Restoration & Forgiveness (Renovate Book 2) (20 page)

"Gretchen, you know this isn't a costume party? You are totally killing the prostitute look. I'm sure it didn't take too much effort, since it seems to be your everyday look."

Reese's insult isn't taken too well and a look of pure loathing aimed at us. I hold back a laugh. Kaleb isn't as controlled as I am, because he snorts out a laugh and tries to hide it by fake coughing. Gretchen's head whips toward him, and she gives him a death glare.

"Keegan, we need to talk about some things," she says.

"Gretchen, whatever it is can wait till the morning." Gretchen stares at him with hard eyes. I'm not sure if she's attempting to use her evil powers on him. We may need to change into our superhero identities if we are going to have to fight evil tonight.

"Fine. Tomorrow first thing, or I'll track you down." She turns on her heels and walks away, and I relax.

"Are you okay?" Keegan asks.

"Yep, peachy." I put on a fake smile. He rubs my back and looks at me, concerned. They are all staring at me, giving me somewhat of a complex.

"Please don't give me those looks, you guys look like someone stole your puppy."

"We'll be back in a jiffy," Reese says, pulling me toward the ladies' room. I almost trip as she drags me behind her. When she opens the door, she walks in and checks the stalls. I'm worried either something happened, or she's going to yell at me.

"Listen, you can't let that woman get to you. She's a poacher. Everything she does is for a reaction. When I walked up you were seconds from going postal on her."

"I wasn't."

"You were."

I want to scream right now. Reese is absolutely correct. She knows what buttons to push, and I'm ashamed at how transparent I am.

"Keegan was good? He stood up to her?" she asks.

"Yeah, he was great. He was real pissed when she touched him."

"What a whore!" Reese spits out.

"She's a big whore," I say, and we both laugh.

The door to the bathroom opens and an older woman walks in and greets us. Reese fixes her hair and reapplies her lipstick.

As we are walking back, I copy her composure. Shoulders straight, chest out, head high. I don't feel confident, but at least I can look the part.

As we approach our table, both Keegan and Kaleb meet us. I'm handed another flute of champagne, and Reese is given a glass of what appears to be ginger ale. We both sip. I'm suddenly warm all over, and I'm not sure if it's my agitation or the alcohol I've consumed. Keegan plants a kiss on my lips. When I look over at our table, Gretchen is staring at us. It's like the night of Keegan's father's party. She was unhappy and just waiting for her opportunity to make her move.

"It looks like they're going to serve dinner. Shall we sit?" I nod. Keegan places his hand on my lower back, guiding us to our seats, and pulls my chair out for me without taking his eyes off me. Gretchen is seated to the left of him, and I'm on the right. Reese has placed herself comfortably next to me. Kaleb sits beside her, placing his arm lazily over the back of her chair. There is another couple sitting at the table, and we all make polite conversation. Gretchen tells them how Keegan is the most prestigious architect in the city. She looks at him proudly, and I feel like throwing up as she assumes the part of his date. It's awkward until Keegan looks over at me.

"This is my fiancée, Aimee Brennan. Doesn't she look beautiful?" I blush, and then realize he's just referred to me as his fiancée. We weren't planning on announcing it until things were more settled. Glancing to my right, I see Reese with a happy, excited look on her face. She's not looking at me, but past Keegan to Gretchen, whose face has gone ghost white. She is speechless, just staring at Keegan in disbelief.

Everyone at the table congratulates us. Gretchen's is obviously forced. Our meals are served and there isn't much talk. Reese devours hers, and even finishes off mine.

"You might want to slow down, you're eating for two, not twenty-two," Gretchen says.

She just can't help herself; mean, and plain awful. I wonder if her parents are as bad. They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, and I imagine hers are evil villains. I picture her mother holding up a poisoned apple.

Reese doesn't react to her attack, and just keeps eating. I on the other hand shoot her a dirty look. I try to say with my eyes what I can't with my mouth.

Just before dessert is served, Gretchen stands and walks off. I'm sure she's seething. I don't much care, and am glad she has stormed off.

Keegan is very attentive, placing his hand on my knee and whispering in my ear. All thoughts of Gretchen have disappeared. When he stands and offers his hand, I take it and he leads us to the dance floor. Couples are dancing to Frank Sinatra. He twirls me, pulling me close as we dance. I stare into his eyes as we move to the music. He ends up dipping me playfully, and I laugh happily. This here feels right, fun, and easy. It's how it should always be.

"No running?" he asks.

"Not anymore," I reply.

He smiles and places his cheek against mine. His skin is warm, and I love the feel of the new stubble that has grown from this morning. My heart does a flip as I inhale his musky scent. I close my eyes, cherishing our moment of peace. I'm not sure how long it will last, but I need it. I am going to lock these moments away and take them out when I need to be reminded that we belong together.

"Do you mind if I cut in?" The voice belongs to Kaleb. Keegan moves aside and his brother takes his place, clasping his hand in mine. The change in partners is effortless. I am at home with Kaleb; he's who he is. A confident, caring, straightforward person.

"We should have a double wedding," he states.

I laugh carelessly, but he has a sincere look on his face.

"Are you serious?"

He looks at me with a somber expression. Have I offended him?

"Of course not, you are so gullible." I playfully hit him in his arm, and he grabs it as if I have wounded him.

"You know I'm happy that you and Reese found one another. It gives me hope for the rest of us."

He stops, confused, and looks in my eyes for an indication of what may be swirling around in my head.

"My brother can be dumb, and he's done some really idiotic things, like ever leaving you the first time. I mean, talk about dumb. 'You're the love of my life, but it's just too much.' Give me a break, man." He mocks Keegan, and he is actually irritated. I've forgiven Keegan for the past. It's a non-issue, but I think that if Keegan had made some different choices we wouldn't be dealing with this clusterfuck.

"Hey, it's the past. We are all different now," I tell him.

"I suppose, but you know if I had to choose him or you, it would be you?"

"That's ridiculous, Kaleb. You don't mean that. He's your brother."

"That doesn't make you any less than a sister to me, Aimee."

I'm touched by his confession. I still don't believe he would ever turn his back on his own flesh and blood, but it's good to know he's in my corner. If I want anyone there, it's him and Reese. I would never doubt her loyalty, but Keegan is Kaleb's brother.

"It's too bad your parents never gave you a little sister, you would have been a awesome big brother, the both of you."

He sighs. "What am I going to do with you?"

"Well, you're stuck with me so you will have a long time to figure it out," I say.

The song ends and I link my arm with his. We walk back to our dates, who look to be deep in conversation.

"Aimee and I have decided this isn't working. We clearly need to change some things," Kaleb says, getting their attention. Reese and Keegan look confused. They both look at Kaleb, waiting for further explanation.

"So, Aimee and I've just realized that we were meant to be. We are going to run away and get married, tonight. I'm sorry, guys," he says with a straight face.

I'm as shocked as they are. Kaleb has a way of turning the mood in a room. He's naturally charismatic. The look Keegan gives him is close to death.

Keegan grabs me, pulling me toward him and farther away from Kaleb.

"I'm just kidding, bro, take it easy. But if you need somewhere quiet to talk,"—he air quotes and winks at Keegan—"there's a great coat check closet that I can vouch for."

"Stop messing with him, Kaleb, or there will be no more coat check closets for you," Reese tells him, and that gets his attention, because his mouth is suddenly sealed.

Keegan pulls me close. "All this talk about closets has me wanting to take you upstairs," he whispers in my ear.

"I'm perfectly fine with that."

Keegan steps away to say his goodbyes, and asks me to wait for him in the lobby. Reese and Kaleb decide to stay a little longer. Apparently, it's the first time in a while since she hasn't fallen asleep before six, and they want to take advantage of her new energy level.

I pass the coat check closet on my way to the lobby, and laugh to myself, thinking those two are crazy, but the good kind.

I sit on a couch, located near the front desk, I check my messages quickly, and have a voice mail from my dad. He's checking in with me. One of his promises was to call or message me every couple of days to let me know how he is. He sounds good, and tells me of course not to worry. Easier said than done.

"Well, well, look who we have here. The one that got away, but really didn't."

Just when my night was beginning to look pretty perfect, she has to find me. It's as if the universe is telling me to grow a spine or something, putting me in these situations.

I ignore her, because Reese is right, she's trying to get a reaction from me. I can't let it go that far again. I'm alone with her right now, and she can surely remove the gloves. This isn't going to be pretty, so I grab one of those special Keegan and Aimee moments out of the vault. I wasn't expecting to have to use one tonight.

"That pathetic ring on your finger means nothing. He's never going to marry you, and you know why?"

I look up at her. She is giving me a venomous look, and she's the one who insulted me. I should stand up and walk away, but where am I going to go? She'll just follow me, and at least out in the open I'm safe—for the most part.

"You aren't fit to be together. He's got talent, potential, success, and you have… well, look at you. It's certainly not your looks, because you're just plain. Do you have a magic vagina, give good head? When he's reminded of how much better sex is with me, you'll be a thing of the past."

There it is, the pushing of the buttons. She's determined to slap me without her fists, and doing an excellent job. I've had enough of her and her threats. I stand up to walk back to the ballroom. She follows, grabbing my arm in a vise grip. Pain shoots all the way up to my shoulder as she digs her nails in my skin. I pull my arm away, but she doesn't let go.

"Let go of my arm, or I'm going to tear yours off," I spit at her. My arm is released, and I rub it. I can still feel her grip on mine. I see the indents of her nails, and there are drops of blood.

"Just remember, you knew him as a child, but I turned him into a man. He's where he is because of me. I can take it all away as easily as I gave it to him."

"I doubt that, Gretchen. Filing false complaints just makes you look desperate."

She smiles at me, like I've just given her something to be happy about. I'm sure I just did. I can't care, though, at this moment.

"There are things about Keegan you just don't know. I hold his secrets, and there is no way he's going to give this all up for little you."

"You are delusional. I know all of your secrets, Gretchen, so don't threaten me with them. If you want a puppet, go to a toy store and buy one. Keegan is his own person; you are in no way responsible for his manhood. He's not like you, and never will be. He's got talent and drive; he doesn't need you to succeed. What he does need is me, a partner, someone who loves him for who he is, good or bad. I don't want to make him into something he's not. I take him for who he is, and has always been." I finish my speech.

I feel him before he even opens his mouth. He's behind me, and he places an arm protectively on my waist.

She doesn't move, but that vein in her neck is on full display. I notice another about to pop out of her forehead. My inner self is cheering that I won the war of words. She needs to know that she doesn't control him; maybe the company, but never him.

"Gretchen, I warned you repeatedly. If I ever see you come near her again, so help me God…" Keegan can't even form words, he's so livid.

"Keegan, you need to make a choice, me and your dreams, your future, or her?"

"God dammit, Gretchen, where have you been? She's my dream, my future, and it's all meaningless without her. Don't you get it? Have you been so self-absorbed this entire time? There will never be a choice because it's Aimee, it's been her the whole time."

She claps when he's finished, and lets out a hysterical laugh. "You have temporarily gone insane. You would give everything up, for her? I don't believe you. You'll realize you've made a mistake, Keegan, and I won't have my arms wide open. You get one chance, do you hear me?"

He stands taller, and moves in front of me. "Perfectly. I think it's time for you to leave, Gretchen, and I'll be working from home for the foreseeable future."

"Enjoy it, because it's not going to last. When I'm through with you, I'll make sure you don't have a home." She storms off, and I let out a breath I didn't even realize I had been holding.

We watch her disappear around the corner toward the exit.

"Are you all right?" He turns, grabbing my chin to look in my eyes.

Before I can answer, he notices I'm holding my arm. He grabs it to inspect my injury.

"Did she do this to your arm? What the fuck, you're bleeding, Aimee."

"I'm fine, I'll be fine, it's just a scratch," I tell him, attempting to put him at ease.

"It looks like you were attacked by a rabid animal."

Well, that is the perfect way to describe her; rabid indeed.

"Why did she do this?" he asks.

I would think that was obvious.

"You know why, Keegan."