Juilliard or Else (21 page)

A black limo was right outside the apartment building when I came out. Michael held open my door and helped me with my gown so it wouldn't get caught in the door. I rearranged my dress and sat on the leather seat next to my dad, and when I looked up, I spotted a person who I hadn't met or seen before sitting next to Carol.

"Abigail," Carol said next to the man, "this is Alexander Blair, and he'll be joining us at our table tonight."

I didn't even greet him before I turned and leaned into my dad to give him a side hug.

He kissed my cheek "How are you, angel?" I loved when my dad used my nickname. It always brought me some comfort, especially when Carol was hovering around me.

"Good. How are you daddy?"

"Fine. Miss you around the house." I playfully smacked his leg.

"No, you don't. I'm sure you're happy to get me outta there, so I don't play all that classical music," I snickered.

"It was quite enjoyable at moments."

"Yeah, sure, Dad."

The rest of the limo ride was a bit awkward, mainly because I didn't know Alex Blair. There were times when I caught him looking at me; I looked over at him and he would turn his head to look away. And when I looked at Carol, she smirked then patted his knee, which was weird. We pulled up to the hotel where my dad usually held his firm dinners. My dad got out of the limo first and held out his hand to help me, lacing my arm through his to have him lead us into the grand hotel.

We were the last to arrive, mostly because my dad was the guest of honor. Since my dad was the head of the company, we had to sit at the front of the room at a long table facing everyone. The hotel dining room was gorgeous as always, decorated in white and gold colors, with dim lights and tall candlesticks on each of the fifty tables, which were full of his employees and their spouses.

They all stood up and applauded us as we made our way to the front. My dad had to stop to shake some hands of his closest friends; everyone loved my dad. Carol loved the attention. I turned back and watched her smile and give a little pageant wave. Alex met my gaze and smiled. I turned back around as we made our way up the little steps and to our seats. My dad sat right in front with Carol to his left and me on the other side of Carol. Alex sat on the other side of me.

"Hello Abigail," he greeted me as he sat down. He voice was strong and his blue eyes shined when he smiled.

"Hey." Carol cleared her throat and I sighed. "Hello, Alex." I smiled back, and then turned to face the front as my dad stood up to the microphone at the end of our table. He gave my shoulder a little squeeze as he passed behind me.

"Evening, ladies and gentlemen," my dad addressed the crowd. He talked about the goals they set at the beginning of the year and how they achieved them. More applause echoed through the dining room. He went on about some profits and raises for everyone soon to come for the Christmas season. They all clapped some more, then his voice got serious when he brought up Alex's name.

"Alex Blair is new to our group and so far, he has won every case handed to him." More applauses. "Alex, come on up here," my dad announced and started clapping with the crowd.

My dad waved him over, but before he stood up, he turned and kissed my cheek. I was shell-shocked. He barely knew me and he kissed me? Ick…yes, he was very good looking, but that was just weird. My dad introduced Alex to everyone. Being only twenty-five and having graduated from Harvard Law a year ahead of his class, he was now the youngest Criminal Justice lawyer at the firm. He was making his way to the top very fast. He wasn't a bad looking guy; he was at least six foot two with short brown hair and intense blue eyes, and his black suit clung to his body. My dad clapped him on the shoulder and with the next announcement, my dad made the room explode.

"Alex and I are taking on a very big case. The Grayson case, as many of you know, has been a huge struggle. The couple cannot keep their stories straight, so the divorce attorneys had to get us involved. So, after a great deal of thought between my lovely wife and I, if Alex helps me win this case, he will become partner in the firm."

The dining room exploded into more cheers and applauses. After all these years, not once had my dad even considered having a partner in his firm. He usually just had Carol by his side. Alex looked back over to me and winked, causing my face to heat up in front of the room full of people watching us. I lowered my head and tucked a piece of loose hair behind my ear.

"Alex likes you, Abigail," Carol whispered in my ear. "He actually told me he would like to take you out to get to know you."

That was when it hit me: Carol was going to try everything she could to get me to go out with Alex. He was just giving me the time because my dad would make him partner if he did. I groaned. Of course that's what was happening. I rubbed my head in annoyance to Carol. I didn't think my dad would do something like this to me; he probably would flip if Carol did this on her own.

They were done with their short speeches and dinner was served. The food was delicious. Almost everyone came up to Alex or my dad to congratulate them and wished them the best on the Grayson case. I've heard my dad in his office, yelling at people to get their asses moving on this case, but they couldn't do anything because of the arrogant couple they were dealing with.

A slow orchestra sounded through the speakers when Alex stood up from the table and held out his hand to me.

"Abigail, may I have this dance?" His blue eyes bore into mine in a very charming way, which suited him with perfection.

"Umm…" Carol bumped into my shoulder, trying to casually turn to my dad in the process. "Sure." I brushed at the wrinkles that weren't really there on my long purple gown.

Alex led me onto the dance floor as his right hand was placed on my lower back. We danced in silence, not speaking at all. Yep, this certainly looked like he really wanted to get to know me, as Carol explained. Every time we turned and I saw my dad and Carol, she had her hand on her chest, like a proud mother, seeing her daughter dancing with something that wasn't even there. When we turned again and I faced the back of the room with the double doors wide open, by surprise, I saw Tucker leaning up against the door frame with his arms crossed over his chest. I immediately wanted to run to him. Alex turned me faster and faster as the beat picked up, but every time I was turned, I searched only for Tucker.

The kisses we had shared made me quiver at my knees, and I wanted to feel his lips against mine. I hadn't seen him or talked with him. I missed him. I knew that sounded weird because I hardly knew him, but something deep down inside me made me feel like that. I smiled every time we made eye contact, his body still leaning on the door frame. Once the song was over, my dad came up to cut in.

I hurriedly said, "I need to use the restroom first, Daddy," not letting him answer me as I made my way towards the front doors. Tucker saw me heading his way and back out around the corner. I came out, looking down the hallway and yelped when a hand came out to pull me into a darkened spot.

"Can I just tell you how gorgeous you look in that dress?" Excitement ran through my veins and made my heart pound until it felt like it was going to burst right out of my chest. Tucker was dressed in black pants, a white shirt, with his black leather jacket. His long hair was slicked all the way back and I wanted to run my fingers through it. He dropped his head down and rested his forehead to mine, our noses barely touching.

"You can," I whispered. He chuckled. His hot breath hit my face and I looked into his sparkling blue eyes. Tucker's eyes always sparkled when I stared at him. When he looked at me, I was the only one that mattered to him.

His fingertips brushed my cheek. "Gabs, you're gorgeous," he said, and then he tenderly kissed my lips. It was soft and slow, and his hands locked behind my lower back as the kiss deepened. I felt his tongue at the seam of my lips and I gladly opened. His tongue was smooth and soft against the roof of my mouth.

Man, he could kiss.

His hands roamed up and down my sides, the silk of my dress felt hot against my skin, sending chills up and down my spine. I groaned in his mouth as he deepened the kiss even more.

I could let him kiss me all day long. Hearing some people suddenly talking, which sounded like my dad, I pulled away, our lips making that smacking sound, and I stepped back from him. He looked at me with an irritated look when I did that.

"What?"

He raked his hands through his hair. "Why did you do that?"

"Do what?" I bit my bottom lip. I knew he was upset that I pulled away, which was stupid of me to do.

He took a step to me. "Let's get outta here."

"Tucker, I can't," I said, shaking my head.

His eyes were the saddest I'd seen. "Yes, you can."

Still shaking my head, I said, "No, this is for my dad. I can't just leave right in the middle of the party. How did you find me anyway?"

The thought suddenly entered my mind on how he found me.

"Okay, the line of contacts. Jade talked to Jett, who told me once I got back, and I came straight here. Just lie. Don't you want to come and hang out at Jett's house? Rachel and Jade are there already; they even have a change of clothes for you."

I knew I shouldn't leave my dad here, but I wanted to be with Tucker. I missed him. "I'll be right back." Before I left our darkened corner, Tucker pulled me back into his arms and gave me a hard kiss. My body fell into his as I kissed him back just as hard and when we separated, we were both out of breath.

Wow.

My legs could hardly carry me as I made my way back into the dining room. My dad, Carol and Alex were back at the table, having their desserts. I walked up behind my dad and put a hand on his shoulder to get his attention. I leaned down to talk into his ear, hoping he would be the only one to hear me. If Carol found out I wanted to leave, she wouldn't let me.

I thought of the first thing that came to me. "Daddy." He kinda jumped at my words. "I'm not feeling well. Rachel and Jade are here to take me home."

His face dropped a little. "Okay angel, feel better. Call me tomorrow." Then he kissed my head, I turned and quickly left the stand. I heard Carol call out my name, but I kept going.

I made it back to where I left Tucker, but he wasn't there. I picked up the front of my dress and ran to the front of the hotel and outside. I spotted him by the curb, holding a cab door open for me. I rushed over to his side; his dimple showing with his wide smile did wonders to my insides. But I lied to my dad. That was something I'd never done before. What did he do to deserve me lying to him?

I climbed in the cab and Tucker slid in next to me and put his arm around my shoulders to get me to snuggle into him. His fingertips tickled down my arm. I closed my eyes and enjoyed his soft touch as I melted into his side.

We made it to Brooklyn and the cab fare was expensive for such a short trip. I tried to pay, but Tucker wouldn't let me. I glanced around at my surroundings; I'd never been to Brooklyn before. It looked like the city except for the run-down buildings had spray paint on them along with broken windows. The streets were darker here than in the city.

A flashing bright light made me turn to see the sign
Jett Black Tattoos.
Now I knew the name of his shop, and it suited him really well. Tucker took me around the side of the building and climbed up the back stairs to Jett's apartment. Loud music kept getting louder as we reached the top; Tucker didn't even knock as we made our way inside. People were scattered everywhere, just like it would be at a night club. A couple of girls looked at me like I didn't belong here. I'm sure it was because of the dress I was wearing, but Jade was at my side sooner than I thought.

"Oh hell, you look awful," Jade told me as she took in my dress with her eyes.

"She looks gorgeous," Tucker said to Jade, and then kissed my cheek.

"Whatever Romeo. Let's get you changed before I throw up all over you."

I giggled and followed Jade to what I was guessing was Jett's room. Covering the walls were sketches of flowers, cars, babies—just random things. He could draw very well. Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

"What?" Jade yelled.

The door opened and Jett walked in. "Dude, what if Gabs was naked?" Jade said with attitude. Jett walked over and hung his arm on Jade and kissed the side of her head. They were cute together.

"I like your drawings, Jett." I looked at a close up of the little baby's fingers, which looked so real. It was absolutely beautiful. The tiny little fingers were so precious.

"That one you're staring at, I didn't draw. Tuck did." I gasped at the surprise. I knew he could draw, but something as beautiful as this was breathtaking.

"Come out when you're done," Jett whispered to Jade and tugged her along.

The party was in full swing when I was dressed in some jeans, Converse shoes, and a black top that hung off one side of my shoulder. I found Tucker, Jade, and Jett on the couch, sipping whatever was in the red plastic cups. I saw Rachel and Brad dancing together in the crowd of people in the living room. Tucker saw me and winked as he strode over to me like he was stalking his prey. I liked the feeling my body was giving off as he made his way over to me. We started to sway to the music and I let Tucker rub his hands all over my body.