Betrayed (20 page)

“I wish we could,” he said after a long embrace. “But I need to get down to the club, so I can make sure that Trevor made it onto the invitation list.”

“Is he coming, too?” I asked. I hadn’t seen him since the night he came home bloody, but apparently he was up and moving again.

Ethan shrugged. “Well, I actually gave him my invitation to the party because I didn’t think that I would be able to make it. I’ve called him a few times this afternoon, but he’s been MIA. I’m sure I can square everything away with the president of the club, but still wanted to get down there as early as possible to make sure there’s no issues.”

I nodded, though the burning desire inside of me was upset. “Just know that I have every intention of ravishing you all night long after the ball drops,” I said. I pulled him down by the tie until our lips met again.

“You drive a hard bargain,” he said, between kisses. “You’re going to fit right in at the business college.”

Ethan led me out to the car and held the door open for me.

“You’re sure you want to do this?” I asked, before getting in.

His face tightened. “Is something the matter?” he asked.

“This party could be a big deal. There could be faculty there - even some from the business college. It’s possible that someone could see us.”

Ethan struggled to respond but he didn’t say anything. He leaned in and kissed me, while a small smile formed at his lips.

“Kayla, if there’s anything I know for certain, it’s that I want to do this. I want to be with you, no matter who might see us. Rain or shine, I want you by my side.” He paused a beat. “I love you.”

My heart beat faster as it heard those words again. He didn’t say them in a casual, offhand sort of way. He said them with purpose - he said them with meaning. They sounded like the most honest words he’d
ever
said.

“I love you, too,” I said.

“Good. Then let’s go have ourselves a party - and to Hell with anyone who might get in our way.”

I giggled at his bravado, and slipped him another kiss before sliding into the car. Ethan was the man I loved, and I knew now, more than ever, that nothing was going to come between us.

Ethan pulled into the parking lot of the country club, and parked at the back. There were more cars than he’d expected since it was only seven. But the crowd would be older, and no one would know who he was.

The club sat along a back stretch of Skyline Drive. The road traced the southern edge of the Catalina Mountains. The huge houses of retirees littered the surrounding neighborhoods. Lawyers, doctors, and successful businessmen all called the area home. Ethan knew a few other professors that had a membership at the club, but he would have be surprised to see them there.

Ethan helped Kayla out of the car. She looked stunning in her black dress. A hunger deep in him growled, and he wondered why he didn’t take her up the offer to spend the night in bed.
 
And that was more important than another night spent in bed. He loved Kayla more deeply than he had ever loved anyone before - and he wanted to take every opportunity to try and give her a glimpse at just how deep that love ran.

“All of these cars are so nice,” she said as they walked toward the club.

Ethan couldn’t help a smile from spreading across his face.

“It’s one of the nicest country clubs in Tucson,” he said.

Kayla hugged him tight. “Your world is not one that I think I’ll be getting used to anytime soon,” she said.

“We’ll see about that,” he grinned. “You seem to adapt pretty quickly.”

They walked, arm-in-arm, up to the main building. Outside, an attendant checked people against a guest list, and just beyond, insdie the door, Ethan could see Parker Thompson, the club’s President, as he greeted guests.

“Name, sir?” the attendant asked.

“It’s Dewey,” Ethan said. The attendant flipped a few pages and scanned the list for the name.

“It looks like a Dewey has already arrived, sir. Perhaps it’s under a different name?”

Ethan smiled, nonchalantly.

“Actually, if you could get Mr. Thompson, there, he and I should be able to sort everything out. He’s expecting me.”

The attendant glanced over his shoulder. “Of course, sir.” The attendant flagged down a guard who got Parker Thompson’s attention. When he looked over and saw Ethan standing at the front station, he ran over.

“Mr. Dewey, so nice to see you. It’s OK, Jeremy.”

The attendant smiled and extended a hand, welcoming them to the party. Ethan thanked him and handed him a folded up twenty. As the two walked toward the front door, Parker fell in step with them.

“It’s so good to see you, Ethan, I’m glad you were able to join us tonight.”

“So am I. I was able to wrap everything up at work a bit early. So, I take it that my brother is here?”

“He arrived about a half hour ago with his date,” Parker said.

Ethan’s smile spread wide. “Glad to hear it. It’s high time I meet the mystery girl. Have you seen where they are?”

“I believe I last saw them out by the pool. Please, enjoy your night.”

Parker remained in the entryway as Ethan and Kayla made their way toward the back of the building.

“He brought a date?” Kayla asked. The two eased their way through the enormous dining room.

“He’s been seeing this girl, and things seem to be getting pretty serious with her,” Ethan said. “At least, he thinks they are.”

Kayla’s face scrunched a bit. “
Thinks
they’re getting serious?”

“It’s complicated,” Ethan said. “He’s really interested, but part of him is worried that she’s just a rebound. He’s also not certain she’s quite as interested in him as he is in her.”

“That can be rough,” Kayla agreed. “Well, if he’s anything like you, I’m sure he can turn on the charm and have her melting into his arms in no time.”

Ethan chuckled softly. “And, if she’s anything like you, he’ll probably be swooping her off to Vegas to elope.”

Kayla’s face quirked a bit and Ethan was suddenly nervous. He hadn’t meant to bring up the thought of marriage so quickly, but he would have been lying to say that he hadn’t considered it already. Kayla was the kind of girl that only came around once in a lifetime, and he would be damned if he didn’t at least
consider
forever.

Ethan’s eyes scanned everywhere for his brother, but he didn’t see him. He felt a lightness in his step as he realized that everything seemed to be going well for him. He had Kayla by his side, and he reveled in the idea that Trevor had taken his advice and gone after the girl he was falling for. Perhaps he wasn’t so bad of a big brother, after all.

“Ethan,” someone called from off to the side. Ethan’s eyes tracked out over the crowd until they found the man who had called out to him. His stomach lurched in recognition. “Ethan, it’s so good to see you here. I’m glad you could make it.”

“Jerry,” Ethan said, hesitantly. Both men shook each other’s hands vigorously. “I didn’t realize you were a member here.”

“I’m still in my first month. The department thought it would be a good idea for everyone to get a bit more visibility in the community. I’m glad you could make it - I trust the proposal is in working order?”

“Wrapped it up this morning. It’s sitting on my desk waiting to be submitted first thing in the morning.”

“Great, that’s splendid news,” Jerry said, his eyes lighting up. “I’m sure that’s a huge load off your shoulders.” There was a pause while the two men smiled at each other. “I see you have a date,” Jerry continued, looking toward Kayla.

Kayla had her arm wrapped around his, and he felt it tense for a second.

“I’m sorry, this is Kayla,” Ethan said. “Kayla, this is Jerry Sandberg. He heads up the Finance department at the business college.”

“Charmed to meet you,” Jerry said. He took her hand in his, and pressed his lips to it. “How did Ethan manage to talk a pretty girl like you into coming to a stuffy place like this?”

Kayla’s smile never wavered. “It’s my first New Year’s in Tucson - he assured me this was the place to be.”

Jerry grinned wolfishly at her. “It’s a bit stuffy, but you could do worse. What brought you to Tucson?”

“Oh, I’m a student…,” Kayla began.

“Kayla is actually the reason I was able to get the proposal done in time,” Ethan said, interrupting her. Jerry’s eyes shot between them. “She was kind enough to donate her time over the winter break.”

“That’s… interesting,” Jerry said. “So are you pursuing a business degree at the University?”

Kayla’s eyes shot nervously to Ethan - he read the hesitation in her look as clearly as if she had spoken it. She didn’t know how influential a person Jerry was, and she didn’t want to say something that would jeopardize her academic standing. But, he wasn’t about to lie about their situation. As far as Ethan could see, there was nothing to be hidden away. She was no longer a student of his, and he had no say over her future in the business college. That meant their relationship wasn’t inappropriate, and he wasn’t going to treat it like it was.

“She’s applying for the business college this semester,” Ethan said. “She actually just submitted her application a few days ago.”

Jerry’s eyes narrowed, but the leering looks he shot her way remained. “Well, best of luck to you, then. It sounds like you’re quite the ambitious applicant - I’m sure you’ll fit right in.”

“I’m afraid you’re going to have to excuse us,” Ethan said. “We’re supposed meet my brother, and we’re already running late.”

“Of course, don’t let me keep you,” Jerry said. He still held Kayla’s hand tight in his, and he raised it once again to his lips. “It was a pleasure,” he said, pressing his lips to her hand. “My door is always open, if you need absolutely anything.”

“Thanks you, you’re too generous,” Kayla said with a small dip of her chin. Her cheeks blushed red, and she clung to Ethan, as soon as Jerry released her. The two, once again, made their way through the crowd in search of Trevor.

“That man gives me the creeps,” Kayla said when Jerry was no longer in earshot.

“He certainly has a way about him. You get used to it after a while.”

She scowled, but she didn’t say anything more. The two made their way throughout the crowd, in search. Trevor was nowhere to be seen, and Ethan was beginning to wonder if he had snuck out of the party early. For a second, he worried that something had happened between Trevor and his date - but it would have been more likely that they were off being intimate somewhere.

Just as he was about to call it quits on their search, Ethan saw the familiar shape of his younger brother huddled near the refreshments table at the back of the outside dining area. He was standing in a small group of people talking, and Ethan thought it was pleasant that his brother was able to fit himself into social circles wherever he went. Both brothers were naturally charismatic when they wanted to be. A mystery girl stood close at Trevor’s side, and there was no mistaking the fact that she was his date.

“There he is,” Ethan said. “Let’s go surprise him.”

The two of them walked toward the small gathering. As he drew closer, there was something familiar about the way the mystery girl held herself. It gnawed at his subconscious, and his instincts told him he was walking into a trap. But it was already too late.

“Trevor,” Ethan called out. Trevor’s eyes narrowed when he heard his brother’s voice, and he looked around his date at the couple approaching.

“Ethan, what are you doing here?” he said quickly, his voice tense.

It was then that the mystery girl turned and faced the them. Ethan’s stomach twisted into tight knots, and he fought down a violent retch. He to turn Kayla aside at the last moment, but the damage had been done.

“Kayla?” Dana asked. “What the Hell are you doing here?”

“What the Hell are you doing here?” Dana asked, again.

I stared at her in disbelief.

“What am
I
doing here?” I stuttered. “
You’re
supposed to be in California.”

Her face darkened and she took a step forward. Trevor put a hand on her arm, but she yanked herself away. Her eyes darted between Ethan and I.

“How long have you been running around behind my back?” she asked.

“I haven’t done anything behind your back,” I said. “But it doesn’t look like I can say the same thing about you.” I glanced over her shoulder at Trevor, who was looking more and more nervous by the second.

“Ladies, maybe we should take this elsewhere,” Ethan said.

“Stay out of this, asshole,” Dana said, jabbing a finger at him.

“Don’t you dare talk to him like that,” I said.

“You’re going to stand there and defend
him
?” she sneered. “The womanizer who runs around with any student that will have him?”

Her voice was growing louder, and a few of the partygoers were beginning to notice. I looked around with a nervous smile, hoping that no one had paid attention to what she said.

“It’s not like that, Dana. There’s more to it than that.”

She shook her head sharply. “I can’t believe how low you’re willing to sink yourself.”

“Me? I didn’t do anything wrong, you’re the one that’s sneaking around with his brother. Is he the one you were seeing all this time? Is he the one you didn’t want me to meet?”

She was silent for a moment, and I knew that I was right. My head swirled as I thought back on the beginning of winter break, when she had begun dating someone and refused to tell me about it - it had been Trevor all that time. Dana had known she was in the wrong, or she wouldn’t have kept it from me.

“That’s not the point,” she sneered. “The point is that you knew how I felt about Ethan, and the moment I leave town you jump right back in his arms. I thought we were best friends, how could you do that to me?”

I swallowed hard. “That’s not how it happened,” I said. “I tried to keep my distance - I tried so hard. But I can’t change how I feel, and I can’t change how he feels about me.”

“He’s using you, can’t you see that? It’s what he does - he uses you until he’s tired of you.”

“That’s not true, and you know it,” I said. I could feel the anger boiling up inside of me.