↳ TIDAL WAVES ༉‧₊˚✧ C.F

38

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
✧.*CLOSER TO THE TRUTH✧.*

Jeremiah had slipped from Juliette's hold, wondering off to find Laurel as Belly frowned deeply, not wanting her mother to miss out on the hardwork the escorts put in.

Soon, the lights dimmed, the two young girls chuckling to themselves as the music blared, the boys in suits sliding across the dance floor.

The dance began to more frisky, considering the ball being so fancy, it seemed unsuitable. Whistled aired as the group dragged their hands down their clothed stomached, Juliette slapping her palm over her mouth to contain her laughter.

Cheering and applauding continued all the way to the end of the dance, even minutes after it as the escorts high-fived and chest bumped in victory.

Juliette glanced over at her table, Susannah's bright smile beaming up at Paige, but the concern on Cleveland's face made her stomach whirl, she turned away quickly, not wanting to bombard.

To focused on the conversating around her, she hadn't noticed Jeremiah slipped away once again, this time, his curly head was no where to be seen.

She tiptoed over to Susannah, "Hey, have you seen Jeremiah? I can't find him."

"He'll be here in a minute, I'm sure." Susannah reassured, a warm smile on her face made it believable.

Seconds felt like minutes as she watched everyone begin to partner up, her blonde hair tucked away as she smoothed it out, attempting to ignore the stares.

"Hey, have you guys seen Jeremiah?" Juliette asked.

Gigi hummed while glancing around the packed ballroom, "I think I saw him go outside."

Juliette's face flushed red with embarrassment watching the couples glare at her, hand in hand, "Hey. Hey, have you guys seen Jeremiah?"

Both Belly and Cam shook their heads.

Juliette turned, facing her table, searching for comfort in her time of panic. And she found it. Conrad stood, the black suit made her heart skip a beat, no one could do it better than him.

Her blank stare as he approached her, time froze around her, feeling like they were the only two people in the room.

She swallowed, his warm, large hands, engulfing hers, "I think I remember most of the steps."

And he did, their feet moving quickly, her turns spinning out with perfection, his hand capturing hers throughout the entirety of the dance.

Susannah and Laurel stared at them in a daydream trance, watching the love in their eyes.

With one final step, the classic music stopped, loud claps as the group of debutants bowed with elegance.

"I think I messed up some of the steps." Conrad blushed, his lips curling into a shy smile.

Juliette bit into her bottom lip, tasting the cherry lip gloss, "You were great."

"I'm glad." He paused, searching for words, hesitation in his tone as he gazed at her, "I'm glad that it was me."

Her lips parted with shock, completely dumbfounded.

As she went to reply, Jeremiah storming up stopped her, the moment the two were sharing faded into dust as they directed their attention towards him.

Jeremiah's eyes were bloodshot, as if he'd been crying, he looked worried, shaken up even, he stared directly at his brother, "Conrad, we need to talk, all right? It's important. It's about Mom. I found something out."

Conrad's face fell, but not with fear, but with guilt, he cleared his throat, nodding his head, "Um... Yeah... We'll-we'll talk about this later, okay?"

"No, it's important." Jeremiah pleaded, the begging of his tone made Juliette's heart sink.

"It's okay." Conrad promised, his two fingers dabbing the boys chest, his calmness made Jeremiah's eyebrows pull together.

Jeremiah's features turned with anger, he stepped back, "You already know, don't you?"

By now, a crowed began to form, flicking their eyes between the two boys.

Jeremiah was fuming, his fists clenched, glaring at the brunette, "You've known this whole fucking time and didn't tell me?"

"Jere..." Conrad trailed off, his attempt at calming the situation was stopped by a hard punch to his jaw.

Conrad's head flew to the side, eyes watering from the impact, his palm reaching up to gently swat Juliette away, just as Jeremiah came flying towards him, the boys falling to the ground.

Punches being thrown, gasps and mumbles from the crowd.

Juliette stared in disbelief, frozen, unsure what to do. The two were half her size and much stronger than her, and by the looks of it, Jeremiah wasn't planning on stopping.

"Stop it." Susannah demanded, her voice loudening, "Both of you, stop it. What is going on?"

"Mom..." Jeremiah's voice cracked as he stood.

Conrad stood, dusting off his suit, averting his eyes, "We know, Mom. We both know."

Juliette furrowed her brows, cocking her head over to Susannah, "Know what?"