Page 94 of Bad Crush
I’m peeved that he didn’t come clean, which is ridiculous. I’m the one who started the lie. If anyone is to blame, it’s me. Still, I can’t fight the irritation I feel at him as he leads us to our table.
“I think I’m going to get some air,” I say as he pulls my chair out for me.
“Now?”
“I’ll only be a minute.”
“I’ll come with you.”
“No.” I place a hand out to keep him from following me. “Stay. These people came for you, not me. I’ll be right back. Promise.”
When I get to the hallway, I take a breath. I can’t shake the awful feeling from talking with Janine earlier or the guilt of faking an engagement to a man I’m starting to be able to picture a life with. This isn’t the way it’s supposed to go. It all feels so wrong.
When footsteps approach, I assume it’s Adam coming to check on me. I even smile a little, thinking how sweet it is that he wants to make sure I’m okay. But when I look up, it’s Janine that’s walking toward me.
I open my mouth to tell her to go away, but she beats me to it.
“I’m sorry,” she blurts out.
“What?” I shake my head and attempt to go around her. Fleeing from Janine is the game of the night, it seems. All the air is knocked out of me when I see her. Ten feet behind Janine, her parents, Sean, and Lori stand watching us. Her hair is shorter, but otherwise, it’s like no time has passed. She’s exactly like I remember her. And so is the punch to the gut at seeing her.
“I tried to tell you earlier,” Janine says as if that makes it okay.
“Why is she here?” I grit out.
My ears ring as she apologizes, “I’m sorry. That’s what I was trying to tell you earlier. My parents called as they were leaving the house, and I wanted to warn you as soon as I found out. Lori insisted on coming. She wants to meet Adam and tell you congratulations or whatever.”
“There’s nothing to congratulate me for.”
“I thought…” Janine trails off, her brows knit in confusion.
Of course, she believes we’re really engaged, like everyone else.
“My life is none of her business.”
“Janine, we should get inside,” Sean speaks up but keeps his distance.
“I’m sorry,” she whispers one last time before leaving me.
Their happy family all goes inside, leaving me with Lori. Slowly, she closes the distance between us.
“Reagan.” The way she says my name is soft and sad. Like she’s missed me—like even saying my name brings her pain.
“Hi, Mom.” I don’t know why I call her that. I’ve called her Lori since I was twelve. It must be the shock. “What are you doing here?”
“We came to support Janine, of course. And it was the only way I knew to see you.”
“Maybe I don’t want to see you.”
“Well, you’ve made that clear.” There’s a hint of a smile on her face, which pisses me off.
“Obviously not,” I mutter and walk toward the door to go back inside.
Adam’s coming out. His face relaxes when he sees me, but then he must read the situation because he looks past me and comes up short.
“Are you okay?” He runs a hand down my arm from shoulder to elbow. “Speeches are starting.”
I nod, not trusting what might come out of my mouth if I speak. I’m so mad. Mad that she’s here and that Adam’s worried about me when I’m supposed to be here taking care of him. Mad that we ever faked an engagement. Just pissed at the universe.
