The Game That Breaks Us (35 page)

Break is going to be over before I know it. It’s already New Year’s Eve—the day of our annual party—and I only have a week of freedom left after that.

Bennett and I drove over to the Wentworth Mansion earlier in the afternoon so I could start getting ready and he was blown away by it. I’m used to it, so I forget how big it actually is. Bennett couldn’t believe my dad and his brother grew up in the mansion. Sometimes, I can’t believe it, either, for the fact that they’re both so normal.

I have a room in the mansion—all of us kids do, and there are plenty more to spare—and that’s where I’ve been since I arrived while a team of hair and makeup artists tends to me. I guess to some people that would be weird, but it’s something we’ve always done for this night. It’s the one night out of the whole year where I don’t feel normal and I instead feel like royalty. I’m sure the parties were even more glamorous when my grandma had more control over it. My dad and uncle have definitely toned down the event some—but not much. It’s still black tie: women wear ball gowns and men wear tuxes, but instead of the classical band my grandma prefers, there’s always a more current band that you hear their music on the radio, and the food is more normal instead of fancy French dishes or something like that. 

The hair stylist curls and twists my hair around. She pokes bobby pins into it and uses enough hair spray to kill the ozone layer above my head. 

I asked the makeup artist for a soft pink and gold look to match my dress and hopefully she knows how to do
soft
. I’m going to be pissed if I come out looking like a clown. Now that I know what I’m doing, having someone else do my makeup is akin to torture.

“What time is it?” I ask and wait for one of them to reply.

The makeup artist looks at the clock on the TV. “After seven.”

The party’s already begun, so hopefully I’ll be fashionably late and not obnoxiously late.

They finish and the hair stylist hands me a mirror. My eyes sparkle with a shimmery golden color and the winged eyeliner makes it pop even more. My lips shine with a shimmery pink gloss and my face glows. I turn my head, admiring my hair. She’s curled it and pinned it all on one side so it cascades down my shoulder. Shorter pieces in the front are pinned back, making my hair look thicker than it is. It’s an elegant look and I know it’ll compliment my dress.

“Thank you, ladies,” I say and stand. My dress is hanging in the bathroom.

They nod and begin to pack up their things.

I shut myself in the bathroom and remove my robe. I lift the dress off the hanger and slip into it, wiggling it up my hips. It’s a fairly simple dress, compared to what I’ve worn in previous years, but I feel like it suits the woman I’ve become. 

I slip my arms through the top of the dress just as there’s a knock on the door.

“Grace, are you ready?”

My heart accelerates at the sound of Bennett’s voice. As stupid as it sounds, I’ve missed him, and it’s only been a few hours since I last saw him.

“Hang on,” I say and flick the button on the door to unlock it. “You can come in.”

He eases the door open and hisses between his teeth. “Damn, Grace, you look … you look … Fuck.”

“I look fuck?” I suppress a laugh and turn around with my back to him. “Zip me up, please?”

He chuckles. “You definitely look fuck
able,
but that wasn’t what I was trying to say.”

“It wasn’t? Should I be hurt?” I smile at him over my shoulder.

He steps forward and grazes his fingers along my bare back. I shiver and my body tightens all over. I want to grab him by the collar of his shirt and kiss him and then maybe fuck him right here in this bathroom, but I have to be good tonight. At least, until I’m seen at the party.

He sees the look in my eyes and his own grow a stormy brown color speckled with green and gold. “You’re treading in dangerous waters looking at me like that,” he warns, zipping up my dress.

“Maybe I want a little danger tonight,” I say breathlessly.

I squeak in surprise as he grabs me by the waist and twists me around, shoving my back into the wall and caging me in with his body. I struggle to get enough air and my breasts brush his chest with each shaky inhale. 

He ducks his head into the crook of my neck and bites the skin there. My eyes flutter close and my heart beats rapidly. God, I want him. The affect he has on me is unreal.

He pulls away and smiles at me cockily. “We have to go, Princess. Thanks for actually wearing your ball gown this time.” He winks.

I still struggle to get enough air, but I manage to hiss, “You’re such an asshole.”

“So you like to tell me. But we can’t get carried away when I have a present waiting for you in your room.”

“A present?” I raise a brow.

He stands to the side and raises his arm to sweep toward the open door.

“Go see for yourself.”

I want to, only I can’t move. I’ve only just realized that Bennett is wearing a tux and holy hell the tux is tailor-made for his body. It’s cut to perfectly fit his muscular body and his blondish-red hair is slicked back and brushed to the side. He looks … sophisticated, like some Duke from a foreign land.

Annnnd I’m turned on again.
Great
.

“Your present?” He raises a brow and chuckles.

“Oh, right.” I shake my head and step out of the bathroom.

“Took you long enough. I was afraid you guys were doing the nasty and the thought alone made me want to throw up in my mouth.”

I stop in my tracks and my jaw drops. “
Elle?
What are you doing here?” I shriek in excitement and run toward her, throwing my arms around her shoulders. I step back and appraise her dress. “Damn, you look good, girl,” I compliment.

She’s dressed in a floor-length black-sequined dress that flares out at the bottom on a mermaid cut with black tulle. Her dark hair is straightened and hangs in long thin sheets and her makeup is done in dramatic dark colors with a smoky eye and a purple-red lip color. She looks like a sexy vampire and the style suits her well.

“I can’t believe you’re here!” I exclaim and hug her again. “How did you do this?” I look to Bennett.

He shrugs. “Paid for a plane ticket.”
Obviously,
he leaves unsaid.

“I know that.” I laugh. “But I guess I should’ve asked
why?
” I turn to Elle. “Not that I’m not happy you’re here, of course.”

“Ryland is here too.” She smiles at this and gets a wistful look in her eyes.

“Is this the part where you finally admit you’re dating the guy?”

She shrugs and mumbles, “We’re dating.”

I grin triumphantly. “I knew it.

“Yeah, yeah.” She waves a hand dismissively as Bennett steps up behind me and wraps his hands around my waist.

He rests his chin on my shoulder and says, “To answer your
why
question, it was because I felt like it. I know tonight is a big deal in your family, and I thought it would be cool for Elle and Ryland to come.”

I tilt my head to the side and kiss the side of his cheek. “You’re too sweet.”

Elle gags. “You two are gross.”

“Oh, stop it,” I scold her with a smile. “You’re just as bad with Ryland and that was
before
you admitted you were together.”

Bennett chuckles and his laughter rumbles against my body. “Ladies, I think it’s time for us to join the party.”

Elle runs her fingers through her hair. “Will there be paparazzi here?”

I snort. “No, but there will probably be a photographer from our local newspaper.”

Elle frowns. “I was hoping for paparazzi.”

“Keep dreaming,” I tell her.

I slip out of Bennett’s hold and pad across the room to the dresser. I put on my earrings and other jewelry before slipping my feet into my heels.

“Ready,” I chime.

Bennett crooks his elbow and extends it toward me like some dashing prince. 

The three of us leave my room behind and head down the main grand staircase. As every pair of eyes in the foyer flicks up to us; I truly feel like a princess. Bennett smiles down at me and my heart does a happy dance behind my rib cage.

Ryland meets us in the foyer and he crooks his elbow, miming Bennett, and Elle takes it.

“The ballroom is that way.” I point.

Elle squeals and smiles up at Ryland. “There’s a
ballroom
.”

“I heard, babe.” He smiles broadly at her and kisses her.

I hear her mumble something about messing up her lipstick but as we venture closer to the ballroom it grows harder to hear each other so I can’t be exactly sure what she said.

The ballroom is packed with people. Even though it’s nearly the same crowd every year, I don’t know most of them. I’ve always stuck close to the group I grew up with. I spot Willow and Dean sitting at one of the large round tables and make a beeline for them. Bennett calls after Elle and Ryland to follow us.

Willow wears a beautiful, blue, floor-length dress that has intricate lace detailing and her blonde hair is worn down and wavy, with extensions for added length. Seeing Willow all dolled up is a nice change. Her normal style is about as casual as it comes.

“Hey, Willow, Dean.” I greet them each with a hug and take a seat. Bennett pulls out the chair beside me and Elle and Ryland take two other empty seats. “This is Elle, my roommate, and her boyfriend, Ryland. Elle and Ryland, this is my brother, Dean, and his girlfriend, Willow.”

With introductions made I let them get to know each other and turn to Bennett.

“Thank you for flying them out here. It means a lot.” I grab his hand beneath the table.

He leans over and brushes his lips over my cheek in a feather light caress. “Anything to make you happy.”

Elle gags from across the table. “Sick. You guys make me
sick
.”

Bennett chuckles and flashes her the finger before his hand vanishes under the table.

Ryland looks around, taking in the shiny marble floors, and crystal chandelier. “This place is … insane.” He shakes his head like he can’t quite believe it.

“It’s grand.” I shrug. “I guess my great-great-great … Well, however many great-grandpas it went back, really wanted to make a statement.”

“Well, he definitely did.” Ryland nods and tugs on the collar of his tux.

“So, what is there to do here at this party?” Elle asks, picking up a sparkling silver fork and looking it over before setting it back on the table. 

“Dance,” I say.

“Eat,” Dean adds.

“Eat,” Willow echoes.

“There will be a live band,” I say and turn to Willow. “Is your dad’s band playing this year?”

Willow shrugs. “Don’t think so.”

“Wait …” Elle looks at Willow with wide eyes. “Are you Maddox Wade’s daughter?”

Willow nods with a sheepish smile. She might’ve grown up in the limelight but the girl hates the attention. “Yeah, that’s me.”

“Oh, my God,” Elle breathes. “I can’t believe you’re Willow Wade.” She shakes her head back and forth. “That is so cool. You must’ve seen some pretty amazing places growing up with all the traveling you guys did.”

Willow shrugs. “It wasn’t as exciting as you’d think. We stayed in hotels or on the tour bus most of the time.”

“Oh,” Elle says. “I guess that makes sense.”

My mom comes breezing over, looking killer in her dress, and I introduce her to Elle and Ryland. I’ve talked to her about both of them, so she’s thrilled to finally meet them.

“I just wanted to let you guys know the food will be here soon.”

And then she’s off again.

Mascen and Lylah—Willow’s brother and sister—join us at our table, and Everett, Everly, Noah, Adalyn, and Mia take seats at the table next to us—they’re children of two of the other members of Willow Creek.

It’s nice seeing everyone since I haven’t seen most of them since summer. I know I’m lucky to have grown up around so many other kids my age. We all formed a special, unbreakable, bond. 

A commotion near the ballroom’s entrance sends us all turning in that direction.

“Liam!” Willow cries and then she’s up, dashing out of her chair. She throws herself into Liam’s arms and he hugs her tightly.

Dean groans and moves his chair back to stand. “I better say hi.”