Maybe Baby (51 page)

As I descended the stairs I saw Trey standing in the foyer. He turned to watch me, his face appreciative as his eyes appraised me from top to bottom. They rested on my overflowing bosom. His eyes darkened discernibly. That was exactly the reaction I'd hoped to achieve. I glimpsed a slight frown creasing his otherwise perfect forehead.

Trey went to the closet, pulling my long black wool coat out and holding it up for me. He watched as I fanned my hair out from underneath the collar of my coat as I buttoned it up.

“What’d you do to your hair?” he asked.

“Since I had no time to flat iron it,” I replied, “I just unbraided it and brushed it out. Why, don’t you like it?”

“I do,” he replied quickly. “It actually makes you look, I don’t know, like a different person almost.”

“Good,” I replied, “that’s the look I’m going for.”

His eyes narrowed infinitesimally at me, but he remained silent as he placed his hand on the small of my back and escorted me to his Lamborghini.

The Andrews' house was no more than a couple of miles away. A multitude of vehicles had parked on both sides of the circular drive leading up to the impressive mansion.

Trey helped me from the car, wrapping an arm around my shoulder as we made our way up the drive to the well-lit entrance. A servant greeted us, allowing us entrance into the front foyer. Trey helped me with my coat, handing it to the waiting servant. Party guests milled about in a huge room off to the right. Music emanated from an adjoining room. I strained to spot a familiar face. My eyes fell upon Susan, who was waving me over to the group of people standing with her. I hurried over, not willing to be tied to Trey’s side all evening.

Susan introduced me to several of the neighbors as if I was already part of the family. Clive approached the group, giving me a warm hug and kiss on the cheek. “Merry Christmas, Tylar, we missed you today. Are you feeling better?” I could see the warmth and compassion in his eyes.

“Much better, Clive, thank you,” I replied honestly. It was good to be out of hiding, I decided.

There was a tap on my shoulder. I turned, looking up into Tristan’s emerald green eyes. He was almost as exquisite as Trey. “May I have a dance before you become my sister-in-law and it’s hands-off?” He gave me a mischievous grin, holding his hand out. As we danced, he leaned down, whispering in my ear, “Don’t worry about the skinny bitch.” His warm breath made me shiver, his hand rubbed my back gently to offer moral support, I presumed. “She knows better than to say one wrong word to you, trust me.”

I saw Caroline standing with Nigel and another woman. “Who’s that standing with them?” I asked.

“That’s Tess, Caroline’s protégé,” he said flatly.

“I thought as much,” I replied. “Is her husband here?” I scanned the groups of people lingering nearby. I couldn’t locate any man who fit the physical form of a jockey.

Tristan scoffed, “They’re separated. Seems Tess has found someone else to her liking now.”

My heart sank. I knew it, she wanted Trey back. That explained her call for legal advice and the strict confidentiality Trey so adamantly protected. I suddenly felt sick and defeated. If he still had feelings for her, then I didn’t know Trey half as well as I thought I did. I lowered my lashes just enough to appear as if my eyes were closed, then assessed my competition. Tess was petite with a waif-like, fragile appearance. Her large brown eyes seemed to dominate her facial features. She looked like someone who'd lost too much weight, and not on purpose. Her hair was darker than mine and cut bluntly, falling just above her shoulders.

As I continued my lash-camouflaged perusal, I saw Trey join the group. He'd traded the champagne for liquor. Probably Jack Daniels, I thought wryly. He was genuinely sulking, and I took satisfaction in that fact. Tess stood next to him, her hand brushing his arm as he bent down to listen to what she was saying. He watched as Tristan and I danced, a frown line creasing his forehead. He took a final swig of his drink and approached us on the dance floor.

“May I cut in?” his voice was steely.

“Of course,” Tristan acquiesced, stepping aside.

Trey was still angry and his touch wasn't as gentle as Tristan’s had been. I looked at Tristan and saw an expression of amusement pass quickly over his face. Tristan knew that Trey was jealous and he enjoyed it.

“Enjoying yourself?” Trey asked with forced congeniality, moving me away from Caroline’s steady glare.

“I was,” I replied, making no secret of my discontent.

He squeezed me to him tightly, making me squirm. I could smell the whisky on his breath. He stared at me, his eyes boldly raking the swell of my breasts. I turned my head to the side and spotted Caroline once again in my direct line of vision. Tristan had joined them and was talking to Tess. Nigel wasn't taking his eyes off of them. What strange dynamics there were between these people, I thought.

Trey’s lips brushed my neck, slowly planting warm kisses. I tingled at his touch. Deep within my belly a seed of desire grew, but I was determined not to give in to it. I pulled back from him, spinning around and exiting the dance floor.

“Where do you think you’re going?” His sapphire eyes flashed. I tried to jerk free of him but he would not release his hold.

“Somewhere that's not here,” I hissed, not about to let him intimidate me. “It looks like you’re into your Jack pretty heavy tonight,” I snapped. “Plan on knocking someone else up?”

I hadn’t seen Tristan approach us from behind. “Trey,” he said calmly, “why don’t you take a moment to collect yourself.”

“Why don’t you keep your fucking eyes and hands off of Tylar,” he said abruptly, glaring at Tristan.

Oh great, another scene underway. How dysfunctional was this family?

“Well, well, what have we here?” Caroline slurred in her shrill voice. The full glass of wine in her hand sloshed over the side as she swayed on her feet. “It looks like Tylar wants a second Sinclair in her bed tonight. Are you absolutely sure that the bastard you're carrying is even Trey’s?” she leered, taking a gulp of the wine.

“Shut up, Caroline,” Trey replied harshly.

She was unfazed by the directive and continued to stare at me, her eyes narrowing. Tristan took her elbow to lead her away. She twisted out of his grasp, coming toward me. Trey was immediately in front of me, shielding me. I didn’t need his protection. I scooted around him and met her haughty face with my own.

“Listen to me you fucked-uppity bitch,” I stated firmly. “Everyone else may tolerate your drunken tirades and despicable comments, but I don’t roll that way. You keep your mouth shut around me and about me. Understand?”

Her mouth fell open as my finger jabbed the air near her face. She swallowed nervously, backing up a step.

I made up the step getting closer to her, my finger pointing just inches from her face. “One more snide comment, one more dirty look sent my way, one more uninvited intrusion into my bedroom and I'll wipe the ground up with your skinny, useless ass, east coast style, got it?”

She snorted at me, looking from face to face and finding no support from anyone. She turned and quickly fled the foyer.

I turned back to Trey and Tristan who were regarding me with surprise. “I need some air. Tristan, would you please help me find my coat?”

He nodded and walked toward the hallway.

“I’ll go with you,” Trey offered.

“No,” I snapped. “You’re drunk and acting like an asshole. I’m not happy about the secrets you’re keeping from me. I know that Tess is leaving her husband. If you’re having second thoughts about me, Trey, we’ll dissolve this engagement right now.”

“What kind of man do you think I am?” he snarled.

Tristan returned with my coat, helping me into it. Just then Tess appeared in the doorway by herself. She walked over to me, extending her hand.

“Hello,” she said. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Tess Flannery. You must be Tylar?”

“Yes I am. I’m very pleased to meet you, Tess,” I lied, shaking her hand. She smiled weakly. Tess wasn't what I'd expected.

“Tylar, would you excuse Trey just for a few moments? I really need to speak with him privately.”

Trey looked from me to Tess, not sure what to do. I decided to make it easy for him.

“Of course,” I replied smoothly. “He’s all yours. Tristan, will you walk with me, please?” Tristan escorted me outside where I dissolved into tears before I was off of the porch.

Chapter 52

Tristan put his arms around me, holding me to his chest. “Tylar, everything is going to be okay. You must know that.”

“I don’t know anything, Tristan. All I know is that Trey is keeping secrets from me, Tess has left her husband, and Caroline is a nasty, hateful bitch,” I sobbed.

“Things are not always as they appear,” he replied. “Well, except for Caroline. That’s pretty much a case of what you see is what you get.” His comment brought a smile to my tearful face. He pulled a cloth handkerchief from his pocket to dab my tears.

“She wants him back, doesn’t she? Tess wants Trey back. Just tell me the truth.”

“You’re wrong, Tylar. Even if that were true, I can promise you one thing: Trey would never take her back. He’s totally in love with you. I know my little brother and we talked about this just today. He loves you and you only. Even when he was engaged to Tess, he was never as committed and in love with her as he is now with you.”

“It’s just because of the baby,” I replied, blowing my nose on his starched handkerchief.

“It’s not,” he stated firmly, “it’s you he adores.”

“Then why’s she calling him? Why all the secrecy?”

Tristan sighed heavily, taking my arm and leading me down the drive away from the house. “Tylar,” he started, “can you please trust me on this? I promise you that the truth will be out very soon. It’s Christmas and, as much as our family and Tess’s family have a long history with one another, there are some skeletons that’ll be coming out of the closet very soon. Not today though. Today is about Christmas.”

I looked up into his deep green eyes and I saw sincerity and honesty. I nodded.

“Good,” he replied, smiling. He pulled me into a brotherly hug, wiping my tears with his thumbs. From behind us, someone cleared his throat. Landon.

“Merry Christmas, Tristan,” he nodded, smirking as he walked by toward the house. He glanced at me, his lip curled in contempt. “I see you’ve moved on, Ms. Preston. At least you’re keeping it in the family.”

I started to angrily respond but Tristan shook his head, cautioning me to let it go. As soon as Landon went inside, Tristan turned back to me.

“Let it be,” he said gently. I nodded but it was difficult. I'd never been exposed to the type of treatment or hateful attitude displayed by Caroline and Landon. The thought crossed my mind as to just how perfect they would be together. Tristan and I continued our walk in the crisp December air.

"You and Trey seem so alike--and yet different," I said, realizing that it made no sense.

“Yes,” he admitted, “but in looks only. Trey is much more of a stubborn hothead than I am, I’m afraid. But he also has a very compassionate streak that many people don’t recognize. I think that’s what’s making you feel insecure right now. His love and his commitment to you is genuine, you must believe it.”

From the front of the house, a door slammed. Tristan and I looked over as Caroline emerged onto the porch. Nigel followed close behind. She had no coat on. She staggered with a bottle of wine in her hand, periodically taking swigs from it.

“Dear God,” Tristan murmured, “What now?”

“Keep away from me you cheating son-of-a-bitch!” she screamed, swatting at him with her arms. “You didn’t think I’d find out? She was like a sister to me you bastard!”

Landon joined Nigel on the porch, trying to coax Caroline back inside. Caroline turned on Landon, screaming at him. “
You
knew didn’t you?” she accused as she circled him, pointing her finger. “How could
you
betray me like that?” She upended the wine bottle on his head, dousing him with dark red wine. Landon spoke to her quietly.

Tristan’s face turned ashen. “Oh shit,” he warned, “get ready for some skeletons. This is about to get ugly.”

Tristan and I stood watching when I suddenly felt a hand touch my shoulder from behind. It was Trey, still agitated but slightly more sober after his conversation with Tess. I could tell he wasn't pleased with the attention Tristan was paying me.

“Tristan, will you drive Tylar and me back to the manor? I’ve had too much to drink and Nigel is driving my car back.”

Tristan nodded, still eyeing the scene on the front porch. By this time, both Nigel and Landon’s parents had joined the others, trying to neutralize the situation. Tristan reached in his pocket for the keys to Susan’s BMW and drove us to the manor. Trey instructed him to wait.

Trey saw me to the door. "I want you to go up to our suite; I have some things to settle yet with my family and the Andrews. I'm heading back with Tristan. I won't be long."

Once inside, I hurried up the steps to our bedroom, exhausted from the drama and the secrets. I undressed wondering what Trey had meant by things to settle. I was sure another argument was brewing. I pulled on one of his tee shirts and climbed numbly under the sheets. I fell against the pillow, disheartened. I wished we were back in our apartment in Atlanta. Our life seemed normal there, happy and content. I never dreamed normal families could be so dysfunctional.

It was much later when I heard Trey come into the room. He climbed underneath the covers moving close to me. Maybe he was no longer angry. His hands slipped underneath the sheets and pulled me close to him. He had no way of knowing that I was even awake, but I didn’t think it mattered to him. He hooked his thumb inside the elastic waistband of my panties, pulling them down to my knees, slipping them lower over my feet and off. He pulled the covers back, grasping my tee shirt and pulling it up over my head. I was totally naked now, but making no effort to encourage him. If he thought I was going to respond to his sexual foreplay after he’d had secret discussions with Tess, he was wrong.