Page 75 of Playing Pretend

I INTRODUCED MYSELF to the band, and waited for them to take the stage before sneaking out the back. I booked a flight to Charlotte and let my Mother know that I would be arriving just after 2 a.m. the following morning. It wasn’t ideal, but my Mother told me she’d be there when I landed, regardless of the time. It was the only flight I could find that would get me out of the city the same night.

Aaliyah took over the remainder of my responsibilities for the party, which wasn’t much after the band had performed. All she had left was networking with the guests, specifically the investors who were going help Caleb bring his record label to life. It was bad form to leave during an event, and Caleb was probably going to be angry as soon as he realized I’d left, but I needed to go. Even if it was just for a few days, long enough to catch a breath and re-evaluate my living arrangement with Caleb. Having Natalia back in the picture changed things, drastically, and if I weren’t sure about going to North Carolina before, I was now. There was no way I could stick around and watch Caleb reconcile with his ex.

Alfie stopped outside the Puck building, and I took the elevator up to the penthouse. I didn’t have much time, so I slipped my shoes off, and headed straight for my bedroom. I grabbed an overnight bag, and had just started throwing some clothes in when I felt someone watching me. I looked over my shoulder.

Natalia was leaning against my doorjamb, wearing one of Caleb’s shirts and nothing else. Her face was scrubbed free of make-up, and her hair was damp. She looked pleased with herself while I struggled not to show how unsettled her appearance left me. It wasn’t difficult to figure out why she looked that way and while I wanted to be angry, I felt too defeated. Her situation with Caleb was none of my business, and whatever he’d discussed with her was between them. She was Braelynn’s mother, and I knew Caleb would always put her first. Having her mother in her life was important, and I knew I would never take that spot. I was just the replacement, and that was my own doing. I volunteered to help Caleb, and went as far as to ignore the gut instinct that had been warning me all week. It wasn’t meant to be permanent.

Seeing Natalia made that sink in.

“Leaving so soon?” asked Natalia. Her sarcasm, as well as her satisfaction, were both so pungent, like a bad smell that clung to one’s skin. She was goading me, tempting me to respond, but I had nothing to say to her. I continued packing, haphazardly grabbing all my essentials. Whatever I forgot, I could buy when I got to Matthews.

“I take it Caleb finally told you to leave,” Natalia continued. “I knew he would. He told me he’s been looking for a way to get rid of you, and that he wants me here with him and our daughter.”

I shut my eyes.

Just breathe, Kadence. Close your bag, and walk out.

I walked out of the bedroom, and Natalia followed me out into the Atrium.

“You were just a place-filler, you know. Caleb told me he’s been waiting for me to come back to him, and that you were just here because he took pity on you. I know you were sleeping with him, and I can’t really blame you because he’s a total catch, but your services are no longer required. I’ll have Alfie pack up the rest of your stuff.”

Her words burned, and saving face in front of her was proving to be difficult. I stepped into the elevator, and faced her. She was standing there with her arms crossed over her chest – she so needed to wear a fucking bra – and an imperious, twisted smile. Her eyes flared with victory.

I licked my lips, and opened my mouth to speak.

“You don’t deserve him. And you sure as hell don’t deserve that precious little girl.”

Natalia smirked. “It doesn’t matter now, does it. You still lose.”

The doors closed, and I sagged against the wall, fighting the need to cry and hyperventilate and vomit. It was supposed to be one of the best nights of my life, but instead it had turned to a ball of flaming shit and there was little I could do to fix it. Alfie took my bag from me, and frowned when he saw my expression. Luckily, he stayed quiet, and so did I. Caleb called, but I declined it. After the fifth call I put the damn thing on silent, and tucked it away in my purse. A few tears slipped down my cheeks, but I wiped them away knowing I already looked pathetic in my red lace gown, and no shoes. All because I wanted to run. With some effort on my part, I was able to switch off until Alfie got me to the airport. He carried my bag inside, walked me to the check-in area, and then turned to face me.

“I will be here when you get back, Ms. Kavanagh,” he said. His size was enough to garner some attention, but to me he was a giant marshmallow beneath a hard shell. I’d come to think of him as a friend, which was odd considering we’d never had a personal conversation in all the time I’d known him. “And if you need anything while you’re away, please call me.” He handed me a piece of paper with his contact number, even though I already had it on my phone, and walked away without saying another word. The big guy left me speechless, but that small act gave me the resolve necessary to go through with this.

“HERE YOU GO, MISS.” The guy behind the coffee cart handed me a coffee, and my sandwich. I was starving, and struggling to stay awake. It was late. With some time to kill before my flight, I wandered around in an attempt to keep myself from overanalyzing my evening, and the events leading up to it. I was ready for it to be over already.

I found a seat in front of the glass windows and watched the planes take off, imagining where the people were going. It was better than questioning whether or not I was doing the right thing, or if I was just running because I was scared. I realized it was both.

I reached over to discard my empty coffee cup, and when I looked back at the glass, I caught sight of Caleb’s reflection. He was behind me, looking all hot and breathless and shit. My stupid, faulty heart skipped a beat, until I reminded myself that what I had with Caleb had always been temporary. I was foolish to think otherwise, and even more foolish to think this farce was anything more than that.

I stood up, and faced him.

“Aaliyah told you I was here,” I stated. She was the only one who would have.

“Where are you going?” he asked, closing the space between us. We probably looked ridiculous, like we were in a scene from a 60’s movie - him in his classic black tux, and me in my overpriced gown.

I ignored his question. “I spoke to Natalia. She said you’re getting back together.”

I watched a myriad of emotions flash across Caleb’s face, but there was no denial. Not immediately anyway, and in my experience, hesitation was an admission of guilt.

“You didn’t give me a chance to explain, Kadence.”

“You don’t have to. Natalia explained everything to me.”

“What did she tell you?” Caleb’s voice grew louder, angrier, and a few bystanders looked our way.

“She said you asked her to stay.”

“And you believed her?”