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My brothers took him away by the elbow. The DJ turned up the music, and I scurried to the back, away from everyone. I took the metal staircase in the alley up to the rooftop, ripping my dress mid-thigh. I lay down on the warm asphalt and looked at the stars, which were barely visible amidst the high-rises.
Fucking Hunter.
How could he embarrass me like that—tonight, of all nights? The smell of his toxic breath lingered in my mind. He broke his promise, but there was a reason for the saying that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Except Hunter wasn’t old, and he definitely knew some tricks; but the drinking was unacceptable. Not when we were creating a family. Not ever. I drew my hands over my belly in comforting circles, waiting for a shooting star, but there were none.
I stayed on the rooftop a while, but regretted the decision the moment I heard the sound of long, heavy footsteps.
CHAPTER 17
HUNTER
The sun beamed in my eyes, and I rolled in the bed, away from the window. A heaviness hung in the air, and I swept my hand across the empty pillow beside me.
“Grace?”
I rose up. The hard pounding in my head and the spinning room reminded me of the high alcohol level in my veins. I flopped down to the bed and pulled my fingers through my hair, groaning.
Where the fuck was Grace?
I sat up again, this time more slowly. The room continued spinning, and I reached for the bottle of water on the nightstand, knocking the half-empty bottle of guaro to the floor. The cushioned rug saved it from breaking. I opened the cap and emptied the water bottle, which barely quenched my thirst. My bladder pulsed with urgency. I lowered my legs over the bed and shuffled my feet to the bathroom. The piss drained at the same rate as my energy. I flushed the toilet, washed my hands, and checked Grace’s toothbrush. It was dry.
What the fuck happened last night? I had the first drink after I saw Xavier stroll through the front door and greet Grace, like Zeus. I whisked her away to the basement spa, and had the second drink after Scar told me about her visit to the clinic. I lost count of my drinks afterward. We fought… She slapped me… And I couldn’t remember much after that.
I picked up my phone and called Emma. She answered on the second ring.
“You better have a good explanation for yourself.”
“Hey, Ems, is Grace with you?”
“No. She texted me last night after your fight that she went home. Thanks for ruining the night, asshole.”
Fuck.
“I… I don’t remember much. ”
“You were an asshole, and that pretty much sums it up. Grace deserves better than an asshole.”
“She does. I’m sorry… I know there’s no excuse, but I was upset.”
Upsetwas an understatement because I so badly wanted that baby to be mine, it hurt. Grace had gone to the clinic behind my back. The moment I was comfortable, considering a future with her, thinking she’d loop me in on the decisions partners made, she deceived me.
“Do you know where she would have gone?” I asked.
“My place, but she isn’t here now, so I’d check with her parents. And if she’s not there, a hotel room.”
I leaned forward and lowered my elbows to the sink counter. The room was still spinning.
“All right, Ems. Thanks. I have to go. Let me know if you hear from her.”
We hung up, and I dialed Scar’s number before spreading panic through the Wagner household.
“Hey, it’s me,” I said.
“Yeah, I can hear that. What the fuck is wrong with you?”
“I’m drunk.”
“I know. I got your sorry ass home last night.”
