Page 75 of Unravel Me

She curls herself into me, kissing me. “I probably look pathetic.” She huffs, worry still on her face. “It’s just I instantly shut down when I'm here. Or anywhere with them. I wanted it to be different this time. So badly.”

My heart aches as Audrey downs the rest of the whiskey, and I pull her in for one more kiss, breathing in her sweet jasmine perfume and running my hand along her back, beckoning her back up the path to the party.

Chapter forty-two

Audrey

Ispot my parents huddled together on the deck, isolated in the crowd of partygoers. This is my moment. I firmly grip Rhett’s arm, ready to introduce him to my mom. To rip the bandage off. To show them Jackson didn’t break me.

The live music on the pool deck fades away up near the house, and my mother wears a soft grin as she notices Rhett and I approaching. “Finally, my daughter comes to greet me.” She pulls me into a stiff hug, lightly kissing both cheeks. Her blue dress sweeps the top of her sandals, and she smells like the same perfume she’s worn since I was a child. Beside her, my dad remains stoic behind his tortoise shell sunglasses. His peppered hair doesn’t blow in the breeze, but his lips twitch and I clock the way he covers it with a sip of his drink.

“There’s a lot of people here, it was hard to track you down,” I reply, holding my Elson smile tightly on my lips. But my mom’s attention is already off me, her eyes tracing Rhett’s broad frame.

I nearly jolt, smiling up at the man next to me. “Mom, this is Rhett. Rhett Anderson.”

He reaches out his hand, and I hold my breath as my mother slips her small, manicured fingers in it, greeting him politely.

“You have a beautiful home, Mr. and Mrs. Elson. Thank you for inviting me.” Rhett’s smooth southern voice sounded like honey, and I could see the charm work on my mother for a moment. It was hard not to be charmed by him with his baby blues and dirty blonde hair that he let me style today. He looks polished, and the clothes I bought him fit like a glove.

“Thank you, Rhett.” She punctuates his name like it’s foreign on her tongue, and my neck pricks in response. “I’m glad you were able to get away from work and accompany Audrey. We weren’t sure if she'd make the time to see us this summer.” One of her eyebrows cock up, a flash of her white teeth, and I know it’s a double-edged statement.

Rhett remains in the dark. I've done a good job of shielding him from my parents' unpredictable behavior, but he must sense my unease. He always knows. A warm hand takes residency on the small of my back, steadying me in my spot.

“What is it you do for work? My daughter has told us nothing about you.” My father finally speaks, but rocks back on the heels of his leather loafers, shoving a hand into his pocket.

“I’m a carpenter, sir.”

My mother nods, murmuring something unintelligible as she sips her cocktail. The metal of my dainty necklace feels like it’s burning a line into my collar bone, but it’s not. It’s just the fierce fire inside me, wanting nothing more than to protect Rhett.

But I remind myself he asked for this. He wanted to meet them.

“Don’t let him downplay it,” I scoff, placing my hand protectively on his chest. “Rhett owns his own business and is quite talented. You’d be floored by some of the custom work he’s done.”

“Oh, is that right?” my mom muses and I smile back way too big.

“Yes, it is. You should see the library he is currently building at a home in Forest Hills, it’s beautiful.” Rhett’s hand stills on my back as he clears his throat.

“Oh, is that how you met, was Rhett doing work in your house?” My father smirks, like he dares me to reveal that his daughter fell for hired help. I grind my jaw before exhaling, refusing to let myself come undone this early in the night.

“No, we didn’t meet there.” I smooth my already perfect dress and tilt my head at my gawking parents. “Actually, I have good news. My agent, Elena, called me right after we landed at JFK. There’s already an offer on the house.”

Rhett’s fingers strum along my back. Earlier, he kissed me, twirling me around the hotel room when the news came, but that’s not the result I expect from my parents.

“Well, isn’t that something.” My mom swirls her cocktail as she laughs to herself. Probably her fifth cocktail. That’s how these parties usually go.

That’s my cue to be done with this conversation, so I smile sweetly, and grab Rhett’s hand. “We haven’t eaten, and the food looks promising, so I’ll see you two around, yeah?” I try to diffuse the situation.

“Your father,” my mother tapped my dad on the shoulder, her cocktail nearly spilling from her glass. “He spared no expense this year. Andrew is around here somewhere, I’m sure he will be happy to see his reclusive sister,” she adds, and I dip my head, pulling Rhett from the carnage. I don’t speak while we weave through people, arriving at the spread of food.

“There you go, you met Evelyn and Samuel, so we can eat and head out. Or there’s a cute little Italian place not far from here where we could grab a bite.” I get too excited at the idea of escaping this hellscape. I notice eyes on me, but I don’t acknowledge anyone. I’m already known as Samuel Elson’s distant daughter, and I’m not looking to change that title today.

Rhett turns to me, plucking an appetizer from a tray as catering staff walks by. “Everything is okay.” His crooked smile melts the piece of me I felt turn to ice the moment I arrived in this damn state. I nod even though I don’t buy it.

“Sure, that went better than I was hoping,” I admit sadly. “But I know this isn’t really your scene, so please, just say the word and we will leave.”

“Listen, if you need to leave darlin’, we can. I feel ridiculous in these clothes.” He laughs, caressing the side of my face, “but you know I can have fun anywhere with you.” He pauses, scanning the tables around me. “And say what you will about your parents, but I’ve never seen a buffet like this. And I haven’t eaten a decent meal since yesterday.”

“Fair enough.” I stand on my tiptoes, kissing him, and pat his chest. “I am going to use the bathroom and I’ll be back. Whatever you do, don’t get sucked into a conversation with anyone who comes out of the guest house. They are my brother’s friends. Grade A assholes and probably high.” Rhett grabs a look at the guest house, back to me.