Page 40 of Ensnared By Silence
Chapter 14
Hayden
Sitting down to eatdinner with a group of sycophants to their social standing was sickening. I remember what it was like to live like they did. Watching them clamor for position during what was supposed to be a dinner to show how grateful they were reassured me that my decision to walk away from all of it was the right one. It was all about who you sat next to, what designer you wore, and what deal you could make.
My mother kept trying to pull me into conversations before they served the meal, introducing me to new club members and doting on me like she gave a damn. I saw Wesley walk in with his girlfriend and her family and my mother perked up, wrapping her arm through mine and practically dragging me to greet them.
I rolled my eyes as we approached, and my mother gushed and released me just before she pulled Wesley into a hug and kissed him on the cheek. “Katie, it’s so good to see you.” She turned to the three people standing with her and smiled deeply as she pulled the younger man into a hug. “Jared, I haven’t seen you since Tucker’s graduation party. What was it, three years ago? Marsha, Riley, it’s wonderful to have you.” She turned to me with her best fake smile and introduced me to the group of smiling idiots. “Everyone, this is my son, Hayden. Hayden, this is Riley and Marsha Greene and their children, Katie and Jared.”
Riley extended his hand, and I shook it with little interest. “Hayden Winchester, right? I work with your family’s foundation to host my annual political fundraisers every year. It’s nice to finally meet you. What kind of business are you in?”
As I went to tell them I was just a humble bar owner in a small town of little significance, Agnes interjected, “Hayden works in hospitality. He enjoys being able to give back to the community.”
I chuckled at her explanation as Tucker walked up and bro-slapped Jared on his back as he openly leered at Katie. Wesley either was too dense to notice or didn’t care that his brother was looking his girlfriend up and down. I shook my head as Dick walked up to the group and greeted everyone.
“I’m going to freshen up my drink,” I explained and walked away without another word to the group.
Agnes smiled as much as her Botox would allow, pulled Marsha into her arm, and escorted her to a group of women drinking in a group across the room. A few of them kept licking their lips and batting ‘fuck me eyes’ at me while I walked across the room. Almost everyone here had a side piece and openly flirted in front of their spouses. Monogamy and devotion were foreign concepts to these people.
I would never do that to Aubrey, and as I refilled my drink, I kept my eyes on Tucker, Wesley, and now the newest addition to their group, Jared. Something about Agnes’s statement regarding a graduation party was setting my alarm bells off, and I prayed I was wrong but feared I was right. They were huddled together, laughing louder than anyone in the room, and I needed to get away from the whole scene for a few minutes.
Dick was kissing the Senator’s ass as I walked by his small group of men chatting away. I kept moving through the room, making my way outside. I walked across the stone patio and meandered along the pool.
My phone chimed, and I checked my phone to find a picture of Elise, Mathias, and Bobby making dessert and Aubrey with an enormous smile on her face as she took a selfie with them in the background.
Aubrey: Wish you were here.
I smiled as I read the text.
Me: Me too. I miss you.
Aubrey: I miss you too.
I wished I was with them instead of being here, but if being here meant I could finally give Aubrey the justice she deserved, I would miss this holiday with her and our newfound little family. I never thought Devlin and I would get along, but ever since he found out about Aubrey’s attack, his hostility toward me was non-existent. He even joined one of our poker games.
Sighing heavily, I moved away from the pool and wandered deeper into the backyard. A large pool house was tucked into the back corner of the yard, next to the secondary garage, and just as I was about to turn the knob, I heard a voice call my name.
“Hayden, darling. Dinner’s ready.”
“Jesus. Lay it on a little thicker,Mother,” I muttered and walked back to the house, seeing Agnes waiting for me.
“Richard wants you to give the blessing, since you’re the oldest son in the family.”
“He’s not my family,” I remarked as she latched her arm onto mine and guided me to the head of the table in the formal dining room.
