Chapter 21
C H A P T E R2 1
The Deceit
Cade
The Past – 3 months ago
E lla left me on ‘ read’ three hours ago.
My last text message sat at the bottom of our conversation with no reply on her part.
When are you getting here, sweetheart? —Princepin
Granted, she called me this afternoon to let me know she’d be arriving after 9:00 p.m. It wasn’t uncommon for Ella to take hours to get dolled up for a party, and usually I waited on her patiently.
But I was a needy man who liked having my girl by my side. Twenty-four seven, preferably. Sue me for being clingy.
I took a sip of my beer and glared at my phone. The rational part of my brain said to calm down. Everything was okay. The irrational part wanted to blow up her phone like the obsessed psycho she teased me of being.
The Remington residence was blasted in colourful neon lights and big garish décor for Josh’s nineteenth birthday party. The mansion’s first floor was converted into a makeshift nightclub with gyrating bodies, and the backyard was flanked with more partygoers drinking and playing beer pong. The smell of alcohol, drugs, sin, and teenage recklessness was thick in the air.
The whole affair was over-the-top but very on-brand for my cocky, confident, and boisterous brother. He loved to put on a good show.
And Uncle Vance and Aunt Julia loved to indulge their children. They asked me if I wanted a lavish birthday party like this for mine in two weeks and I replied, “over my dead body.” I was lowkey and happier to celebrate with my tight-knit crew.
I hovered near the railing on the second floor, where I had an eagle’s eye view of the front entrance. When Ella walked through, I’d see her right away.
Three minutes later, my beer was finished and Ella still hadn’t arrived. I checked my phone and texted her again. She didn’t open it. Maybe she was driving over and couldn’t answer.
With a sigh, I left my position and walked down the grand staircase, pushing through the bustling crowd. People were drinking, laughing, hooking up, doing lines, and popping molly. Their cheeriness pissed me off—how dare they be happy while I sulked away waiting for my girlfriend?
My friends were exactly where I left them in the kitchen, huddled around the island counter littered with bottles of liquor, Solo red cups, and a dusting of fine powder that couldn’t be anything but coke. The music was less deafening here.
Nico was dodging flirtatious attempts from a few girls. Nate was busy making out with one whose face I couldn’t see. Sam was downing his drink while searching the scene for a certain beauty queen. Shaun was talking to Hunter, one of Josh’s friend.
And the birthday boy was surrounded by his fan club, aka every jock and cheerleader from the west side who practically worshipped the ground he walked on.
Josh was dressed in his football jersey that had a flurry of black sharpie scrawls on the back—multiple happy birthdays and xoxos —as he chugged a bottle of Jack Daniel’s, his admirers cheering him on. He spotted me quickly. “Yo! It’s my twin!” he slurred, pointing the bottle in my direction. “Everybody, wish him a happy birthday, too!”
I grinned at the chorus of enthusiastic ‘happy birthdays’ and walked to him, throwing an arm around his shoulder. “Happy birthday, bro.”
“I love you!” he hollered and pressed a kiss to my cheek. Josh was an affectionate drunk. “And I love my gift!”
I chuckled and clapped his back. “You’re welcome, Josh.”
Uncle Vance and I bought Josh a yellow McLaren for his special day. If anyone deserved a grandiose gift, it was him. He was truly the best cousin slash adoptive brother Olivia and I could have asked for. Even though he liked to jokingly tell everyone that we were fraternal twins, separated at birth, so it stopped people from questioning my sudden addition to the Remingtons’ lives.
“Where’s Ella?” he asked the million-dollar question. “I haven’t seen her around.”
“She’s not here yet. Has she texted you?”
“Nah, except for the message she sent me a few hours ago. She said happy birthday and to expect a big surprise.”
The surprise was a penis-shaped pi?ata filled with jolly ranchers. Ella sent me a picture yesterday when she picked it up from the store. “All right, well, if you see her, let me know.”
Josh gave me a shit-eating grin. “Dude, you’re whipped.”
I shoved him away and flashed him the bird. “Says the guy who professes his undying love for Layla every day.”
“I’m a romantic.” He hiccupped. “I can’t help it.”
I laughed and shook my head.
Moments later, I started drinking again with the boys, taking shots and cheering for Josh. Someone passed around a joint and I inhaled a few puffs. The party around us buzzed with excitement. My friends were having the time of their lives and all I could think about was how incomplete I felt without Ella by my side.
Unable to hold back, I texted her again.
Where are you, princess? —Princepin
Are you almost here? —Princepin
I’m getting worried. —Princepin.
I miss you. —Princepin.
I was extremely attuned to Ella. Whenever something was wrong with her, my chest burned in a specific spot. Call it intuition, if you will. Despite the joyous occasion, I couldn’t brush off the fact that something was off about tonight.
“You’ve been moping and staring at your phone for the last five minutes.” Shaun leaned against the island counter next to me, crossing his arms. “What gives?”
“Ella,” I said gruffly. “I haven’t heard from her in a bit.”
Shaun’s mouth formed in a retort, but he paused his inevitable teasing when he saw the expression on my face. He squeezed my shoulder instead. “I’m sure she’s okay. She said she was coming tonight, right?”
“Yeah.” I ran a palm over my jaw. “She’s probably driving over right now.”
“Exactly. Don’t sweat it. I’m sure she’ll be here soon.”
Shaun was right. I was overthinking it.
For the next hour, I immersed myself in drinking games with the boys. Beer pong, flip cup, and never have I ever until I was way past tipsy and close to hammered.
“Never have I ever had a threesome,” Nico said.
We all watched Shaun take a shot. I wasn’t surprised, since I knew my best friend had a bit of a playboy streak.
“No way!” Josh was wide-eyed. “Details. Now.”
Shaun chuckled. “A gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell.”
Josh was about to rib him when Layla squeezed through the thick crowd of partygoers, two of her friends in tow, one redhead and one blonde. Gabby and Anna.
“There she is! There’s my girl.” Josh hooked an arm around her neck and drew her closer, kissing her cheek in a drunken fashion. “Hi, Lay.”
Layla blushed. “Um, hi. Happy birthday.”
They still toed the awkward line where they were more than friends but not exactly dating. Although Josh made it very clear to everyone that Layla was off-limits and completely his.
I noticed Hunter freeze and his lips part as he stared at Gabby, almost in an entranced manner, while she laughed and chatted with Shaun. On the other hand, Anna, the object of Sam’s desires, was busy perusing the island counter for something to drink.
My attention turned towards Sam just in time to watch him look like he got struck by Cupid. He gazed at Anna like she created his very universe.
When her hand closed over a can of Pepsi, Sam wrapped his fingers over hers reflexively. So not smooth. Nico, Nate, and I sighed in unison.
Her amused gaze rose to his and she spoke softly, “Do you mind?”
Sam opened his mouth to speak, but no sound emerged. She smiled like a pageant contestant and snatched her drink away with a polite ‘thank you.’ Then she and Gabby disappeared alongside Josh and Layla. Probably to go dance.
“You fucking blew it, man,” I slurred to Sam.
“I did.” Sam ran a hand over his face, mesmerized and still staring at the space Anna vacated. “She’s so fucking beautiful that sometimes I just feel…speechless.”
While the rest of them teased him about his crush, I reached for my phone and reopened my conversation with Ella.
Still nothing.
Worry and irritation coalesced in my stomach. With every second I was left unanswered, I grew more annoyed. Overwhelmed, too. There were too many sounds, too many neon lights, too many fragrances and BOs wafting in the kitchen.
I needed to leave for a bit and get some fresh air.
Filling my red Solo cup with more Jack and Coke, I saluted the boys. “I’ll be back soon.”
Muscling my way through the crowd, I entered a quiet hallway, devoid of people.
I dialed Ella’s number and brought my cell phone to my ear. One ring. Two rings. Three rings. Four rings.
“Hey, you’ve reached Ella. Can’t come to the phone right now. Please leave your name and number, and I’ll give you a call back as soon as possible.”
At the beep, I recorded, “Hey, Ellie. It’s me. I’m getting worried. Give me a call as soon as you hear this, all right? I love— what the fuck !”
A guy wearing all-black with his hood up shouldered into me. I staggered against the wall. His hand moved over my cup before he grabbed my elbow to steady me.
“Sorry, bro,” he mumbled and quickly darted down the hallway.
“Watch where you’re going, fucker!” I slurred.
It was too dark to see, let alone decipher his features. I didn’t know who it was, and I was way too plastered to even give a shit right now.
After a deep breath, I continued recording my message, only to realize the call ended. “Goddammit.”
Throwing back the rest of my drink, I winced at the odd aftertaste.
Not quite like Jack. Not quite like Coke.
I swore that’s what I poured into my cup, though.
Before I could ponder further, Ella finally texted.
I’m here. Meet me in your bedroom. —Princess
Don’t turn on the lights. —Princess
I have a surprise 3 —Princess
Trepidation escaped through the cracks of my ribcage like feathered smoke and relief took its place instead.
This is why she didn’t reply earlier. She was preparing a surprise. Everything is fine.
I strolled out of the hallway and headed for the grand staircase, dodging more people.
Perspiration started beading my temples. I tugged at the collar of my T-shirt.
It was too hot in here.
Too suffocating.
A nugget of anxiety crawled down my spine like a spider. My chest tightened and my throat grew thick. The chatter of the party faded into the background and my heartbeats were amplified in my ears.
As I climbed up the stairs, every step felt like I was walking in quicksand.
Fuck. Something doesn’t feel right.
I paused halfway up to my room, feeling drained all of a sudden.
My skin prickled when I reached the second floor with the help of the banister. Bleary gaze and breathing unevenly. A wave of dizziness smacked me out of nowhere and I grabbed the wall for support, palming the sweat off my forehead.
I stumbled to my bedroom door, my hand-eye coordination messed up.
Why was I feeling so depleted?
Fuck, I shouldn’t have drunk that much.
I’d have to apologize to Ella. My girlfriend had a surprise for me and I was arriving shit-faced.
Swaying into my room, I remembered not to turn on the lights like she instructed. Darkness welcomed me and the ground beneath my feet felt malleable.
“Sweetheart, I’m here,” I announced, with a slow and guttural tone I barely recognized.
“You made it.”
I squinted my eyes. The voice came from my bed. I could barely make out her silhouette, but when she murmured, “Won’t you come closer?” I followed her like a pirate lost at sea, drawn by the luring song of a siren.
I fell on the bed next to her and she giggled. Her laugh sounded off. A bit higher key. Must be the alcohol talking, though. I grabbed her face and leaned in to kiss her lips. “I missed you so much.”
“You saw me downstairs just a few minutes ago,” she teased against my lips, kissing me back. My tongue parted her mouth impatiently. She tasted like rum and smelled like lemon. Ella normally drank Vodka sunrise and swore by her jasmine and orange blossom scent.
Huh. That was weird.
We exchanged more kisses and she hesitated before laying soft pecks down my jaw and neck. Everything felt off. The fingers fisting my T-shirt. The taste of her lips. The scent of her skin.
When I threaded my fingers through her hair, her length was shorter and the strands stiff with curls. Was this her surprise? A new haircut?
Then my muddled brain registered her words. I drew away from her touch, my skull throbbing. “S-Saw you downstairs?”
“Yeah.” She traced a finger down chin. “When you told me to meet you here.”
I blinked, fighting the bizarre sensation moving through me. I was sweating profusely at this rate, feeling like I wanted to crawl out of my skin while simultaneously trying to find shelter within. “W-What are you talking about? I haven’t seen you since yesterday, baby.”
In the dark, I think she shook her head or tilted it. “What are you talking about?”
That’s when I noticed something else. Her voice. It was completely wrong. Unlike her usual soft tone. She was slurring too. As though she’d drunk way too much.
“Ellie? W-What’s…going on?” My fingers traced down the column of her throat, halting when I didn’t feel the heart-shaped necklace around her neck.
Ella never, ever took it off. She promised me.
“W-Who’s Ellie?”
My tongue felt glued to the roof of my mouth, unable to release a word or sound.
Who’s Ellie? What is she talking about?
She reached over to the bedside table and turned on the lamp.
And that’s when I saw her through a fuzzy vision.
The her being someone who was not my Ellie.
Tall and curvy with blond hair and crimson-painted lips. Her expression was shocked and her eyes were glazed. “O-Oh my God. You’re not him.”
Him?
Anger and horror caromed through my trance like a splash of ice-cold water awakening me. No. No. No. I had just made out with a girl who wasn’t my fucking girlfriend. My Ella. “W-Who are you—”
I never got to finish my sentence. My door burst open. Noise from the party filtered inside my room and yanked us out of whatever warped reality we found ourselves in.
Lo and behold, my real girlfriend stood at the threshold.
Heartbreak evident all over her face. “Cade?”