Page 56 of The Last Dance

I lead the way into the hallway, Karmen following behind me and the door slamming shut behind us.

‘Whatare you doing? Why didn’t you tell me he was your ex?’

‘I’m just having a good time. It’s not a big deal – we’ve been broken up for a while. It’s definitely not what Matthew is insinuating.’ She shrugs as if her behavior is exactly that, no big deal.

‘I thought you recently talked to Henry about getting married? Now you’re in there practically dry-humping Matthew right in front of me. And you see him throughout the year? Does Henry know this?’

She walks up to me with her head cocked as if I’ve flipped a switch inside her. ‘Henry doesn’t want to get married. He made it very clear. He only gets married when he knows there is no future. Like when he married your sister.’

I stare at her, stunned silent. Like she sucker-punched me right in the gut. How dare she use my sister as an excuse for anything?

‘I never intended for all this to happen but what Henry said the other night showed me how selfish he really is. I’m not even sure he really wanted to marry Rory. Poor girl. Not only was she dying, but her boyfriend was only doing her a favor by marrying her when really he didn’t even want to.’ She hesitates as she frowns over at me with a small shrug. ‘Look, I’m sorry to be the one to tell you all this but I’m only repeating what he told me.’

I have to take a deep breath to push down the urge to murder her before I speak. ‘You have no clue what the fuck you are talking about. First of all, Henry was my best friend and, no matter what happened between us, I can’t sit back and watch you set out to destroy him. I can’t keep watching all your friends in there talk shit about him. He doesn’t deserve that.Youdon’t deserve him.’ I take another step towards her, causing her to back up against the wall. She might be a good four inches taller than me, but the rage moving through me at what she’s said knows no boundaries. ‘Secondly, don’t youevertalk about my sister like you knew her or the situation we were in. You have no idea what Henry went through. He was distraught, as we all were, and he did what anyone would have done.’ My hands are shaking, and I feel like I might throw up.

I turn, marching my way towards the room we were in. I’ve never talked to someone like that. I’ve never had to defend the people who mean the most to me like this. I really hope I never have to do it again.

The security guard pulls open the door with an almost-grin. I stop midway through, looking back out into the hallway at her shocked face. ‘You better tell him before I do.’

‘Ambri…’ She starts my way as Noah meets me at the door with our things.

‘I don’t ever want to see you again, Karmen.’ I turn, walking away like I don’t need her. Like I know where I’m going. Like I even know why I’m really as mad as I am. When the door slams shut I turn to look back, fully expecting to see her following behind us. The hall is empty and only Noah and I remain.

‘That was crazy,’ Noah finally says.

‘I can’t believe her.’

‘I guess I didn’t realize you and Henry weresoclose still.’

I shrug, unsure of what to say.

‘Is there something going on between you guys?’

‘What?’ I nearly yell at him. Him questioning my relationship with Henry is not the additional stress I need right this second. ‘No. There is nothing between me and Henry. I can’t let her make a fool out of him, Noah. He’s my friend. I would do exactly the same thing for you, or Ben, or Claire. Just because I haven’t talked to him in a long time doesn’t mean I’m about to sit back and let someone hurt him.’

‘OK.’ He holds up his hands as if surrendering. ‘I get it. I had to ask, that’s all. I’ve never seen you react like that, over a guy you supposedly hate. I’m sorry, all right?’ He huffs out a frustrated sigh. After a moment he reaches down, taking my hand in his. ‘Come on.’ He walks through the maze of hallways, me at his side, leading us to an exit. We’re silent all the way to his car. Me overthinking the entire way.

‘Did I overreact?’ I finally ask as Noah starts the car.

He shakes his head. ‘Nah. You stood up for someone in a situation they would have otherwise had no voice in. Most people would have turned a blind eye. You’ve got some serious morals. And I, uh, I shouldn’t have questioned you back there.’ He pulls my hand to his lips, kissing it gently. His hesitant smile says he’s sorry without words as he puts the car in reverse.

Morals? I didn’t even know I had any morals. This doesn’t feel like that though. This feels like something I’ve never felt before. I hate confrontation and I’ve had more fights this week than I have in years. All because of Henry. If I still hated him, knowing I might have to tell him what happened wouldn’t hurt so much. Shit.

‘Can I see the video?’

Noah hands me his phone and I watch it again and again on the way home, finally closing out of it when we pull into my building lot.

‘I can’t run this story,’ I say before we get out of the car. Staring out into the night. ‘I only got a couple questions in before things went downhill. I don’t even reallyhavea story. I can’t put something out there that could hurt him so much.’ I turn to Noah. ‘It wouldn’t be right, would it?’

He shakes his head. ‘Probably not, babe.’

‘I can’t depend on Karmen anymore either. I might not be able to do this after all.’

Noah grabs my hands. ‘Youcando this. I saw something in you tonight that I’ve never seen. I think you can do anything you want to.’

‘Thanks,’ I say, forcing a smile as we both get out of the car.

I take a deep breath as I walk, trying to calm myself from everything coming at me all at once. Doubt, insecurity, shock, and the feelings I’m scared of the most. The ones resurfacing for a man I thought I hated.

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