Page 73 of Love Me

Hunter leans into me. “I can feel your nerves. Calm down. They know what they’re doing.”

My father dips his chin in a small greeting in my direction, and I offer a small smile, pretending we don’t know each other while he and Cillian approach my grandmother and Felix. I can’t peel my eyes away. His posture is relaxed, even though I know both are like silent volcanoes ready to erupt.

My father says something, and everyone exchanges smiles.

Cillian’s telling them about the school when we approach.

“And look, two of my best students,” Cillian says.

“You did a fantastic job with Celine.”

Hunter digs a finger into my back, and I remember to smile.

Everyone’s attention snaps to Kaden tapping a glass of champagne with a knife.

Unease creeps under my skin.

“My son surely knows how to steal the show,” Felix says.

We all turn to Kaden. He opens his mouth and lifts Abigail’s hand. I blink while life seeps from my body. The ring sparkles on her finger like hundreds of sun rays reflecting on a clear lake. Heart, keep beating. You can’t give up. See and never forget.

“My lovely girlfriend and best friend,” he says.

My hands curl into fists, and my vision blurs with the anger coursing through me. Do not fucking dare.

“Decided to make me the happiest man alive by agreeing to marry me.”

She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, looking taken aback, while he only has eyes for her. Either they’re skilled actors, or they’re not pretending. The latter stabs me repeatedly in my chest, painting my insides into a gruesome red Jackson Pollock painting.

I watch my personal nightmare become a reality.

Cheers and congratulations erupt. I urge Kaden to look at me, but he doesn’t. What the fuck is happening? He was in my bed a few hours ago. He was inside of me yesterday.

I pinch myself while Hunter dips his head and says, “Your mask is slipping.”

Throwing back a glass of champagne, I down the bubbly contents in one go.

Hunter grabs my hand, excusing us. “My girlfriend can’t hold her alcohol.”

But all I can hear is my grandmother and Felix talking.

“They will bring this family to new heights,” she says.

“Like it was always meant to be.”

In the hallway, away from prying eyes, I bend over, struggling for air.

Hunter caresses my back while I try to compose myself.

“If I didn’t know you’re beating yourself up already, I would.”

“I can’t breathe. Can’t breathe.”

He pulls me into his arms, making the pain eating away at me bearable.

“Tell me, what do you want me to do?”

I scratch my arms, wanting to erase Kaden from my body, from my head, from my heart.

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