Page 119 of Red King

“It’s Cathy.” Maggie starts cackling like a crazy person.

“What about her?’

“She was caught in a compromising situation with a candidate.”

“By compromising…?” I start to say, dragging out the word.

“She was caught giving one of the candidates a blowjob a few days ago. They went to the back of house at the event hall. Thorn saw them sneak off. He waited a few minutes and followed.” She laughs some more. “Caught them red-handed…or, in this case, red-lipped. She was literally sucking him off when Thorn caught them.”

“No!”

“Yes.” She cackles some more.

“Has Cathy been fired?”

“Yes, she left this morning. The lady who’s taken over from her is so much nicer. I mean, I only just met her, but I can already tell. You would like her. The new nurse, Tess, is also pretty nice. She’s not you, not even close, but yeah, she’s okay.”

“What about Arctic?” There. I said it.

I hold my breath. I shouldn’t have asked.

“What about him?” She sounds apprehensive. The frown tells me that she’s worried about me. “You haven’t been in touch with him, have you? It probably wouldn’t be a good idea, Paisley. You need to leave it alone and move on. I know it’s hard.” The frown turns to a look of concern.

“I know. I haven’t been in contact, and I don’t plan on calling him. I’m just making sure he’s keeping his promise to me, that’s all.”

“What promise would that be?” Mags frowns.

“I made him promise that he would start dating the Tributes.”

“Well then, he’s definitely keeping his promise. He’s dated a whole bunch of them since you left. He’s been out with Hannah the last three nights in a row, and she can’t shut up about it. It’s freaking annoying.” Maggie rolls her eyes. “But you don’t want to hear that.” She looks concerned again.

“I think it’s good.” I fake a smile. “Great, actually. I’m glad. He’s doing the right thing.”

I feel devastated at the news. I had somehow expected something different, although I’m not sure why.

“I’m sure he’s only doing it because you made him promise.” She looks sheepish.

“And because he has to. He doesn’t really have a choice,” I add. I think I’m trying to make myself feel better.

“Yeah, well.” She shrugs. “You probably shouldn’t ask about him again, babe.” She shakes her head. “It’s better if you don’t know.”

“You’re right.”

“The guy has to pick someone. He has to get married and start popping out babies. It is what it is. It’s better if you’re in the dark.” Her features are filled with pity and concern.

Itisbetter if I don’t know. I was starting to feel a little better. I actually slept the last two nights. And I haven’t cried since…yesterday morning.

Right now, my throat feels clogged, and my eyes are stinging. It sucks. I brought it on myself. What was I thinking? That he’d mope around for weeks, months…years?

No!

Of course not!

I’m an idiot.

We continue talking about various things before ending the call. Even though I still feel like shit, there’s no time to cry because Fortune and Cookie, sensing I’m done, jump back on the bed and start in on me all over again.

“All right, all right, you two.” I get up. “Fine. You’re such taskmasters.” I laugh. “Let’s go.” I pull my sneakers on and grab their leads.

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