Until Kelly by Vera Quinn

Chapter Nine

Kelly

Last minute shopping with Trask is a big adventure since we went to so many stores and Trask knows so many people. In every store we went someone would stop Trask to talk. It took us most of the day. Christmas eve came way too fast for me.

I don’t know what I expected. Trask warned me that his family wasn’t like his friends and I agree wholeheartedly. Skeeter Stillhouse disliked me from the first look.

I know my dress isn’t designer, but it’s cute with the heeled knee boots I matched it with. It’s a simple sweater dress. I thought it was an appropriate choice for warmth and style and I accessorized to dress it up. I have seen Kim wear something similar, and I thought I could pull it off. I wore more makeup tonight, giving my eyes that smokey look and I put my hair in a cute braid. I should have known I would look out of place. It’s not like I have a whole wardrobe full of choices. I have the basics. I just hope I’m not embarrassing Trask too much. He seems attentive, and I noticed him giving his mother the eye when she stares for too long at me.

I hate this inferior feeling. I’ve always felt this way around people with money. I need to clear my head and try to channel my inner Kim. What would my sister do or how would she act in this situation? The answer to that is easy. My sister would never be in this situation because she knows how to blend in. I can do that. I just need to remember to smile and ignore the sideways glances I keep getting from people. Fake it until I make it.

“Relax, baby, you’re the most beautiful woman in this room.” Trask bends down and whispers in my ear.

“Your mom doesn’t like me much,” I whisper back.

“Mom doesn’t like anyone that she doesn’t know. She needs some gossip on everyone so she can feel superior,” Trask says with no maliciousness in his voice, just resignation.

“Trask, that is an awful thing to say about your mom. You are lucky she cares about who you bring home. She could be one of those mothers that couldn’t care less.” Trask stares at me for a second and I think I’ve said too much.

“Dad’s coming over to talk,” Trask tells me, and as I turn to look, Trask’s dad is beside us.

“Son, you need to mingle. I’m sure your date will understand. Don’t be rude to our other guests.” Trask smiles at his dad, but it looks funny.

“Kelly and I will make our rounds together. That way I can introduce her to everyone,” Trask says, giving his dad a look that tells me they are having a conversation with their eyes that I am not privy to.

“I’m sure your date for tonight can get a drink or find some appetizers to snack on while you attend to your family responsibilities,” Donald tells his son. I get it, he doesn’t want me meeting his family and friends.

“I’ll take her and show her my room to occupy her time.” I look at the redheaded man that I am guessing is Trask’s brother. The man is leering at me. Trask puts me behind him, and he gets in the man’s face.

“Branton, why don’t you find a corner to sober up in, and if you approach Kelly again, I will make this party the talk of the town for years to come.” Trask’s voice is low but very intimidating. Then he looks at his dad. “Do you get my drift, Dad?”

“Trask, behave yourself. I will not have you embarrassing your family over some woman that you won’t even remember next week. Go ahead and make your rounds with her but keep her away from the Newton’s. Ralph is going to make a run for governor next year and I don’t want him exposed to someone we don’t know anything about.” Donald makes it perfectly clear that my presence isn’t wanted here—that I am beneath him and his family. I get it, I do. I am beneath them and Donald can see through the façade that I have built around me. These people will never accept me, and I won’t let myself be treated this way anymore. I am a changed person, or I am trying to change. I am no one’s rug to walk on anymore. While Trask is distracted arguing with his dad and brother, I slip away. I catch his mother’s eyes and I see this is what she wants, so I sneak out the front door. No one even notices me walking away. The story of my life, I get it now. Trask wanted me to come with him today to stick it to his parents. I guess everyone in that house is getting what they want.

I am out the front door and I breathe in the fresh air. For some reason it seemed like all the oxygen was being sucked out of that house. I start down the driveway. It’s cold and I don’t have a jacket. I make it to the road. I don’t know how far I’ve walked when I see an old truck coming. I would try to hitch a ride, but they’re going in the opposite direction and I don’t know how country folks think about hitchhikers. I am shivering and cold. The truck stops beside me.

“Girl, what are you doing out here walking in this cold?” Nick Styles asks me. I try to smile at him. I guess I could lie but why would I?

“The Stillman’s didn’t like Trask’s date for the night. I think it’s time for me to get home.” I hear my phone ringing in my purse and I know it’s Trask, but I am too raw right now. I ignore it.

“You going to answer that phone so that boy can apologize and come and get you?” Nick asks me. “Get in the truck before you catch a chill.” I almost say it’s too late, but I want this man to give me a ride home, so I bite my tongue.

“I’m not ready to talk yet. That family is whacked.” Nick laughs.

“I’ll give you ride. Trask is going to be mighty worried though. The rest of the family you’re right about but Trask is a good boy. I think they mixed him up at the hospital when he was born. He’s nothing like the rest of that nest of vipers.” I didn’t think so either, but after tonight, I’m not sure. Nick drives the truck back to the Stillman’s drive and turns in. I look at him but stops the truck and then looks at me.

“I’ll never go back there again,” I tell Nick. Nick doesn’t say anything for minute. I see Trask’s truck coming down the drive towards us. I look at Nick again.

“Are you sure you don’t want to give that boy a chance to beg for your forgiveness? I don’t know what happened, but I know he is driving like the devil himself is chasing him.” I only have a minute to think about it before Trask is parked in front of us. When he sees me, he is out of his truck and at my window. Instead of rolling the window down, I look at Nick.

“Thank you for stopping for me. I guess I need to listen to him.” Nick nods his head at me, and I open my door.