Page 82 of Worth Every Game
“I never want to wait with you.”
Her face lights up with a smile, and she taps the end of my nose with her fingertip. “Me neither. But what was it you said? Something about it being sweeter if you have to wait.”
“Did I say that?”
“Yes.”
I give her a dubious look. “I’d like to formally retract that statement. I’m all about instant gratification now.”
She laughs, giving me a disapproving glance as she returns to the main party area again, and when she’s gone I feel oddly bereft.
She’s the only person I want to spend my time with.The thought unnerves me a little. It feels serious, and I’m not sure I’m ready for that, even though it’s what I said to Lydia to get her to back off.
But fuck, if I don’t love being with her.
It’s after midnight by the time Elly strolls towards me again. Everyone who’s still here is drunk or high and draped over the furniture like yesterday’s clothes.
“Let’s go home,” she says when she reaches me. “I’m ready to call it a night.”
“Me too.” I reach for my phone, and my stomach plunges. I don’t have it. I slap my other pockets, trying to hide my concern from Elly.
I quickly run through my memories of when I last had it. I was using it outside the bathroom to look at the photos I took of Elly.The photos I promised her I would delete, but never did. I’m pretty sure she’d be pissed if she knew, so when she asked what I was doing, I lied.
“Can you tell the driver we’re coming? He’s waiting outside,” I say, forcing myself to sound calm. “I’ll get our coats.”
Elly nods, and I dash back down the corridor to the bathroom. I know I had my phone in my hand, but then Elly wanted to fuck and I have no idea what I did with it after that. She’s a total distraction.
Heart thudding, I approach the table I was standing beside when Elly propositioned me, but even from here I can see the phone’s not there. I crouch down, checking beneath the table. It’s not there either.Shit.Did I really leave it here? Or did I take it into the bathroom? Did I leave it somewhere else?
I can’t remember. I’ve had too much champagne.
I check the bathroom, but it’s not there either. Lydia was waiting out here, right next to the table, when we came out. Maybe she picked it up. Gave it to Kate. I grab our coats from the cloakroom and head back to the party.
When I find Kate, she’s lounging on the sofa, her bare feet resting in Nico’s lap. “Have you seen Lydia?” I ask.
She raises an unfocused gaze to mine. She looks physically and emotionally exhausted, and more drunk than I am. Not that I blame her; losing dad was tough for both of us, but it hit Kate especially hard. Even after all this time, she still struggles with his absence. “No,” she slurs.
“She was with Seb last time I saw her,” Nico says. He doesn’t sound drunk, but he's not fully concentrating. He's too concerned with Kate. “You know what he’s like. They’re probably going at it in a spare bedroom.” He eyes me for a moment. “I thought she was into you, mate. No hard feelings, eh?”
“None at all.” I lean over the sofa, trying to get my sister’s attention. “Look, Kate, I can’t find my phone. But it’s here. It’ssomewhere in the flat. I had it earlier. I’ve got to head home, but can you look for it? If you find it, call Elly and ask to speak to me. Okay?”
Kate mumbles something, and I know she’s possibly too drunk to listen, but Nico says, “Sure. Where did you last have it?”
“Outside the cloakroom.” I rake a hand through my hair. “I think. I can’t remember.”
Nico nods. “Don’t worry. It’ll be safe here. I’ll get my driver to bring it to you when we find it tomorrow.”
Thank fuck someone’s listening.“Thanks. It’s important.”
He rolls his eyes. “You’ll survive one night without it.”
29
JACK
The morning after the party, a lurch of guilt rouses me.My phone.Where the fuck is it?
But then, almost immediately, I notice Elly sleeping next to me, and the guilt calms. If Elly is here, everything is all right. The rest can wait.