Page 50 of Savage

Bethany gives him a knowing smirk. “Yeah? How much did you pay for the evening?”

I blink at her, stunned that she’d make that sort of statement in public.

Hunter lets out a small snort. “Nothing. Don’t confuse me with Jacob. It’s more of a surprise he’s here with Holly at all.”

The words make me go a little wide-eyed. How can people talk so casually about people purchasing the services of other people and… well… I can’t help but think no one here would think anything of my plight even if I tried to tell them.

“Mother invited both of them, that’s why.” Bethany looks at something past my shoulders and waves. “There she is.” She pulls out her phone to look at the time. “Wow, only twenty minutes late.”

Hunter’s brows crease. “Is her speech early? Or…”

For some reason, Bethany starts giggling. “No, I see now why she was on time-ish. Hi, Mother. Lovely to see you.”

Hunter’s mother approaches us, but she isn’t alone. There’s a man with her, much too young to be Hunter’s father, as well as a gorgeous woman around my age. There’s something familiar about the woman, but I can’t really place it.

“Hunter, Bethany!” Their mother opens her arms for an embrace, although they barely touch each other. The air kisses are a good six inches apart. When the greetings are done, she steps back and motions to the woman. “Hunter, I told you about Marylin? She is just as passionate about healthcare for children with terminal diseases. And…”

Finally, she seems to notice me. I try to step away from Hunter, but he keeps a firm grip on my arm.

“You didn’t say you were bringing somebody,” Hunter’s mother says in a brittle tone.

Hunter snorts. “In fact, I did. Mother, this is Stefanie. Stefanie, this is my mother, Senator Constance Savage.”

I don’t know if I’m supposed to speak, but I do know I’m not going to do any of those pointless air kisses. I don’t belong to the class of people who do them, and I don’t want to get close to them. “Hello, Senator,” I say politely, making sure I stand up straight. My voice trembles a little, but I try to hold it together—and the nerves have nothing to do with the toy inside of me and every bit to do with the intimidating woman in front of me. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

The look she gives me implies that I might as well be gum stuck to the bottom of her shoe.

“Yes, charmed. Anyway, Hunter. Marylin was telling me about the charity drives she does on her social media, the mypages or whatever—”

“It’s on Instagram,” Marylin interrupts. “I’ve just always thought, since I have such a huge following, it’s my duty to use that for good. And I know what it’s like to be a sick child—”

Suddenly, it clicks where I know her from. She’s a model, one I’ve seen in makeup ads. My friends and I used to browse websites looking for makeup tips and new looks to try out, and she’d been the spokesperson for one of the brands.

“Oh, it’s cute that you do that,” Bethany says after Marylin has finished explaining her whole charity drive. “Everybody needs a hobby. Stefanie, what line of work are you in?”

My thoughts flee from my head, and I find myself going completely blank. We didn’t discuss this. I don’t have a job. I don’t have interests I’ve been able to pursue except for gaming, and I doubt they’d be impressed by me sharing a hobby instead of some line of work. Then again, I bet Bethany is a trust fund baby who’s barely worked a day in her life.

Or maybe I’m being unfair.

I look at Hunter, trying not to let the panic show on my features as I work through my thoughts.

“Stefanie is auditioning for plays at the moment,” Hunter says smoothly. “Bethany, weren’t you friends with one of the directors of…”

“So she’s a waitress,” Senator Savage interrupts. “I suppose that would be the only place you’d meet people. In that case, Stefanie, do be a dear and get all of us a glass of wine. I’m sure you have a lot of practice balancing drinks on a tray.”

I hate this woman, and I’ve only just met her. Condescending bitch, I can’t help but think, but I try to keep my expression as open and pleasant as I can even though I want to tell her to get her own fucking drink.

“I…” I glance at Hunter again, feeling so helpless because we didn’t go over any of this. He’d told me not to leave his side, but I guess I’d been so stupid to think I could accompany him anywhere. I feel even smaller by the second.

“Here, I’ll go with you,” Marylin says. “You’ll need more hands anyway. White wine for everybody?”

“That would be lovely, yes,” Bethany says. “It’ll give me time to chat with my brother and mother in private, anyway. And… Oh, I forgot you were there too, Ethan.”

The man, whom I’d almost forgotten about, sighs. “I’m just here to keep Senator Savage on track. You have about fifteen minutes before the speeches. Doctor Savage, did you get the one we sent you?”

Marylin takes my hand and starts dragging me towards the bar. I expect Hunter to stop me, but he doesn’t do anything. I can’t help but feel betrayed. It’s like he’s thrown me—a tiny fish—into a shark tank, and he expects me to somehow survive. I’m uncultured, below middle class, and I have no place here.

I want to burst into tears, but I somehow keep control. I stay quiet, though, as Marylin leads me toward the bar.

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