Page 86 of The Ring
“No, I was just finishing watching a movie. What about you? Are you already back home?” I heard the background noise stop. I guess he paused the movie.
“No, I’m still at one of the after-parties,” I answer him, shifting my phone to the other hand.
“Is it good?”
“It depends on your definition of a good party.” Some people might hate parties with drugs going around so freely, while others may find it the type they enjoy. Personally, I’m indifferent to both. I just tend to be a little more aware when drugs are involved. “What I can tell you is that it’s entertaining.”
“And how has today been?” Benedict asks, his voice sounding sleepy.
“A lot of fast cars,” I reply, “and a lot of people freaking out about the fast cars.”
Benedict laughs, and it makes me think about how much I wish he were here. There’s something about him that relaxes me and makes me feel lighter, like he’s a human cyclobenzaprine.
“So, basically the same as yesterday?” he teases, then yawns.
“Pretty much,” I admit, smiling.
I heard some faint shuffling on his end. Maybe he’s getting ready for bed. I hope he is. He sounds tired.
“I should let you go so you can return to theentertainingparty.”
“And you to sleep,” I counter, looking towards the skyline. “It’s pretty late, and even later in London.”
“I won’t be able to until I know you’re home,” he counters firmly.
I fidget with my everyday ring. “You don’t have to wait up for me.”
“I know,” he replies smoothly. “But I want to. And once I know you’re home and all tucked up in bed, I’ll sleep better than if I went to sleep right now.”
I smile. “Fine, but I still think you should go to bed.”
“And I think you should go enjoy the party. When you get home, shoot me a message.”
“I will,” I promise. “Good night.”
“Goodnight,” he says softly, and hangs up the phone. I feel much lighter and less on edge than I did when I first called him.
I should have known the calm wouldn’t last; this night felt cursed from the start. When I turn around, my stomach drops—TJ is standing there, close enough he could have overheard the entire conversation. Judging by the look on his face, I’m guessing he did.
He doesn’t say a word. He just, in one sharp move, downs the entire glass of champagne he is holding, then walks away without another glance. I stay frozen, staring at the spot where he was standing a few seconds ago.
It feels like we’re caught playing a game that none of us can or will win. I watch him with Weberly, and the jealousy creeps in, like I’m still his girlfriend. He overheard me talking to Benedict, and somehow, I feel like I’ve been caught cheating, and he was looking at me that way too.
Chapter 51
TJ
Igo back inside to find Weberly, and, sure enough, I find her where I left her.
I went to look for Cornelia despite Weberly’s objections. I should have listened to her. But Cornelia seemed uncharacteristically out of sorts, and I wanted to make sure she was all right. I even picked up a glass of champagne on my way to take to her as a sort of peace offering.
I shouldn’t have done it. I shouldn’t have eavesdropped on her conversation, but she was talking to Benedict, and I couldn’t help it. While I’ve seen them interact before, this time was different. The few other times were calculated—a performance she had put on to bother me and make me jealous. But this… this wasn’t that. This was natural. They were simply being themselves, and she seemed happy. Really happy. And it felt like a bucket of cold water when the realisation hit me: she loves him.
She may not have said it, but she didn’t need to—it was written all over her face and in the way she spoke to him.
“Come with me,” I say to Weberly, taking her hand.
“Okay,” she replies, following me, unbothered that I ditched her a few minutes ago.
