The warm light forced me to blink a few times as I stepped back into the hall from the
balcony. I took one last look at Travis’s back, which was tense before I headed toward the
doors. This night was a bust, and I just wanted to go home to a warm bath and mind- numbing TV. Halfway to the front entrance, I remembered my clutch was still at the table. I mentally kicked myself for not grabbing it while escaping Alpha John. I slightly rocked my head back and forth, running through the pros and cons of leaving it there. The deciding factor was the clutch containing my wallet, and the hassle of getting a new ID and financial cards outweighed the small possibility of running into Travis again.
I walked back over to my table to get my clutch, and then I would leave. My body was on edge as I continuously scanned the main dining area for the three people I wanted to avoid. The table is still set but has some appetizer arrangements in the center. I sit long enough to stuff some bread into my mouth. I grabbed the wine glass on the table, taking a tiny sip before remembering Alpha John had brought this to me. After Cassie poisoned
me,
I couldn’t trust drinks from most people without suspicion. Out of nowhere, a waiter comes over, her eyes full of sympathy and understanding, as she presents a tray full of red wine glasses. I give her a thank you look and take a glass. I take a sip and let the alcohol calm my nerves.
My stomach grumbles as the waiter returns with a main pasta dish. The aroma alone makes my mouth water, and my resolve to leave dissolves into the creamy goodness of this white sauce pasta. I temporarily forget my reasons for fleeing. I take a quick picture of my food and send it to James with a drooling emoji. I don’t wait for a response before digging in. The food tastes way better than it smells. I was halfway through the dish when I felt a presence beside me.
Jessica appears, wringing her hands, and I’ hold up my free hand, “Not now. Please just leave me alone.”
Jessica looks hurt, but I don’t believe it for a second, “I just wanted to apologize again. I feel awful about everything that has happened between us.”
She is looking over my shoulder and not directly at me. Her apology sounds sincere, but I know it’s as fake as the tan on her skin. With a sudden loss of appetite, I set my cutlery down and reached for my clutch to leave this time. I take another huge gulp of my wine,
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Chapter 21
not knowing when I’ll be able to taste something so amazing again. Jessica is still babbling about how sorry she is. I’m trying to focus on what she is saying but I’m distracted by the band changing sets. The music is so soft now that voices are easily
heard.
“Oh! I know! To bury the hatchet and start over, why don’t we do a toast!” Jessica grabs a glass from a passing tray and latches onto my arm.
“No. I’m quite alright with not having any interaction with you anytime soon. I’ve already fulfilled my bitch meter for the year.” I say quietly, trying to pull my wrist from her grip.
“Come on, Rue. For our old friendship sake, I propose a toast.” She raises her glass, and the moment I try to pull out of her grip, she tips my glass so the wine is pouring all over her sparkly red dress. Jessica screams, drawing everyone’s attention to the scene before me. My eyes widened in horror because I could not imagine the dress’s cost. I would never be able to replace it without severe consequences… Then, understanding of what happened sunk in, and my expression twisted into disbelief. She would really ruin a fantastic dress like that for what? Attention? Petty jealousy? Revenge?
I wasn’t sure, but I knew from the looks around us and the colossal crocodile tears streaking Jessica’s face that I wasn’t getting out of this one. She planned her timing too well for the truth to actually matter. Travis’s body pushes past me. “Hey, Jessie, are you
okay?”
“Travis, I tried to apologize for earlier today and to open my hand of friendship again,
and she refused. She called me horrible names, and when I tried to make a toast to new
beginnings, she intentionally spilled her wine all over the dress you bought me!” The pitiful expression on her face made me laugh awkwardly.
I looked around to see if anyone believed this shit she was making up, and it seemed like
everyone was. I scoffed, running my fingers through my hair, not caring if it messed up the long spirals. A strong and demanding voice returned my attention to the two of them, “You need to apologize for ruining her dress!”
I looked Travis in the eye, “You really believe her?”
Travis cocked his head, “I watched it happen.”
I could feel the anger bubbling up inside me, “Fuck you both. I’m not saying sorry for something I didn’t do!”
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12:44 am DDXX.
Chapter 21
There was a soft murmur rolling through the crowd. The ghosts of the past, standing in my room, baring my soul to my father only to be banished, left me feeling way too vulnerable. I glared at both of them, letting my burning fury show. I’m not someone’s punching bag, and I would fight anyone who tried. I grabbed the wine glass from Jessica’s hand as it was still half full. I chugged the last of it, and my voice dropped to a hissed warning, “I’d never waste delish wine on trash.”
With that, I turned on my heel, slammed my wine glass on the table, and marched toward the exit. I was done with all the dramatic bullshit. This was why I had stayed away from home for so long.
Chapter Comments
Mark Sabrina Tyler
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For the love of it all!!! She better not lose the babies. Now she knows the truth that it was him. I hate Jessica so much, someone needs to find her. Travis’s wold needs to feel his mates is in d…
Mark Sabrina Tyler
Omh!!! She met his mother!!! She suspects Reese is Travis’s and she took some of his hair!!! I can’t wait until the truth is revealed. I hope his Mom talks to Travis. Have to get rid of gassy Ca…
