Page 49 of Interview with a Sadist
When my cell rings, I think about not answering it. With the way everything has been going today, I figure it’s probably just Teagan taking her shot at trying to mend things between our friend group. But then I remember she’s a complete bitch, and there’s no way she would call without Melissa’s blessing, which I’m sure Melissa isn’t giving after our convo this morning. So I pick up the phone and am pleasantly surprised to find Nolan’s name on the display.
“Hello?” I answer, getting my first taste of happiness since I left his house this morning.
“Hey. You okay?” he asks immediately.
“Why does everyone keep asking me that?” I question aloud.
“You just sound a little off,” Nolan informs me. “But I really wanted to check on you after last night, plus I saw that girl standing outside your apartment building looking like she was trying to ambush you. I saw her speak to you as I was driving away. Everything good?”
“Ugh,” I groan as I spin around and place my head down on my desk. “That was Melissa, myexbest friend. She’s become such asee you next Tuesday, and I’m pretty sure I’ve lost a friendship I’d had for years. This morning has been a nightmare, if I’m being honest, which really sucks because usually I would vent to my friends about how trash the day has been.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Nolan replies. “Sounds like you could use some friends.”
“Yeah, but new ones. My old ones have proven themselves to be very shitty people.”
“Okay, so why don’t you come hang out with me and my friends for lunch today? My treat.”
Even with my face pressed firmly against the desk, I smile. “Really? You don’t mind having me around again?”
“Bree, I never wanted you to leave,” he says, making my heart explode. “I’m going to order in from The Capital Grille. You should join us.”
“Who’s us?”
“Myself, and E and J.”
“E and J?”
“Ethan and Jackson.”
“Oh, okay. Yeah, they’re awesome.”
“So, you’ll come?” Nolan asks, and I nod.
“Yeah, sounds good. I’ll be there,” I reply, and the cloud slowly begins to dissipate.
ChapterThirty
“Hey.”
“Hey,” Nolan says as he opens the door to The Black Collar, taking my hand as I step inside. He looks me up and down without saying anything, and while it’s a little embarrassing to be gawked at, it feels good when it’s Nolan. His blue eyes shine when he sees me, even in the dimly lit hallway of the club.
“You look amazing, as always,” he says, grinning at whatever devious thoughts are running through his sadistic mind, and forcing a smile onto my face.
“Thank you. So do you. I wish I felt a bit better.”
“Yeah, I feel you. I’m really sorry about whatever is happening with your friends. I hope it all works out.”
“I’m not so sure I even want it to anymore,” I admit, and I’m not sure how it makes me feel. I’m so sick of Melissa and Teagan’s shit that it’s easy to forget how long we’ve been friends. Maybe it’s easier to take because I have Nolan right now, but there are no guarantees that our situation will ever develop into anything more than just asituation. If it ends, I’ll be wishing I had those two bitches around. Or would I?
“Hey, I see you all in your head again,” Nolan says after I go a few seconds without speaking. He steps closer and grabs both of my hands in his. “Don’t think about it right now. We’re here, we’re hungry, and best of all, we’re together. So, let’s enjoy it. Come on. E and J are waiting.”
Nolan grips my hand and leads me down the hallway of the club. The curtains are back in place, darkening the entire space until we emerge from the black and step into the dancefloor and bar area. I look up at the empty cages above the dancefloor as we walk past the bar and head upstairs to the VIP section, where Ethan and Jackson sit at a circular table in front of large trays covered by stainless steel tops.
“Hey,” Ethan calls to me, dragging out the word and filling the air with the excitement of a family member who hasn’t seen me in months. He gets up from behind the table and walks over to greet me with a hug.
“Oh, hey,” I say, a bit startled by the gesture, but enjoying it nonetheless. “How are you?”
“I’m good. Hungry as hell. It’s good to see you again,” Ethan says, smiling from ear to ear as he looks back and forth between Nolan and I.
