Page 127 of Wild Thing
And now I had to watch him play happy families with his girlfriend.
I quickly looked away, taking a generous sip of my champagne.
I told myself to relax.
“Is that Brax over there?” Steven's voice cut through.
He'd been staring at me. Watching me, watchingthem.
I didn’t even have time to respond before the MC’s booming voice commanded the room’s attention. The crowd hushed almost immediately, everyone shifting their focus to the stageas the MC’s voice rang out. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome! Thank you all for being here tonight!"
A cheer erupted from the crowd, spontaneous and loud, some voices more enthusiastic than others. I could already hear the slurring of words and the high-pitched whoops of people who’d obviously pre-gamed a little too hard.
I scanned the room.
I estimated about six or seven hundred people were in attendance. No wonder it felt overwhelming.
"Entrees will be served shortly, followed by mains," the MC continued, raising his voice to keep everyone’s attention. "But for now, please enjoy each other’s company and the tunes from Wilson Symbols, our fantastic band for the evening!"
The crowd responded with more cheers, but I barely noticed. I was too busy trying to ignore the fact that Brax, mere feet away from me, was sitting with Ally.
I should pretend to be unwell and just leave.
Before anyone at our table could strike up a conversation, Marie tapped her champagne flute, proposing a toast.
"Before you all get carried away," Marie said, her smile wide and warm as she lifted her glass, "I’d like to propose a toast to our incredible team. We’re doing great things. I hope you’ve all had a productive week and enjoyed the conference. Enjoy yourselves tonight." Marie raised her glass, as did everyone else.
One by one, the others around the table followed suit, lifting their own glasses to join her in the toast. “Cheers” echoed around the table, glasses clinking.
I lifted the champagne glass to my lips and took a small sip.
But the taste was momentary, as I felt Steven lean into me. His voice was menacing. “I know what you’re doing, you know.”
I froze for a heartbeat, the glass still at my lips.
A waiter appeared at that exact moment, his white gloves setting down a basket of freshly baked bread on the table. Iwaited until he had moved off, taking the moment to compose myself before I responded.
“What are you talking about?”
“You know exactly what I'm talking about,” he said simply. His tone was casual, but there was an undercurrent to it. "With Brax."
I tilted my head slightly, just enough to show I was paying attention, but not enough to give him anything.
“Yeah? What do you think you know, Steven?”
My voice had taken on an edge. His insinuation irritated me.
His smirk grew. The bastard clearly enjoyed my discomfort.
“I see the way you look at each other," he said, his eyes flicking over to Brax and Ally, who were now laughing their annoying heads off. "I’ve seen you together. You're having an affair."
I bit back my growing panic.
"Eat shit, Steven," I hissed, my heart pounding. "What’s it to you anyway?"
His smile widened, but it wasn’t a friendly expression.
"Well," he said, leaning in further. "I'm not quite sure yet."
