Page 4

4

BEN

Sipping the warm beer that was thrust into my hand when I walked in, I manage to avoid all socialising by fixing a frown on my face. I’m only here for Hank. I should be at work focusing on the playoffs and trying to sort out a Christmas party for everyone, but apparently I need some time off. I’ve allocated myself an hour, and especially now I’ve just made a fool of myself with Penelope, an hour is going to be plenty.

I don’t really know what I was thinking, telling her I’d make an exception for her. I’m a fucking idiot. I groan into the bottle as I take another sip and grimace as the warm liquid fills my mouth.

“Yo, Bossman, how you doing?” Jenson approaches me and I scowl harder, but instead of taking the hint, he just grins.

This has been the way with us since our meeting in the boardroom when he was public enemy number one after insulting the whole damn town. Apparently when I gave my blessing for a relationship between him and Angie, I was also blessing one between myself and the whole Brady clan. All except Penelope, that is. She hates me with a passion, and I’ve not exactly done anything to try and sway that opinion.

“What do you want, Brady?”

Another grin, and this time a slap to my shoulder follows. “Just wanted to catch up with my old buddy. See what’s been happening with him lately and why he was standing so close to our Buttercup?”

“Buttercup?” He slowly takes a sip of his drink and motions with his head in Penelope’s direction. “Why?”

“It’s a character from her favourite film. I’ve called her that since we were little.” The explanation leaves me with more questions, but rather than asking them, I nod my head in acceptance and stay silent.

“So…”

A loud sigh follows another sip of warm beer. “She bumped into me by accident and spilled her drink on me. That’s it.”

“Huh. Then why did she look all flustered and embarrassed after you spoke to her?” A note of protectiveness is in his voice and I struggle to look into his eyes.

“I don’t know. Perhaps you should ask her.” I shoulder past him and make my way to stand with Hank, who’s chatting with Mama Brady, but as I approach, Angie stands on the makeshift stage and grabs the microphone to demand everyone's attention.

“Today we’re here to celebrate the man, the myth, the legend, Hank Richardson. But before we call him on stage, I wanted to invite his gorgeous daughter up here to talk about her dad. Let’s give Penny a big round of applause.”

I track her movements before I even realise I’m doing it. She hesitates and for a brief second when her eyes collide with mine, and something darkens them before she pulls her gaze away. What the hell is that about?

She takes a tentative step onto the stage and runs her palms down the sides of her jeans. She gulps in a breath and tugs on the hem of her top as her eyes fill with unshed tears. This is a far cry from the woman who took control of the situation at the carnival. Is she scared of speaking in front of large groups? Being up on stage? Or is she emotional because of her father’s upcoming surgery and what it might mean for his job?

And doesn’t anyone in her family see her reaction? They have to know this is not normal.

I quickly take a glance at them and note no one’s paying attention to her. Angie’s smiling down at Jenson as she walks from the stage, and he is focusing solely on her. Hank’s beaming with pride at his daughter, but isn’t seeing her, maybe also caught up in the moment. And the rest of the Bradys are chatting between each other.

Penelope takes a deep breath. She looks nervous as her eyes scan the crowd while her hands toy with the hem of her top. She’s normally so confident and full of herself, seeing her like this is putting me on edge.

What she does next is my undoing. She bites her lip. She pulls that full, pink bottom lip of hers in between her teeth, and I snap.

I storm the stage, a smile fixed on my face, and narrow my eyes at her as she widens her own, causing one solitary tear to fall as she quickly swipes it away. I quickly bring the microphone and its stand in front of me and launch into meeting mode.

“Penelope and I would like to take this time to say thank you to Hank. When Penelope told me about this event, I thought it would be a fun way of showing just how much we both care about the man of the hour. Hank has been like a father, a friend and an assistant to me the whole time I’ve been with the Spartans, and it feels fitting to stand side by side with his actual daughter to share some of the love. Isn’t that right, Penelope?”

I turn my head slightly and focus on her as my hand lands on her lower back. I gently flex my fingers to try and get her to smile or say something, but she just stares up at me with a look of confusion and a hint of appreciation written on her face. I force myself to look away and not dip my lips down to hers like I want, and let a soft laugh out and turn back to the crowd.

“I think Penelope is a little overwhelmed with how many of you are here to honour her father. Let’s be honest, she’s used to dealing with toddlers for a living, not groups of adults. It’s something I wouldn’t be able to do, but I’m glad she’ll be able to use my donation money to make her job a little easier. Ten K should do a lot for her and the kids.”

She shuffles on her feet, swaying a little, and I steady her by gently holding her elbow. She inhales deeply, shakes her head slightly, and steps away from me with a scorching look of disgust. Like my touch has just made her physically sick to her stomach. What the fuck? She takes the microphone from the stand, and steps forward to address the crowd, her voice wobbly but determined.

“I’m sure we would’ve gotten along just fine without your contribution, but while we’re on that subject, let’s not forget how we got you to donate in the first place.”

I don’t understand the sudden turn in events as she narrows her eyes at me. She went from nearly crying to spitting fire in the space of a second, and I’m confused as fuck right now. Nevertheless, I keep my face neutral and allow her to finish.

“My right arm and a very nice cream pie made all the difference, didn’t it?”

Sniggers float through the crowd and I realise what she’s doing. Taking back control and showing me she doesn’t need to depend on me, or anyone, for anything.

Shaking my head at my own stupidity, I smirk and change it into a sweet smile. I take a step closer to her and watch as her breath hitches and her pupils dilate. If she wants to play games, then bring it.