Page 134 of Broken Romeo
Keith’s brows lift with genuine concern. “Well, not every day, but she’ll be there a lot, I assume. Since she and Holden are back together.”
“No, they’re not.” I snort a laugh in response, but almost immediately, my laugh dies at the sight of his pale face.
“I’m sorry,” Keith says, passing me today’s copy of Backstage Magazine. “I hate to be the one who has to show you this.”
The magazine is already open to an article with a picture of Holden and Missy from last night. Reunited! Missy Howl and Holden James are Together Again.
Keith’s hand drapes over mine. “Just think about my offer, okay? The rest of the creative team saw the rehearsals and recordings I had from you in undergrad and everyone agrees that the part is yours if you want it. You’re even invited to a dinner at our producer’s apartment in the Hampton’s next weekend. You should come regardless of what your answer is.”
“Keith, come on. The press can twist just about any picture to look like a couple is back together. I mean, think about it. Holden punches Nolan in front of a crowd of people and this is the story they’re reporting on?” I toss the paper onto the table between us and take a sip of my tea. “I mean, it would be laughable if Holden did this to me again.”
A simple silver band slides to his knuckle as Keith taps his bony index finger to the page. “Look, I thought it was weird, too, that no one reported on that punch. But I don’t think this is made up, Kate. Read the third paragraph.”
I skim down the article, searching for anything concrete. And that’s when I see it. A direct quote from Holden himself.
Holden James wraps his arm around Missy’s waist with a twinkle in his eyes, “We tried being apart, but in the end, we always come back to each other. Someday I’m going to marry her.”
I can’t breathe. My lungs constrict, tightening like someone’s cold, clammy hand is clenching me on the inside.
“It can’t be,” I whisper, my grip on the paper tightening.
With a glance at the clock on the wall, I shove my chair back and stand.
“Where are you going?” Keith asks, startled.
I fold the Backstage Magazine and tuck it into my purse. “To Holden’s apartment… to see for myself if they’re really back together.”
It’s eight-thirty in the morning. If they’re truly together again, then she would have spent the night.
“What if Missy is there?” Keith calls after me, following me out of the café.
I throw my hand up, hailing the first cab I see. “If she’s there, then I’ll know this story is true.”
And I can move on. Truly, and finally move on from Holden and his toxic bullshit.
If it’s true, I need to see it for myself. This time, he’s not going to get away with stabbing me in the back. If history is repeating itself, then this time I’ll force Holden to look me in the eyes when he betrays me.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
On the entire walk to Holden’s apartment, I replay the last couple weeks in my mind. And the more I go through the details, the more I’m convinced it’s not true. It can’t be.
Holden is a lot of things. He’s selfish. Witty to a fault. And vengeful. But he’s not a cheater.
We had one hookup last night. A hookup where we didn’t even have sex. There were no promises made. No declarations of love or monogamy.
A little voice whispers in the back of my mind, So, is it cheating if you two were never together?
Yes. It is. Because if they’re truly together, that means he was cheating on her… with me.
And even if this Missy story isn’t true, I can’t be with him. Not knowing that casting me was some sort of plan to get back at his father. Yet again, I’m another casualty in the Dorsey political war.
Regardless of any of these facts—true or not—one thing is for sure: Holden owes me answers. And I’m going to get them. Now.
I gulp in a shallow, trembling breath as I yank open the heavy glass doors to his apartment building.
Up until last night, I wouldn’t have known his address. Up until the moment he texted me that info with the intention of going home from that party with me.
Me. Not Missy Howl.