“We’ve got full press starting in two weeks, the following week is the premiere.” Iturn to Imogen because, honestly, she looks so lost. “You do know,don’t you?” She nods. “Do you also know he was showing me engagement rings six weeks ago?”
Imogen’s eyes grow wide and watery, while Jett’s flash crimson as he unbuttons his wrist cuffs, adds his vintage black ruby cufflinks to my palm, and rolls up his sleeves.
“Surprised you’ve told her anything because I’m sure you’re just planning on fucking cheating on her anyway as soon as you head North, if not before.” Itry not to get distracted by the intricate butterfly and moth tattoos dancing with the veins and muscles that flex in his forearms as Jett confronts my ex.
God, Ihate Ace’s sadistic laugh now that I’m forced to hear it again.
“Jett Raven, suddenly a feminist advocate, oh, now that’s hilarious. I’m sure a simple Google search would show me a never-ending list of the slags you’ve fucked and never contacted again. Even if Maddy retracted what she said toPeopleand formally apologised, it wouldn’t change the fact that you’re more gutter rat than rockstar.”
Jett cracks his knuckles, and I’m very aware of how pantiless Istill am. “We’re not here to talk about my boyfriend, Ace; we’re here to discuss your plan to act like a decent fucking human being while doing press together.”
Imogen rubs her temples like she’s already tired of this man’s shit. “And how you’re possibly going to film a third season with her if it gets renewed. You’re clearly not over her! You’re acting incredibly immature and pathetic after what you did.”
“I don’t know if we’re ready to hear from you quite yet, Miss Mousey Mouse, after whatyoudid to her … perhaps we never will be.”
I almost snort at Jett’s reply, but like,go Imogen,just a little bit. Still angry with her, but like, you go. Preferably out the door, never to be seen again.
Ace doesn’t like that. “Don’t talk to my girl, and don’t you even think about tell—”
“About telling her what, wanker? That her sex life is never gonna get better, that poor Maddy cried on my shoulder after getting her off because Asshole Archer never did? Baby, how many orgasms did Igive you Monday night in your room, across the hall from Mum and Dad?”
“Thirteen,” Isay, cheeks pink with pride rather than embarrassment. “More than Ace ever did in two years. We had a lot of fans and white noisegoing, kinda had to.” Itfeels so incredibly satisfying to see the flash of jealous, pathetic, incompetent rage across Ace’s face. But then Isee him forming a right hook. “Jett,” Iwarn, but Ace is already swinging and Jett barely dodges in time.
“Oh, hell yeah, man, Iwas hoping you’d do that!” Jett slams his fist directly into Ace’s nose, but my favorite part is when Jett goes fullsweep the legon him, and Ace goes down. He lands on his tailbone with a wicked thud and a possible cracking sound muffled by his groans.
I think the best part may actually be the fact that Imogen doesn’t run over to ask him if he’s okay or anything. Or maybe, the part where he can’t seem to get right back up or defend himself.
“I’m sorry, Maddy,” Imogen says. “When we started rehearsals, he told me you’d broken up. Iwas stupid enough to believe him. He's a liar.Shit!Iknow that now.”
“Telling you that while literally showing me engagement rings? Ugh! God damn garbage human being! Is that really the kind of man you want to be with, Imogen?”
I hear a grunt from Ace, still not believing how well my sweet, emo boy immobilized him. “Imogen, call the fucking police!” She doesn’t even try reaching for her phone.
I guess Jett’s willing to hear her now. “I don’t see you calling the cops on me, so … what do you want, Imogen?”
“Aceisn’tpressing charges, and if he tried, you did that in self-defence, so…” She shrugs. We sigh in relief. “I want to stick around, just until our play closes. Your HBO media circus will be priceless PR for our performances. I’ll make sure he doesn’t say a single word to you and is on his very best behaviour while you do press. We play out our six-week run in the West End and then I’m gone.”
Jett and Ican’t help but do a slow clap on Imogen’s behalf.
“You wouldn’t use me like that. Why the hell would Ilet you?” Ace slowly starts to move.
“Because if you don’t follow that plan,Iwill go to all the media outlets and tell them what Icaught you doing with your aunt.”
I gasp, and Jett does his big open laugh. “Holyfuck.Thanks, Imogen.”
My stomach twists.Iliked his aunt. Eww.
Jett kisses my cheek and pockets all the rings and cufflinks I’m holding. “Any last words for Ace, darling? Ithink it’s time we get the bloody hell out of here.”
I’m not sure what comes over me, but Istrut over to Ace and take one step onto his palm as he groans in pain. Idon’t hear any cracking, so Itake my other boot and stand on his other hand. “You don’t deserve me, you don’t deserve Imogen. You don’t even deserve auntie Sarah, you pathetic prick!”
Emboldened by the bare cunt hovering over the man who never deserved it, Ipull some sort of cough-kegel combo. The last of Jett’s cum swirls down and splatters right on Ace’s jaw and neck. “There’s a taste of what Idodeserve. Goodbye.”
Imogen gasps, and Jett’s jaw drops as he takes my hand and pulls me out of the room. Our server hands us a bag with the wine we chose and our boxed-up dinner we didn’t get to eat, and Jett makes a stunned, speechless sound, looking at me. He leans into my ear as he leads me out of the bistro. “Now that’s what Icall serving cunt! Ican’t believe you just did that, Baby. VeryCherryof you, darling. Fucking Matilda Morningstar, badarse bitch!”
Ican’t believe Ijust did that, either. He opens his mouth to say more as we walk out into the cool night air, but we are definitely not alone. Apparently, photographers knew that exes Ace and Maddy were having romantic dinners in the same restaurant before we did, and they are everywhere. There are multiple Jett fangirls out here, too, and Ican’t help but hear one express her distaste for my existence. Another sneers, wondering aloud why Jett would want Ace’s sloppy seconds. Jett doesn’t hear and he looks sothrilledthat Idon’t mention it. Jett’s driver hops out to pull us through the crowd, but he just grins and hands him the takeout. “Thanks, be right there.”
I whisper, “Jett, what are you doing?”
