Page 88 of Little Do You Know

“We’ll talk when I get back Sunday.” Thalia leans up, kissing my cheek briefly.

I watch as Thalia walks out the front door, wondering how things could have gone so poorly so quickly. The bouquet of red roses that Evelyn had wrapped so carefully is sitting on the counter. This time, I drop them in the trash myself.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Thalia

I DIDN’T FEEL like going out after the long flights, layovers, and meetings I had once I got here, but I didn’t have a choice once Penelope came home with Mae. Simone meets us at the club we used to frequent last year, and it feels good being with my friends again.

Mae’s dark skin helps the bright colors of her dress stand out against the dim lighting, and she gestures wildly with her hands about a customer who came into the coffee shop she works at today. I feel bad I’m not paying attention to it. My mind is elsewhere.

Penelope is in the middle of the dance floor, bouncing around with a constantly refilled drink in her hand, and Simone is with a new boyfriend that I didn’t even know existed.

I didn’t think so much would change after I left, but once again, I’m left feeling like I don’t really have a place I belong to. Paris moved on without me, and Durham moved on without me. I feel stuck, like I’m someplace in the middle. Unfortunately, that puts me in the middle of the goddamn Atlantic Ocean.

My phone was blowing up earlier with texts from Owen, wanting to know why I hadn’t called him before I left. He must have told our parents I left because they called a few times during my flight. I called them back after landing to let them know how last second everything was. They weren’t thrilled I left without saying anything, but after letting me explain, they understood. Blake sent me a text telling me to eat a pastry for her but to remember to send her a picture first.

Natalie sent me the final edit of the article Callie wrote a few days ago, and just like I knew she would, she chose the picture where Sebastian was talking about…me.

His smile is so brilliantly beautiful it hurts to look at. Bash’s brown eyes are shining, and I can see the faint indent of his dimples. Sebastian’s dark hair was a little wild by that point, but his high cheekbones and strong jaw were accented by the angle at which his head was unintentionally tilted. I got that text during my layover, and it’s embarrassing to admit how long I stared at the photo on my second flight.

My phone starts vibrating on the table beside my drink, and I jump for it, hoping it’s Sebastian. Except it’s not him; it’s Chris. I don’t know why the hell Chris would be calling me.

Unless something happened to Owen—oh no. Now that my mind has gone there, I’m spinning every possible scenario.

I interrupt Mae’s story by quickly getting up and finding a quiet-ish corner. “Is Owen okay?” I ask urgently, and my heart feels like it will hammer right out of my chest. Is it possible to have a heart attack at twenty-one?

“Owen’s fine, but you know who isn’t? Bash. Now what the fuck happened between yesterday and today? I’ve never seen Sebastian smile like he was when he left practice last night, and today, he was barking orders at everyone like a drill sergeant,” Chris seethes, and I cringe despite being an ocean away. “Where are you?”

I press my hand to my chest, trying to get my heartbeat to slow. “Paris, I’m here for work. I don’t know what to tell you. I haven’t heard from Sebastian.”

He exhales sharply. “Did you try telling Owen that you’re together, and he flipped out? He seemed perfectly content ignoring how practice went today.”

“I got a call while you guys were at practice that I needed to be in Paris earlier than planned. It was all last second to begin with, but Vera was kissing Sebastian when I got back to the apartment.I’m sorry he was in a poor mood today, but I told Bash we would talk when I return. It’s not my fault if he didn’t listen.” I’m attempting to stay calm, but I wonder who Chris thinks he is. This is none of his business. Just because he helped me in the coffee shop doesn’t mean I owe Chris an explanation.

“Are you at a club? It really seems like you were needed there.” He laughs sarcastically. “Why didn’t you talk to him before you left?”

“I just told you why,” I say, growing more irritated.

“No, you didn’t. You said you walked in on Vera kissing Sebastian, not the other way around, so why didn’t you talk to him then?” Chris asks, and I fail to bite my tongue this time.

“You’re telling me that if you walked in on another man kissing Allie in your apartment, you wouldn’t question how she ended up in the situation in the first place? I know Bash didn’t initiate anything with Vera, but it’s the fact he let her in the apartment, already knowing what she was going to say, that is frustrating. I didn’t point fingers, but I did what I needed to keep from saying something I’d regret by giving myself a breather before finishing our conversation.”

“What about what Sebastian needs? You’re running away because you’re afraid of letting him in.”

Am I that transparent to everyone? “You have no idea what you’re talking about. I didn’t say we were done, but we would finish our conversation when I’m back if you listen to what I’m saying instead of pegging me as the villain. For the record, Sebastian needs to think before speaking as well,” I reply tightly. I’m half-tempted to hang up on him.

Chris swears quietly enough the phone misses him. “I don’t know why I’m bothering. You’re hell-bent on fighting everyone who tries to help you. Bash isn’t perfect, but he cares about you enough to risk his friendship with Owen. I would think you’d care if he’s hurting, but you take your few days.” Chris hangs up, and I bite back a scream. I do care. I care so much it’s why I didn’t want to hurt him.

I needed a couple of days to breathe. I know he didn’t mean for Vera to kiss him. I believe he genuinely thought hearing her out would work, and it attests to what kind of person he is. I’m mad that Vera finds a way to get in the middle whenever things start to improve. I know I lash out when I’m hurt or scared, so I genuinely thought it would be in the best interest of our future to walk away at that moment to collect my thoughts.

Tears well up because I miss him, but I can’t call him right now. This isn’t the time or place to make this call. With the thumping bass pounding in my head, I wipe away the tears that slip quickly down my cheek before forcing a smile on my face. Sebastian is fine. I’m fine. We’ll be fine.

~

“Vera, come on, smile!” I insist, angling the camera to show her behind me on the trail we’re hiking.

She rolls her eyes but complies by grinning and sticking her tongue out as I snap a picture. My long blonde hair is pulled up on top of my head in a messy ponytail that keeps sticking to the areas of skin that my tank top doesn’t cover. It’s annoying, but it’s too heavy to pull up completely.

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