Page 144 of Cruel Legacy

I could use a little of that in my life. Pax and Holden walk up. It’s like they have a beacon that flashes whenever Finn and I even think about taking our flirtation further. “Finn.” Pax says in a disapproving tone.

I pull my hand from his and turn him to face his friends. “Told ya’.” Before he can turn back around, I’m back on my mission to rescue LJ. I finally reach her after I’m stopped a few more times.

“Girl, you are working this room tonight.” I tease, linking my arm through hers to pull her to the side so we can get a few minutes to talk.

“Blame it on my mom. Every eligible son in attendance warrants an audience. As if I have a dance card that needs to be filled.”

“Any of those sons catch your eye?”

She chews her lip. “A few, but it does me no good if they don’t live around here, does it?”

“LJ, babe. That’s the best-case scenario. To hookup and not have to see them every day?” I wiggle my fingers. “Gimme all the hotties that fit that description.”

“More than one?”

“I decided a long time ago that I’m not really into relationships. I already know I suck at them. If you wanna party, have fun, get blown. I’m good. If you need me to call and text and do all that other couple shit. Pass.”

“Have you ever actually tried dating?”

“Once. When I was fifteen.”

“And what happened?”

“He got mad when I told him I agreed to go with someone to a wrestling match at the high school. That’s when he explained dating meant I couldn’t hang out with any guy that wasn’t him.” I snag a fresh champagne flute from a passing waiter.

“I can’t be restricted like that. I’ve always been a bit of a tomboy and an action geek. The girls in my neighborhood were getting into makeup and stuff and I still wanted to learn how to do wheelies on motorcycles. Telling me no guy friends put an end to my romantic hopes and dreams. Now I can have the fun and the dick. It’s perfect.”

She shakes her head at me. “Just wait. The right guy’s gonna come along and change your mind.”

“He’ll have to club me over the head and handcuff me first.”

She scrunches her nose. “Eeew, girl, I am not drunk enough to hear about your kinks.” We cackle, drawing disapproving looks, and laugh even harder.

Just as I’m relaxing, and having fun, with LJ, she’s pulled away again for another round of musical sons. I entertain myself by walking around the room, observing the people I recognize from school in their natural habitat.

For the ones that are standing off in corners with their friends, I try to match them with their parents.

Some are easier to figure out than others. Namely, the ones that are dressed like perfect replicas of their fathers or mothers, and some are the spitting image of their parents.

Finn said his father couldn’t make it. I wonder if he looks just like the second Finley Jefferson Rhodes, or if he favors his mother. He didn’t mention her being here, but that doesn’t mean she’s not. I scan the crowd again, trying to see if I can pick out the woman who birthed Finley Jefferson Rhodes the Third. Nobody stands out in the looks department, and the older women I’ve seen him interact with are giggling just as hard as the younger ones.

Holden, on the other hand. His father is here. I heard someone say Mr. Sullivan, and I checked to see who they were talking to. He’s just as big and broad as Holden.

His hair is blond, but he has the same stormy grey eyes as his son. He’s also a watcher like Holden is, cataloging every move and conversation happening around him, only he’s not as obvious about it.

Or as obvious as I was. He caught me watching him and did a very un-Holden like thing. His lips twitched. Not quite a smile, but close enough.

Then, he vanished. Seriously. One minute we’re looking at each other, but then a group of servers walked by with huge trays and by the time they moved, he was gone. It’s the kind of vanishing in a crowd skill I have yet to perfect. I’m impressed that such a big guy can move so stealthily.

There're tons of food here, but it’s basically feed yourself and mingle vibes. I like that there isn’t a table and seven course servings happening. That means I can graze as much as I want. I haven’t eaten since this morning, and I’ve been drinking the bubbly, so it’s time to put something more in my stomach.

I mentally applaud LJ’s parents on the food choices. There’s a lot of fancy hors devours, but there are basic foods too. I’m trying to decide between the chicken salad sandwich and turkey pin wheels. It’s a tough choice. I should probably stop trying to decide and take both. The way the caterers keep bringing out food, I’m sure there’s plenty for everyone.

“How horrifyingly uninteresting.”

“It’s food. Not too many ways to dress it up.” I say without looking up. I finish making my selections and look around for an empty cocktail table. I spot one over on the other side of the room. Hopefully, I can get to it before anyone else does.

“I wasn’t talking entirely about the food.”

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