Page 71 of Blurry Little Lines
“Meow.” Eric holds up his hands like claws. “She’s doing her best to try to make a living. We weren’t all born into wealth, you know.”
“It’s how she goes about it. Trying to take what’s mine. You should see how she talks to my father. It’s all for show.” Kelsie crosses her arms and desperately eyes the full glasses of champagne. “Don’t even get me started on her and my ex-husband. Also, Adam can’t stand her either.” Kelsie takes a deep breath after her rant and turns her back to the crowd, clearly ready to leave.
“I knew you looked familiar when you were on the balcony.” Katy walks up and takes a drink from Eric’s tray. “You were Kelsie’s arm candy at the last gala too.” She smiles wide, and I hope Kelsie interrupts by taking my hand to pull us away.
Instead, she whips back around at the sound of Katy’s voice. Her forehead creases as her eyes move back and forth between me and the woman who ever so slightly resembles her.
“When did you run into Katherine?” Kelsie’s interest piques, and even though Kelsie and I were not together at the time, I instantly want to vomit.
“Please, this isn’t work hours.” Katherine points her triangle claw at Kelsie with a snarky smirk. “Call me Katy.”
Fuck me.
Someone might as well have taken a pin to pop my lungs because they’re rid of oxygen. I don’t have time for an excuse because the worst is already done. Now, I’m left choosing who Kelsie hears it from. I don’t trust Katy’s version after everything I know from Kelsie’s rants.
“We met at Eric’s party a while back.” I speak up and choose where the conversation goes. “Katy is his roommate.”
Kelsie sizes her up and stands straighter, most likely wishing she had toughed it out by wearing heels. “Well, Max, it’s great she coined you into being her new friend.” Her posture relaxes, throwing me off guard. “It’s sad she’s so desperate for my identity.”
“I’m going to call it a night.” I clear my throat and nod toward Eric.
“Good night, Max.” Katy, orKatherine’s, brown eyes, roam my body. “Let me know when you’ve worked through that stuff in your head so we canfinish upour fun.” That bitch. She winks, and I don’t have to look at Kelsie to see flames in her eyes.
“He wouldn’t have hooked up with you, Katherine.” Kelsie’s laugh is boastful. “You’re not his type.”
“Oh, did I strike a chord with you?” Katherine fires back with a devilish grin of success.
“Did you sleep with her?” Kelsie’s wavering voice punches my gut as she looks up at me, not wanting to know the answer. Her hand on my forearm tightens, asking for my full attention. But she asked the question in front of people, which she only does when she knows she can win.
“No. That was never my intention either,” I state, but my heart races. I knew I should have waited for Kelsie in the lobby when she went to say her goodbyes.
“Well, that would have been nice to know before you grabbed a fistful of my hair and thrusted into my tonsils.” She downs her champagne and pokes Kelsie’s belly. “Unless that’s a sign for me to take over your position for the next few years, I suggest you lay off eating your feelings, Kelsie.” Katherine walks off.
I can’t read Kelsie’s expression, but I take it as not great as I watch the elevator doors close, proving she’s bold enough to take it alone.
Chapter 29
Kelsie
I figured I’d give Max a shock and take the elevator alone rather than give him the satisfaction of trying to talk to me up the never-ending flights of stairs. Max’s past is no secret and as much as the thought sickens me, I am more hurt over him lying. I march into my house and immediately unzip my flowy dress that still feels suffocating. I’m stepping out of tonight’s attire when I hear the front door open. Max walks into my room with an apologetic face just as I pick up my oversized hoodie. It being inside out gives me the opportunity to channel my aggression.
“You lied.” I reach in the arm, jerking the sleeve the right way, and shake it out.
“It was before we were together.” Max hesitates with his words as he watches my actions. “But even after last night and today, you still said you’re not ready to give us a label.” His eyebrows draw in with concern, and I debate shoving the dildo standing on my nightstand up his ass.
“Don’t you dare put this on me.” I pull the sweatshirt over my head and my bun gets caught in the hooded neckline. My stomach clenches, wanting to rip the hoodie to shreds. “I don’t care about all of the women you fucked in your past, Max. I stooped low enough to be one of them too.” I manage to get the hoodie over my head and stretch the fabric over my growing bump. “Except I’m the only woman who left with more than an orgasm.” The hoodie string is caught on my earring and pulls when I turn my head. Why does clothing never go on right when you're annoyed?
“Kelsie, you know I have never thought of you in that way. I also didn’t lie.” Max reaches to help with my hair. “I want to be with you. As a couple.”
“Again, just words, Max.” I huff as I feel my bun falling out of place. Aggressively twisting my brown strands back where they belong, I keep sharp eye contact with Max. I’m pissed that he still doesn’t get it by now. “I told you I need your actions and yours are showing different.”
“That was in the past! What do you want me to do?”
“I want when you tell me how I am your only brunette exception, to keep me as your only brunette exception.” I pace around the other side of my bed as my eyes dart rapidly for sweats to cover my exposed body. “Clearly, I wasn’t your only brunette. You got with a younger, prettier version of me.” God, I hate this insecure feeling.
“Prettier? How so? There’s a reason things didn’t escalate between Katy and I.”
“KATHERINE,” I articulate. “She’s an employee, not a buddy.”