Chapter 26 #2
“Good Lord, that Waleed guy talks a lot,” Julian says, then comes to stand next to me.
I laugh. “He’s eccentric for sure.”
“Try moot.”
I laugh again. “Well…that, too.”
“You doing okay?” Julian asks.
“Yeah,” I look at him. “You?”
He shrugs. “Same old.” He takes a drink from the glass of bourbon he’s holding.
“I haven’t seen you at Lure in a few days,” he says.
“And now I see this,” he gestures toward my cheek, “on your face. You really sure you’re okay, Cigs?
In case you didn’t know, I’m well-trained in taekwondo, and can take a fucker out with a neat roundhouse kick or two if you need me to. ”
I chuckle and give his arm a grateful squeeze, overwhelmed by the kindness in his eyes.
“Thanks, Julian,” I say with a smile. “Seriously, it means a lot. But I’m good, I promise.”
He smiles back. “I’ll take your word for it.”
A loud screech of a microphone silences the entire room. Julian and I look ahead, and I watch as my mom, uncle, and Waleed take the stage. The massive screen behind them lights up, and every eye in the ballroom is focused on the three of them.
I feel my phone vibrate in my clutch. I pull it out, just as Uncle Chase starts speaking to the gathered crowd, thanking them for attending the gala and being generous with their donations.
I’m pretty sure he knows Mom isn’t going to give a dime from tonight’s collection to the women and children in our foundation, but again, he’s going to ignore her shortcomings by brushing them under the rug.
I sigh and look down at my phone. Gavin has texted me, which immediately makes me scowl.
Gavin: Baby, you’ve been avoiding me for days now. Did you find a better cock for that eager pussy of yours, or are you just playing hard to get?
Wow…
I can’t believe I fucked this dense asshole. Multiple times.
But then again, I was only looking for pleasure, and not substance, and he’s very good at providing the former, so I didn’t really care at the time.
Not until recently.
But given how Gavin cheated on Varsha with Nicole, and on Nicole with me, no one should expect any kind of substance from a guy like him anyway.
I glance sideways, and notice that Julian is busy listening to Mom, who has now taken the mic from Uncle Chase, and is rambling about the hard work she put into creating this new winter-wear collection.
What a joke.
I glance at the balcony, and find that it’s occupied by a few elites who are smoking and vaping whilst chatting among each other. They have no interest in Mom’s announcement, and I can’t say I blame them.
I once again look at my phone, and type out my response to Gavin.
Me: The former. And, if you like your cock attached to your body, you’ll refrain from being so fucking candid with me next time.
He begins typing seconds after reading my text.
Gavin: Dorran will chew you up and spit you out. You’re better off with me.
Again: WOW.
Me: Does being a pretentious cunt come naturally, or have you advanced in it somewhere?
Gavin: We’re so good together, Cigs. Think about it. We’re perfect for each other.
Oh, he did not just say that.
Me: We fucked, Gavin. A few times. That’s it; that’s all it was.
Gavin: For you, maybe, but not for me. Maybe it was at first, but my feelings have changed.
I suddenly feel hotter than I did minutes ago. I start sweating in earnest, and the air around me feels too thick to breathe in.
Me: This is not what we agreed on, Gav.
I’ve never expected anything more than sex from guys, and Gavin isn’t an exception.
Gavin: So? Don’t you want something more?
With him? Absolutely not. Especially because he’s got a girlfriend. And also because he hasn’t got a single loyal bone in his body.
Me: Where’s this coming from, Gav? And what about Nicole? You can’t keep doing this to the women in your life.
Gavin: Being away from you for a week has made me realize things. I don’t want Nicole anymore. I want you.
I close my eyes briefly, take a couple of deep breaths, and face Julian.
“Will you excuse me for a moment?” I tell him. “I need some fresh air.” More like a ton of it.
Julian seems confused. “Now?” he glances at the stage, where Mom is displaying the new winter-wear on the screen. “During the reveal?”
Fuck.
“Yeah, I just…” I pretend to act tired. “The crowd is making me claustrophobic.”
He furrows his brows in concern. “I can come with you,” he suggests. “Maybe get you some water as well.”
I shake my head. “That’s not necessary, but thanks, Julian.”
He nods. “Of course.”
I give him a quick hug and practically run out of the ballroom.
I all but sprint through the empty hallway, and the cool air from the cassette air conditioners brings a much-needed chill to my sweaty body.
Fuck this night. Fuck that ballroom. Fuck those elites. Fuck
everyone.
I’m so close to bending over and screaming until I can’t feel my throat.
Mave was right in his assumption about my mood earlier. I just wish I had a drink in my hand right now. It’d make things endurable to some extent, at least.
I continue to breeze through the massive hallway, but come to a stop when I find a gorgeous, gold-threaded divan placed against the marble wall just ahead of me.
“Thank fuck,” I whisper, and all but slump on it, only now realizing how much my legs and hips hurt from standing for hours without a break.
I look at my screen again, and, because I have no other choice but to set things straight, I continue my chat with Gavin.
Me: Look, Gav, I’m really sorry. I can’t do this; this isn’t what I want.
Gavin: From me, or you don’t want it in general?
I grit my teeth at his audacity.
Me: Unfortunately for you, that’s none of your concern.
Gavin: I can’t believe you’re ditching me for a motherfucking KILLER, Cigs. A murderer. You and I both know that one of these days, Dorran is going to end up in jail, or worse. You really wanna waste your time on someone that can’t even promise you forever?
Me: Who says that’s what I want?
Gavin: It’s what you deserve.
I have to scoff at his text.
Me: I’m done having this conversation with you, Gav. Again: I’m sorry. Whatever we had was fun, but it’s over now.
I wait for a few minutes for him to reply, but when he doesn’t, I throw my phone into my clutch and let go of a slow breath.
I know I can be inconsiderate, but I kinda hope I didn’t hurt Gavin’s feelings. Even though he’s kind of an ass.
Sharp footsteps sound from below me, followed by a set of voices. I can’t make out what they’re saying, but there’s something about one of those voices that causes goosebumps to prick my skin.
I get to my feet so fast that I feel momentarily dizzy, but manage to grab the black railing in front of me before I can stumble.
My heart races, and I feel restless as I look around the foyer beneath me.
Nothing.
I almost convince myself of being wrong, when suddenly, I see a flash of blue, followed by a very similar head of jet-black curls.
Every bit of rationality leaves my body when I see Dorran, flanked by his crew, walking hurriedly towards the bathroom on the ground floor – his shoulders stiff, and his gaze darting around every other second.
And here I thought this night couldn’t test me any more than it already has, but nope, I was wrong.
Fuck my life.