Down to My Soul (Soul Series Book 2)(20)

“No, I wrote a song for you.”

He pulls back, studying the effect his words have on me. I know what he must see. The blush heating my face again. The deep breath lifting my chest. The lashes I drop to hide from him. He sees it all, I’m sure. What he doesn’t see, the only thing I can hide is how my heart twists around inside of me. How anticipation speeds my pulse.

“Rhyson, we need to go.” Bristol looks at me for the first time. “Hey, Kai, thanks for pointing Qwest my way. Hopefully I can hook her up with Grip.”

“Hopefully.” I give her a tentative smile. “She seemed sweet.”

“Sweet?” Bristol lets out a rough laugh. “Not that I noticed, but she doesn’t need to be. Anyway, you’ll have to excuse us. We need to get in there.”

“After the toast.” Rhyson waits for me to confirm.

I nod wordlessly. I’ve barely lost sight of his broad shoulders in the dark, well-tailored jacket when San rejoins me. I just shake my head, warning him not to ask any questions now. We’re ushered through a room where long tables hold wedding gifts. When San and I drop off our gifts, he starts a conversation with a student from one of Grady’s music classes. I’m turning away, about to walk through the French doors into the backyard when a slim, cool hand on my arm stops me.

“Kai, so good to see you again,” Angela Gray says, her eyes disconcertingly similar to Rhyson’s and Bristol’s. “I’m glad you could make it.”

“You are? I mean . . . yes, ma’am.” I lick my lips, hoping I don’t say anything to make her like me less than she did the last time we met. “It’s good to see you again, too. How’s Mr. Gray?”

Angela allows her sculpted brows a tiny frown.

“He had a small setback, or he’d be here today. Open heart surgery recovery can be difficult, and it’s only been a few months, but we found an excellent facility here and have been very pleased.”

“Rhyson mentioned you were moving to LA.” I keep my smile polite. “I hope the transition hasn’t complicated Mr. Gray’s recovery at all?”

“Oh, no.” Angela waves her hand. “Gorgeous weather and finally on better terms with our son, he couldn’t be happier.”

“I’m glad to hear it.”

“And we’re coming back together as a family,” she says. “Did Rhyson tell you we may be starting family counseling soon?”

“Oh, we haven’t . . .” I reach up to touch the nameplate necklace Rhyson gave me out of habit, but it’s not there, so my hands drop to my sides. “Rhyson and I aren’t together anymore, Mrs. Gray. I thought you knew.”

Surely everyone knows after that video.

“Yes, I knew.” Something that is probably the closest she can come to sympathy enters her eyes. “I just assumed . . . well, the two of you seemed to be friends even before you were . . . more, so I wasn’t sure if you still talk.”

“We were.” I look around to find San still deep in conversation. “We are. It’s just . . . complicated.”

“Believe me. I know how difficult Rhyson can be.”

“He’s not difficult.” I blurt the defense before I can stop it. “I mean, he’s complex, yes, but not difficult. At least I wouldn’t say so.”

“I see you still have feelings for him.” She pulls her thin lips into a matte red moue.

I smooth the belled skirt of my dress, running my fingers over the raised flowers embroidered into the material. Caution slows my response. There’s nothing maternal about Angela Gray. If anything I hate how she’s hurt Rhyson in the past. She’s the one who got him hooked on prescription drugs when he was still just a boy so he could perform under pressure. She doesn’t trust me with her son, and I certainly don’t trust her with him.

“Let’s just say Rhyson’s not an easy guy to get over.” I look up from my skirt and offer a smile that tells her nothing more.

She pats my hand, that supposed sympathy evident in her eyes again.

“I’m sure you’ll manage, dear. There’s someone out there for you.”

The thought of being with anyone other than Rhyson nauseates me, but I just wax a smile onto my face. I wish she’d rip away the thin layer of pleasantry and voice what is so apparent beneath her polite smiles and condescending words. I wish she’d just say I’m not good enough for her son. That someone like Petra is better suited, is her preference. But she’s not prepared to be that sincere at her brother-in-law’s wedding in front of two hundred guests, and neither am I. I’m saved from responding to her candy-coated gibe when San walks up.

“Sorry to interrupt.” San smiles at Mrs. Gray before looking back to me. “But they’re seating now.”

“Of course.” I gesture to Mrs. Gray. “San, this is Mrs. Gray, Rhyson and Bristol’s mother. Mrs. Gray, my friend, Santos.”

“Nice to meet you.” San’s smile doesn’t slip, but his eyes chill a degree or two. He knows the history between Rhyson and his parents as well as I do. As well as everyone does.

“Yes, nice to meet you, too.” Her eyes flit from me to my good-looking best friend, speculating about a relationship between us. Maybe it’s best I let her believe that.

“Ready if you are.” I link my arm through San’s, smiling up at him warmly. “Let’s go.”