Page 64 of Make Me A Sinner
What I didn’t suspect is how much of a jerk he really is. It takes her a few more drinks to talk about the number of times he cheated on her—right from the beginning. And I could be a bitch and give her a hard time about always wanting to seem better than me. As if I were the one who didn’t know what she was doing with her life. She just always made me feel inferior to her. Like I’m always screwing things up while she does everything right.
Now, I just feel sorry for her.
Of course, I tell her to leave him, even if I know she won’t. The money and status he provides are much more important than her self-esteem, or her happiness. And just when I’m about to launch into a speech I know she’ll ignore, Gregory cuts in, acting like everything is flawless in their perfect Hollywood life.
But I know better. And even if I let them keep up the charade for now, it’s only because I know that’s what my sister wants. I can’t sit here and watch him pretend to be Mr. Perfect while I know he’s probably just as bad as Nick was.
I excuse myself before I say something stupid, then go and look for Set. I saw him a while ago, still talking to his brother.
Still, as much as I look for him at the party, he seems to be gone. Well, that’s not possible, because I know for a fact he wouldn’t leave me here. But then I realize the blonde woman is also gone. And the thought of Gregory hits me, a cold chill running down my spine.
It couldn’t be. It can’t be.
Ugh, but the uncertainty sticks, and it’s only Set’s fault for putting such thoughts in my mind. I don’t want to be jealous, I’m just afraid I have every reason to be.
I’m not gonna let him keep me captive just so he can go fuck another woman. This whole situation made me paranoid. And since I don’t know anyone else at the party except for my sister—who’d only make me more paranoid—I decide to takea little walk around the house. Set told me earlier the whole place’s a rental. Like a vacation house for celebrities, and since downstairs is the main area, upstairs are the bedrooms.
I have a bad feeling about this. Still, I can’t help myself, so I’m just going to have a look anyway. Plenty of people are heading upstairs to the terrace and roof, so it’s not like the place is off-limits.
I convince myself to go up the stairs, even if I hate being so on edge. But that’s my reality, and I have to accept it. I don’t think there’s a Paranoid Anonymous—like an AA version for people who can’t let shit go—and I’m not seeing a shrink because I’d probably drive him insane. Thing is, I just can’t have another person on my conscience.
I don’t go all the way up to the rooftop like everyone else, I just pretend to look at the various pieces of art scattered through the long hallways while I’m also eavesdropping on every door to the point that I hear Jack having sex. I have no clue who Jack is, nor do I want to know, but there’s a woman in that room calling his name, so he must’ve been doing something right in this world. I don’t stick and listen in on them, though. I’ve heard enough to last this lifetime... and probably the next.
What the hell am I even doing anyway? Have I lost it?
My sister’s problems affect me more than I like to admit. But just as I’m reflecting on that thought, I pass a room and hear a very familiar voice.“The artifacts are in my safe, so things should be calm for a while.”
Set’s in this room.
Well, he doesn’t seem to be having sex. That’s a relief, so I should go.
I want to walk away. I didn’t come here to spy on him. But just as I’m about to do that, another voice stops me cold.
“Calm?”It’s a woman. “Set darling, you don’t docalm,”she chuckles, and I swear, the urge to kick the door down hits me sohard I can barely hold back. He’s in there with a woman, and by the tone of her voice, it’s that Phro bitch.
Oh, now I’m listening. I don’t give a fuck about my conscience or whatever afterlife punishment is waiting for me. I’ve killed people. I’m already booked for a one-way trip to hell.
“Well, I’ve discovered a new kind of calm recently—been trying to convince myself to dial it down a notch,”Set says from behind the door. “Can’t say it’s working, though. But I was referring to our current situation.”
“Like saving these losers from the threat of an incoming apocalypse?”Phro goes on.
Apocalypse?Please let that be metaphorical.
“Watch it, Phro, his new girlfriend’s one of thelosers,”another male voice cuts in, and I’m pretty sure I’ve heard it before.
But seriously though, why am I the loser in this conversation?
“Well,newisn’t exactly the right word when he’s never had one before,”Phro laughs, and I half expect Set to lose his patience with her.
Which he does, but not close enough for my liking.“Okay, that’s enough,”he snaps, more like trying to steer the conversation somewhere—anywhere—else, rather than getting ready to blow her brains out for mouthing off.
“She doesn’t know about us, does she?”The unknown male voice asks.
“No, Ares, I didn’t get a chance to tell her. But I will soon.”Set’s answers, slightly exhausted by this whole conversation.
So, it’s his brother he’s talking to. But tell me what, exactly?
Phro lets out another sultry chuckle.“Well, I think she’s hot. So when you’re done with her, maybe I can have her.”
