If I didn’t know better, I’d think he’d eaten a cage full of canaries than a freaking bread roll.
CHAPTER 10
FEEL GOOD DRAG
PRESENT
Now I knowfor damn certain I need alcohol. Blythe and Sienna’s laughter feels like ice picks stabbing my eardrums, but it’s Jase’s not-so-veiled threat that lingers with me well after he’s returned to the dining room. Filling up a water glass with Sprite and Vodka, I follow suit, relieved to see Derek and my dad have returned. Whatever Jase is planning, he wouldn’t be ballsy enough to try and embarrass me with my brother in attendance.
Blythe laughs at something Aria’s mom says, but I’ve apparently walked in too late to get what’s so funny.
My stepmother’s expression shifts, however, as she redirects it to Jase. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you hadn’t eaten in weeks.”
Not only has he finished two plates of spaghetti before anyone else is even done with their first, but Jase is doing nothing to hide the fact that he’s scarfing down the food. Like he really is ravenous.
Lauren looks at her brother with what would best be described as unease, and though Blythe had addressed him, Jase looks up…at me.
And grins.
Red flag.
Red flag!
“Well, my compliments to the chef,” he says simply. “This is incredible.”
Aria’s mom is all too happy to gush about her daughter’s cooking skills, but the girl in question doesn’t seem overly comfortable with the praise. She lets her hair fall into her face as she looks down at her plate, hiding the blush spreading over her cheeks. It’s kind of adorable.
“The hint of chili pepper flakes is a really nice touch,” I say. “What kind did you use?”
Aria looks somewhat taken aback, clearly not expecting the question, but she visibly brightens. “Do you cook too?”
Of course, leave it to Blythe to interject, waving a dismissive hand at me. “Oh, she used to work at an Italian restaurant, but only as a waitress.”
My stepmom obviously doesn’t want me to come off looking semi-capable ofanything(or, even worse, make a friend!), so she’s quick to turn her attention back to the problem at hand.
Jase.
“When will you and your mom be returning for the wedding?” she asks far too sweetly. A.k.a.When will I have to start working damage control for the family with you two lepers in town?
“Our mom’s coming in a few days before the ceremony,” Jase manages to say between bites.
“And you?”
If Blythe’s voice is ‘too sweet,’ Jase’s is practically dipped in sugar. “Funny you should ask, I’ve actually been feeling rather nostalgic. I don’t have any plans that can’t be rearranged… I’m thinking maybe I’ll stay in town.”
Given Blythe’s expression that best rivals horror, I’d be tempted to burst out laughing, if I just so happened to completely disregardwhathe just said.
Surely he can’t be serious.
The way he’s grinning at me, however, would suggest differently.
His sister couldn’t be happier, but Blythe isn’t about to give in that easily. The longer the son of a disgraced congressman is in town, the more likely word will spread that his family is marrying into ours.
“Hotels around here are rather pricey, especially this time of year,” Stepmommy Dearest points out. “And with all the weddings and tourism, most places will likely already be booked.”
In this, she isn’t wrong.
Nothing about Jase’s appearance gives off the impression that he has money. It’s not like he was ever flashy, but you couldn’t be a member of the Untouchables if your jeans cost anything under four hundred dollars. Jase’s clothes are clearly distressed, but not in the manufactured way. They’ve been broken in by good old wear and tear. He’s not flashing any accessories, and the few glimpses I’ve seen of his phone tell me it’s at least a few years old.
