Page 41 of Invisible String (The Underground #1)

Andrew: Hey, sweets. Do you mind if I come over? I have a favor to ask you.

Me: Sure. I’ll be home in an hour.

Andrew: See you then.

I shove my phone back in my purse.

“It was Andrew,” I tell the girls. “He wants to come over to ask for a favor,” I add, dipping my honey barbecue wings in ranch.

“I wonder what he has to say.” She laughs. “He’s not good at picking up on signals. He touched your vagina, and you were dry as a bone.” She laughs even harder.

My head falls back in laughter.

“If it were Max, you would immerse him between your legs,” she adds.

My sister joins in on the joke. “Oh, my gosh. He would need a raft.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. I swear, how do they expect me to let go like they say when they mention him touching me?

“You two are not helping me.”

“Okay, sorry, you’re right,” Lana offers.

My head swings back to the TV, and they show Max again.

My insides cave, taking my breath away. It’s been years, and I wished for so long I’d see him again.

Now, I want to erase it all. How can you fall so deeply in love with someone you don’t know and won’t let you in?

Only a fool would allow it. I rub my wrist.

As I stand in front of the full-length mirror, I run my hands over the satin of my off-the-shoulder dress.

The open back reveals a subtle V-line, giving it an elegant touch.

I can’t help but admire how it shimmers in the light and hugs every curve of my body, making me feel confident and beautiful.

My dangling earrings complement my high heels perfectly.

Finally, I curled my hair and left it down for a matching touch to the outfit.

A knock on the door startles me out of my thoughts. Andrew must be here to pick me up. He asked me to be his date for a gala tonight, and unfortunately, my father and brother will also be in attendance. My dad is a well-sought attorney, so he always gets invited to these kinds of events.

“Hey, you’re here early,” I say, stepping back to let him in.

Andrew gives me a boyish grin, reminding me of when we were younger. My sister and Lana are not his greatest fans, and I understand why. He’s self-centered.

He leans to kiss my cheek. “You look pretty. If you’re not ready, no worries. I can wait.”

“I’m ready.”

“Thank you for coming with me. I didn’t want to come solo since your brother has a date.”

I take my sweater wrap and handbag from the sofa. My eyebrows arch. “He has a date?” He’s never mentioned a girl before he was dating.

His lips twitch. “She’s actually a new trainee. His assistant.”

I roll my eyes, of course.

Twenty minutes later, we arrived at the gala. Andrew drops his car off at a valet parking lot. He places his hand on the small of my back, guiding us toward the entrance.

As I enter the grand ballroom, the chandeliers sparkle above me, and the sound of a live orchestra fills the space.

The room could easily fit three thousand people, but tonight, it was filled with elegantly dressed women in flowing gowns and men in sharp suits and ties.

Their chatter and laughter echo off the high ceilings and marble floors as they mingle under the glow of crystal lights.

A soft sigh leaves my lips. I would rather be home binge-watching any show, reading, or maybe baking than be here, but I did Andrew a favor. Not that I owe him one.

A server stops near us to offer us a drink. I shake my head while Andrew grabs whiskey on the rocks. My dad spots us and waves us toward him. I turn to walk the opposite way, but Andrew pulls me along. “Hello, sir. I’m glad you made it.”

Sir? He’s known him for years. My dad pats his shoulder.

“Rainey, honey. I’m so glad to see you two together here. I tell Andrew that he needs to scoop you up. You two would make the most beautiful couple.”

“I’m trying.” Andrew wraps me around my waist. “We are taking it slow,” he adds.

I lift not one, but two brows at him.

“We’re only friends,” I admit.

“For now.” Andrew winks, and my dad roars in laughter.

What in the actual fuck? I want to shiver at both of them in disgust.

“You two have fun.” My dad turns, walking toward the chief of police and the governor.

There are so many people I don’t recognize, and I wouldn’t know anyone here. “Hey, Ney.” My brother smiles, looking sharp in his black slacks and suit. His brown, disheveled hair has a slight speck of red from my dad’s Irish roots. A blonde woman hangs on his side. “Ney, this is my friend Mel.”

She extends her hand. “Hi, Ney, nice to meet you.”

“You can call me Rainey, and it's nice to meet you.”

She blushes. She seems to be around my age. “I’m sorry. I thought that was your name.”

“My family and close friends call me Ney.”

We all chat for a bit longer until my brother pulls his date to the table so he can eat her face. I scan the room and make eye contact with a few recognizable celebrity actors. My attention is then drawn to the boxer who will fight in the main event in a couple of months.

A tall guy joins Andrew in a conversation while I scan the crowd in boredom once again.

Andrew’s hands slowly but gently make their way up my back while deep in conversation.

I’m about to move them off me, but a pair of emerald-green eyes catches my attention.

Blood rushes to my beating heart. Air suffocates my chest, making it hard to breathe, seeing Annette so close to Max.

He’s here with her. Jealousy stirs in the pit of my stomach.

She’s stunning in her red dress, slits showing her toned thighs.

Her body is so sculpted and muscular. She must still be a boxer.

Her black raven hair is long, shiny, and beautiful.

Max guides her, his hand at the small of her back.

She sways her perfect hips as they walk.

The perfect couple. They fit well together.

I can’t help but feel jealous when I see him, even though I was the one who told him to leave me alone.

How could I not when he just walked away after I finally confessed my love for him?

He didn’t even try to keep in touch. He just left without a backward glance.

A part of me wants nothing to do with him, yet here I am, still torn apart by his absence.

Was she at all his matches? Was she cleaning his wounds?

Did he break all his walls for her and let her in?

Why did he come and look for me to stir my emotions again when he was with her?

The thought of her touching what was once mine makes me sick.

I shake my head. He was never yours, Rainey.

He sure in hell isn’t yours now. I don’t want him. I despise him.

My heart aches with unbearable pain as I watch him. I follow his every move, unable to look away. The black suit fits him perfectly, showcasing the strength of his muscles as they strain against the fabric.

He looks so good. Too good.

“Sweetie, should we go sit?” Andrew suggests his friend pass us.

I hate when he calls me sweetie. When it comes from his lips, it sounds like he’s talking to a toddler. My gaze goes to Max, and for a quick second, he’s speaking with another bulky man, his hands at his side. She keeps leaning into him.

“Sure,” I say dryly, following him. My nails dig into my thigh.

He stops dead in his tracks, waiting for me with his hand out. My gaze goes to it. “We are not in a relationship, Andrew. I’m here as your friend.”

His jaw tightens, and he turns to a round table with a white tablecloth. My lungs fill with a slow, steady breath. Alcohol sounds good about now. Maybe a few.

“You have nothing to be jealous of. I wouldn’t know if she is attracted to me or flirty. I didn’t pay attention.” Another kiss. “I never do. My attention has solely been on you.” Those words at the gym rumble in my memory. Max wouldn’t be with her if he didn’t find her attractive.