Page 69 of The Game

And there it is, the hollowness behind the veneer, the wreckage of her innocence laid bare before me, and before I can stop myself, my snort of laughter turns to a choked sob. We cling to one another, in our own little world, and weep for everything we’ve lost.

* * *

Uncorking a bottle of red wine, I pour us both a decent amount, carefully carrying the glasses into the living room to the two seats facing the see-through fireplace. Ellie takes hers graciously, always so soft with her movements. It’s a comfort to see that hasn’t changed. Bringing the rim to her lips, she sips and her eyes flutter closed, a smile growing on her face. When she opens them again, I’ve taken a gulp of the smoky, dry wine, my insides warming instantly.

“Remember your birthday bash?”

I snort with a roll of my eyes, glancing at the fire.

“How could I forget? I was in so much trouble.”

She laughs, the sound gentle but different. It pricks at my heart, and my eyes swish back to hers. She’s studying me, tears glassing her gaze now.

“Wouldn’t it be nice if that was the worst of it? Tripping on some drugs, getting caught and grounded?”

My stomach churns and I drop my eyes to my lap, rolling my lips together.

“What really happened, Ellie? I’m…having a hard time trusting anyone’s stories right now,” I whisper, raising my eyes to hers again from under my brows. She sighs, leaning back, her jaw locking before she gets this dark, faraway look on her face.

After a moment, she shrugs.

“They came when we were vulnerable. Took my dad, took…me,” she whispers before clearing her throat. “I remember the circus. I was there the first night. It was like…like they were trying to get the highest bid for me. I about shit myself when I saw Mr. Bird.”

Tensing upon hearing that fucker’s name, her eyes swish coyly to mine as she takes another sip.

“I know he’s your grandfather. Nick’s been very honest with me.”

Tracing the rim of my glass, I stare into the bloody red liquid, wishing to sink into it and never resurface. But her gentle voice picks back up where she left off, and I listen, overcome with a certain type of numbness I am now used to.

“They…took me to a house…hurt me for a few days, then took me to a shipyard and hurt me there. I barely remember Nick finding me. What I do remember is waking up in his bed…” she trails off, eyes stuck on the fire.

I know there’s more, but I’m not going to push her for those types of gory details, not unless she wants to share them. In that small span of silence, I take another sip to embolden myself before I speak.

“Tristan and Jameson…killed my father. I knew it, but I was…I guess okay with it. But then Dick—Mr. Bird, he found me, blackmailed me. I took my inheritance and left…”

Swallowing thickly, I glance at her, but she’s just nodding, still staring at the dancing and leaping flames. Even seated so close, I barely feel the warmth, not anymore.

“He’s…my grandfather. My uncle and him run—ran—the circus. I performed…but only Daniel…my uncle…was allowed to touch me,” I whisper. Ellie sips before she nods, and knowing what she endured, I feel okay to share with her. She’s not going to pity me or judge me.

“I also met Teddy,” I say, unable to stop the small smile from forming on my lips, my throat tightening. She gives a soft laugh.

“I think Jonah has a crush on him.”

I snort into my glass, the alcohol loosening my tongue.

“I’d be surprised if he didn’t. There’s…something magnetic about him.”

Her eyes cut to mine, shimmering and reflecting the fire.

“You love him.”

Clutching the delicate stem of my glass tighter, I press my lips thin and nod.

“A part of me does, very deeply. He…fuck. He saved me in so many ways. I didn’t know if we were ever going to get away, if our plan would work, so I guess I just didn’t care, I just wanted to be happy, and he was safe. I don’t…I don’t feel safe without him anymore,” I say, tears brimming. She nods in understanding.

“I know what you mean.”

“You…do?”

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