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“Yeah… I’m not sure. I can’t really figure him out.”
“Clem, a guy I went out with recently just called. Can he come over?” Niels interrupts us without missing a single beat as he dances his ass off to “YMCA.”
“Of course. Let’s hope he’s less of a dork than you!”
Niels pulls Clem onto the dance floor, and the two of them immediately start having a blast.
I’m having the time of my life, singing at the top of my lungs, dancing like crazy, laughing until I cry, and drinking more than I should. Everyone I love is here together—a happy, loud, bubbly bunch.
Only he is missing.
With my eyes closed, caught up in the catchy rhythm of Fun.’s “We Are Young,” I imagine him here with us, his world and mine finally becoming one.
36
Alma
The doorbell rings just after midnight. I don’t really hear it, but I see Clem heading to the front door. Opening it. And stepping aside to let him in.
Raphaël.
Clémentine immediately rushes over to me with a horrified expression on her face.
“I swear I didn’t invite him! I don’t know why he’s here, but he’s refusing to leave… Alma, I’m so sorry! Do you believe me?”
“Of course I do. Don’t worry.”
My ex walks toward me, looking upset, and I make the cowardly choice of flight over fight. I head for the balcony. I need air. Silence.
“Happy birthday,” he murmurs behind my back.
“What are you doing here? You weren’t invited.”
“No, but Yann accidentally let it slip. We were supposed to see each other tonight. When he canceled on me, he mentioned a party that Clem had insisted on throwing. I just guessed.”
“Why did you come, Raphaël?”
“What?”
“I’ve told you a hundred times, I don’t want us to see each other anymore!”
“We could try to be friends, couldn’t we?”
I’m about to leave the balcony, but he grabs my arm, forcing me to face him.
“Let go of me.”
“What did I do to disgust you so much?” he suddenly snaps.
“Seeing you reminds me of everything we went through. It’s painful! I need us to cut ties. Do you not understand that?”
“It’s because of your new man, isn’t it?”
“He has nothing to do with it.”
“Are you going to have a kid with him, too? And leave him if you lose it?”
His cruelty chills me to the bone.
