Tangle (Dogwood Lane 2)

As soon as he’s out of sight, I close in on Haley. Her body squares to mine as if they’re in sync. She angles her chin so she’s looking me right in the eye as I step within inches of her.

Her words from earlier ring through my memory, and I have half a notion to take her by the hand and pull her out of here.

She takes a deep breath. “Let’s have fun tonight, okay?”

“Is that an innuendo?”

She laughs, shaking her head. “No. I know what I said a minute ago is still rolling around in that head of yours, and I didn’t mean it the way it probably came out.”

“Haley—”

“No, Trevor. I want you to enjoy the party with your family tonight. Don’t worry that I’m getting clingy or reading too much into this.” She forces a swallow. “I know my role.”

“What’s that?”

“To protect you from Meredith and Liz.” She tries to shrug it off, to make light of how she feels, but I know her well enough now to see right through it. “Just wanted you to know I know that.”

I give her a sideways glance and consider telling her that her presence here truly has nothing to do with anyone but me. If I do that, there’s a chance she’ll overthink it, and I don’t want her to do that. I want her to enjoy her evening.

“You’re going to be trouble, aren’t you?” I ask.

“I actually think it’s Jake who’s going to be trouble,” she says, her attention stolen by Jake’s voice from the foyer. “I wonder what little tidbits he can share with me.”

“Don’t believe anything he says.”

I look over my shoulder as Jake’s voice rings through the house. “Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please? On behalf of Trevor and myself, we’d like to thank you all for coming to celebrate our father and his illustrious career at Astelford and Mills. Seeing the respect and support you all have for Branson Kelly means the world to us. Now, if you will, the car with the man of the hour is pulling in.”

Headlights stream through the windows. My father’s friends congregate in the entry, packing the large room like a sardine can until bodies are spilling into the kitchen.

“Come on,” I say, taking Haley’s hand and pulling her away from the masses. We stop near the table as Jake winds his way through the room. He mouths something I don’t have to lip-read to know is about Haley and, most likely, filthy.

I shake my head as I turn to see Haley watching me with a crooked brow.

The crowd erupts into cheers and congratulatory exclamations, making Haley step closer to me so I can hear her. “What was that about?”

“Dad is here,” I say, hoping to avoid it.

“No, the look you just gave Jake.”

I laugh. “Oh, that. He’s just a dumbass.”

“I think he’s nice,” she says, stepping to the side to let a handful of people through.

“You would,” I tease.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means—”

“Hey, Trev!” My father’s voice booms through the room. “Was all this your idea?”

“Aren’t all the good ones mine?” I meet my father a few steps away. He pulls me into a hug. “Jake wanted to take you out for pizza.”

Jake smacks me on the back as he joins us. “I did not.”

Dad laughs, shaking Jake’s hand and giving him a half hug. “Your best quality is that you listen to your brother.”

“See?” I say. “Listen to me.”

“Fuck off,” Jake says with a laugh.

I reach for Haley’s hand and pull her close to my side. Dad’s face lights up, and as much as I hate to admit it, there’s an approval there that makes me proud.

“Dad, I would like you to meet Haley Raynor. Haley, this is my father, Branson Kelly.”

Haley stands tall, a smile on her face. Anyone watching would see it as a sign of confidence. They would be wrong.

A breath whispers through the air with a hesitancy I notice. Her jaw is tense, her lips not parted in the arch that means she’s amused or relaxed. I lay my hand on the small of her back, not sure if it’s her or me who needs the support.

“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Kelly,” she says.

My father is intrigued. He looks at me for a long moment before shifting his weight and gaze back to Haley. “Please, call me Branson.”

“Of course,” she says. “Congratulations on your career.”

He nods, taking in my arm behind her. “I’m delighted Trevor brought you this evening. I’ve heard so many wonderful things about you.”

I balk. The man is lying through his teeth. I’ve never said a word about her to him. He didn’t even know she existed until this moment.

“That’s very sweet of you to say,” Haley says. “And I appreciate you saying that to make your son look good. Nice touch.” She winks at my dad.