“When this is all over, there’s one woman receiving Grandmother’s ring. I can pop the fucking thing on her finger tonight and be on a plane tomorrow.”
“Preston, enough with this Europe nonsense. You are not backpacking—whatever that means. We host this event every three years. It’s our family’s task to uphold the traditions of our community and be an example. How would it look if I let my only son go off gallivanting while other young men are here, doing what is right for their families?”
“It will look like I’ve won the race, so I’ve got no need to return to the starting line.”
“Preston, you know as well as I that your proposal to Delilah Winthrop must go through certain steps. It’s the only way it will be recognized by our family and the community.”
Mother pulled out a chair at the very head of the table. I sat without more prompting. She wanted me to sit up here lording over the room. So be it.
She placed a barely there kiss on my temple. “You are a Desai, my son. Everything you want, you shall have.”
No, Mother. Everything you want, I shall have.
I remained on my perch as the ballroom filled with faces I’d forgotten. Mother called us a community, but it was more accurate to say we were a group of people who shared specific traits and therefore similar goals.
We lived in all corners of the country and came together every three years to ensure all the money stayed in the family.
A commotion drew my eye. Gasps and “oh mys” followed the guy making a beeline toward me. Sauntering around a formal party barefoot and shirt hanging open would draw that kind of reaction. Faith Stevens scurried in after him with her hair hastily arranged in a bun and her gown slightly twisted.
“You couldn’t have put your clothes on in the same closet where you took them off?” I asked, less than mildly interested.
“And deny these ladies a sneak peek to what they’re in for this summer?” He threw himself down next to me and shoved on his shoes. “I’m a bastard, but I’m not that cruel.”
“Bastard is right.”
He easily flipped me off and did up his buttons at the same time.
“You almost sound excited about this summer, Nathan.”
He pulled a face, looking me up and down. “You’re not? You’re about to have more sex than you can stand, my brother.”
“I’d have gotten plenty of that in Europe too. You, me, and Carter have been planning this trip since freshman year. But thanks to Mother, every three years suddenly came a year early, and it’s a waste of our time. I’m set to marry Delilah. You’ve fucked and fucked over nearly every girl here, so your only options are the two— maybe three girls who haven’t been warned off yet. As for Carter, he doesn’t care about any of this. He’ll slip a ring on whoever doesn’t get on his nerves.”
“Look, man, when I find the guy who’s been pissing in your Cheerios, I’ll be the first one kicking his ass. Until then, lighten up. Europe isn’t going anywhere and neither are you. Not until you lock down Delilah.”
“She’s locked. Who else is she going to marry?” I smirked at him. “You?”
Nathan absentmindedly rubbed his cheek. I could almost see the red handprint. “All I did was ask if she was into anal. What happened to making conversation?”
I chuckled. Nathan Prince and I couldn’t be more dissimilar. Didn’t make me any less stuck with the guy. He’s the sibling my parents didn’t bother to have after their first try got them what they wanted, a son and heir.
“Speaking of making conversation, just how drunk off your ass are you?”
He shrugged. “I had more than a little and not nearly enough. Answer your question?”
“You missed a button,” I said simply.
Nathan jerked his chin. “Look. Your boyfriend is here. You can stop pouting now.”
I followed his line of sight to my supposed boyfriend and landed on Carter. The sandy-haired son of an oil tycoon climbed the dais.
“It’s about time you got here, Knight. Preston was pitching a fit because you two won’t get to run around Europe boning each other.”
“I’d never bone Preston,” he said without skipping a beat. “You know I’ve only got eyes for you.”
“You and everyone here, my friend.” Nathan folded his arms behind his head. “You and everyone here.”
Carter snapped his fingers. Two servers materialized almost immediately. “Serve the first course.”