin just about touched his chest. “Fuck.” He sat down. “I told him telling me was no good. I told him you’re both masters at getting shit outta me. Could never have a surprise party for either of you. One look at me and you both knew I was hiding something.”
“Who did you say this to and when?”
“When I went to the restroom.”
“You took your phone out in the restroom.”
“What? No, this was before I peed.”
“Who, Dad?” Lori demanded.
“Grayson.”
“Ha! We knew it,” I shouted.
“Then why in the hell did you both just give me shit?”
Lori shrugged. “We wanted you to confirm it.”
“Will you lot take your family matters out of here? It’s distracting.” A middle-aged man said from behind us. When we all turned slowly, the man pulled back from whatever the expression he saw on our faces, and said, “Don’t worry, talk away.”
“Damn right we will,” Dad grumbled.
“Are you going to tell us what Grayson said?” I asked.
“He wants you to work tonight.”
My eyes narrowed. “And he called to tell you… why?”
“Your cell must be dead.”
Taking it out of my bag, I pressed it. Immediately, it lit up. “Nope. Try again.”
“He wanted to talk about a man thing.”
“With you?” Lori questioned.
“Yes. I am a goddamn man.”
Sighing, I rubbed my temples. “In five seconds you tell me the truth, or I’m posting your text to Lori to Facebook.”
“You little… Fine,” he snarled. “He’s taking you to some music award night tonight. Wanted to make sure you’ll be home in time to get ready.”
My eyes flicked to my sister. Hers were wide with surprise. My body stilled, only to tremble with nerves.
“I can’t. I won’t. I’ll make a fool out of myself and him. Why would he want to take me? I’m just his assistant. I’m sure he could find someone else.” I sat back on the seat, only to shift to the side, and then I moved forward again. “This is… crazy. Doesn’t he see what could happen? People will take… Oh my God, people take photos at this type of thing. I don’t want my photo taken.” I stood, then sat again. “I have to call him.” I reached into my bag for my cell. “He has to find someone else.” I paused and looked to Lori and Dad. “Maybe he couldn’t find someone else, and that’s why he asked me, and then if I don’t go, I’d be letting him down.” I bit my bottom lip, looked to my hands wrapped around my cell and sighed. I then added, “But I can’t go. I’ll say or do something that will embarrass both of us.” Looking to my family again, I said, “You both know what I’m like when I’m nervous, and Grayson makes me nervous all the time.”
Dad grunted. “Good.”
“Good? How can that be good? When I’m nervous, my brain doesn’t function right, and I blurt out whatever’s on my mind without my knowing.” I sat back in the seat and crossed my arms over my chest. “I won’t go.” I thrust my cell out to Dad. “Here, you call him and tell him I was abducted. No, I ran away.”
Dad rolled his eyes at me. “Makenzie, no. I won’t call him. This is why I wasn’t supposed to say anything. He knew you’d freak.”
“He did?”
“Shit, yeah.”
“Okay.” I nodded. “Then if he knew, he will understand why I can’t make it.” Leaning over Dad, I pushed the phone at Lori. “You call him and tell him I’m sick.”
“No way, Kenzie.”
“But we were supposed to have a movie night. A family movie night. I’m not backing out of that. I was looking forward to it. We were going to torture Dad with a Bridget Jones marathon.”
“Like hell I would sit through those movies. Don’t matter now, you’re busy. So Lori and I’ll find something else to watch.”
Shaking my head, I slumped back in the seat and stated, “I’m not going, and that’s final.”
I watched Dad and Lori share a look, with a smile playing on their lips.
“Seriously, I’m not,” I snapped.
* * * *
“Go and get ready, Makenzie,” Grayson ordered from where he sat in the formal living room. He tipped his scotch back and just stared at me. We’d just arrived back from the Dodgers game—where Dad nearly had to drag me into the apartment—and exited the elevator to find Grayson waiting for us.
Covering my mouth, I coughed, and then said in a croaky voice, “I can’t go anywhere. I’m sick.”
He raised his brow at me. Damn that brow.
I straightened and glared. “I’m not going. I’ll do or say something to embarrass us both.”
He kept staring, saying nothing.
Dad and Lori were both silent beside me, taking it all in. My hands went to my hips. “Grayson, you’ve been around me enough to know something is going to go wrong.”
He stood. His eyes still on me.
I clenched my teeth together, shook my head and then said, “You’ll regret it. I’m sure you can easily find another woman to go with you. You’re not so hard up you had to have your assistant attend this thing. Hell, I could go out on the street and ask the next woman walking by. Or I could call Helena. She’d be happy to go with you.”
He took another step closer and raised his brow again.
“Damn it, Grayson.” I stomped my foot. He sat his drink on the small table next to him, straightened, and crossed his arms over his chest. Narrowing my eyes further, I growled in the back of my throat and then snapped, “Fine. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
As I walked off, I heard Dad whistle and say, “Well shit, I’ve been her dad for twenty-eight years, and I could never get her to give in like that.” He sounded ridiculously impressed. “And shit, all without saying a single word.”
Spinning around, I pointed a finger at Dad. “I’m not giving in.” Then my finger went to Grayson. “Be warned, I’m fighting on the inside, and I’ll be annoyed the whole time I’m there.”
“Would it help to know your sister is also accompanying you?”
“What?” Lori gasped.
“Now, hey, I never agreed to that,” Dad said.
Grayson didn’t look away from me. I smiled and nodded. “Yes, actually it does help. Come on, Lori. Let’s go and get changed.” I stalked back to my comatose sister, took her hand in mine, and dragged her from the room.
Still, I didn’t miss Dad asking, “Who’s gonna be Lori’s date?”
“Dylan.”
Lori’s panicked eyes met mine. I squeezed her hand and whispered, “You’ll be fine.”
“Now I can’t have—”
“I assure you, Trent, I’ll make sure Dylan is on his best behavior.”
Dad grumbled something before he spat, “Fine.”
I took Lori into my room. She looked like she wanted to throw up. “I-I don’t think this is wise,” she stuttered. “Why would Grayson do this to his brother? I’m not good company.”
She slumped down on my bed, while I walked into my closet. “You were great last night.”
“I think you bickering with Grayson helped relax me.”
Sticking my head out the door, I smiled and said, “Well, I’ll just fight with him again.”
She laughed. “You would for me, wouldn’t you?”
“Of course.”
“But I won’t have you do that. Be yourself, but don’t pick a fight just to help me out. Enjoy yourself. After all, you’re on a handsome man’s arm tonight.”
“I will, if you do the same.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’ll try, but if you see me struggling, please come to my rescue.”
“Promise. Though I honestly think Dylan could talk enough for the both of you, and he wouldn’t mind at all.” Taking a few dresses off the hooks, I walked back into the room and laid them on the bed. “In fact, even if you didn’t speak one word, I’m sure Dylan would still enjoy having you at his side.”
She snorted. “Then he must be crazy.”
Rolling my eyes, I told her, “You just don’t see what everyone else does. You’re a beautiful young woman, and men would fight for a chance for your attention and company.”
She looked at me skeptically. “Are you drunk?”
I slapped her arm. “Stop it.”
“How did we get ourselves into this mess?” She lay flat on the bed with a sigh.
“Blame my boss. All he has to do is stare, raise his brow, cross his arms, and I’m willing to do anything he wants.”
She giggled. “I’ll have to mention you’d be willing to do anything.”
“Pfft. Okay, I’m willing to agree to crazy things like attending a music award night.” My belly fluttered.
Lori sat quickly. Her voice held fear when she whispered, “Kenzie, we’re going to a music award ceremony.”
Gulping, I nodded. “I know.”
She stood. “Oh God. I better go get ready. I’m so glad I brought my bridesmaid dress I wore to Aunt Olive’s wedding. How should I do my hair?”
“Any way,” I said, because I honestly couldn’t help her out when I was trying not to panic over my own hair. At least I knew I’d find a dress fine enough because Robert had liked me to dress over the top to some functions.
“Okay.” She nodded. “Okay,” she said again on the way to the door. She turned back and admitted, “This is way out of my comfort zone.”
Smiling, I nodded and agreed, “Mine also. At least I have you to do this with.”
She grinned. “That’s what sisters are for.”
“Exactly. We go through tortuous nights together. Now go get your clothes and come back in here to get ready with me.”
“I’ll be back soon.”
As soon as the door closed, I lifted my hand to the back of my neck. Shit, I was sweating already. Right, remember to put in my bag, lipstick, baby wipes, deodorant, perfume, and a gun.
To shoot myself with when the night went to the crap house.