Two Can Play (Celeste and Dominic) novel Chapter 71

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Chapter 71

I looked at her standing outside my guest room door asking me to move out so she could move in.

“If you two dogs are done barking,” I said pleasantly, “feel free to get lost.”

I shut the door in their faces.

The knocking started immediately. Both of them, alternating, persistent.

I sat on the bed and looked at the wall.

I was tired. Not the performing kind of tired I had used earlier in the evening. Actually tired, the kind that sits in your bones and makes everything feel slightly too heavy. I wanted food and sleep and nothing else.

The knocking eventually stopped.

I showered and changed into pajamas and was about to go find something to eat when my phone rang.

Felix.

My brother’s name on the screen. I smiled before I answered.

“Hey, Felix,” I said warmly.

“Are you at the hospital?” His voice came through tight and panicked. “Tell me you are at the hospital right now.”

I pulled the phone slightly away from my ear. “What hospital? Why would I be at the hospital?”

“For your best friend,” he said. “Celeste, the news is everywhere. Everyone is talking about it. I need to know she is okay. Please tell me she is okay.”

I already had a feeling I knew who he meant.

“Felix,” I said carefully. “Who are you talking about?”

“Who else is your best friend?” he snapped. “Seraphine, obviously. I know she is married but the news is everywhere and I am worried sick. Just tell me she is okay.”

I rolled my eyes at the ceiling.

“I am sorry,” I told him. “I have been busy all day and I just got home. I have not been on social media. I have no idea what you are talking about.”

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“How can you be so irresponsible, Cece?” His voice went from panicked to accusatory in less than a second. “Your best friend held a press conference today and you were not even there to support her? What kind of friend does that? Or are you jealous because her husband is the richest man in the country?”

I rubbed my temple slowly with two fingers.

“Felix,” I said.

I blocked the number and set my phone face down on the nightstand and told myself I would unblock him in a few days when I had the energy to deal with him properly.

I had moved my sim into the new phone today and already the calls were coming in thick and fast. If it was not my official

number I would have left it off for another week.

My stomach made itself known loudly and I got up and went to the kitchen.

The house was quiet in the way houses go quiet when people are present but pretending not to be. I could feel the presence of Julian’s family without seeing them. I opened the fridge, found what I needed, and made myself something quick. I ate at the kitchen counter because I wanted to and because this was still my house and I would eat wherever I pleased.

I washed my plate and the pot when I was done.

I was coming out of the kitchen when Julian’s voice stopped me.

“I thought I smelled dinner.”

I looked at him. He was now in the living room with his mother and sister, all three of them arranged on the sofas like they had been sitting there waiting.

“Yeah,” I said. “I was hungry. I cooked for myself.” I held up my clean hands. “I washed up after. You don’t have to worry about that.”

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