Page 15 of The Ending is the Best Part
‘No worries, darling, this isn’t the first time.I’m used to his shenanigans.’ Gabe wraps his arm round my shoulder and pulls me closer.
I swear Xander does a sharp intake of breath, but his face remains as stoic as ever.
‘We need to talk.Urgently,’ he says quickly.
I let out an awkward laugh, all too aware of Gabe’s body pressing against mine.I try to convince myself that this is what I need but it just kind of feels… wrong.Too close, too soon.Gabe’s probably already eying up another girl to spend the evening with.Gah!What is wrong with me?I let Theo walk all over me and now he’s effectively ruined me for all future interactions with the opposite sex.I don’t know when I’ll be able to trust someone again that way.
Xander’s hand reaches out to me as if to silently say,Let’s go.
I don’t spend too long thinking about what to do before the decision is made for me.Gabe releases me from his embrace and nudges me.
‘It’s okay.Go.Seems like it might be important.But fear not, m’lady.I, Gabriel, son of Arthur Williams, shall endeavour to arrange a time in the near future to organise our date.’
Oh boy, this is so cringe but why can’t I help but feel a little giddy at his declaration?
Xander gently grabs my arm and pulls me up, still not having let go of my hand.Without a word, we walk through the crowd of people into the main house.
Chapter Eight
Four Weeks Left
Xander doesn’t let me go until we get to the kitchen, his warm hand radiating in mine.There’s no one in the room but us.The minute he releases my hand, its sudden absence feels unnatural, too empty.
‘So, what’s thisurgentbusiness you had to drag me in here for?’ I demand.
After a beat he lets out a choked laugh that lightens the tension in the room.‘We need to talk work stuff.’ He shrugs.Work stuff?Seriously?We’re at a party for God’s sake, surrounded by people having a good time.Can the man not take a break for one night?Not only that, but he also pulled me away from a really great conversation I was having with sweet Gabe.
I can tell that there’s something Xander’s not saying.He’s trying to look relaxed, but I don’t miss the way his knuckles are gripping the countertop, to the point where they’re almost white.His smile, which doesn’t quite reach his eyes, feels forced.I want to scream at him, and demand he answers my questions, but I know I’ll get nothing if I push too hard.
His green eyes track my movement as I take a step back.
‘Fine, let’s talkwork stuff,’ I say.
He presses his lips together, runs a hand through his hair.In the dimly lit kitchen, the room feels like it’s got smaller and the walls are closing in on us.The music, the chatter, everything surrounding us is a distant hum in the background and all I can focus on is Xander standing in front of me.
My eyes flick down to the can in his hand.He lifts it to his lips, only to realise that he hasn’t even cracked it open yet.I suppress a small laugh that I try to brush off as a cough.His cheeks flush.It makes him look almost sweet, boyish.Out of the office, he seems not quite as certain of himself, unsure where to put his long limbs.
‘So, are you gonna say something, or are we just going to stand here not making eye contact all night?’
He pauses and tugs at his earlobe.He looks distracted.‘I just wanted to talk about our writing schedule.We’ve got just over four weeks left and I thought we should distribute who’s writing which scenes,’ he says with some conviction, but still not enough to convince me.‘And I wanted to check in on how you’re feeling.About us working together and everything.’
‘You’re serious?’ My voice is laced with disbelief.‘You dragged me away from talking to a really nice guy to ask aboutthis?’
‘I know you weren’t happy about it and I wanted to make sure you’re alright.I can be competitive and stubborn and—’
‘Arrogant.’
‘That too.’ He chuckles but it sounds hollow.‘But I guess I just want to ask how you’re doing?’
‘Okay, well, I think that this whole thing is stupid.Meagan is always talking about how important collaboration is and then she thrusts this weird competition on us?And it’s not fair that Meagan threw us in this together, without anyone else as a buffer.No offence but it’s not like we get on.I mean, most of the time I can’t stand you,’ I say hurriedly, the words coming out before I can stop them.
‘Geez, tell me how you really feel.’ His tone is lighthearted, but he looks hurt.
‘Sorry, I… I didn’t mean it like that.This is just how we are, how we talk to each other, right?I’m tired and stressed and I really just wanted to unwind tonight.And I really thought this opportunity was going to go to me, I needed it to—’ I cut myself off, realising I’ve already said more than I wanted to.Xander doesn’t need to know all about my family and my hopes and dreams.He’d probably only pity me and that’s the last thing I need.
But Xander’s looking at me with a curious glint in his eye.‘You needed it to…?To do what?’
I hesitate for a moment before taking a deep breath.‘To prove to my parents that this is more than a silly job before I get started on a real career.’ The truth rolls off my tongue, my voice softer now.
