The Final Temptation (6 page)

Yup, just like I expected, a giant cluster-fuck. Right when I thought there was no way this night could get any worse, I was wrong. Because my mom ended up inviting Cooper over at the last minute to join us, thinking it would be nice for him to have a home-cooked meal since he will be going back to his apartment soon. He was completely caught off guard when he walked in to see the Vails. But Brittany? Oh, the bitch was overjoyed, and before I could take the seat next to him she did, which left Julia and me to sit directly across from them. To say you can cut the tension with a knife is a huge understatement.

I watch the bitch sidle up close to the man I have been in love with for three years, the same one who gave me the best orgasm of my life just the other night. My heart pounds in fury, and my body vibrates with the urge to punch her out when she leans over and whispers suggestively in his ear with a giggle. Even though it’s apparent that Cooper is uncomfortable with how she’s acting, he doesn’t push her away. I assume he doesn’t want to cause a scene, but regardless, it pisses me right off. I glare at him, not bothering to hide my irritation, and feel Julia put her hand on my bouncing knee in comfort; I’m sure she can tell I’m about ready to commit murder.

Small talk happens amongst the parents but I do nothing except shovel heap loads of food in my mouth, hoping it will keep me quiet long enough to get through this disaster and not ruin the night for my dad. But I’m finding it very difficult when all I keep hearing is that bitch giggling. I don’t bother to glance up, not wanting to know what she’s giggling about.

“Did James tell you Brittany’s car was vandalized the other night?” Mrs. Vail asks my parents.

Julia and I both tense and my mother gasps in horror. “Oh my gosh, no he didn’t, that’s horrible.”

“What did they do to it?” my father asks.

Mrs. Vail clears her throat and I take a sip of my drink, suddenly needing to wash down the thickness in my throat. “They wrote obscene messages on the trunk of her car and spread feces on it.”

I should have never taken that drink, because, before I can stop myself, I choke on the smooth liquid. I slap a hand over my mouth, trying to cover the laugh bubbling up from my throat. Julia pats me on the back and I can tell she’s having a hard time containing herself, too.

“Honey, are you all right?” my mom asks in concern, completely oblivious.

I finally manage to pull myself together. “Yes, sorry, it just caught me off guard,” I mumble then glance at Brittany to see her glaring at Julia and me. I bite back a smirk and just can’t refrain myself from saying: “That really is awful. Why do you think someone would do that to you?”

“I have no idea,” she grinds out. “But I know Coop will find out who did it and make them pay. Won’t you, baby?” she croons, leaning closer to him.

My amusement vanishes and my fists clench under the table with the need to punch her smug face that’s decorated with clown makeup, like usual. I quirk a brow at Cooper and wait for him to say or do something. He shifts in his seat but I’m not sure if it’s to move away from her or because he’s uncomfortable. Either way, the fact that he isn’t outright pushing her away has my anger reaching a whole new level.

“Well I’m glad nothing too serious was done and she wasn’t injured,” my father says, trying to break the awkward tension that has settled over the table once again.

Mr. Vail nods. “Yes, us too, and we feel very confident with Cooper’s ability to catch the hooligans who did this.”

Even though I’m incredibly pissed off right now at Cooper, I still can’t help but feel guilty for the position he’s in.

“So, Kayla, what are your plans after graduation?” Mrs. Vail asks, changing the subject. “What college are you attending?”

I take a deep breath and try to calm the storm of conflicting emotions swirling inside of me. “Actually, I’m not going to college. I plan to take the massage therapy program at the health and wellness center in Charleston in the fall.”

“You want to be a massage therapist?” she asks, as if not understanding that concept.

I try to be as polite as I can and not show my irritation. “Yes, ma’am, I’m also planning to practice Chinese medicine and do acupuncture.”

“Oh, well… That’s nice, dear.” I don’t look up from my plate, suddenly feeling uncomfortable, like my choice to not go to some Ivy League college makes me inferior.

“Yes, very nice,” Brittany adds snidely, which has my heart rate thumping madly again.

“I think it’s something you will be really good at.” My head snaps up in surprise at Cooper’s words and my heart warms. I also get a small level of satisfaction at the jealousy on Brittany’s expression.

“I agree,” my mother says, cutting in. “This is something Kayla has always been passionate about. Ever since she was a little girl she has always wanted to help people. She will be graduating with honors and we are very proud of her.” I look over at my mother and smile, her words meaning a lot to me in this moment.

“Well that’s great.” Mr. Vail joins in on the conversation now. “And you know, there isn’t a massage therapy clinic here in Sunset Bay, so you could even open your own business if you wanted.”

“That’s my plan one day,” I tell him truthfully. “And I know just the man to build it for me.” I look over at my father with a smile and he winks at me.

“And what about you, dear?” Mrs. Vail asks Julia.

“Oh-well,” Julia stammers nervously, never liking to be the center of attention. “I’m hoping I get accepted to the University of Charleston. I want to get my teaching degree.”

“A teacher?”

Julia nods. “Yes, I would love to teach elementary school one day like my mother did.”

“And you will be the best teacher any kid can have,” I chime in, slinging an arm over her shoulder.

She smiles back at me. “Thanks.”

“How about you, Brittany?” my mom asks. “Your mother said you are attending the University of Charleston. What is your major?”

“Business,” she boasts proudly in her usual annoying voice. “I plan to start my own company as well, though not anything like Kayla. My plan is to open a high-end, successful fashion boutique.”

I don’t miss her not-so-subtle hint, and before I can stop myself I snort. The only business that girl could run successfully is a whorehouse. The room falls silent again and I feel Brittany’s glare on me.
Oops.

“I was actually just telling Cooper all about my plans last night over supper, and he liked my ideas.”

I falter at her words and feel like I’ve just been slapped in the face. My eyes snap to Cooper and I see his head fall back in defeat, looking rather upset that he’s been busted. The bastard lied to me. Something that I didn’t think he would ever do. “Wow, two nights in a row for supper together?” I ask, trying to keep the hurt and anger out of my tone, but know I don’t succeed.

He is about to say something but Mrs. Vail cuts him off. “Oh yes, Cooper is at our house often for supper, and we always enjoy having him.”

I try to rein in the pain and fury rushing through me right now, but my control finally snaps when Brittany leans over and kisses his cheek. “I hope you’re still coming to the lake house with us next weekend.”

Okay, that’s fucking it.
I lean over, pretending to reach for the butter, and knock her full glass of red wine over, making sure it spills on both of them, which isn’t hard since she’s practically on top of him. Brittany gasps and flies backward.

“Oops. Sorry ‘bout that,” I deadpan, clearly not meaning it.

“Uh oh,” Julia mumbles.

“You bitch, you ruined my brand new Vera Wang top.”

“Brittany!” her father scolds.

The room erupts in chaos as everyone rushes to Brittany’s aid. I feel Cooper’s eyes on me but I don’t look at him, I can’t, and I can’t look at my father either.

“Come on,” I grab Julia’s hand, needing to get the hell out of here. “I’m sorry, dad,” I whisper as I rush past him.

“Kayla, where are you going?” my mom calls out, but I don’t stop and answer her, my throat getting tighter by the second.

Julia swipes her purse from the couch as we make our way to the door. I decide to forgo mine, not wanting to run to my room to get it. Once we’re outside I tug Julia behind me, urging her to move faster to my car.

“Kayla, wait! Get back here!” Cooper shouts as he chases after us, but, again, I don’t stop. I get in and immediately start the car then as soon as Julia’s ass hits her seat, I’m peeling out of my driveway. “Fuck!” I faintly hear his curse through my open window as I speed down the street.

It isn’t until I’m far enough away that I finally take a deep breath, though it’s a struggle through the lump that’s lodged in my throat.

“Well, that was intense,” Julia whispers, trying to find words for the cluster-fuck we just left behind. I don’t say anything, I stare straight ahead, the road blurring in front of me from the tears clouding my eyes. She reaches over and places a hand on my leg. “Are you okay?”

I shake my head, because I’m not. I’m angry, hurt, confused and, most of all, I feel guilty for just ruining everything for my father.

“She was just doing it to hurt you, Kayla. Don’t let her win. It was easy to tell she was making Cooper uncomfortable, too.”

I choke out a bitter laugh. “Yeah, well, not uncomfortable enough, considering he didn’t push her away.”

“You’re right. He should have.”

“He fucking lied to me, Julia. He said he hasn’t had anything to do with her since they broke up.”

“Maybe he was over at her house for another reason?”

I shake my head, dismissing the suggestion immediately. No way, it didn’t sound like that at all. I glance over at her. “Do you still have the invitation to that party in Callingwood?”

She hesitates. “Yes. It’s in my purse, but I sort of told Jax I wouldn’t go since you told Cooper you weren’t going.”

“Yeah, well, that promise to him is out the fucking window now, but you don’t have to come. I can drop you off at home on my way. I would completely understand, but I need to get out of here, Jules. I need to get my mind off of what just happened back there.”

She shakes her head. “Of course I’m coming. I’ll drive home if you want to have a few drinks.”

“Thanks,” I whisper, glad that she always has my back. Because that is exactly what I want to do—I want to party my ass off and forget this night ever happened, and more importantly, I want to forget about Cooper McKay. Though I doubt any amount of alcohol will ever erase him from me, especially my heart.

*

An hour later I realize this was a mistake, because no matter how much I drink or how much I try to mingle, nothing lifts the heaviness that’s weighing down on my chest.

People bump into me from either side as I make my way through the heavy crowd to find Julia. Some stop to hug me and ask how I’m doing, some try to get me to join their drinking game, and suddenly it all becomes too much.

I dart to the left and push my way through the crowded bodies until I finally make it into the deserted woods. The loud music starts to fade as I walk a little ways in, finding the privacy I need. I take a seat against one of the big oak trees and try to get my head together, but the quiet has me thinking about the night’s earlier events. Hugging my knees to my chest I let my tears flow freely, and try to think of how I’m going to make it up to my parents. As for Cooper… I shake my head, the pain is too much to think about it right now, but I know what I have to do.

The sound of a branch snapping has my head shooting up, and I see none other than Mark fucking Stevens stumbling toward me.
Great, just what I need.

“Well hey there, Goldilocks.” The nickname I was given back in grade school by my peers slurs out of his drunk mouth.

“Keep walking, Mark, I’m not in the mood for your shit tonight,” I mumble and swipe at my wet cheeks, hating for anyone to see me cry.

He clutches at his chest dramatically. “Your words cut me deep.” I roll my eyes at his theatrics. He makes his way over to me, completely ignoring my brush-off, and takes the spot next to me. “Here, have some of this. It will make you feel better,” he says, thrusting his drink toward me.

“No, thanks.”

He dances the cup closer to my face. “Come on, take it, I know you want it.”

I push his wrist away with a chuckle. “Get the hell out of here. God you’re annoying. Anyone ever tell you that?”

“Only the ladies that want me.” I shake my head at his arrogance. “What’s going on, Kellar? Not like you to cry.”

“Yeah, because you know me so well.”

“I do,” he replies insulted. “I’ve known you almost my entire life.”

“You have gone to school with me most of your life, that doesn’t mean you know me.”

“I know you never cry, and I know that Julia is your best friend.” I quirk a brow at him. “I’m not just a pretty face,” he says, tapping his cheek. I turn my face away, trying to hide my smile from him. “I can actually be a good listener, if you give me a chance.”

Silence consumes us as I think about it.
Am I seriously considering talking to him about this?
I look back at him to see him watching me, and he smirks when he knows he’s got me.