Page 33 of Golden Rule

Still smiling, April’s eyes shift to Tiffany next. “But what about you? I didn’t seeyouwith the group, so maybeyou’rehungry?”

At first, Tiffany seems caught off guard when she’s put on the spot. But then her eyes soften when she offers a quick nod. “I am. Thank you.”

April’s smile grows. “Good. We’ll make sure to take care of you then.”

After that, she reaches out, giving Tiffany’s hand a quick squeeze before letting go, but for some reason, I can’t shake the feeling that it’s… calculated.

On my own, I’m having a hard time deciding whether I’m being sensitive, reading too much into the subtleties in April’s behavior, the slight shade in her words. However, when I catch a glimpse of Joss from the corner of my eye—the tension in her jaw, the vein throbbing in her neck near the coils of her dark hair tucked behind her ear—I know it’s not just in my head.

April’s cunning, the type that gives off thatbarely-thereshade. The kind that’s hard to call out because ill intentions are so easy to deny, but I see her.

“Right this way,” she says, turning on her heels to lead us through her massive home to the double doors on the far end of the great room.

We step out onto the patio. I’m not sure what I expected, but it wasn’t this—a tunnel of gold balloons leading us from the door to where the others are already laughing and mingling amongst themselves, tables topped with white linen and elaborate floral arrangements, an ice sculpture of the team’s logo beside the fountain. And there’s so much food. More than the women here tonight will ever eat.

A three-tiered cake sits on a round table to our left, surrounded by an array of gourmet cupcakes and cups of fresh fruit with mint sprigs perched in the middle. The next place my gaze lands is on a table with nothing but charcuterie boards made up of artisanal crackers and a top-tier selection of meats and cheeses. Servers glide gracefully between the guests as they chat, carrying trays topped with flutes of champagne filled to the brim, ensuring that no one ever has an empty glass in hand.

“Wow. This looks… amazing,” Tiffany says, and for the first time since we picked her up, she’s smiling.

“Tonight’s meant to kickoff you girls’ journey with us,” April says. “It’s a big deal, which seemed like the fitting time to throw an equally big party.”

Tiffany glances around, taking it all in before once again meeting April’s gaze. “Thank you. This means a lot.”

There’s a gleam in April’s eye, hearing Tiffany’s praise. “You’re welcome. And call it a hunch, but I get the feeling you’re going to be a great asset to the Empress Circle.Allof you,” she quickly adds, glancing toward Joss and me.

Needing a break from April’s bullshit, I look away, scanning the decorations again. But this time, I notice all the eyes on us as the other women glare from a distance, whispering to one another. Even with all the bright colors and upbeat music, I’m not fooled.

They don’t want us here.

“Why don’t you three have a seat right here at this table, and I’ll be back to check on you in a bit.”

I nod politely, but that’s all I have in me, glaring as April sashays away from us.

Finally.

She stops and greets a few of her guests, then stands front and center, raising a hand in the air.

“Ladies, if I could have your attention for just one moment, I promise to be brief. Our guests of honor have arrived, which makes now the perfect time to give them a proper welcome.”

She pauses a moment as a wave of reluctant applause fills the air.

“Ithinkeveryone here knows my name, but as a formality, allow me to introduce myself. My name is April Lawson, and it has beensucha joy hosting the many meetings and events that we’ve put together over the years. It’s brought us all closer, and for that, I will be forever grateful.”

She pauses as her face reddens, swiping a tear from underneath her eye.

“As the wife of your team captain—or…formerteam captain—I cannot tell you what an honor this has been.”

This time when she pauses, it’s because her words would have otherwise been drowned out by the other women, clamoring to express how awesome she’s been and how much they love and appreciate her. It’s sweet, yeah, but also a little… uncomfortable.

“Okay, okay,” April laughs, fanning her face. “I need to get through this without full-on sobbing, but you all are making that impossible.”

She blows out a breath to compose herself before continuing.

“Whew. Okay. Anyway, while we may all be feeling somewhat unsettled with the slew of recent changes, there’s one thing that willneverchange. That we’re all family. And if there’s one thing we must know about family, it’s that there’s always room to grow,” she adds, scanning the patio to make eye contact with the others as she raises her glass into the air. “This is the dawning of a new day. So, please join me in welcoming the newest members of The Empress Circle, the newest members of our Cypress Pointe family—Blue Golden, wife of our new star QB, West Golden. Josslyn Francois, fiancé to our new defensive lineman, Dane Golden. And Tiffany Pierce, fiancé to our new wide receiver, Sterling Golden.”

What follows this introduction is another round of applause, but this time, it’s even less welcoming than the first. It’s hard to tell whether the intent is to make us feel like complete outsiders, but that’s exactly the effect it’s having.

“Ladies, I’d like for you to join me in a toast,” April speaks up, addressing the others once again. “Here’s to family.”

---