“Mr. Worthington,” people call his name out multiple times. He’s the major sponsor of this race and has sponsored my boat for years. He answers the questions, and every so often looks over his shoulder at me and smiles. I don’t even want to know what’s going through his mind right now. He beckons me forward and keeps me under his arm, like a proud father, something my father should be.
“Max, how was the race?” a reporter asks.
“It was good. The weather obviously turned on us, but we have to be prepared for anything when we’re out there.”
“You were the only boat with a three-man crew. Why do you think this works in your favor?”
“Yates and Vance,” I pause and look around for them. I spot them not far and holler for them to come join me. They do, standing on either side of Mr. Worthington. “We’ve been doing this since high school when we were part of the rowing team. We’ve always worked well together when we’re out there. I can’t imagine not having them by my side.”
“We hear congratulations are in order,” another states.
I nod. “Yeah, another win. It’s impressive.” I know full well this isn’t what they’re talking about, but I refuse to indulge in the bullshit that Alyssa is spreading. I thank everyone for coming out and for the support over the years and wave as I walk away from the media setup. I’m determined to find my mom but am ushered toward the yacht club to join the reception.
Fuck.
Everyone inside the reception claps as we enter. I want to feel elated but I’m so damn angry right now. My eyes scan the crowd for my mom and stepdad, once I spot them, I leave Mr. Worthington with whoever he’s speaking with and head toward my family.
“Mom,” I say, getting her attention. Her eyes throw daggers my way and she angrily grabs my arm. “Where’s London?”
“What on earth would you want with that waitress?” my dad’s voice rings out.
“Sheldon,” my mother chides him. “Knock it off. This is not the time nor place to discuss this.”
“Yes, it is,” I retort. My mother isn’t having it though and points toward the wall and motions for me to follow her. I do, with Mark, my dad and Drizella following. Mom waits for the four of us to step into the small conference room and shuts the door.
“Why’s he here?” Dad points to Mark.
“Because she’s here.” Mom does the same thing to Brandy.
“I want to know what the hell is going on, and I want to know where London is. I need to find her.”
“She’s just a waitress. An easy lay,” Brandy says as she looks at her fake nails.
“Just a waitress?” Mom questions. “If I remember correctly, you were a stripper when you got down on your knees and sucked my husband’s—”
Brandy’s mouth drops open, as does my fathers.
“Now, now,” Mark says, interrupting my mom. I want to laugh, but don’t. There is nothing funny about this situation.
“Listen,” I say, holding my hands up. “I don’t know where this shit with Alyssa started, but we broke up. I didn’t put a ring on her finger. I didn’t ask her to marry me. Hell, I didn’t even suggest we get married. I am not with her and I don’t plan to be with her. I want to know what happened today and where London is. Please.”
My mom stands tall after giving my dad and his wife a snide look. “London was with us and everything was going fine. Your father and his wife, while not overly gracious, weren’t rude either. However, Alyssa suddenly arrived,” Mom pauses and looks at Brandy, who is once again looking at her nails. “I have my suspicions, but I’ll keep my theories to myself. She started flashing her hand around and telling us that you asked her to marry you last night.”
“And London was there?”
Mark and my mom nod.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure this out. I wasn’t with London last night, and London is already apprehensive about things with me because she doesn’t feel like she fits in. If I had to guess, she thinks I’ve used her all week for sex, which is the farthest thing from the truth.
“Unbelievable.”
“Son, this is a blessing. Girls like her—”
I hold my hand up. “Don’t. Don’t give me some half-assed lecture about women, especially London. You have no right. You don’t know her, and you completely looked past the idea of her because she’s not on your self-imposed social ladder. Newsflash, Dad. London is better than you, and way better than your gold-digging wife.”
I’m heated and angry. While I should be celebrating, with London by my side, I’m in this room, dealing with family bullshit and social rankings.
“I’m not marrying Alyssa Worthington. Not today, tomorrow or a year from now. Hell, not even ten. I don’t like her. I’m not in love with her. In fact, I can’t fucking stand her. I’m going to walk out of this room and I’m going to find London.”
I go to my mom and give her a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll call you later.” Mark and I hug, and when I get to my dad, I step by him like he’s not even there. As soon as I step into the reception, Alyssa is by my side. I take her hand, give her a twirl, much to everyone’s delight and spread my arm out with my hand pointing toward her while still holding her hand. She’s soaking it all up.
“If I could have your attention please.”
Someone clanks their fork against a glass, and everyone quiets.
“This here is Alyssa Worthington. The only woman I know who would fake an engagement in order to upset another woman. A woman she has deemed to be beneath her.”
Alyssa drops my hand and looks away sheepishly, but I don’t let her get away. I pull her to me and lean in. “You disgust me. I don’t ever want to see you again.” I leave her there in the middle of the room, with people who have no idea what they’re supposed to do or how to act.
7
London
I knew being with Max was too good to be true. How could I be so stupid? For a hot second, I thought I could fit in with his crowd. Wrong. Everything was going great until she showed up; Alyssa Worthington, followed by Max’s father and his evil stepmother. I’ll never forget what happened for as long as I live. The embarrassment, the shame. I’ve never felt so low in my life. I don’t see how anyone could ever say to someone what they said to me.
My phone rings in my purse, but I’m too pissed and upset to look at who it is. The regatta should be over by now so it could easily be Max. I have no clue if he won, and right now, I don’t care. All that matters is that I get away from Newport fast.
“Want to talk about it?” Kim asks.
I toss my bags into the trunk of her car and she does the same. “Let’s get on the road first. I want to get away from here.”
We’re both supposed to work at the yacht club tomorrow, but I called and quit. I refuse to be around Max and his yuppie friends and family who think they’re better than everyone else. I have to exclude his mother and Mark from that. Kitty tried to get me to stay for the rest of the race, but I couldn’t stomach being around Alyssa and hearing her talk about how Max proposed to her last night, followed by an extravagant night she’s too ladylike to talk about. It took all I had not to rip her fake hair extensions out and smack her in the face with them. I’m not a violent person, but being around her enraged me. I’d give anything to put her in her place one good time.