Page 132 of Wild Thing
She smiled. “Well I think it’s great that a woman is finally in the inner circle! It’s such a male dominated industry. Good for you.”
Good for me?
It's been the worst fucking thing that's ever happened to me.
"Greg’s a really nice guy," Ally continued. "He’s looked out for Brax a lot. He rang me yesterday and asked me to fly in to surprise Brax tonight. Said Brax seemed like he was missing me."
I could almost hear Brax grind his teeth at Ally's words.
I glanced at him quickly, searching for any sign that this was the truth; that hemissedher.
But there was nothing.
His expression was controlled, guarded, and the flicker of guilt I had seen earlier was long gone. He was good at playing the part, I’d give him that.
The MC tapped the microphone.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he began. “Entrees are about to be served. Can I please ask you to make your way back to your seats? Thank you.”
Relief coursed through me. I couldn't wait to get the fuck away from these people. I never thought I’d be so glad to see beef carpaccio in all my life.
“Well,” I stood quickly and swiftly, nearly knocking over my chair in the process. “Have a nice night.”
I spun on my heel, eager to escape, and promptly collided with Steven.
His grin was as smug as ever. “I was just coming to rescue you,” he said.
“I don’t need rescuing,” I snapped. “And besides, I’m coming back over.”
"Gents," his hand shot up in a casual wave aimed at the Omega table. “Good evening.”
I felt Steven's hand settle against the small of my back, firmly steering me towards our table. I stiffened under his touch, suddenly hyperaware of the weight of his hand.
I dared a quick look over my shoulder.
Brax’s eyes were locked on me, his expression indifferent, keeping up the charade that he was unbothered. The blank look on his face was infuriating, as though none of this affected him.
But I knew better.
My rage, sadness and jealousy all blended into a volatile cocktail.
Into something meaner. Harder.
I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m petty. And in that moment, all I wanted was for Brax to feel a slither of what I was felt.
Blindsided, jealous and heartbroken.
If he wanted to pretend he didn’t care, fine. Two could play that game.
Brax hated Steven. And to be fair, I did too.
But everything had changed.
Brax wasengaged.
And after being forced to sit there and watch Little Miss Girl Next Door hang off him, doe-eyed adoration and all, maybe it was time I put Brax through a little hell of his own.
Steven nudged his shoulder into mine. “You all right? Why haven’t you told me to keep my hands to myself yet?”
