feeling you didn’t come willingly.”
Opening my mouth to reply, the front door opens again. We both turn to an older version of Rylee. Her eyes squint as she glares at me, then gives the same glare to Rylee. “It’s time you come inside. She’s about to open presents.”
“Yes, Mother,” Rylee says.
Her mother turns her nose up and stands there holding the door open.
“This isn’t finished. You aren’t the villain in my story, August. So stop pretending you need to be.” Rylee makes her way up the steps and waits for me to join her.
“Is your friend coming?” her mother asks with raised eyebrows.
“Yes, he is,” Rylee says with a bite in her words.
With a sigh, I walk up the steps until I’m next to her and nod at Rylee’s mother. “Thank you for inviting me, Mrs. Harley.”
She turns her nose up and her eyes wander up and down my body. “I didn’t, but it seems you’re here anyway.”
Rylee gasps next to me.
“I can leave if it’s an imposition that I’m here.”
“Nonsense. August, isn’t it?” A man steps next to Rylee’s mother. “Poppy doesn’t do well with strangers. I’m Fred Harley, and it’s great to have you here.” He offers his hand, and I shake it. Rylee doesn’t leave my side as Paige and Glenn come to check where I am.
“Go inside. Let’s have a drink and talk,” Rylee’s mother, who I now know as Poppy, says.
“Your sister not here yet?” her father asks Rylee.
“No. She told me she and Noah are running late.” They move in the direction of what I can only describe as a sitting room.
When I glance back at Poppy, her mouth is in a thin line, and I’m sure if she could bare her teeth to me, she would. She leans in close and says, “I know who you really are, August. Stay away from my daughter. It’s a threat, not a warning,” she bites out as she steps past me and heads off to where everyone is waiting.
Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes, center myself, and then make my way inside the room.
Why the fuck I agreed to come to this party, I will never know.
Chapter 25
Rylee
August’s hands stay in his pockets as he stands near the entry of the living room, as close to the door as he can get, so he can make an escape at any minute if he needs to. With quick steps, I walk over to Paige and kiss her cheek, wishing her a happy birthday as I hand over her present. She pulls at the ribbon and paper with enthusiasm until she comes to what’s inside.
“We all know about your love for cooking, so it’s a two-day course with one of the best chefs in the area,” I explain to her.
She screams and jumps into my arms, kissing my cheek. “This is the best present ever! Thank you, Rylee.”
Beckham pulls her back down, and she goes on to the next gift.
I walk over to August and nudge his arm with my shoulder. “Want to get a drink?” His head swivels in my direction, his eyes are hard and lips are thinned. It’s as if he’s protecting his words. “Come on, you need it.” I slide my hand down his arm until it falls into his hand, and I grip tight. Pulling him away, I take August into the kitchen.
He skims me up and down, assessing me before his eyes lock on mine. “You look good.”
“Thanks to you,” I tell him truthfully. With August, I feel safe. He makes me feel things I haven’t felt in such a long time. I like that about him. I like that, with him, his hands never touch me out of anger. They only ever pleasure me.
“Did you press charges?”
“Yes, his family…” I shake my head. “You don’t want to know about that.” I blink a few times and then ask, “When can I see you again?”
“You’re seeing me right now.”
“You know that’s not what I mean.”
“There you two are.” My mother comes into the room. “You should both come back into the sitting room. We are going to cut the cake soon.”
“We will,” I reply.
She’s hovering.
Way too much.
I watch as she looks at the glass in August’s hand, then at me.
“Please don’t leave him in my house unattended. You do know what he went to prison for, right?” My mouth drops open at her words, and my eyebrows rise so high I think they are going to fall off my face.
Now,