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“That guy?” I shout, feeling fire boil and seethe within me. “That guy is Joe Blake. A wealthy and potentially important client for Samuel. He is more than just ‘that guy’ Rachel.”
She crosses her arms, and I can help but peer over her shoulder, scowling at Alex hovering there in the distance.
“What do you want?” I shout at him. “Do you want to take her?” I gesture to Rachel. “Perhaps take her back to your apartment and have your way with her like you have your way with everything.”
Rachel’s mouth parts and she gapes at me, looking horrified and angry. I know what I’m saying is cruel, but I’m too angry to stop. Too angry with myself. I don’t know why, but I want to ruin everything. I want to ruin the good and just sit in the darkness by myself.
“Lucas,” Alex starts, but stops when Rachel stomps towards me, closing the distance between us.
“Are you being serious?” she rushes out, her voice shrill. “You can’t believe that I and-”she gestures to Alex- “him are-”she grits her teeth and stomps her foot- “I can’t believe this. You are just trying to make something up to be angry about so you can avoid telling me what’s really going on.”
She’s right.
“Oh, fuck off, I’ve seen the way you’ve been ogling him the whole night.” I chuckle darkly while crossing my arms. “Well, go ahead, Rachel.” I nod to Alex. “He’s right there for the taking. I’m giving you permission.”
I feel her hand against my cheek, my eyes widening. I barely saw her move. My heart stings more than the actual slap. She stares up at me with widened eyes, as if the hit surprised her, as well.
“I’m sorry,” she breathes, taking a step away from me, a hand covering her mouth. More tears slip from her eyes. I reach for her, but she turns away from me, running back to Alex.
“Rachel,” I call, taking a step towards her, but stopping when she turns around. I don’t know what to say. I was a complete ass. I deserved to get smacked for the things I said to her.
I watch Alex rest an arm on her shoulder, leading her towards a waiting taxi. At least she’ll get home safe. I turn on my heel and trudge down the sidewalk, wishing I could take back the last thirty minutes of this sucky night.
17
RACHEL
I sniff while staring out the window, trying to concentrate on the lights flashing by and not on Lucas being a freaking asshole. I don’t know why he pulled a complete 180. We were having so much fun with the limo ride and meeting with Alex. Something must have happened with the men he was speaking with earlier, but what? What could they have possibly said that would make Lucas so upset? And why isn’t he telling me what’s going on? I thought we were in a relationship. Not everything has to be hunky-dory all the time. He can lean on me.
Why does he think he needs to be strong all the time?
“I have a handkerchief if you want?”
I turn to Alex. Seeing the white fabric in his hands, I quickly take it and wipe my eyes before blowing my nose. I frown at my reflection in the window. My mascara is smeared over my cheeks and eyes, giving me raccoon vibes, and my lipstick is nearly gone. I tried so hard to look like a beautiful princess for Lucas. And all of it had been wasted on a stupid fight.
I take the pins out of my hair, feeling my scalp relax as the tendrils fall to my shoulders. I kick off my shoes and place them in my lap, wondering if there’s any way I can return them and my dress. With the way Lucas was acting, I don’t think I should keep them. They were too expensive to begin with anyway.
I lean back in my seat, wondering what this means for our relationship. We already had a fight in the cafe and now this. If he doesn’t want to talk to me about his troubles, what does that mean for us?
“Are you alright?” Alex asks softly.
I sigh, not knowing what to say. No? Yes? It’s not like the world will end if Lucas Brent and I don’t work out. It will definitely hurt, but I’ll move on. Eventually. My bottom lip trembles at the thought, and I swallow a sob threatening to burst out from me.
I force a smile and nod at Alex. “I will be.” I chuckle and shake the handkerchief. “Thanks for this. I suppose you won’t be needing it back.”
Alex makes a face and raises his hands. “Nope. Definitely yours.”
I smile and nod. “Thank you for taking me home.”
“I couldn’t just let you wander around aimlessly.”
I scoff. “I would have gotten a taxi myself.”
Alex raises an eyebrow. “And then sobbed the entire way home with no-one to console you.”
I purse my lips. He’s not wrong there. “Well, either way I would have made it home.”
Alex chuckles. “Although this is much better, right?” He takes my hand and gives it a gentle squeeze. Part of me wants to yank it from his grasp, worried that he will read into whatever this is, yet when I look up at him, I see only friendship in his gaze and not lust. “At least you can cry to me about how much of a fucking asshole Lucas is.”
