The Austin Arrangement novel Chapter 30

Thankfully he was nowhere in sight, maybe he's with those cigar smoker friends of his. He might not even see Alex here-He might not even care after all that kissing we did.

"We're here!"Natasha shouted over the music,as she went in for a hug.

Her arms wrapped around my neck as she squeezed the life out of me."Oh My Gawd,Look at this fucking place."

Can't bring her anywhere!!

"The Austin's sure live a fine life don't they."Alex looked around the room,but I could tell he was thinking the same thing as Natasha."Free champagne."He picked up a flute from a passing waiter and handed one to Natasha."Get that down you Gal."

Natasha took a sip from her glass,her face scrunching up over the taste of the champagne."You look like you've had a few already,Finley. Good Luck getting him home tonight,Ness."She chuckled.

That's what's I was worried about. My brother isn't used to a drink,as far as I know. He's had his fill already,but I think he's enjoying himself too much to stop.

Time had passed now and I was relaxed and enjoy the night,after drinking two glasses of champagne. Natasha was the reason I drank them,I knew it was pointless saying no to a drink when I'd just end up having them anyway.

"Them two!"Alex pointed,in Natasha's direction. She was dancing with Ollie and swaying her hips to some light music that was playing. Natasha is that type of Friend that would have fun no matter where you take her."Who is that Hot Guy she's grinding on?"

"Ollie,He's a Friend of Jeremy's."I had a feeling the two of them hit it off at dinner that time. I was surprised that Natasha never mentioned him again.

"I'm going to go for a walk in the Garden."My brother said,and walked a couple of steps. He turned back around and looking at me."I'll be fine,Don't worry."Finley left through the crowd towards the garden.

"Come on,Lovely. I need to take a leak and I don't want to go alone. I might get lost!"Alex linked his arm with mine and we walked out of the room and in the direction of the stairs.

Alex and I walked the upstairs corridor together and into the bathroom he went. I stood outside the door,looking down at my manicured nails that were freshly done this morning."Alex,Are you nearly done in there?"

The door opened and Alex walked out with a grin."Best damn bathroom I've ever peed in. We both chuckled at his sense of humor,the thing I love most about him. Alex slung his arm around me as we walked towards the stairs."I'm so proud of you,You know."

"I think you're drunk,but thank you all the same."I placed my arm around him."How are you and Natasha planning on getting home tonight since you're both drinking?"

"Taxi,just like the rest of them.."Alex continued talking as we walked down the stairs. But it wasn't him that I was focused on,it was the big ball of rage coming towards us.

Jeremy,Oh No!!

Before I even realised it - before Alex even realised it,Jeremy was on him pulling him down the stairs like an insane man. People were scrambling out of the way,away from the actions of the crazy Austin son. Yet they all stood around watching,waiting and gasping.

"Jeremy,STOP!!"I shouted,just a sliver of a second before his rock hard fist connected with Alex's face.

One hit was all he got before Tom had rushed over and pulled him off my best friend.

"Alex.."I rushed towards him,as he sat on the floor bleeding from a cut above his eye. Jeremy stopped me before I got to him. I looked up at him,regretting every single moment and every single kiss that I enjoyed.

"I told you not to invite that man!"Is what he said to me,not in the least bit sorry for his actions now that the moment had passed and his rage was released. I pulled my arm from his grasp and walked towards Alex.

"Oh My God,Alex! Your face."I murmured,as I crouched down beside him. I moved his brown hair back from his face to inspect the damage above his eye."I'm so sorry!"Should I have just told him not to come tonight? If I did then he would be okay. He wouldn't be hurt.

Tom released a sigh."My son has gotten his wires crossed and has acted inappropriately. I'll have a talk with him."He turned around and walked towards the kitchen,where I'm sure Jeremy is still held up in a rage. He's probably already drunk.

I dabbed the swollen area above Alex's eye."I'm so sorry,Alex."

"You have nothing to be sorry for,It's that husband of yours that should be sorry."Alex took the cloth from my hand and rested back on the plush white sofa."Clearly he's not a big fan of me-The feeling is mutual now."

"He warned me not to invite you,if I didn't then this would have been avoided."I rested back on the chair beside him,folding my arms across my chest."I'm so angry with myself-and him."

"He doesn't get to choose who's in your life,Lovely. It's not as if this is actually a real marriage."Alex whispered,so the people chatting around us didn't hear."Even if it was, it wouldn't be one that's stable when he's acting the way he is."

Fuck! Alex really hates Jeremy now, which I can't blame him for after what he did. I just want a simple life-but what I have is far from it.

Natasha walked towards us,in her Gold coloured dress that was restricting movements around her legs. I did warn her that wearing that tight fitted dress would be hardship,Natasha looked very uncomfortable now that she's spent a couple of hours in it."Okay,Our Taxi is waiting outside to take us back home.

Are you ready,Alex?"

"Yeah,Let's go!"He stood from the chair and Natasha walked on ahead.Alex handed me the damp cloth and looked at me."The sooner this Arrangement is over the better!"He turned around and walked through the crowd.

I stood amongst people I didn't know, holding a blood stained cloth in my hands. No matter what Alex said,he was angry. I could feel the anger that he was holding back. He's upset with me-Upset over what happened.

How am I going to make this right?