Page 55 of The Likelihood Of You

She stayed.

Now that filming forDefenders 2had officially wrapped, closed out by the actual wrap party last night, my days have just been full of moments of her, and I wondered what I’d done in the quiet moments before she came into my life.

How had I existed in a world before her laugh was the soundtrack to my morning? How had I gone about my days without wishing she was waking up next to me? How was I waking up without her now?

Maybe because she and Addy had too many unsupervised trips to the free bar last night, and you left her in her own bed like a gentleman.

The reminder of last night’s party projects a picture of regret and lousy alcohol decisions in my mind, my stomach knots and cramps, and for the life of me, I seriously doubted whether or not I’d leave my bed today.

The wrap party was fine; it was your typical New York celebrity social, but once you made it through the doors, past the wall of cameras and angry men screaming at you to look at them, you felt a lot better.

I’d showed up with Nate while Florence got ready at Addy’s and caught a ride with her. We’d still be keeping whatever this was between the two of us for now. I think getting used to seeing someone again was just enough for Florence to handle; having the entire world remind her that the person she was seeing was also stupidly famous would make her falter, and she’s been loving things between us so far. We’d cross that rickety bridge when we reach it.

What we were thankful for, though, was that the venue chosen to hold the party was a dark, broody, speakeasy kind of place with plenty of dark corners that we used to our full advantage. The night seemed to be a hazy montage of grabbing her waist and easing her into one of the shadowy hallways to kiss her and make those little whimpers that I dreamt about slip from her glossed lips.

Having her and my friends there was really the only thing that got me through the night, because, to be completely honest, my mind was elsewhere.

These texts from Darcie had been coming in thick and fast the more I ignored them. And that was all I was going to do, because she rightly deserved the backlash she was still getting for her actions. The fact she was still demanding my help, the cheek of her, made me nauseous.

I’d blocked the original number after so long, but two days another one came through on a different number. I blocked it straight away and considered getting a new number so she’d leave me alone and get the hint that maybe she should deal with her problems the way every other adult on the planet does.

Then two weeks of radio silence went by, making me think she’d given up, and any day now, she’d release a statement on her socials, and that would be that.

Then, I got a phone call halfway through the party from an unknown number.

“Jesus Christ”, Imuttered to myself, low enough that Florence or Addy didn’t notice. Thankfully, Nate was walking back over to us, so as he rejoined us, I took my drink from him and headed for the smoker’s area, which reeked, but was outdoors and away from the crowds, so I didn’t care.

My phone was still ringing as I opened the door and stepped onto the terrace, before angrily swiping the answer button and bringing my phone to my ear.

“What the fuck do you want?”I growled, earning me a judgey look from the one and only smoker up here, but I was too preoccupied to care.

A shaky gasp came from her end.“Jacob? Oh, thank God you answered. I’ve been—”

“I’m gonna stop you right there, okay? I only answered to get it through your head to leave me alone.”

She sighed, and I hated how her voice brought back memories I thought I’d set alight.“No, you don’t understand, I’m losing everything, okay, I’ve lost everything. My parents want nothing to do with me, my friends won’t pick up their phones, and I’m about to be evicted!”

It was obvious she was crying, and if she were anyone else, it would have pained me to hear those cries, but because it was her, I lapped them up. Sadistic, I know, but it wasn’t my fault that karma was finally hunting her down

“You know…it was probably a good thing you dumped me when you did. I don’t think this whole cancelling thing you’re going through right now would bode well for my career.”I dropped my head and smiled at how ironic that was, but how intense her sobs were becoming hard to brush off.

“Darcie, hey, I get it. Okay? I do. What you’re going through sucks, but asking me for help is just cruel. Do you honestly think asking the guy you said you loved, only to confess you never did, for help, is sane?”

She took a deep breath, then a few sniffles.“I said I’m sorry, Jacob.”She sobbed, rather pathetically, which made the little sympathy I had for her blow away with the smoke.

“Don’t call me, ever again.”

I hung up and blocked the number, before brushing off the feelings she’d dug up and heading back down to find Florence, Addy and Nateright where I’d left them.

I rolled over to check the time, and the numbers were low enough for me to relax after my tiny panic that I’d somehow slept til the late afternoon.

Because that time slot was taken up by my date with Flo.

I’d casually asked if she wanted to go out sometime on one of the reading nights we had, cuddled up on my couch, to which she responded by tossing her book behind her and starting what turned into a lengthy make-out session. I never actually got a verbal response from her, but I highly doubt her kisses were just to soften the blow of rejection.

Or were they?

Luckily, it was only noon, meaning I had time to take Bagel for a walkandfeel human again. But just the thought of seeing Florence tonight, all dressed up and ready for me to take her on our first date, put enough energy back in me to last me a lifetime.

---