Page 9 of Eggnog and Edging
Dad starts to deal another hand, and I say, "I’m sitting this one out. Anyone want me to top off food or drinks?"
A few people tell me what they want. I make good on it, then, with no fanfare, I duck down the hallway, and even though I can hear Starla's voice, something is off.
Her ‘On Air’ sign is lit. Her love of cooking is evident in the light-hearted explanations about the power of nutmeg drifting into the hallway. And while she loved that I made that part of thedesign for her suite so that we wouldn't interrupt her recordings, I'm going to take a chance and very quietly peek my head in.
Gently turning the handle, I ease the door open just a crack. Her monologue continues seamlessly. Either I’m so stealthy she didn’t notice, or my suspicions are correct.
All I can see through the sliver of opening is her dresser. Her voice comes from the other end of the suite. Noticing that the vibrance of her voice isn’t present, I’m almost certain I’m hearing a recording.
My heart sinks. Did I push her to this? If I’d just told her how I felt, would we be snuggled up in front of my fireplace, sipping cider, making love, starting our future?
Have I lost her?
Enough wallowing. If she’s not here, I have to catch up with Cullen. I’m not about to let that fucker undercut me again.
Opening the door wider, I poke my head in and scan the room as I turn to her kitchen suite.
Just as I suspected. She's not there.
Her laptop is. I watch in disbelief as the sounds match the video that’s playing. I scan the room again, confirming my assessment. What did I expect? She was going to jump out from under the bed?
She didn't leave through the front door, and I have her keys. Fuck, did she sneak out the window? This must be what Cullen figured out.
Not bothering to check the window, because I’ve wasted enough time already, I pull my phone out of my back pocket and rush to the bathroom.
Under the cover of privacy, I fire off a text to Cullen:Where are you going?
Cullen:Home
Me:For real?
Cullen:I don't feel good.
I didn’t expect him to confess. How do I call his bluff?
Me:Then it won't be a problem if I let Dad know Starla snuck out.
Three dots appear on my screen and continue bobbing up and down. Cullen is so busted. But Dad's going to start worrying that I have digestive problems if I don't come out of the bathroom soon.
I send another text:Come clean.
Just in case anyone's paying attention, I flush the toilet and wash my hands. It also helps pass the time while Cullen figures out what he's going to tell me.
Finally, a message comes from Cullen:I'm going to win her.
Anger rips through me. I bring my arm up, but catch myself before smashing my cell phone against the wall.
It's my lifeline. I just have to figure out how to use it. If I leave, Dad will be suspicious, and there would be no one to stop him from finding out Starla’s gone.
Cullen:I’m winning her for the two of us.
It’s the only viable option, but how can I ensure Cullen won't cut me out?
I scroll back through my texts, making sure autocorrect didn't change anything—the messages are clear. I definitely have it in writing that Cullen agrees to include me in the win.
I don’t trust him. I need to hear his voice. I need him to give me his word, so I tap the call button next to his name.
The second he answers, I keep my voice down and say, "Don't fuck me on this one, Cullen."
