Page 130 of Show Me

“Yes.” Another lie. They both know it. Neither of them calls me on it.

“Text us when you get home,” Emily says.

“I will.”

I don’t wait for anything else. Just turn and stride for the door before someone decides I shouldn’t.

For a second, I might make it out without another conversation. “Ruby.”

I turn slowly. Lindsey leans against the wall near the restrooms, arms crossed, expression just shy of amused.

“I was wondering when you’d leave,” she says.

I don’t respond. Don’t give her anything.

She tips her head toward the bar. “You dance with him?”

“With who?”

“Xavier.” She pauses. “You might want to take another look before you go.”

I don’t. Not right away. I should walk. Keep moving. I don’t. Xavier is still there. Same spot. Same women.

One of them laughs, reaching up again. This time her hand lingers on his upper arm, sliding slightly before she drops it. Something tight in my chest pulls sharper.

“Looks like he’s having a good night,” Lindsey says lightly.

I tear my gaze away, back to her. She’s watching me now, not him. Measuring. Waiting. I don’t give her the reaction she wants. Not here. Not in front of her.

“Good for him.” My voice comes out steady. Even. She smiles like she doesn’t believe me. She’s right. I don’t wait for her to say anything else. Just turn. Push through the door.

Cold air hits my face, sharp and immediate. The noise from the bar muffles behind me as the door swings shut. I keep walking. Down the sidewalk. Away from the lights. Away from the music.

I don’t look back. I don’t slow down. I’ve had enough of all of it.

Chapter Sixty-Eight

Xavier

The music’s too loud. Not bad. Just constant. Enough to make it easy to stand here and nod at the right moments while saying nothing.

“…and then she still went back to him–”

“No way.” The blonde’s eyes widen as if she’s engrossed in the story. I have no idea if she’s listening any better than I am.

The brunette waves her hand with a flourish. “Swear.”

I give them a half-smile, take a drink I don’t taste, and scan the room again. Door. Bar. Dance floor. No Ruby. Good. Not good. I don’t know which.

“–you’re not even listening,” the brunette says, bumping my shoulder.

“I am.” The lie slips easily off my tongue. I’ve feigned interest in too many bar conversations to keep an accurate account.

Something shifts across the room. Even out of the corner of my eye, I know it’s Ruby. She’s cutting through the crowd, not dancing, not stopping, moving like she has a destination and doesn’t want to get pulled into anything along the way. Jacket already on. But no Bella or Emily in sight.

That’s wrong. She came with them. Where are they? I scan the room, finding them seated at the table they’ve occupied all night, but this time, they’re with Dominic and Jake. What in the fuck? My attention jerks back to Ruby, who’s moved closer to the entryway to the bathrooms.

Okay. Everything’s fine. She’s going to the bathroom. That must be what she’s doing because there’s no way she’s leaving on her own. She’s not that reckless. Right? My shoulders tense.