Stepbrother Untouchable(17)
Author: Colleen Masters

As I walk across the lawn, I can see that the first guests are beginning to arrive. I wonder if now that I’m Pierce’s stepdaughter, I’m going be expected to put on the same song-and-dance routine as Nate. Usually if I have to go to a party, like my aunt’s Christmas party, I’ll hang out for a while, and then disappear somewhere to read a book.

My fears are realized as my mom waves me over to where she and Pierce are standing with two guests. I’m introduced to the couple, who turn out to be higher-ups for the State Department, and my accomplishments are trotted out while they murmur enthusiastically, though I have to wonder if anyone could possibly be genuinely interested in such self-serving prattle. As we talk, my mom breaks away to greet the guests that are now pouring in. I listen politely as Pierce chats away, impressed with his wit and charm. Clearly Nate gets it from his dad, even if he does insist that it’s a learned skill.

I manage to slip away and head over to the buffet table. Like any good Maryland girl, I absolutely love crabs. As I pile my plate high, I feel a hand on the small of my back. I turn to see Jackson grinning at me. With his open, friendly face, it’s hard to keep in mind what Nate told me about him, and what I experienced for myself.

“Hey, Brynn!” he says, brushing a kiss against my cheek.

“Jackson, good to see you,” I reply politely.

“You disappeared so fast the last time I saw you! I was worried,” he replies.

“Sorry about that,” I respond, wondering if Nate gave him any explanation.

“We ever going to go on that date?”

I’m saved by the sight of Allison walking out onto the deck. “Could you excuse me for a moment? My best friend just got here and she doesn’t know anyone else,” I explain as I slip away. I wave at her as I approach, but she’s looking around nervously and doesn’t register my presence.

“Allison!” I call out, just ten feet from her.

“Oh! Oh my gosh, I didn’t recognize you,” she says. I give her a hug as I walk up. “This party is really fancy! And this house! I mean you said it was big, but I didn’t think it was this big.”

“I know,” I groan. “I’ll give you a tour later if you have a couple hours,” I add wryly. “Come get something to eat with me—I was just filling up a plate. I’m so glad you’re here. I don’t really know anyone else, and none of the interns have shown up yet.”

“The interns?” Allison asks as we head back over to the buffet, where I pick up my abandoned plate.

“Yeah, Pierce invited all the interns from the office.”

“Oh, that was nice of him,” Allison comments, picking up her own plate. “Wow, I think that guy’s a senator…the one in the blue seersucker jacket.”

I glance over. “From Georgia, yeah,” I confirm. “I think he and Pierce served in Congress at the same time.” I start giggling and Allison looks at me with a questioning smile. “Sorry, I just can’t believe I’m talking about my stepfather serving in congress.”

“This is your real life!” Allison says, laughing. “When do you think it’ll sink in?”

“No idea,” I reply as we head toward a couple empty seats at one of the tables.

“Your mom looks really happy,” Allison observes as we sit. I watch her for a moment, flitting between conversations, so beautiful and animated.

“I think she is. And she’s just really good at cocktail-type conversation, too. Like Nate, though he says it doesn’t come to him naturally.”

“Brynn…” Allison says, raising an eyebrow at me.

“No, I mean, I’m just, you know…” I reply, trailing off. Definitely not the time to tell Allison that Nate and I kissed, though I don’t know if that time will ever come. I love Allison, but thinking in shades of grey is not her strong suit.

“Thought you two could use some drinks.”

I look up to see Greg, the cute intern with the strawberry-blonde hair, standing next to us, three martini glasses carefully balanced between his long fingers.

“Greg, hi! I’m so glad you could make it.” I indicate the chair next to us and help him place down the glasses so that they don’t spill their contents. “Greg, this is my friend Allison. We go to college together.”

“Nice to meet you,” Allison says.

“You too. Hope these drinks are OK with you. I forget what the bartender called them…”

“Freedom Martinis,” I answer, rolling my eyes. “The name sucks, but they’re really good.”

“So where are you from originally, Greg?” Allison asks.

“Raleigh, though I hope to move to DC after I graduate.”

I tune out slightly as Allison and Greg talk across me. I’ve just seen Nate cross between groups of people, seeming to make conversation effortlessly. I look around to see if there’s a girl trailing him, but I don’t see one. This might be the first time I’ve seen him without a date at any kind of gathering. The idea that it could be because of me comes to my mind, but I quickly quash it. I can’t let myself think like that. Nate doesn’t want that kind of relationship with me, probably even if I weren’t his stepsister. I bet his date just got a cold last-minute or something.

“Be right back,” Allison says. “I have to get a second helping!”

My attention snaps back to Greg as she stands and leaves. He scratches his cheek and clears his throat. I smile as a blush sneaks onto his freckle-dotted skin.

“You look…um, that’s a nice dress,” he finally says.

“Thanks.” I smile, careful not to linger on the subject, “So, you think you’ll want to work in politics after school ends?”

“Well, in government,” he says with a smile. “Though I’m learning that one doesn’t seem to exist without the other. I guess I need to work on the whole…you know…” he waves his hand vaguely.

“Kissing babies thing?”

“Exactly,” he smiles. “So, ah, I was wondering…”

My attention drifts from him again as I see my mom and Pierce talking urgently by the house. My mom covers her face with her hands and Pierce turns back to the party, his frown turning into a smile as if by magic.

“I’m so sorry, Greg, could you excuse me? I think my mom might need me.”

“Oh, sure,” he replies kindly as I rush toward the door into the study.

My mind runs through the possible scenarios as I hurry through the study and up the stairs. As I climb the second set of stairs up to the master suite on the third floor, I decide it must be my father. The last time I saw my mom look that upset, it was because my dad was back in town and pressuring her for money.