Chapter 50 #2
He’s baiting Noah by getting to me, so he has a story to run to the press with. He’s trying to ruin Noah’s career even more.
“Liam, didn’t I see you in an ad for those new Viagra pills?” Maya stabs her salad and takes a huge bite, chewing obnoxiously, waiting for his reply.
I don’t know what surprises me more, Maya being able to shut a man up with one sentence or Henry losing his composure and busting out the most hearty laugh from someone so reserved.
Gwen tugs on Liam's arm, whispering something in his ear. His face contorts in an ugly expression, lip curling in disgust. “No, we’re staying here.”
She’s like a wounded puppy, making me regret my previous remark.
Maya pushes her empty salad bowl aside, dabbing her lip with a white napkin. “If you stay, I’ll continue to roast you until there’s nothing left but your ashes, Liam.”
“Yes, it would be such an unfortunate thing for your parents to receive a bad review of their resort, considering they might not make it to the end of the season,” he comments, amused with himself.
“Funny, I don’t remember hearing about that publicly?” Maya is trying to fish for his source, keeping her face neutral.
“You’d be surprised at what money can do to get you what you need.”
Maya mutters a trail of curses under her breath. I didn’t realize I tried to lunge at him when Noah moved, wrapping his arms around my waist, keeping me at bay. His breath tickles my ear. “Do not give him the satisfaction.”
“You may be a guest, but you’re under no authority to threaten any of us. I suggest you keep your comments to yourself,” Henry warns.
“And who the hell are you?”
“Someone who can send you to the hospital if you continue.” His voice, a few octaves lower than normal, drives the point home that he will most likely beat the crap out of him.
Maya whistles, eyes wide.
Liam adjusts his collar, looking like he’s about to break into a sweat. He finally accepts defeat and chews on his salad, Gwen following suit like an obedient fiancé.
Dinner is silent for the rest of the evening, while around us, tables are full of enthusiasm, people chattering and clinking glasses.
The main course arrives, a beautiful display of steak slices over a mountain of mashed potatoes, with green beans as a side.
The smell is simply mouthwatering, yet my appetite was gone the minute Liam sat down at the table.
I pick at the green beans, Noah watching every move I make like a hawk, nudging me to eat more.
But how can I when the one person who is supposed to stay out of my life for good keeps coming back?
It’s been a year, and now he wants to show up with a new girl at the one place I call home?
Claiming he didn’t remember and then pulling the ultimate UNO reverse card and finding out the truth behind the event?
He came here with a mission to maintain his abuse and remind me that no matter how far I run or go in my life, he’s right behind me, destroying it at every turn.
Noah leans in, speaking in a hush tone only I can hear.
“Red, you have to eat. Please.” His hand brushes along my thigh, using his thumb to stroke through the thin material.
Goosebumps rise, a chill runs down my spine, and I have to keep my breath controlled because his touch alone does something to me.
Stabbing a couple of pieces of sauteed green beans with a shiny, gold fork, I nibble, getting a satisfied grunt of approval from Noah in my ear.
The sound alone makes something in my brain go haywire, like pouring water on an electric fence.
Dessert options are creme bruleé or a slice of chocolate ganache cake. Both desserts look absolutely delectable. I opt out, my stomach twisting in tighter knots. I need to get outside for some air, to escape, and get as far away from Liam as possible.
Making a rash decision, I text Maya, letting her know I need a quick exit and to distract the table. She gives me a thumbs up, sits up in her seat, and then faints to the floor, taking half the tablecloth with her. Dishes hit the ground, shattering into pieces, and several waiters rush over.
Henry is instantly at her side, and Noah is standing, checking to make sure she’s all right. Liam mumbles something about dramatics, giving me the easiest escape of my life, dashing from the room.
I owe her big time.
I bypass the woman assisting with the coat room, hearing her complain over the sound of me shifting through the thick, winter jackets, muttering about people and their ostentatious designers and fur hoods.
Squeezed in between two dark trench coats, I find my stuff and make haste, almost tripping when I run into Jill.
She steadies me with her hands. “Hannah, are you all right?”
“Uh…yeah, yeah, I’m fine,” I breathe, slipping my coat on.
“Are you sure? You look—”
One of the waiters comes flying through the double doors, shouting Jill’s name.
“Whoa, what’s going on?” she halts him.
“Maya…your daughter,” he bends over, hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath, “… fainted.”
Jill raises an eyebrow at me, knowing damn well her daughter is faking it.
“I’ll explain later,” I say, heading toward the door.
She steps forward, only to retreat, nodding once, and ushers the waiter back inside the dining hall.
A blast of frigid air hits me when I open the front doors wide, running out to my sanctuary.
Snow is light but falls quickly, and already my hair is coated. I run to the other side of the building, leaning against the wall. Part of the roof sticks out, giving just enough cover for me to dust off the snow before I’m buried in it.
Out here, the quiet comforts me, a peace that I’ve been chasing for a while.
Coming here, I never thought I would be wedged between my past and hazy present.
What started out as a trip to take some photos for the Gomezes turned into a steaming pile of garbage, confusing feelings, and unnecessary drama.
My breath puffs like a cloud of smoke, lips starting to chap. I inhale deeply just to exhale all my emotions, the action keeping me sane, and hopefully, stable for the rest of the night.
I’m about to head in when I hear footsteps pound down the front stairs, a voice all too familiar echoing in the quiet night. “Red! Where are you?!”