Page 46 of The Promises We Break

Grant looks at me, confused, as Henry pushes himself off the ground, glaring at me like I’ve wronged him, as he walks through the doorway, leaving my room.

“I gotta go,”I say to Callahan and exit the stage.

24

EMBER

“Cheers.” I gently collide my glass with Henry’s while we sit at the bar right outside the auction area.

“So, what do you do?” he asks.

“I work for Ford Enterprises, for one of their subsidiary companies as Marketing Manager,” I say, giddy, because it makes me feel proud to say that. Although, I never say XConnect specifically because if people assume it’s theUnleashedside, they might be uncomfortable or get the wrong idea. “How about you?” I ask, returning his question.

“Baseball.” He shrugs.

“Oh, are you part of the team? Why aren’t you up there?” My brows pinch in confusion.

“Not for this team. I play for another team. I just know a couple guys here, so I thought I’d come by in support,” he replies, taking a sip of the drink he ordered. There’s a large ice sphere that peeks out over the top of the glass, making his plain bourbon drink much classier than it should be. He ordered me the same without even asking what I would like, and the sip I take makes me cringe.

“That’s nice of you.” I smile, then glance back at the stage.Hudson is no longer on the stage, and I squint in confusion, looking around, my eyes bouncing from one side of the stage to the other. I slip off the barstool to stand, in an attempt to get a better view, which is futile, considering I was higher in a seated position.

“Who are you looking for?” Henry asks.

“Uh, my husband. He was just up there.” I’m still peeking over the top of the crowd.

“I’m sure he’s busy with the auction. Come sit back down.” He places his hand around my elbow, attempting to grab my attention, and I look down at where his hand grips my arm. It’s not hard or painful, just there.

In my periphery, I see, and feel, a large force walking up to us with purpose. Glancing in that direction, Hudson marches up to where I’m standing and wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me into him.

“What are you doing here, Henry?” The moment he says his name, it hits me. Henry. His brother, Henry. I remember he mentioned his name on the plane, but Hudson skimmed over his name and picture quickly before bringing up his twin brothers in more detail. Henry looks familiar because I’ve seen his picture before.

I don’t remember Hudson saying anything in detail about Henry, but it’s clear he is not happy to see him.

“Henry?Your brother, Henry?” The look on my face is as questionable as my tone.

Henry puts his hands up in surrender. “I was just talking with Ember here. I came to support my baby brother. Nothing more,” he says, with a smile that feels far from genuine.

“Let me rephrase. Why are you talking to my wife?” Hudson’s hand, the one that rests on my waist, clenches, and I can feel his entire body tense.

“Your wife? You don’t say?” Henry looks between the two ofus. “Why wouldn’t you tell me you got married? Do Mom and Dad know?”

“It’s none of your fucking business. Why are you even here?”

“Relax, I came to support you. To congratulate you. I happened to run into Ember by coincidence,” he replies, taking another swig of his drink.

“I doubt that.” Hudson’s reply is short and as bitter as that bourbon tastes.

“I really came by to say congrats. I fly back home in a few hours, and I was hoping to just catch up.” His tone is reserved and steady, sounding authentic. He shoots down the rest of his drink, placing his glass down on the bar.

Hudson remains stoic, the scowl unchanged from the moment he greeted him.

“Okay, baby brother, you win.” He looks over to me. “Ember, it was a pleasure to meet you.” Holding his hand out. I slide mine into his for a friendly shake, still trying to figure out what the hell is going on. He turns my hand over, the back of my hand facing up, and places a kiss on the top. His eyes peer over to his ‘baby brother’ before Hudson yanks me back, ripping my hand from Henry’s.

“Have a good flight,” Hudson replies, as he swings me around and steers me away from Henry. We walk toward the patio doors of the ballroom, exiting into the outdoor garden area. The darkness rivals the mood we just left, but feels serene with just the moonlight shining over the groomed rose bushes and ivy that lines the perimeter.

He releases my waist, stepping forward, stopping in front of the large three-tier fountain, expertly placed in the center of the courtyard.

“What was that?” I ask, quietly, standing a few feet behind him.

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