MEGAN
“SO HOW’S the new manager?” I asked Camila since Kyland was going to manage the soon-to-open Night Stalker.
“You’ll gonna love her. Her name is Winter.”
“Why do I feel like she’s gonna find the love of her life in the nightclub?”
Camila giggled, showing me the guilty-looked in her eyes. “She has a sense of style, has a side-shave fiery redhead, and not to mention, she’s funny. Pyke likes her immediately.”
I knew exactly what would come next. So I readied myself.
“You know, you don’t have to do this alone,” as expected, she started as she sat on the couch, rubbing her belly.
“To do what alone?” I looked at three pairs of eyes, finding it hard to believe that they all had the same sympathy-looked on their faces.
“Moping alone, wallowing in self-pity, any of those ring a bell?” Blaine answered reluctantly.
“Peachy, ain’t I?” I rolled my eyes, wrapping my arms around my knees.
“Keep telling yourself that,” Camila sang.
“That’s some serious denial, Meg. When someone says she’s fine, that’s exactly the opposite,” Bianca said. “I actually missed that guy, and Kelly missed him, too. I heard he’s not in the best place if that makes you feel better.”
“You heard, huh? Aren’t you a little bit nosy?” I pinned her a flinty stare.
“You will come with us. Whether you like it or not,” Blaine said as she sat on the armrest of Camila’s chair.
“I can’t go with you. I have work and bills to pay because unlike you all, I don’t have a husband to save my ass.”
“But you have—”
I raised my hand to stop Camila from saying what she was about to say because I knew how his name still affected me. His name was like Voldemort’s—the Dark Lord.
It had been three weeks since he left without even saying goodbye, and it didn’t only break my heart, he also beat my ego into a pulp. Didn’t I really mean something for him? Of course, he didn’t.
One night, I found myself curling up in bed alone where we first slept together. I cried to sleep. When I woke up, I cried all over again. I realized I loved that asshole, and I made a terrible mistake for pushing him hard and pushing him out of my life.
He meant to leave anyway. He didn’t belong here. He had a freaking castle and probably a bunch of women to warm his bed. That truth sucked!
“You’re stalling.” Blaine squeezed my hand. “And you’re hurting. He wouldn’t send us invitations if he didn’t care.”
I had not opened the invitation I received two weeks ago because I was afraid that it could be his engagement party to that bitch, but Bianca said it was a black-tie party, and Lady Kentworthry would be hosting.
“I’m still not going,” I resisted even more.
They were all throwing glares like I would be in one of their luggage if I’d still say no.
“If you are okay like what you’re saying, then there’s no reason for your resistance. Water under the bridge, right? Prove it to us, and besides, you haven’t been to England.” Camila’s charmed seemed to affect me., and I was thinking twice of considering it.
“I don’t have—”
“I got it covered.” She was already grinning.
“You’re a bitch.” I dropped my head to my knees.
Camila just laughed. “We’re gonna have a great time, baby.”
“Said who’s pregnant who can’t drink alcohol.”
“She can’t, but we can.” Bianca laughed, playfully slapping my arm.
“God! I hate you all. I’m gonna regret this. Trust me.”
“No, Meg. You will thank us later. And you’re welcome.” Blaine squeezed me into a hug. “I love you. We love you.”
“I need an urgent lobotomy!”
***
I threw myself into the huge king-sized European-inspired bed of the five-star hotel in the city of Manchester, England. Tonight would be the party at Kentworthry Manor, and everyone was excited. Well, except me, but I already had a plan B. Just in case.
I wasn’t near ready for recovering post-Forrest. I still missed him, besides, I didn’t do anything to move on. I didn’t think I would be ever going to move on, but I got passed through my lows in life, I would be able to get through this, for as long as he was happy. Oh, god! I am such a terrible liar.
My life was a mess. I screwed up big time, and I was still wallowing my self-pity. That was to sum it up.
I got up from the bed and drew the massive wall to ceiling curtain, revealing the great historical view of the city. Images of Forrest wearing a black tie flashed through my mind, and my eyes watered again.
It was hard to imagine him with a woman in his arms as he smiled and walked downstairs. I couldn’t do it because I knew he would have a date, and I was sure, he was over me. How could he not? He didn’t even freaking call me for almost a month, and it hurt me a lot.
After an hour soaking in the tub, I still didn’t want to get up—this was the only thing I could enjoy right now—until they left for the party.
“You lied to us!”
I opened an eye to Camila’s angry voice. She was already glaring down on me with hands propped on her hips with full makeup on.
“‘ Sup, bomb? I’m on Forrest-detox mode right now. Be back in an hour.”
“You tricked me!”
“I came, didn’t I?”
“You let me buy you a dress, and you’re not gonna wear it?”
I raised and rubbed my leg. “I love this tub, and the smell, the fresh flowers, the scented candle, and the finest wine to get these to waste.”
“I am serious, Megan! I am mad at you right now.”
“Jeez, calm down, preggy. I can see that, and I can feel your anger, too. Just don’t look down to the tub, it might turn into freaking lava.”
“Don’t say another word.”
“Pyke will hang me upside down if he finds out I made you angry. I came with you, but I can’t remember signing up to attend a freaking party. If I remember correctly, you insisted on buying a dress for me, didn’t you?”
“Don’t get smart-ass on me now. You’re still coming with us. Get out of that freaking tub, and get ready! Chop-chop!”
“Oops! I did not bring the dress you bought.” I flashed a faux guilty grin.
“You left the gown in the States?” She was now ready to wring my neck in anger.
“Of course, I did. I’m not feeling up to socializing, besides, I am not a rich kid, and I don’t have a date as you all have. What will I do there, huh? Stand at the corner while watching him enjoying his party and flirting with his date? Just sucktastic!” I shook my head, imagining as our gazes met. “Give me a break, Camila. He hurt me. He left me. Put yourself in my shoe for once, are you gonna attend a party hosted by Pyke after you two broke up when you knew there would be another woman in his arms?”
Her face fell. And I knew her answer. “But you don’t know if he has—”
“Have you forgotten the saying ‘never trust a Brit’? He’s gonna have, trust me. He’s a freaking Billionaire while I am a jobless loser! Who wants a loser like me? ” So much for the self-worth and my stupid ego.