Tough Shit (Rejects Paradise 1)

My eyes drop to my glass to find it empty and my brows shoot up. How the hell did that happen? I hardly even remember sipping on it. Though for that to have happened, I must have liked it.

We return to the party a moment later and hardly get through the door before the waitress Milo had tasked to ‘keep them coming’ is there with a new drink to replace the old. I gingerly take it from her, feeling like some sort of princess. No one has ever gone out of their way for me like that. Is this really how the wealthy live their lives?

I’ve never been so jealous in my life. There’s such a contrast from the way I’ve been brought up to how things are in this world. Every little thing is done differently. Just getting breakfast in the morning is different. I don’t think I’ve had to make my own bed once since being here.

Milo leads me across the massive room, dodging all the people while being careful not to step on anyone’s gown. He brings me to a stop in front of a long table that spans the whole length of the big room. Every little section of the table is piled high with food, all of which I wouldn’t be able to name to save my life.

“Here,” Milo says, handing me a plate with an excited gleam in his eyes. “Load it up. I have a feeling it’s going to be a big night and you’re going to need your energy.”

Well, who am I to say no?

Chapter 13

My stomach aches with all the food I’ve eaten, and the thought of standing up from this table and having people assuming it’s a baby bump protruding from my stomach is one of the scariest things I’ve ever felt. I don’t know why though. I’ve faced down all sorts of shit. Having a food baby shouldn’t be something that terrifies me but with all these elitist pigs at this party, one bad rumor could do a lot of damage.

I throw back what’s left of my fifth fruity drink as Milo laughs at the way his father just left the table. He’d come over to introduce himself to Milo’s special friend then Milo explained that I was Charles’ niece from out of town, the same girl he’d heard all those stories about involving Coach Sylvester and Dean Simmons.

Realizing that I’m the only girl at school surrounded by five hundred boys, Milo’s father grinned proudly, clapped his son on the back, and chuffed about the Rinaldi DNA being the best. After all, out of all those boys, it was his son I’ve chosen to spend my time with.

“Geez,” I grin, pushing back from my chair and standing up, deciding that showing off my food bump is probably a better option than pissing myself in this gown. “He thinks you’re some kind of stud.”

“I am a fucking stud, babe” he laughs, digging a hand into his suit jacket that hangs on the back of his seat and producing four condoms. “He just slipped these in my pocket and reminded me that my grandmother is coming to town next week.”

My brows furrow. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“He wants me to ask for the family ring. Apparently, the fact that your part of the Carrington line and a woman, means you’re suitable marriage material.”

“The fuck?” I laugh. “Damn, he’s got his wires crossed. He’s going to be pissed when he realizes that I’m a nobody from Breakers Flats.”

“I know, but it’ll be worth it to see his face.”

“Promise that I’ll get to be there when he finds out?”

“Wouldn’t have it any other way, wifey.”

I roll my eyes knowing that’s going to stick so I might as well go along with it. “Alright, hubby. I gotta pee,” I tell him, indicating down to my empty glass. “If the pretty girl with the magic fruity drinks comes past, can you get me another?”

“Sure thing.”

With that, I start scrambling. Why is it that the second you stand up after drinking you always feel like an absolute mess? The room is spinning a little and I swear, if I throw up on Cora’s dress I’m going to be the joke of the town, considering I’m not already occupying that position.

I find mom across the room and she smiles brightly. She’s been watching me all night with that proud momma bear look on her face. You know, after she nearly dragged my ass out of here assuming I’d snuck in and stolen a dress. She quickly realized that tonight might be the only time I’ll ever get to play Cinderella, and she left me alone. But I’m not fooled, she’s been keeping a sharp eye on me.

I somehow make it to the bathroom and find myself looking around in awe. Out of the millions of bathrooms in the Carrington mansion, this is one of the many I’ve never wandered into. It’s flawless, absolutely stunning. I never really understood why people put so much money and effort into making luxurious bathrooms. I mean, do they realize that people use them for taking a shit? I have to admit though, it’s kind of nice to have the heated toilet seat. Well, I’m hoping it’s a heated toilet seat and not warmed by someone else’s ass.