Say Nothing... (The Speak Series Book 2) (12 page)

Vonne and I wait by the large pine tree near the parking lot. I got a text from Ari telling me to find Vonne and for both of us to wait for them here.

"Where are they at?" Vonne asks.

"I have no idea. This place is a fucking madhouse."

As if on cue, Ari appears behind a large group of smiling faces. The same glittery posters I saw in the stands are now heading our way, and Ari is beaming at us. Eli is at her side, and my mother and Andrew are slowly trailing behind them. A couple of girls, I'm assuming are related to Vonne, come running up and excitedly wrap her in a hug.

"Hi,” Ari says as she walks up. "Congratulations.” She hugs me and gives me a chaste kiss. She pulls away and walks over to Vonne giving me a chance to greet Eli.

"Congrats, bro,” he says pulling me into a hug.

"Thanks." His eyes flit back and forth between Vonne and me.

"Go on. Go tell your girl congratulations," I say smugly.

He's nervous. Her family surrounds her, and I'm not sure he's ready to meet the parents.

"Congratulations, sweetheart.” My mother reaches for a hug. Andrew stands behind her.

"Congratulations, Ben,” Andrew says while my mother hugs the life out of me.

"Thank you. So where to now?" I ask.

"I made reservations for us at McCormick and Schmidt’s. I know how much you love steak. Is that okay?" She's been a little softer since my grandmother's passing. It's weird.

"Yeah, that sounds good. Let me get everyone together and I'll have Ari introduce you to Vonne."

"Okay. We sat with her family. They were lovely." What the hell? It's like the invasion of the body snatchers. I stare at her for a minute.

"What?" she asks.

"Nothing. Uh . . . I'll be right back." I keep my mouth shut and walk over to Ari and the rest of the group.

My nerves were shot all morning. The thought of being stuck next to Ben’s mom during the graduation ceremony had my knee bouncing about a mile a minute on the car ride over. I knew she was pissed about not being able to attend the larger of the two ceremonies and would no doubt unleash her wrath on me. Ben assured me that Eli and Andrew would run interference if she even thought about starting in on me, but I wasn't convinced.

So when Vonne told me that she mentioned the situation to her parents and they offered to sit next to us, I was relieved. Her family is great and just as personable as Vonne. They had Elizabeth eating out of their hands. She was surprisingly pleasant, which made the two-hour ceremony more bearable.

I walk over to Vonne and her family, giving Ben a chance to greet Elizabeth and Andrew. Like me, Vonne has two younger sisters, and she also has an older brother. Her sisters, Yvette and Yesenia, made her a huge sign that said
Congrats Vonne
in pink glitter. Which, of course, she's fawning over as I approach. Her brother, Jason, wraps her in a big bear hug, and I notice him scowl in my direction. I look over my shoulder and smirk as Eli approaches the group. Jason has always been protective of his sisters, so I don't envy Eli. Jason is definitely not going to make it easy for him.

A few minutes later, a pair of strong arms encircles my waist, and Ben's scent engulfs me. He presses into me resting his chin on my shoulder.

"Are you guys about ready to go?" His breath against my ear causes me to shiver.

"Sure. Let me tell Vonne we're heading out. I think Eli could use some rescuing too," I say laughing.

After a quick introduction to Vonne's family and a scowling once-over from Jason, we head out. Eli and Vonne drive separately and follow in the car behind us.

"So how do you feel? Fancy graduate," I tease.

"Good. How did it go in the stands with my mom?"

"She was fine. Vonne's family was sitting next to us, so it wasn't bad."

"So is Vonne's brother always that scary?" he asks with a cringe.

I laugh. At six-foot-four, Jason has always been intimidating; add the brick wall of solid muscle, and the guy is massive.

"He's a big teddy bear. He just doesn't like guys sniffing around his sisters. I guess I should have warned Eli," I say with a laugh.

"Yeah, that would have been nice. You could have warned me too. He didn't seem too happy with me either, and I'm only friends with her."

"Oh, about that. He's always thought of me as one of his sisters." He arches his brow.

"Just a sister?" he questions. I had a small crush on Jason when I was younger, but I'll never admit that to him.

"Yes, just as a sister. Don't start," I say, smacking his arm.

"Hmm."

"Where are we headed, anyway?" I ask changing the subject.

"McCormick and Schmidt. Have you ever been?"

"No, but I've heard of it. Any good?"

"Yeah, they're known for their steak and seafood. It's good."

My stomach rumbles, and I sink into my seat and enjoy the rest of our car ride.

My mom is speaking to the hostess when we arrive. Vonne and Eli trail in all smiles just a few minutes later and it's not long before we are shown to our table. The summer heat hasn't quite settled over Los Angeles, so we choose to eat on the patio. White linens cover the tables and small glass votives are being lit as we sit, adding to the beauty of the setting sun. The hostess hands us our menus and quickly takes our drink order before leaving the table.

We take a moment to study the menu and decide on appetizers and entrees as our waiter returns with our drinks.

"So I'd like to make a toast," Andrew says raising his glass. "Here's to Ben and Vonne. May you enjoy your internships and the next phase of your legal studies."

We raise our glasses and give everyone's glass a clink before taking a drink.

"Thank you and thank you for inviting me to dinner, Mr. and Mrs. Biram. It's very kind of you," Vonne says shyly.

"Of course, it's our pleasure," my mother responds sweetly. Ari glances over at me with wide eyes. I know what she's thinking. Who is she and what did she do with my mother?

"So what type of law are you studying, Vonne?" my mother asks, taking another sip of her drink.

"Immigration. With us living so close to a border, those cases inundate the system. I'd like to help." Vonne is usually so jovial; it's weird to watch her so serious.

"So your parents mentioned you'd be interning with a firm in San Diego. That sounds wonderful." Vonne smiles and looks over at Eli.

"Yes, they're one the largest firms specializing in immigration law, and I was very lucky to get chosen."

"Where will you be attending law school?" Andrew asks.

"I'll be back at USC in the fall like Ben," she says smiling.

The appetizers arrive at the table, and as I reach over to grab a plate, someone grips my shoulder.

"Surprise."

My muscles immediately stiffen, and I pray that Ben doesn't notice. Elizabeth seems pleased to see him, and I try to keep my smile from wavering. He's supposed to be away. He told me on the phone he wouldn't be able to make it. What the hell is he doing here?

"Hey," Ben says confused. He stands to shake his hand. "What are you doing here? I thought you weren't going to be able to make it,” he asks relaying my thoughts.

"The band got asked to do a show for some young heiress's birthday party. The girl's father offered a ridiculous amount of money and flew us out on his private jet. We just got in. I came straight from the airport." Ben nods without a word.

Elizabeth and Andrew stand and greet Amos as he pulls up a chair next to Ben.

"Hello, Ari. Nice to see you again," he says as he takes his seat.

"You too," I say tightly.

The waitress brings him a menu and takes his drink order.

"So I know Eli. Nice to see you again, but I don't think I've met you yet," Amos says, looking at Vonne.

"I'm Vonne, Ari's best friend. I also graduated with Ben."

"So are you the one who played matchmaker with these two?" he says smiling.

"No. That was all Ben," she says grinning.

My knee begins to bounce as I nervously wring the napkin on my lap. I'm planning my escape when Ben places a hand on my thigh. My chest constricts, and I have to remember to take a breath. I can't freak out here . . . I can't. I decide to focus on anything but his face. My appetite is currently nonexistent, so distracting myself with the food currently on my plate is not even an option.

They continue chatting and their voices begin to sound like white noise.

"Ari?" I look up and notice all eyes on me.

"Yeah?" I ask, hoping they’re not waiting for me to answer another question.

"Are you okay?" Ben asks. I feel my throat beginning to close up, so I nod.

"You look pale, dear. Are you sure you're okay?" Ben’s mom asks.

I go to reach for my glass of water and end up spilling it. Ben's reflexes are quick, so he's able to scoot his chair back in time for it to miss him. I, on the other hand, am not that lucky. The ice cold water tips over right on my lap. The front of my dress is completely soaked and rivulets of water begin to run down my legs. "Fucking wonderful," I mutter under my breath. I stand abruptly almost knocking a second glass of water on Vonne.

"Excuse me," I say, tossing the soaked napkin on the table.

I walk back inside and find the nearest restroom. The front of my dress is still dripping as I walk over to the sink to wring it out. A large hand dryer hangs from the wall, and I stand underneath it a few minutes using the time to calm my frazzled nerves. It's just a matter of time before Ben sends Vonne to check in on me.

I'm still trying to work the wrinkles out of my damp dress as I abruptly turn the corner. Warm hands wrap around my upper arms to steady me.

"Whoa." My head jerks up, and Amos's eyes are trained on me. I can't move.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. I was just on my way to the restroom. You okay?"

His thumbs start to rub slow circles on my skin. It takes a few seconds for me to gain my bearings and pull out of his hold.

"I'm good. I was just heading back," I say with a shaky smile. Not waiting for a response, I move past him quickly and head back to the table.

"Should I go check on her?" Vonne asks.