Finding Olivia (Trace + Olivia), page 25
“We’re in here!” I hollered.
He appeared in the doorway and his eyes widened when he saw me. “You look beautiful, Olivia.”
“You haven’t seen her in the dress yet,” Avery smirked.
Trace stalked forward and wrapped a hand around my waist. “I don’t think the dress will make a difference,” he replied. “I still think you’re the most beautiful, with no makeup, and walking around my apartment in my shirts,” he whispered in my ear.
I blushed and he moved to kiss me, but was cut off by Avery stepping between us, and pushing his chest.
“Nuh uh! I’m not letting you ruin all my hard work!” She warned.
“Alright, alright,” he grumbled. “I need to get ready anyway.”
He moved around Avery and opened his closet door. He pulled out a tux and started for the door.
“I’m guessing you didn’t rent that,” I laughed and he stopped in the doorway.
“No,” he chuckled. “This is mine.”
“You go to these fancy parties all time, don’t you?” I questioned.
“Maybe,” he winked and left the room. A moment later, I heard the bathroom door close.
“What time is it?” I asked Avery.
She glanced at her phone. “Six o’clock.”
I guffawed. “You mean, you’ve been playing beauty stylist all day, and I didn’t even notice?”
“Um, yeah,” she smirked. “I’ve got major skills.”
My stomach rumbled with the reminder that I hadn’t eaten breakfast or lunch or dinner.
I headed for the kitchen and Avery trailed behind me.
I opened the refrigerator and a freakin’ monkey jumped on my back.
“Avery,” I groaned, trying to dislodge her. “Get off.”
“No! Not a morsel of food shall pass through your lips and ruin my creation!” She tightened her hold on my neck.
Dear Lord, the girl was going to choke me.
“Ave-” I reached up and tried to pry her arms from my neck. “Let go,” I gasped.
“Never!”
“You’re choking me,” I gurgled, digging my fingernails into her arms.
“Sorry,” she loosened her hold but still didn’t let go.
“Avery, I’m hungry! Let me eat something! You’ll only have to fix my lipstick!” I pleaded.
“Fine,” she dropped to the ground. “Eat. Ruin all my hard work. See how much I care,” she pouted, sticking her nose in the air.
“Thanks for caring that I’m hungry, Avery,” I mumbled.
“I’m sorry,” she frowned. “I’m being really insensitive.”
“Ya think?” I raised a brow incredulously.
She grew quiet while I made a bowl of cereal.
I sat down on the couch with my bowl of Fruity Pebbles, and Avery sat beside me, chatting excitedly about her plans for the night with Luca. I tuned her out when she mentioned an edible bra and panties.
I finished my cereal, and cleaned the bowl, reluctantly letting Avery drag me into the bedroom to get in the dress.
She pulled it out of the bag, and I stripped out of my clothes, letting her help me into it. She zipped it in the back and appraised me.
“Looking good, girl,” she turned around and grabbed a pair of black heels off the bed. “But these will make you a showstopper.”
I sat down on the bed and slipped the shoes on.
“Oh, yeah,” Avery nodded. “My work here is complete.” She hugged me and stepped back. “I feel so proud,” she pretended to wipe away a tear. “Oh, and here’s a clutch,” she grabbed a sequined black clutch out of her never-ending bag of supplies. The girl thought of everything.
The bathroom door opened, and a moment later, Trace stepped inside the bedroom.
We both stood staring at one another.
Trace looked impeccable in his smooth black tux. His hair was brushed back from his eyes and his normally stubbled cheeks were shaved clean. He looked nothing like the scruffy fun loving mechanic I was used to, and looked exactly like the billionaire grandson he was.
“I thought you were beautiful before, but damn…that dress,” he shook his head.
“Thanks,” I squeaked, still shocked by his transformation. “You look good too.”
You look good too? That’s the best you could come up with, Olivia. You’re pathetic.
“I mean-”
He chuckled. “I know.”
“Come here,” Avery grabbed us both by the elbows and forced us side by side so she could evaluate us together. She tapped her index finger against her lips and smiled. “You two make one sexy couple.”
“Avery,” I groaned.
“What? I’m just being honest,” she smacked my butt and started packing up her stuff.
Trace ventured out into the living room area and I was left alone with Avery once more.
As she gathered up her various items, she rambled, “I know you’re really nervous, but don’t be. Enjoy tonight and don’t overthink it. Okay?”
“Okay,” I agreed to shut her up. I knew it would be impossible for me to relax.
“Good,” she smiled, and slung her bag across her shoulders, leaving the garment bag behind. “I’m sure you’ll be playing doctor with Tracey-poo later, so I’ll just leave that.”
She didn’t give me a chance to complain about her comment. She hugged me quickly, whispered, “Good luck,” in my ear and headed out the door.
The door had barely clicked closed behind her when Trace announced that it was time for us to go.
He held my hand as we descended the steps, while I silently prayed I didn’t fall, and cut my head open.
He stopped when we reached the bottom step, instead of rounding the corner, and heading toward his car.
I looked up, away from my feet, and gasped.
“A limo? We’re going in a freakin’ limo,” I mumbled.
“Of course,” he smiled crookedly as the driver held the door open.
Trace helped me inside and slid in beside me.
“Unfreakinbelivable,” I gazed around the limo. I had never been inside one before, and found myself mesmerized by the many seats, and the ceiling that glowed with small lights meant to look like the night sky.
Trace straightened his tux jacket, and sat back, holding my right hand tightly in his.
After I had committed every piece of the limo to memory, I relaxed.
My nerves were beginning to bubble to the surface again and I took deep breaths so I didn’t get sick.
“Calm down,” Trace smoothed a thumb over my hand. “Everything will be fine. It’s just a little party.”
I snorted. I doubted this was just a little party.
My suspicions were confirmed, when the house came into view, along with a gazillion limos and town cars.
The circular driveway in front of the house, which I hadn’t noticed before, since it was hidden with snow, was filled with limos and cars pulled up to let guests out.
Our driver pulled up to the front and opened the door for us.
Trace slipped outside and held his hand inside the limo to help me out.
He drew me tightly against his side and nodded at the driver before walking inside the open double doors.
We followed the other guests to the massive ballroom.
The tables and chairs that had been stacked against the walls the last time I was here, were now set up with white tablecloths covering them, and white slipcovers over the chairs. A large area in the middle was cleared for dancing, which many people were taking advantage of, and a band played on the corner stage.
People that weren’t dancing, were either sitting, or walking around mingling.
“Thank God you’re here,” a voice said from behind us and we turned around to come face to face with Trent. “If one more person asks me about the holes in my ears I’m going to blow up.”
Trace laughed. “Guess you shouldn’t have gotten the gauges.”
“You have tattoos!” Trent cried.
“So do you,” Trace shrugged. “Just ignore these people,” he indicated the whole room.
“Ugh,” Trent groaned. “I’ll try. But mom wants me to ‘be nice’ and ‘make connections,’” he held his hands up in air quotes. “Whatever the fuck that means. I’d rather be in my room. There aren’t even any hot girls here. Just stuffy old people with no sense of humor.”
“I feel you, man. But we have to do what we have to do,” Trace shrugged.
“Whatever,” Trent cracked his neck. “I hope you two don’t mind company, because I’m about to be a fucking leech and latch on, and never let go.”
“I don’t mind,” Trace shrugged. “Olivia?”
“I don’t care,” I smiled at Trace’s younger brother.
“Thanks,” Trent grinned and stood on my other side.
I felt even shorter than usual, despite the heels I was wearing, standing next to the Wentworth brothers.
A waiter with a tray of food passed us and my stomach rumbled. The cereal I ate earlier had done little to quench my appetite.
I eyed the food longingly and Trace chuckled. “Hungry?”
“Starving,” I bit my lip.
Trace sought an empty table, and pulled out a chair for me, taking the seat to my right, while Trent took the one to my left.
We hadn’t been seated for long, when a waiter appeared with menus in hand, and glasses of water and champagne.
We each scanned the menu and made our choice out of the three options. I opted for the steak since it seemed like the safest option.
I took a sip of the champagne and gagged. The bubbly liquid tasted disgusting. I couldn’t figure out exactly what the flavor was, I just knew I hated it.
Trace and Trent got quite the chuckle out of my reaction. Neither of them seemed to mind the overly bubbly liquid, but it wasn’t passing through my lips ever again, that was for sure.
What felt like an eternity later, our food was brought out.
I ate it like someone was going to come steal my plate before I had the chance to finish.
“Slow down,” Trace chortled, “you’re going to choke yourself.”
“At least if she chokes herself the party will end early,” Trent mumbled.
Trace glared at his brother. “Thanks for your concern.”
“Hey,” Trent put his hands up in defense, “the sooner these stuffy old farts get out of my house, the sooner I can get the fuck out of here, and to the real party.” An older man glared at Trent as he passed. “Yes, Melvin, you’re one of the stuffy old farts I was talking about,” Trent added loudly to the older man.
The man, Melvin I assumed, shook his head and shuffled away.
“At least there will be fireworks at midnight,” Trent took a bite of asparagus. “That’ll be fun.”
“Hey boys,” I heard Trace’s mom, and turned to find Lily striding towards us, from a few feet away. “Olivia,” she added, smiling at me.
“Hi,” I waved awkwardly.
“Mom,” Trace grinned.
Lily stopped beside Trent’s chair and glared at her youngest son. “Melvin Cross just came up to me and-”
“I’m out of here,” Trent jumped up from his chair and ran away.
Exasperated, Lily threw her hands in the air, and scurried after him.
Trace looked at his fancy silver watch. “All this excitement and it’s already nine o’ clock. What’s next?”
★★★
“I thought you couldn’t dance,” I pouted as Trace led me across the dance floor.
“I can’t. Not really. But I can act like I know what I’m doing,” he grinned down at me as my dress swirled around my feet.
I tried to mimic the way other people were dancing, but I wasn’t exactly the most coordinated person on the word, and Trace wasn’t very good at leading.
Finally, I gave up, resting my head on his shoulder.
Golden lights sparkled around us, illuminating the room in warm glow.
I felt Trace’s lips brush against my forehead, and I smiled, the innocent gesture warming my heart.
The first song bled into the second and third and so on.
My feet were starting to get tired and I asked Trace if we could take a break.
“Sure thing,” he smiled, and started to guide me back to our table, with a hand on my waist.
“Trace Wentworth, funny running into you here,” a twinkling female voice stopped us in our tracks.
“Fuck,” Trace whispered under his breath, low enough that I, and the girl behind us, were the only ones who heard.
Trace’s hand flexed against my waist and his jaw tightened as he turned around slowly.
“Aubrey,” he ground out. “This is my family’s home. I’m supposed to be here. You are not.”
Aubrey...Aubrey…Aubrey.
Where had I heard that name?
Oh my God. I gasped aloud.
Trace’s ex.
The petite blonde girl glared daggers at me with her dark blue eyes. She was pretty, as in model pretty, with slim features and body, and fair, blemish free skin.
She wore a strapless pale pink dress that hung straight down her narrow body. Her light blonde hair was pulled back in a low bun and a few pieces framed her pretty face. I had never seen a person that looked so flawless.
Her pale pink lips were pouted and fake tears watered her eyes.
“Just because we broke up doesn’t mean you need to shut me out of your life,” her lower lip trembled for emphasis.
“Aubrey-”
“I’ve been a part of your life since we were children, Trace. I spent as much time here, as you spent at my house. We shouldn’t shut each other out. I miss you,” she reached for his hand and he recoiled. Anger flared in her eyes. “I still love you, baby,” she tried to grab his arm, but he stepped back, dragging me with him.
“That’s a lie,” he pointed a finger in her face, “and even if it wasn’t, I don’t love you.”
“You’re lying,” her navy blue eyes narrowed. Her gaze flicked my way. “You think this white trash bitch is better than me? It’s clear she’s not from money,” My mouth gaped open at her words. She looked me up and down, a sneer marring her pretty face. “She can’t understand you the way I do.” She grabbed his tux jacket, but Trace shook her off as easily as if she was a pesky fly.
“If you were a guy I would punch you in the face for what you said about Olivia-”
“It has a name?” She batted her eyelashes innocently.
I flinched at her tone.
“You’re asking for it Aubrey,” Trace warned. “I will have you escorted off of my property, no questions asked, if you keep this up.” She opened her mouth but he cut her off. “I don’t give a fuck who your daddy is, Aubrey, you are nothing.”
A fire burned behind her eyes. “I am nothing? You sure didn’t think I was nothing when you dated me. You talked about marrying me and having kids with me,” she pointed at her bony chest. “What changed? Did your dad dying mess you up that bad that you’re willing to settle for her?” She stabbed a manicured finger in my direction.
“People grow up, Aubrey. They grow up and they outgrow each other. We weren’t right together. Surely, you can see that,” Trace reasoned. “And I am not settling with Olivia. I would be settling if I was still with you. Last names aren’t everything, Aubrey, and I know that’s the only reason you wanted me. So shut the fuck up and stop acting like I meant everything to you, because I didn’t. I was nothing but a means for you climb up the mother-fucking social ladder!” He yelled.
“You did! I loved you! I still love you! This bitch isn’t your future, Trace! I am!” She squealed shrilly.
By now, we had drawn quite the crowd.
I felt Trent step up beside me. “Oh, fuck, this isn’t good,” he whispered.
“If you make one more comment about Olivia, you will be escorted from this house, and you won’t be coming back,” he warned. “I don’t care how much money your daddy throws our way,” Trace seethed.
Aubrey’s nostrils flared and her lips pursed. Her tiny hands were fisted at her sides as she glared at the three of us.
“Fine,” she sighed. “Whatever. I’m not done with you, though,” she pointed a finger in Trace’s face. “Do not think this conversation is over. As soon as your pound puppy is out of the way, we’re talking.”
“No, we’re not,” Trace snapped. “We were done talking years ago. Come on,” he released his hold on my waist and grabbed my hand. We melted out of the crowd and Trent followed.
Adrenaline was fading from my body and being replaced by sadness. Aubrey may have been a bitch, but Trace belonged with someone like her, not me. Someone beautiful and from the same lifestyle, someone with money, and status, someone that he grew up with. I was none of those things.
“Who invited the fucking ice queen?” Trent asked when we stepped outside the ballroom and around the corner.
“I have no clue,” Trace snapped angrily, running his fingers through his hair. “Mom, Gramps, and Grammy wouldn’t do that to me. She had to tag along with her parents or someone else.” He released my hand so he could punch the wall. When he calmed down some, he turned to me, “I’m so sorry, Olivia. I would’ve never brought you here if I knew she was going to be here. She’s a bitch and I never wanted you to have to know-”
“Know what?” My lip trembled as I fought back tears. “Know that you loved someone as cold-hearted as that? Know that you belong with someone like her? Someone with money and status? I have none of that. I can’t give you what you need. I’m sorry,” I sobbed, backing away from him and his brother.
“Olivia!” He called after me as I ran, but I didn’t look back.
I had to get away before my emotions got the best of me.
★★★
I found the staircase leading to the basement and ran down them. I had ditched my shoes a few minutes ago and carried them in my hands.
I picked a door to a room I knew I had never been shown, hoping that would give me more time to get my emotions in check, since I knew Trace would look for me in all the rooms I had toured.
“Holy shit,” I gasped as the door closed behind me.
I looked around, dazed.
“Of course,” I muttered, inhaling the scent of chlorine. “They would have an indoor pool.”
