AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Jules, Smith and I will be right back. Both of you, enjoy yourselves.” Dad glared and snapped his fingers to gain the attention of a server who came by quickly. “Get these two whatever they want, ok?”
“Thanks, Dad.” I yelled out as he disappeared into his office.
“Julia,” Robbie kissed my exposed shoulder and trailed up my neck, like a lovesick puppy. “Quite the event that is being hosted.” His kisses caught me off guard yet felt so good. Even if I couldn’t tell if it was real, it felt real. I missed this. I couldn’t think straight with the sudden tingles he caused upon my neck. My body betrayed me.
“It is. I used to come every single year growing up, but it’s been forever now.” Without listening, he ran his infectious kisses up my arm until they reached my lips. However, I couldn’t focus my attention on him.
Instead, I watched as two little girls twirled on the dance floor, carefree. Funny enough one little girl had blonde ringlets, much like Eve, and the other brown like mine. They couldn’t have been older than five, which was the same age Eve and I were when we first choreographed a silly dance together. My father loved it so much that he encouraged us to continue the tradition year after year. Luckily, we put that to rest as rambunctious teenagers, who desperately needed to save their dignity.
The thought of her boiled my blood into a hardened state. There’d be no reason for her to show up, but when I glanced back over my shoulder, there she was. Eve was a couple tables behind us, sitting with both her parents and… Willie? Things must have been serious between the two if she invited him to this. Though I assumed the worst. Perhaps she was looking at the new recruits, or her next victim. I rolled my eyeballs so far behind my head, I was practically the exorcist.
For a quick moment, we locked eyes. I wanted to scream, as I instantly shifted forward, turning away. “Let’s just hope we can get through this night.” I took a healthy dose of wine that was sat down at our table moments ago.
“What was that, babe?” Robbie questioned as I downed my entire glass. I could see through the almost empty bottom, observing the gawking faces of my hasty chug.
“Nothing. It’s just… never mind.”
“Maybe we should stay off the drinks,” Robbie recommended, his hand on my arm gestured for me to stop. I absolutely loathed that he was in control at any given moment. The freeness I set out to find during my solo visit didn’t last as long as I’d hoped.
At least memories of Nathan and I were something I’d cherish anytime I needed a pick me up. I could never be with him anyway because he lived right where ground zero was for me.
“If it’s all the same, Robbie, I need another damn drink.” I said sternly, my face scrunched, the wrinkle at my eyebrow throbbed. “I want to enjoy myself, ok?”
Robbie smirked. “Ok, it’s our last night. Don’t say I didn’t warn you though. I want you to be safe, I love you.” Robbie stated sweetly, kissing my forehead as he got up. “I’m headed to the bathroom. Where can I find it?”
“Thanks. Go down the hall, make a right.” I giggled, motioning for a staff member to come by to take my drink order.
“Before I head out, I want to tell you how truly sorry I am over how you found out about Eve and me. The guilt has been eating me up so much these past few years that it ended up festering in a way that left you running head-first.” He got down on one knee, as I sat motionless at my chair. “Julia Williams, I love you more than you could know. You’re the right one for me and walking down the aisle in a few short days will be the happiest day of my life.” He kissed my hands tenderly, and I felt uncertain and perplexed. His words were always a game, but was it finally over? Could we truly put all of this behind us? Could I finally have all my dreams come true? All I could do was open my mouth, and let the words fall out.
“I love you too,” I said. He seemed so happy, his eyes almost glossing at my admission. He reached up and kissed my lips, long and hard.
For the first time in a long time, I had hope. We could forgive each other; we could close this chapter and never speak of it again. Was it that simple? I wanted to believe it. But like a flash, the thought of Nathan shot by. I tried to ignore it as I stared into Robbie’s deep blue eyes.
“I want to start fresh, baby,” he whispered, pushing back a loose strand of my hair behind my ear.
My smile grew with hope. “I want that too.”
18
Julia
You could tell the crowd had been drinking, already displaying their courage with the electric slide. I ordered another glass of wine while Robbie was away, which was taking way longer than I anticipated. I turned around to reach for my drink, assuming the looming presence was my waiter, or as I now mentally refer to them: my wine bitch.
“Jules, listen to me,” Eve began as she placed my drink down. Ugh, it wasn’t my waiter, but an annoying bitch instead. “You can continue ignoring me all you want, but Robbie isn’t the guy for you, and I’m telling you as a friend who loves you and knows you.”
I tried to remain calm because I didn’t create scenes in front of crowds. But this entire trip, I’d had more temper tantrums than normal.
I snatched my red wine and downed it before speaking. “Sure, a friend who loves me, but who also loves fucking my boyfriend. How’d I get so lucky!” I gasped sarcastically as I rolled my eyes.
“I really am sorry about that, and I’ll never be able to forgive myself, but please I’m doing this for you. I know I’m broken. I know I’m fucked up, but I will spend the rest of my life working for your forgiveness. It will never be about me again, as it has for so long. This is for you, for your family. Leave Robbie, he will only keep hurting you.” I peeked a quick glance at her. Her large blue eyes were wide with concern for me. I wasn’t sure what to believe anymore.
I stayed quiet for a moment. My fingered hovered over my lip as I thought about what she was truly asking me to do. She wanted me to give up everything? “Just go, I don’t want to get into it with you.”
Robbie was back, and Eve dashed out before he could say anything. “Um, why was Eve here?”
“I don’t know,” I said agitated, glaring at the glass I held in my hand. The nerve she had, to come to my table and tell me what to do. She lost that privilege as far as I was concerned.
“Don’t worry about her, ok. You’re here for your dad.” Robbie said softly, massaging the back of my neck. My shoulders relaxed in response. It did help.
