Page 97 of The Ring
“In a plane,” Lucian says, his voice snapping TJ and me out of our trance.
I didn’t even realise when we got back to the game.
What’s wrong with me?
I try to focus on what Lucian is saying to West, but I can’t concentrate. My eyes—and my mind—keep going back to TJ.
I need?—
I need to put some distance between us before someone notices.
“If we’re going to continue this game, I need more alcohol,” I say.
“I’ll go with you,” Benedict replies.
For a moment, I had forgotten all about him.
How could I forget my own boyfriend?
If I weren't sure something was wrong with me before, this pretty much confirms it now.
I nod at him as he slides out of the booth, but before I follow, I turn to West. “You owe me.”
“I was helping your immune system,” West defends himself. “Haven’t you heard? What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, littleNelly.”
I roll my eyes. I hate when he calls me that. It’s what he used to call me when we were little—to annoy me.
“In that case,Westy,” I emphasise the nickname because I know he hates it. I always call him that after he calls me little Nelly. “You wouldn’t mind if I returned the favour later, would you?”
“I don’t need it. I have an excellent immune system, but thank you for the offer.”
I flick him off before taking Benedict’s hand and heading towards the bar.
Chapter 57
Cornelia
“I’m going to the loo,” I announce to the group, which includes Benedict, Annabelle, and a friend of Benedict’s we bumped into at the bar counter—a guy named Jordan, who’s here with his cousin, Jenny. They could easily pass for siblings: both blonde, brown-eyed, and I’ve noticed they have a lot of the same mannerisms, even though I’ve only known them for about five minutes. The main difference is that he’s tall and she’s short.
“I’ll go with you,” Annabelle says.
I nod, and we head to the loo together.
We get there, and it’s empty.Perfect.I approach the washbasin and start touching up my makeup. I don’t actually need to go. I just need some time alone.
“I’m sorry,” Annabelle says.
I look at her, confused. I have no idea why she would be apologising. “For what?”
“The game… it was my idea, and after it, you just seemed… off.”
Now I get it. She thinks I’m acting off because the gamerevealed something I didn’t want Benedict to know, and that’s what’s bothering me. She’s way off.
“It’s not that, it’s just—” I glance at the door. As much as I’d like to talk to her right now, we’re in a public place where anyone could walk in at any moment and overhear this conversation.
She catches on quickly, locks the door, then crouches to check for feet under the stalls, making sure we’re alone.
“We’re completely alone,” Annabelle says, straightening up. “And no one’s going to walk in, so talk.” She points at the locked door.
