Page 34 of Game Change

“These pants are cutting off my circulation.” I suck in my stomach. I’ve been on an eating binge all week, and I need to rein that in. Tonight will be the last night I will eat a big meal. Tonight is the end of feeling sorry for myself over this job. Everything will be different on Monday.

Raven talks to the hostess, and when she’s told our table will be another fifteen minutes, we head to the bar. It’s packed, but Amira gets us drinks, and I’m left with Raven.

“I’m glad you guys talked me into coming out,” I yell to Raven over the noise. They practically pushed me into the bathroom, and after a hot shower and an outfit change, I felt better.

It’s incredibly cold outside, and the leather pants I’m wearing did not do a good job of keeping me warm, but I’m better now, and when Amira returns with three drinks, we clink and sip.

“What the hell is this?” I ask after taking another sip.

“Sex on the beach,” she says.

“That’s how I got into this mess.” We all chuckle at my declaration, and my mind flashes back to the first time I was alone with Colin on the beach. I remember the kiss we shared, and it’s as if I can feel his mouth on mine.

“Oh, dammit.” Amira pulls her phone out of her pocket, and Mom flashes across the screen. She hits ignore and shuts her phone off. “She’s called me six times today. I told her there is nothing I can do for Ashley and her situation. What the hell am I supposed to do about her husband getting another woman pregnant?” She shrugs, finishes her drink, and takes Raven’s.

Raven leaves to get us another round.

“Is she leaving him?” I ask. The answer to that should be obvious, but when it comes to Amira’s sister, you never know.

“Helefther,” Amira whispers. “The audacity, right? I was at Mom’s place the other day, and when he came to pick up their son, he called Ashley a mean, miserable bitch who has no friends and no life. He said he’s going to sue her for custody because he refuses to let her poison his kids against each other.”

“Oh, wow,” is all I say, but that accurately describes Ashley. “Let me guess, they want you to drop everything and console her, right?”

“You got it, but I’m not doing that anymore. She doesn’t deserve what Rob did to her, but he’s right about her being miserable and having no friends. I was with them all day, and all she did was cry and blame everyone else for her troubles. I’m sick of them both.”

Raven returns with another round. She cranes her neck and looks around the bar. Then she looks at me, grimaces, and looks away.

“What?” I ask.

“Don’t be mad,” she begins, “and be cool, but the guys are here.” My stomach drops, and my pulse accelerates.

“Whatguys?” I ask, but I think I already know. Raven blocks me with her body, but I’m taller than her, and the heels I’m wearing give me a couple of inches on her. I see him first. He’s like a damn model with his dirty-blond hair and perfect smile. He has his head turned and is talking with a gorgeous woman.

The taste in my mouth suddenly turns sour, and the good mood I talked myself into dissipates. I’ve told him in many ways that I don’t want him. So, why does my stomach feel like it’s been punched at the sight of him and someone else? The woman looks in his direction and smiles, and I look away.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” I say under my breath, angry at the sight of him and her, but unwilling to say it out loud, or even admit it to myself.

Brody spots us first. He elbows Colin and points in our direction. Ian then whispers something to the woman. He wraps his arm around her waist. She looks up at him, and he quickly kisses her. I feel some tension leave my body. The tightness in my neck dissipates, and I exhale in relief. I should have recognized Ian’s wife from the pictures. I let out another big breath at that realization.

What are you relieved about? This is just one big scam. They’re all on his payroll.

Colin’s eyes meet mine, and I hold his stare for a fraction of a second before looking away from him. From how Malcolm is scowling, I guess his feelings about his friend marrying his sister have not changed.

Is this another coincidence? How is it that out of all the restaurants in this damn city, we end up at the same one at the same time?

Ian and Brody smile. The woman on Ian’s arm smiles. Malcolm scowls, and I refuse to look at Colin. Ian and the beautiful woman walk to us.

“Hey,” Ian says. He moves away from his wife long enough to hug us. I give him a half-hearted hug back. “This is my wife, Makayla.”

She smiles again and shakes hands with the three of us. She’s tall with beautiful brown skin and white teeth. Her hair rests on her shoulders. After shaking our hands, she wraps her arm around Ian’s. “Ian told me about you guys,” she says. “It’s so nice to meet all of you.”

“You too,” I say. “Congratulations on your marriage.” Her smile brightens, and she looks at Ian with pure adulation. From the corner of my eye, Malcolm scowls. “I thought you’d still be on your honeymoon.”

“Oh, we just got back yesterday, but we’re here to celebrate—”

Ian cuts her off by loudly clearing his throat and nudges her ribs. She stops talking and drops her gaze to the floor. She adjusts her scarf before she fiddles with her wedding rings.

“Celebrate what?” I ask as gently as possible under the circumstances. I know what they’re celebrating, but I want to hear someone say it.

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