Page 18 of The Need to Know

“A gift from Owen. He says he’s sorry he couldn’t make it, and he hopes your birthday went well,” the girl told Ezekiel as she handed Cesar the bucket.

Ezekiel eyed the bottle with interest. “Thank you, Kadyn.”

Cesar peered inside the bucket at the champagne and blinked rapidly. “Oh shit. Thank you!”

He set the bucket down on the table while Kadyn set up glasses another bottle girl came and gave her.

Cesar peeked at me and Paisley. “Y’all like Ace of Spades?”

“Never had it before, but I’ll definitely try it.” Paisley swiped a flute and held it out as Cesar went about popping the cork. There was a Spade symbol imprinted on the bottle.

“I like the pink bottle, but the gold brut is good too,” Cesar said as he poured some of the champagne into Paisley’s glass.

He glanced at me, and even though it was a celebration and the champagne was expensive, I wasn’t feeling it. I barely could swallow a glass of champagne on New Year’s Eve. “I’m good.”

Cesar held the bottle up to Ezekiel. “You ready, Eaze?”

Ezekiel declined. “Nah, you take that.”

Cesar blinked. “What?”

Ezekiel shrugged as if it were nothing. “You did your thing by having the Dymonds here and making my day a movie, so you enjoy that.”

Cesar reached out and they slapped palms, sliding until their fingers caught, releasing each other and snapping.

Nudging from my left found Paisley giving me a pitying look. Without speaking, she cut a glance to the right, past me, really quick. I followed her movement, taking a glimpse over my shoulder behind me.

Dread settled in the pit of my stomach as I looked over and noticed the one person the universe seemed intent on keeping away from me.

Corey.

He was entering VIP with his boys, and he couldn’t be missed in his Raiders hat he wore often. My heart took a nosedive and I couldn’t stop myself from feeling icky. I hadn’t seen Corey since last August when we broke up. He’d sent me a few texts trying to get me back after, and then those texts turned to insults.

I hung my head, partially hoping to shrink myself as I prayed he didn’t see me, half ready to just up and leave.

“Ay, you good?” Cesar asked. He looked over and seemed to spot Corey.

“Uh-huh,” I let out, forcing a smile on my face.

“Are we gon’ have to fuck him up? Just let me know now so I can tell what type of night this gon’ be,” Cesar said as he eyed me.

Even the thought made me uneasy.

I wrinkled my nose. “No, we’re good. Leave him be.”

“Yo, you sure?” Cesar sized me up. “ ’Cause you look uncomfortable…” He pressed a hand to his chest. “…and that makes me uncomfortable.”

What could I say? I was uncomfortable.

I opened my mouth to say I was leaving when a hand appeared in my line of vision.

Ezekiel was down off the sofa, extending his hand to me. He tilted his head to the side. “Come take a walk with me.”

I peeked at Paisley whose face said Go!

I accepted Ezekiel’s hand and he tucked mine in his firmly as he took us away.

He led me through the room confidently with grace and skill, keeping me close protectively as we made it to the exit.