Page 39 of Until Now

Her eyes widen. “You’re just going to show up there?”

“Get me the flight, Janine.”

I don’t need to tell her what is obvious. I’m going to be there for her. For them. It is not just Aura. It is Lane Jr., too. They’re a package deal. I need to be there for them. That is what matters right now. The Turners are like vultures circling around, waiting for their next meal so they can feel empowered. They are just upset they couldn’t control him the same way my parents tried to control me and my life. That is what Lane and I had in common. We knew what and who our family was and what they were capable of. He had his way, and I had mine of dealing with our families.

Chapter 21

Aura

“Are you sure this looks okay?” I ask Exie.

I’m looking at myself in the floor-length mirror wearing a white pantsuit with nude high heels Exie recommended I wear.

“You look hot, and that outfit gives you an air of confidence. That is the look we are going for to deal with my parents and their country club dinner. They want Lane Jr. to be a part of some family functions.”

“Funny how Christmas and birthdays don’t count. It is not like I’m desperate for an invite, but you know what I mean.”

“I know what you mean. I can’t even show up with Dex. They will have a fit. They want me to marry some wealthy, rich prick from the right family. That is how Lane felt and why he left as soon as he graduated and didn’t take a dime of their money.” She sighs. “They hate the fact that he did the opposite of what they wanted.”

I swipe the brush over my hair one last time before we leave. “That includes marrying me and me having Lane Jr. I’m not who they wanted for your brother.”

“They will get over it, and that’s why you need to just show up, say hi, and then bye. End of story. They can’t say you didn’t show up and tried to keep Lane Jr. from them.”

It is easy for her to say because she is their only living daughter and the only one to inherit and run the family company. I don’t tell her that, so she doesn’t feel bad for taking me there to the dinner their family requested Lane Jr. and I attend. To me, it is like I’m going to meet the executioner.

Camila is going along with Dex. It was the only way we could get Dex to go without causing a fuss with the Turners. They will go apeshit if they find out that Exie and Dex are actually together. They make a great couple and are so in love. I can’t wait to head back to the Hamptons. I have found living in Kalum’s home to be a hidden sanctuary. It is like our own hideaway where no one can attack us or show up and demand anything from me because I was Lane’s sole beneficiary.

We arrive at the over-the-top country club in Spencer. My hands shake slightly as I hold Lane Jr.’s hand.

“Are you okay, Mommy? Your hand is cold and your hand is shaking a bit,” he whispers.

I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding as I walk behind Exie and Camila. “I’m okay. Just a little nervous, sweetie.”

“It’s okay, Mommy. I won’t let them get to us. I’ll protect you. We’re a team. If they say or do anything, I’ll tell our friend Kalum. He will help us.”

My chest tightens at how he refers to Kalum like he is our savior. They have gotten close since that day he stayed and made Lane breakfast. The way Kalum was with him, so patient. It made me fall for him even more. Kalum has been a force that has come and swept us away into this sanctuary. A sanctuary I’m reluctant to leave but know that eventually we will have to.

“I know, baby, but we got this. You and me. We have to stick together. We’re a family.”

The country club is like those you see on TV, with the marble floors and traditional wall paneling and jazz music playing softly in the background as we are greeted by the hostess.

Exie lets the hostess know that we are with the Turners and that they are waiting for our arrival. We are escorted to a long table with white chairs and candelabras lighted with candles that give a soft glow. It is a refined restaurant that caters to the superrich. Waiters are passing by in their black and white uniforms making sure wine and water are topped off for each guest.

“There they are!” Lane’s mother says in her fake voice.

Like she misses us and we are the most important part of her family that hadn’t yet arrived. All fake and all lies. I notice other people are seated at the table that I don’t recognize.

“Hello, Mrs. Turner.” I give her my best smile. I turn and glance at Mr. Turner. “Hello, Mr. Turner.”

He gives me a smile, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “Hello, Aura.”

His cold eyes land on Lane Jr., and his expression softens a fraction but then hardens. It is like he wants to accept his grandson, but something inside holds him back. It is sad really to not want to embrace your own grandson when he is the spitting image of your dead son. A son you had a strained relationship with.

I take a seat in the far corner with Lane, Camila, and Dex. Exie greets her parents with a curt hello and their eyes follow Camila and Dex like we are the outcasts and are not worthy to sit with them but, under certain circumstances, are granted the privilege.

“So, I am glad you all could make it. We haven’t spent much time with Lane Jr.,” Lane’s mother chimes in and everyone stops midsentence and turns their head to look our way.

My face heats, but I maintain my composure. They could have made the effort to attend Lane’s birthday. We had a small cake and gifts at Kalum’s house. It was the first birthday he had without his father present and it was hard on all of us. Christmas wasn’t any better and you would think his parents would have a soft spot for their only grandson, but all they did was send an email from their personal assistant. What type of monsters do that? The Turners apparently.

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