Page 48 of The Blackmail of Denise Randall

He leans closer to my ear. “It’s too loud in here for this conversation. Let’s go.”

“No.” I turn around, and I’m pleasantly surprised that Dan is sticking it out. I smile and take a step toward him. Keaton holds me tightly, preventing me from taking any further steps.

“One step closer to him only increases the distance between us. I’ve been through this before, and I won’t do it again. Last chance. Take one more step and you’re stepping out on whatever shot we have for tonight.”

“A shot? Don’t you mean an arrangement?”

I feel him smile against my cheek. “You wanting to stick to our arrangement then?”

“Remind me again of that arrangement?”

He places his hands firmly on my sides and then slowly caresses my body. He whispers in my ear, “That you’re mine for two months.”

“What all does it mean to be yours?”

“Well for starters, not dry humping some dick on the dance floor.” I turn around and start to speak, but he places a finger on my lips. “Any dick that’s not me, anyway.” He looks over at Dan and then back at me. “Tell Dan, your little fan, that you’re leaving.”

Despite myself, I smile. He smiles back, and I notice he has a dimple in his right cheek. It gives him a boyish charm when he smiles. I walk over to Dan to apologize and to tell him I’m leaving. He narrows his eyes at Keaton. I wave bye and walk back over to Keaton. He places his hand on my lower back and leads us to our friends.

“Happy Birthday by the way.”

“Thank you.”

“I have a gift for you.”

I stop and stare at him. “Where is it?”

“My place. I didn’t know you were going to be here tonight.”

I feel my cheeks heat. He knew about my birthday before tonight then.

“Let’s go join the others for another drink to celebrate your birthday. Then we can swing by my place for your gift and I’ll give you a ride home.”

I try to fight the goofy grin that begins to spread on my face but fail miserably. I nod and he asks what I’m drinking.

“Water for me for the rest of the night.” Roland warned me not to drink anymore with the pills he gave me. Rachel, Trent, Alice, Noah, Samantha, Tiffany, Jennifer and the rest of our group slowly begin surrounding me in Roland’s absence. Samantha nudges me and nods in the direction of Keaton. I shrug and strive for nonchalant. She gives me a look that lets me know she’s connected the dots from earlier. Keaton returns with a tray of shots for everyone. He hands me a shot glass and whispers, “It’s just water in this one. I had them put it in a shot glass so nobody will pressure you about drinking more.” We all clink glasses and they cheer my name.

I take a moment to smile at my family and friends that came out tonight to celebrate with me. I smile, feeling all their love for me. Tonight is turning out to be perfect. We’re all standing together but everyone has formed almost like mini groups within our big one. Noah and Alice look adorable together, and I notice him pulling away from her. She’s laughing as she tries to hold on to his shirt. He gets away and heads toward the stage where the DJ is. He takes the microphone, and I can tell he might be a little more than tipsy when he speaks.

We’re all huddled together watching him. “Ladies and gentlemen. I’m so sorry to interrupt you, but I have an announcement. It’s a very special night.”

It occurs to me that they haven’t sang “Happy Birthday” to me yet. I place my hands over my mouth and giggle. I can’t believe Noah. This is so embarrassing. Secretly, I love the grand gesture. Noah wears a big grin and looks over at us. “Alice Randall and I are officially moving in together! I love you, baby! I can’t wait to marry you! In four more months, I’ll be marrying the love of my life! WHOO!”

My mouth drops, along with my hands and my heart. What the fuck! On my birthday! Of course, I’m thrilled for them but one night is all I’m asking. Alice covers her face as she giggles while simultaneously crying. She’s talented like that.

I push the hurt aside and force a smile. I take a couple of deep breaths. I remind myself that Alice has been waiting for this moment for years. Maybe not twenty-one years, but years. She loves Noah. She deserves this. She’s my sister and a wonderful friend. I’ve had the spotlight on me for a couple of hours now, so naturally it should shine on one of my other siblings. Maybe next year they’ll get to announce her pregnancy on my birthday. Heck, maybe Trent will announce they’re expecting another baby. I’m sure they’ll work something out. I go over to Alice squealing with delight and we hug. Noah strolls over in front of me and kisses Alice on the lips. Don’t mind me.

He lifts her in the air and twirls her in the typical cliché way you’d imagine two people in love would do. “I had so many amazing ways to ask you to move in early planned, but I couldn’t wait any longer!”

You mean like to do it on one of your birthdays? I keep talking about wanting to be an adult but I’m literally acting like a petulant child at my party. I’m better than this. I force a smile but then mentally slap myself for having to force it. I want to be better…I want to be a better person.

Alice is beaming at him with her palms on his cheeks. “It’s fine! It’s perfect! I just can’t believe we’re going to be living together!” Her face takes on a wistful look. “And you’re finally home.”

“For good.”

“Forever.”

Rachel claps her hands and then loudly teases Noah. “You used to be so quiet. What happened to that guy?”

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