Adjournment (The Fate Series) (29 page)

“You realize, Mother, you’re talking about your granddaughter.” My mother continues to look at her.

“Yes, and my granddaughter is a woman whether I like it or not. She needs to find someone who will know how to take care of a woman and not just want someone to play with his little man.” She hands the bartender her glass.

I choke, the burn of the alcohol stinging up through my nose. My mother looks at him shaking her head. The rest of them stand there giggling at the two of them as they continue to battle over whether or not I’m a sure thing.

I’m right here!

When my mother turns back around I nod to the bartender as I pinch the bridge of my nose to relieve some of the burn. With a smirk, he refills Grams’ glass and slides it secretly to her.

“Mrs. Moore, did you just say little man?” Tyler asks Grams as he erupts into laughter.

“Mother, I don’t want to think about little men.” Our mother pinches the bridge of her nose.

“I’m serious, ladies, don’t get her drunk.” She walks away.

Grams smiles at me, lifting her glass to her lips and then drives away.

When we make it down to the tent, cocktail hour is underway. We stop at the edge of the tent to scan out the two bars on opposite sides of the dance floor and where all the wait staff is with the hors d'oeuvres.

After grabbing one of everything we could we regroup in the middle of the crowd to give our verdicts of each item.

“Okay, currently Simon is at the other end of the tent with his mother and Chase,” Morgan says looking around.

I make a face. I’m not going over there with Judith around.

“Do we know where they are sitting?”

“I’m willing to bet it’s with us… don’t waste good questions on answers you already know.” She looks at me.

“Sidney, go grab me some mini crab cakes. I think they’re getting mad at me,” Molly says looking around with severe paranoia.

“You’re kidding me, right?” I stand here gaping at her.

“What? You aren’t allergic to shell-fish… now come on, help a sister out,” she pleads with me.

Taking a deep breath, I turn to get her more when I see Tyler and Jacob coming over with some on a plate.

“Are you sending everyone for them?” I scowl at her.

“Don’t judge me.” She smiles, as she takes the plate from them.

Somewhere in the distance the sounds of something being tapped on a glass chimes, and the room falls silent. “Dinner is being served,” our father announces, and people begin to scatter toward their seats.

“So I guess that’s a no to the crab cakes?” She pouts at me, and I shake my head.

“What I do know is that Mom and Dad put us at a separate table instead of sitting with them, and they put Uncle Mitch, Matt, and Sal at a table filled with single women.” Morgan points to where our uncles are located which is on the other side of the room.

“Aw, they really do love us!” I grin, looking toward their table where they are introducing themselves to the women.

“Do you think they are sure things?” Molly whispers as she rounds the table to find her seat.

“Eww, Molly! We don’t care!” Morgan shouts at her as she waves her hand in the air to erase any mental image she has already formed which only makes Molly laugh harder.

“Oh, yay! We are all at the same table!” Jacob squeals as he and Tyler make their way over.

Each table sits ten people and we notice there is a chair missing which can only mean one thing…

“Don’t even think about putting me at one of those other tables filled with snobs or dipshits,” Grams shouts, causing people to turn and look at her.

Grams is sitting with us.

Tyler, still standing, looks at the guests and makes a drunk motion with his hand and mouth. The guests relax and they smile warmly at him.

“Nice save,” I mumble to him.

“Who’s going to sit on the end?” Molly says to Morgan as she tips her chin at the cards.

“The end?” Jacob looks at her.

“Yes, if we sit together one of us is going to be stuck sitting next to our date… so who’s taking one for the team?” Molly looks back to me and Morgan.

“No way. Forget it.” Morgan begins to switch her card with Simon’s.

“Well, I’m sitting next to Grams so I think that is good enough,” I point out. “No offense, Grams.” I pat her shoulder. “Besides, you ate my cup. So, I don’t feel much like “helping a sister out” right now.” I jerk my head to the side.

Molly glares at me for a second then grabs Morgan’s card and swaps it with hers.

“You’re with Dean now so you should sit next to him.” Morgan switches her card with Dean’s so he is seated next to Molly. Morgan walks over to sit next to me, but Molly grabs her and pulls her back over.

“Why are you
such
an asshole? I haven’t talked to him since what happened… happened,” Molly says, switching their cards back.

“What happened with you and Dean?” Grams eyes sparkle with delight. Morgan grabs the cards to switch them again.

“Nothing, let’s just drop it, they’re coming over. Morgan, get over here!” Molly hurries, grabs a card, and tosses it over next to Jacob.

“Oh, that was real mature, Molly. I can’t believe you’re that nervous that you would make Dean sit next to Jacob.” Morgan crosses her arms at her.

Chase is the first to join us and scans the seats for his name. Molly, standing behind her chair watches him with a satisfied smile on her face.

“Well, Morgan, it seems I am next to you.” He winks at her.

“No, I’m right…” She points to the chair she is standing behind. “Where is my card, Molly?” She glares at her.

“What do you mean? It’s right where it’s supposed to be, Morgan.” Molly’s eyes squint at her with a sadistic smile that reaches all the way to her eyes.

“Oh, sister… Just wait.” She cups Molly’s chin before walking over to sit with Chase. Molly sits down next to me and crosses her legs.

“It really is the quiet ones you need to worry about,” Grams mutters.

“Dean and Simon will be over in a little while they are chatting up a beautiful redhead across the room.” His light chuckle sends a bad vibe over the table.

“Are you kidding me?” Morgan smacks his arm.

“He’s flirting with some girl?” Molly growls, she sits up to look around the space.

Jacob and Lexi look at me at the same time acting as my subconscious, the angel saying no and the devil saying yes. My hands latch on to the edge of the table, and I feel control slowly slinking away from me in fear.

I know he isn’t really my date in the romantic sense but he better not be pulling something.

“Molly, he wouldn’t.” I put my hand on her back.

But Simon would.

Giving Chase a dirty look, I stand up slightly to look around with her even though I’m looking for Simon.

“It’s Mea, calm down.” He grins at Morgan. “She is over there waiting for Josh to arrive. You should really learn to take a joke.” He looks around at everyone.

Oh Mea… it’s not a big deal…

It’s just Simon’s ex.

“I think you boys smacked heads a little too much when you were in your mother’s womb,” Grams scolds him.

His deep laughter echoes through the tent. “Molly, it was only intended to be a joke. I apologize, I didn’t think you would go horror movie on us,” he says in an apologetic tone. Leaning over he extends his hand to shake but instead she smacks it away at the same time Morgan smacks the back of his head.

“Now what did I just say about his head being hit too much?” Grams says causing Chase to erupt into laughter again.

“You know, son, whatever they do to you from here on out is your own fault. I can’t protect you once you fire the first shot.” She fixes her napkin on her lap, looking up at him with that sweet but scary old woman smile she has perfected. The exchange makes him sit up straight and look around for his brothers. Clearing his throat he begins to speak.

“To apologize for my crude joke let me get a couple rounds of drinks to lighten the mood a little,” he offers looking around at us as we nod in agreement.

“I’ll go with you!” I shout, jumping out of my seat. Everyone looks at me in shock. “I know what we all drink,” I offer, hoping they won’t see through it.

Chase attempts to stand up but shuffles as he grabs his chest.

“Is THE Sidney Chandler offering to help me, and possibly be nice? I-I think I may be going into cardiac arrest,” he says, stumbling backwards.

“Oh, please,” I scoff as I walk past him. “The only part of that you can spell is arrest.” I quip back causing another round of deep laugher to escape him.

“Well when one sees that word as often as I do, one learns it quickly,” he jokes as he straightens his suit before we walk to the bar.

“Why is it that you three get into so much trouble?” I look up at him.

“Not us guys, just Simon. I am the one who gets him out of trouble, and Dean is just an innocent bystander,” he confesses.

Figures.

“Huh, and you think that will make Morgan come around? You always being at his beck and call.” I shake my head at him.

“I like to think she understands the role of the eldest sibling and therefore, gives me some slack because of it. I also believe that Simon is coming around, it’s been months since he’s caused any kind of trouble. You of all people should understand what it’s like to constantly be judged for your past wrongdoings.” He puts his hand on my back to gesture for me to walk in front of him when the walkway becomes narrow.

“I do, and I admire him for it but that doesn’t change who he is,” I say over my shoulder at him.

“So you’re saying people do not change?” His eyes bore into mine.

“I’m saying that they can try to change but deep down they’re still the same person.” I glare back into his.

Wait, how did we start talking about Simon?

Turning my face forward, I see Simon at the bar, and I stop mid-step. Chase must have known what was going to happen because he doesn’t crash into me. I turn around to tell him to go back the way we came but he isn’t there.

I look around and spot him talking with someone behind me, leaving me standing here… alone… with Simon.

Point proven… people don’t change deep down.

Instead of looking like an idiot I continue to walk toward him without looking directly at him.

“Ms. Chandler, what a pleasant surprise. I was just coming over to our table,” he says, turning his body toward me.

“How lucky for me,” I sulk without looking at him. “I thought you were sitting with Mea,” I stupidly add.

I’m such an idiot. Now he’s going to think I’m jealous.

“Just keeping a friend company. Besides you need me more.” He steps closer.

Clenching my jaw, I close my eyes to ignore the irritation that’s consuming me.

“I don’t need you,” I say, my voice filled with anger.

Taking a deep calming breath the smell of chocolate fills my lungs. I open my eyes, looking down at his hand in front of my face. Snatching it off him I shove it into my mouth.

“What were you saying?” He lets out a laugh.

“That I need candy.” I turn, leaning my elbow on the bar. I put my hand out for more.

“Say it.” He reaches in his pocket. Pulling out another he slowing unwraps the foil.

“Please,” I ask through clenched teeth.

“No, no, no, Pet. Say, it.” He lifts it up holding it in front of my mouth.

Looking from the candy to him, I shake my head.

“Come on. Say it.” He licks his lips stepping closer.

Something about the gesture causes my breath to hitch. “Fine. I need candy… and you,” I practically pant as my heart pounds in my chest.

His lips twist into a wickedly sexy smile.

The bartender clears his throat, Simon looks at him, and I grab the chocolate. Quickly stepping back from him I toss it into my mouth.

“She will have a Dirty Shirley Temple,” he informs the bartender.

My mouth hanging open, I look at him.

How does he remember those?

“Is that what you gave me yesterday?” I accidently smile at him.

A Dirty Shirley Temple is what the adults used to drink to celebrate things. My mother would make the kids regular ones so we weren’t left out.

“You asked me to remind you.” He gives a slight smile, as the bartender hands me mine and he lifts his glass to me.

Damn him, he’s good.

“Fine. What are we toasting to?” I lift mine up.

He looks to the ceiling, thinking it over then steps closer to me and the sounds of the room around us begin to fade.

“Drinking to remember,” His eyes, sparkle at me as he clinks his glass against mine.

“And if I don’t want to remember?” I straighten up, looking him dead in the eyes.

It’s getting more and more difficult for me to stay in control when he keeps pulling at parts of me that I keep buried.

“Don’t you?” His eyes darken, and he steps closer.

My heart thumping harder against my chest I take a sip of the fizzy cherry drink and weakly shake my head.

Even I don’t believe me.

“Well, there you kids are,” Chase says, from behind me. “The strangest thing happened, one second you were with me, and the next you were gone.” He laughs.

My eyes fixed on Simon, I reply to Chase, “Oh, I don’t know, everyone is sitting down eating except for us. I think if you wanted to you could have found us just fine,” I say, unable to break from Simon’s gaze.