CHAPTER462
Then the moment is broken as couples begin clapping as the song ends and we break apart to join in awkwardly, aware that the moment is gone. I look around, anywhere but at him, in a bid to get myself and my emotions under control. Head crazily whirring at what I should feel or even say, I know his eyes are on me, I can feel them burning into my profile, but I cannot look back at him. I’m too afraid to show him any hint of weakening resolve. So close to tears, so very close to sobbing and throwing myself at him to make it all better. He opens up every vulnerable part of me and pulls the rug from under my feet. I can’t let him though, and there is nothing he can say to make anything about this right, ever again.
Where he’s concerned, the wall is up, and he never gets to hurt me again; I am battling my own will to build it faster. He doesn’t get to see how he affects me, and he doesn’t get to know that I still even care. I will die before I let him know that I still love him.
Once burned. Twice doesn’t get to happen.
Christian bursts in before Arrick can say anything else, despite looking like he’s trying to find the words. Throwing his arms around my shoulders from behind and kissing me on the cheek by the ear in a rather sloppy way. I try to shrug off the wet slobbery kisses as I catch Arrick frowning and turning away, that Carrero death glare making a real play on his face. He looks out across the room behind him, catching Nathan’s eye and walks off towards him without another word. I watch him go, knowing this is out of character for him; being so rude as to walk off without even a goodbye or a hello to my friend. It goes against all his normal good grace and manners, that he is famed for. I grit my teeth to push everything down and throw on my winning smile as I turn to Chris. Acting like this hasn’t bothered me in the slightest and hoping he didn’t notice how rude Arry just was. Jenny strolls up towards us, from the direction of Nathan with a beaming smile and rosy glow to her cheeks.
“You both look sexy.” I smile, taking in the boy in the black James Bond tuxedo, crisp shirt and bow tie and the girl in the clingy red dress who looks a million dollars and most worthy of some Hollywood red carpet. No wonder Nathan was keeping her all to himself tonight, she is looking very sassy and sexual with very minimal effort.
“You did say dress to impress as this was a glam do.” Jenny smiles, fingering the detailing on my silver dress, it’s knee-length and flapper style with lots of layered sequin and fringing, a high bodice with thin straps, and scoop back. I’ve gone for sexy, sparkly and yet modest. School has taught me a lot about fashion in such a brief time, and less is sometimes, most definitely more. Except where sequins are involved; then you can never have enough.
“We three look like we could take the town by storm!” Christian announces, hands on hips and a little wiggle as though to make his point. He’s clearly had a few to drink and he is losing his macho guy act, thankfully. I prefer him like this; this is who he is, who I adore, and I don’t like the pretend cuddling up with him either. I don’t care if Arrick knows anymore. I am getting so tired of the whole charade and how awkward it makes me feel. I want everyone to relax and be who they are, stop watching over our shoulders and get on with a good night.
“I hope to just get through a family party without drama or major drunken antics, thank you very much. I am still living in repentance for two years of making my parents crazy, and my sister will undoubtedly make an ass of herself tonight.” I dismiss the offer of another glass of champagne as a waitress comes by with a tray. Not really in the party and get hammered mood right now. Christian frowns and picks up a glass on my behalf shoving it into my hands.
“Hell no, we three are letting our hair down and having a blowout night. We have been good as gold in the last ten weeks of school and I have never been trashed with either of you! That is my aim tonight! Drink up bitches, we are going to partyyy!” Christian raises his glass and downs it in one go. Looking at me with a very serious look of a challenge in those naughty eyes.
“Christian, I really …” I object, but Jenny throws her Bambi expression my way with a sudden injection of serious frown and wet eyes on show.
“Please, Sophie. I need this. Mark and I broke up before I left, and I just want to forget everything for one night.” Jenny’s eyes fill with more moisture as both Christian and I snap eyes on her. Completely gobsmacked.
“What? Since when?” We gasp in unison, equally shocked by this sudden revelation. She had not said a single thing or has even appeared even slightly upset in the last two days of being with us. I am shocked that she didn’t tell her two best friends before now.
I guess this is how she is though; she can be infuriatingly like someone I don’t dare mention, in that she plays a lot close to her chest and downplays everything as though she appears unaffected.
“It’s been on the cards for a long while, we are never really together and it’s taking its toll. He just doesn’t seem to care. Please … I don’t want to talk about this; can we just have a good night and leave all man talk right here on the floor?” She looks to us both with pleading eyes and a hint of desperation. Knowing her as I do, I know she will be happier if we leave her to talk about this in her own time and do as she asks. I lean in and hug her, feeling like she really should have told me though, as Christian pats her shoulder as though she were a puppy.
“Three musketeers babes, we shall drop all man chat, although we can ogle all these sexy butts. I mean how many good-looking men can you get in two families? Woof woof!” He’s almost breaking his neck to watch the progression of two Carrero relatives walking by in all their tall dark-haired glory, with sexy square shoulders and that hint of Jake and Arrick about them. He has a point. I notice Alexi Carrero, one of the cousins, sauntering by with a glass in each hand as he heads towards Arry and Nathan in the corner and catch a smile directed my way. I smile back and give him a girly wave, like most of the cousins I know them all, they are all equally as swoon some. Alexi is one I have actually spent time with and he’s lovely if a bit proper and reserved.
The Carreros are gorgeous as a family, and the Huntsbergers are equally blessed. I look over, catching my brother Ben’s eye and gaining a loving smile; Rylanne behind him in all his blonde gorgeousness too. I smile back affectionately and give them a little finger wave of affection. I only see them as brothers, but to someone like Christian, they are major eye candy and I suppose, drool-worthy."
