Page 9 of Meet Me in the Vines
“Hey, Dad…uh, you remember Audrey Winthrop?” I stand and straighten myself up while Audrey does the same.
My father doesn’t move an inch.
“Hello, Ms. Winthrop. Donovan, a word, son?”
“Yes, sir.” I turn to Audrey. “I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere,” I whisper and tuck a loose strand of her hair behind her ear.
I walk past my dad, refusing to make eye contact. He puts a firm hand on my shoulder, spinning me around to face him.
“Son, what are you doing?” He looks at me with stern concern, which makes me entirely confused.
“What do you mean? I was talking to Audrey and enjoying the graduation party thatyouthrew for me.” Would have been more enjoyable if he hadn’t interrupted a kiss with the girl of my dreams.
“I don’t appreciate the sarcasm, son. Look, I’m glad you’re enjoying the party, but don’t get involved with that girl. I don’t want you getting tangled up with her family.”
I take a step back from him and scoff. “Her family? The Winthrops have been nothing but amazing to us. I don’t get where this is coming from, Dad.” Now I’m pissed. “You don’t even know her. Just let me enjoy my summer, please,” I plead, on the edge of losing my temper.
I begin to walk away, but he holds me firmly in place by the wrist. “Son, I’m trying to help. You never met her father. That man is a dangerous drunk. Don’t forget about what happened to your brother.”
The tips of my ears flame with heat. I face him with annoyance and square up my shoulders, huffing an exasperated breath.
“You think I care what people say about her dad? It doesn’t matter. She’s nothing like you think she is,” I mutter, keeping my tone stern and even. “And using James’s death to dictate my dating life?” I scoff. “Low blow, Dad. Even for you.” I try to keep my voice restrained once I notice I’m getting unwanted eyes and ears around me.
“I’ve done what you’ve asked. I graduated with honors. I was MVP and helped lead the team to state. I didn’t date. I was always home on time.” My frustration bubbles inside my chest. “The last thing you want is to push me away before I leave for school. Let me live my life. I’mnotgonna stop seeing Audrey.” His expression is hard like stone, but I can tell I’ve hit a nerve. I didn’t expect to go toe to toe with my dad tonight, but here we are.
“Boys, everything okay here?”
Mom to the rescue. Grace King is a saint. My mom has a mythical way of calming the waters around her. Her ultimate super power. Since my big brother James passed two years ago, she’s really been the one to hold us all together. The literal glue of our broken family. It was a drunk driver that killed James on impact, fresh off a debaucherous and deadly day of winery hopping. Grief hasn’t been kind to my dad, and I’ve taken the brunt end of that. My brother was his golden child, his legacy—and my best friend. If he were here, he’d be slapping us both on the back of the head, wondering why we’re always at each other’s throats. James was always the voice of reason. The heartbeat of this family. He and my mom have that in common.
I stare at my dad, giving him the look of “Don’t you dare ruin this night for her.”
He reads my expression and puts his arm around her waist.
“Everything is fine, dear. Just telling Donovan here that we are very proud of him,” he says with a hefty breath.
I smile at my mom and kiss her on the cheek. “Thanks for the party, Mom. I’m gonna head back to my friends. Love you.” I reach out and give her hand a squeeze.
“Have fun, sweetheart. Let’s get back to our guests, Caleb. Duke Taylor is looking for you. He says he has a proposal.”
I roll my eyes at the thought of Jess’s father trying to snake his way to do business with my dad. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Duke has been hounding my father for years, trying to get our grapes in his production line—but we’ve got a strict agreement with the Winthrops, regardless of my dad’s personal hangups with Audrey.
“Okay, honey. Let’s see what he has to say. Donovan.” My dad gives me a nod.
“Sir.”
I walk past him, my eyes dead set on a mission.
Make Audrey my girl.
Audrey’s eyes widen as I stride with purpose toward her, my lips curling as I close in on the distance between us. “Donovan, what?—”
Feeling a sudden rush of daring, I grab her hand, and together we run. With her hand laced in mine, we dodge bodies on the dance floor as the music thumps to the same rhythm as my heartbeat. Wild and free. Audrey’s excited squeals set lightning to my feet as I bring us closer to escaping through the gate that leads out to the vineyard.
“Donovan! I’m wearing heels!” she giggles, catching her breath.
I stop in my tracks and stand in front of her. Her eyes twinkle under the stars, full of wonder and intrigue. I reach out and tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. Her cheeks flush with the prettiest shade of pink, matching her lips that I ache to kiss.
“Hop on my back then. I need to show you something,” I murmur, grinning as she nervously averts her gaze. I lightly gripher chin to bring her gaze back to me, brushing my thumb along the bottom of her pillowy pout.
