“Okay, I hear ya. Anything else?”
“Yes, bring me a couple of bottles of wine from the vineyard, will you?”
I smirk. “Now the truth arises. No worries, Forrester. I’ll bring you a case.”
I hop into my truck but take my time turning the engine on. Instead, I call Chiara again. It’s past two in the morning, but I still get her voice mail.
When I finally put the truck in Drive, it takes a Herculean effort to drive away from her building. I’ll have to suck it up and wait until tomorrow.
37
Chiara
I blink my eyes open, and a sharp pain shoots up my forehead. There’s a weird taste in my mouth, a mixture of tequila and tortilla chips. It takes me a moment to get my bearings. I’m on a couch, but it’s not mine.
Loud snoring coming from the king-size bed to my right snaps my memories into place. I remember where I am now. I came to Robbie’s house after school. I was upset about the whole deal with Alistair, so instead of moping in my apartment alone, I agreed to come over for a The Big Bang Theory marathon.
Phillip, Valerie, and Harold were also here. I see two people on Robbie’s bed though.
Oh God. That must be Phillip.
I get up and tiptoe to Robbie’s side of the bed.
“Hey, Robbie, wake up.” I shake his shoulder, which only makes him turn on his side and hide his face under a pillow.
Phillip moans in his sleep and slings his arm over his face. He’s shirtless, but I hope he’s not naked under the covers.
“Fine. Be like that. It’s not like we have a quiz in half an hour.”
Phillip rolls over suddenly, falling off the bed. He sits up tense and wide-eyed.
“Shit! What time is it?”
“Quarter to seven.”
He jumps up, and I’m relieved to see he’s wearing boxer shorts at least. But when he turns, mortification fills me. Hello, morning wood. I look away as heat rushes to my cheeks.
“Dio Santo. Cover yourself, please.”
Robbie sits up, rubbing his eyes. “What’s going on? Why are you two being so noisy?”
“I’m going to be late for practice.” Phillip dashes to the bathroom and closes the door.
I spot the tequila bottles on Robbie’s desk, plus the leftovers of our dinner, and get queasy.
“How much did we drink last night?”
“Judging by the pounding in my head, I’d say too much.” He reaches for his phone on the nightstand and frowns. “Valerie texted me. She said we need to check ET Online.”
“Why?”
Robbie lifts his gaze, meeting mine. “Something to do with Alistair.”
The floor seems to vanish beneath my feet. “Oh my God. What?”
“She didn’t say. And before you ask, she doesn’t know that you and Mr. Walsh are an item.”
Frantically, I begin to search for my purse. My phone is in it.
“Ah hell,” Robbie blurts.
“What? What is it?” I grab his phone, too nervous to care about manners.
Then I wish I hadn’t been so abrupt and let Robbie prepare me for the image on his screen.
Alistair and Nadine kissing.
“What the hell!” I say.
“Don’t jump to conclusions, sweetie. Not everything is as it seems in this town.”
“How is that viper shoving her tongue down Alistair’s throat not what it seems?” I shriek.
“If you look closely at his expression, he doesn’t seem into it. Maybe she jumped him.”
I return his phone, not wanting to look at the picture for another second. My eyes are already tearing up anyway.
“I can’t believe this,” I say.
