Page 58 of Break Point
“I need to … call Liam back,” I add, lifting my phone and giving it a small shake.
“Go ahead,” he says, slipping his hands into his jacket pockets. “I’ll see youaround.”
He walks away, and Paxton shouts his name, followed by a howl. I glance over my shoulder and Henry’s beaming at Gemma and Paxton.
So he does smile. Just not at me.
For the third time, I forget what I’m supposed to be doing. It’s only when I feel my phone in my hand that I remember and finally call Liam back.
He picks up on the second ring as I make my way outside, away from the loud music.
“Belen,” he says, breathing my name in relief.
“Heeey,” I reply, realizing my voice sounds off and an octave higher than usual, but there’s nothing I can do to fix it. My tongue feels heavy and slow, and the cold night breeze hitting my face isn’t helping. One would think fresh air is always a good thing, but it’s only making me feel dizzier, like I’ve run straight into a steel wall and am still recovering from the impact.
Strangely enough, I’m not feeling cold, even though I usually would in this chilly, humid weather.
“I’ve been trying to reach you,” he says, sounding worried. “You turned off your phone. What’s going on? Don’t start shutting me out. Talk to me.”
Listening to his voice disarms me. I hate feeling this way about him, like I need to fight myself to stop pushing him away. It’s exhausting.
Why do I keep doing that?
“I’m sorry,” I say under my breath, a whirlwind of emotions crashing over me. Enough to make me want to toss my cup, which is already two-thirds empty. I don’t think I can finish it.
“Where are you? Are you at Gemma’s?”
“No, I’m … at this party. I’m at a party,” I say, hearing how slow and strange I sound. Can Liam tell? Or is it all in my head? “I’m with Gemma. Robbie’s here too.”
“I texted that son of a bitch a while ago, and he didn’t tell me anything about you going to a party. He said you were at Gemma’s. Tell me what’s going on, Belén.”
“I sucked in China.” My eyes water, and my throat tightens. I want to explain how I’m feeling, but my thoughts are scattered, impossible to reach.
“Then why wouldn’t you turn on your phone so we could talk about it? Or let me know you’ve arrived?”
“I didn’t follow my usual routine. I was distracted and shouldn’t have—” I cut myself off because I don’t want to do this right now. I can’t figure out the right way to tell him we can’t be in constant communication when I’m away for a tournament without hurting his feelings. I’m afraid it’ll come out the wrong way.
A part of me knows Dad’s right. Dating Liam might not be what’s best for my career right now. I might have to end things before it becomes more complicated or painful to do so. And my complicated feelings for Henry have already proven to be getting in the way.
“Belén?”
“Yes?”
“Are you drunk?”
“I … I don’t know,” I reply honestly. I’m clueless on what being drunk should feel like, and yes, I’ve been drinking, but am I drunk? Or am I just tired, jet-lagged, and emotional? Might be all of the above.
“I need you to tell me exactly where you are, Belén. Do you know where you are? I’ll come get you. I’ll take you home, and we’ll figure things out. Just give me an address.”
“I’m at Josh and Paxton’s. It’s a few blocks away from home but?—”
What street is this?
As I stop to think about it, I listen to Liam in the background begging Tobias to drive him here. They’re arguing about keys and a Porsche. Tobias says William will kill him if he finds out he grabbed his car. Liam keeps insisting.
“I’ll be right there.”
“But how will you find me? Wait … let me ask Robbie for the address.”
