Page 76 of Unravel Me

“Got it.”

The inside of my parent’s house is quieter, and I go through the kitchen to the back half of the house, to the bathroom I know the guests won’t be using.

I take a moment to catch my breath and reorient myself. I remind myself of the things I know are true.

I’m at my parent’s house at the shore. They met Rhett and it went okay. Just okay, but it could’ve been worse. They didn’t bring up my job or Jackson, and Rhett is being polite. He’s being perfect, actually. He is outside looking more handsome than any man I’ve ever seen. He is okay. I am okay.

Leaning on the sink, I take a deep breath, meet my hazel eyes in the mirror.

You can do this.

Shortly, I’ll be back at the resort with Rhett, and everything will be good again. I'll get to show him how much I appreciate him. Warmth spreads through me just thinking about being tangled with him in the king size bed.

“Oh, I’m sorry!” The bathroom door swings open, hitting someone.

“Audrey?” My father stands in the small, dim hallway, but his sunglasses are gone now, and his eyes are in view. It’s just us, the murmurs of the party are muffled beyond these walls, and I pause, still on a high imagining my night with Rhett. Letting myself think, for a split second, maybe things could also be okay with my father and I.

He might not accept every part of me or ever stop thinking he knows best. He might be business driven, but maybe, we could come to a mutual understanding. Maybe he could just be happy that Rhett loves me. Maybe it could be enough for him.

“Dad, hi,” I breathe out. He looks uncomfortable, and not just because I've boxed him into this corridor.

“Listen, we’re all adults here, so I know you’ll understand, but I don’t want you to be taken off guard. Jackson was invited to the party as well.”

It was logical. I know that. Every year, the executives from Elson Enterprises are invited to this party with their spouses and children. It’s always been that way. Jackson was the VP of Tippins Group, and the merger was finalized at some point this summer. I’d blocked it all out, unsubscribed from the narrative of that news. But it didn’t mean it didn’t sting less. It didn’t prevent my mouth from growing dry, from my heart cracking open, bleeding onto the tiny bit of joy I manufactured minutes ago.

“I see.” But then heat rises in my core thinking about the way my mother begged me to come home, guilted and shamed my long-time absence. All while knowing my cheating ex-fiancé would be in attendance.

My father purses his lips together, clearly done with the conversation, but I'm not. “Did you and Mom not think to give me that important information ahead of time, before you know, I flew up here to introduce you both to my new boyfriend?”

He holds his hands up, like he’s exhausted, accompanied by a sigh that fills the space between us.

“Don’t be like this, Audrey. We have been more than understanding about the called-off engagement, the house, even the employment news you sprang on us in the last twenty-four hours. I know you’re upset things didn’t work out how you wanted, but that’s the way of the world, honey. Things don’t always happen the way you think they should. I thought I taught you to be smarter than this. You know how to deal with this system, how to deal with people.” He peers at me, and I pause, not sure I want to believe this conversation is truly happening.

“Excuse me? What are you implying? You really think I should’ve just laid down and let Jackson treat me like a doormat?” I can barely control my voice and my father glances back, but no one is there.

“We all make mistakes. You of all people should know that.” His voice rasps, like this sentiment should be well-known, like it’s the hundredth time he’s telling me. “But Jackson could give you what you deserve. Together you two would’ve had it all, don’t you see that? You threw that all away, and I think you should reconsider the realities of the world. Where do you want to be in ten years?” I fall silent and my father sighs again. “Listen, I’ve worked with him all summer, he’s very remorseful, you know. He cares about you, Audrey.”

I want nothing more than to shove past my father. Fear courses through my veins picturing Rhett out there, a sheep in a lion's den.

“You are no better than him.” I shake my head, taking a step in the small space between my father and the wall but he catches my elbow, his mouth close to my ear.

“I’m only trying to look out for you. Can you look me in the eye and honestly tell me your future is with that man out there? Come on now. We are better than that.” He scoffs and I rip my elbow from his grip, fisting my dress as I rush through the house, searching frantically for Rhett in the crowd of people I never did trust.

Chapter forty-three

Rhett

“Are you finished with your drink?” A server nodded towards my empty glass, and I handed it to her.

“I am, thank you.” I smile, and a guy next to me, loading a plate with lobster from the grilling station, peers up over his sunglasses. I never understood people who wore sunglasses when it was dusk, but I try not to judge as I nod his way.

“I don’t believe I’ve met you.” He wipes a hand on a towel and holds it out. I shake it, noticing instantly the chocolate brown hair and high cheekbones. Must be an Elson.

“Rhett. I’m Audrey’s—” but Ray-Ban man cuts me off, a pearly half-smile painted on his face.

“My sister’s new boyfriend. Heard a Carolina accent and knew you weren’t with the Tippins group.” I raise an eyebrow, thinking of everything I knew about Audrey’s brother. Which wasn’t much; he’s a surgeon who she doesn’t see often. And she told me not to talk to him until she was back, but other than his annoying habit of wearing sunglasses in the dark, he seemed okay. Nothing I couldn’t deal with, at least.

“I’m Andrew, her older brother.”