The Game (17 page)

"I'm sorry if I've said something--" she began but I cut her off with a wave of my hand.

"Like I said, don't worry about it. It's not your fault Rob is a sack of shit," I said.

The words came out before I even had a chance to censor them, but I didn't regret it. I needed to let off some steam and Lily seemed sympathetic and trustworthy.

Lily widened her eyes in shock before she burst out laughing. "Yeah, he can be kind of a...an ass sometimes, but he's really a good guy at heart. Just immature. And it wasn't all his fault. You don't know how nosy my husband, Roman, is. It's very hard to keep secrets from him," she explained.

As if hearing his name, a tall strikingly handsome man, with a slight resemblance to Rob walked up to us. He had a lopsided grin on his face as he wrapped his arm around Lily's waist.

"I felt my ears burning. Were you talking about me just now?" he asked.

His gaze was wholly focused on Lily and he looked at her with such love and devotion, it sent a pang of longing through me. What would it be like to have someone look at me like that?

"Like you weren't just standing there eavesdropping," Lily replied, smiling back at him.

I suddenly felt like a third wheel, an unwanted intruder in their little world. They did nothing but stare at each other for a while, and I was just about to inch away when I heard Lily speak.

"Sorry about that," she said. "This is my husband Roman, I'm sure you've guessed. And this is Emilia, Rob's fiancée," she said, giving Roman a meaningful glance.

He turned the full power of his attention on me and I found myself holding my breath. I don't know what it was about the men in this family, but they all had such a penetrating stare, it made you feel like they could see right through you. Before things could get too awkward, Roman smiled and broke the tension.

"Nice to meet you finally. I've heard wonderful things about you," he said.

"Have you now?" I asked, not able to keep the surprise off my face.

"Yes, of course. Why wouldn't my cousin tell me good things about his fiancée?" Roman asked.

"Maybe because I'm not really his fiancée, and our whole arrangement is a sham?" I replied.

I don't know what made me say it, but I was getting sick of the pretense. Especially now with Rob standing not 50 feet away, and acting for all the world like he didn't have a fiancée. And I knew Roman knew it was fake anyway, so what was the point in pretending. His eyes widened for a brief moment before he shot me a full, dazzling smile.

"That doesn't mean he hasn't spoken highly of you. Besides, I've got other friends who sing your praises as well," he said.

I looked at him curiously and was just about to ask him who, when he answered for me. "Ryan and Mel," he said as if reading my thoughts.

"Oh right, I'd forgotten you all knew each other," I said.

"Sometimes I'd like to forget I know Ryan too," Roman joked.

"Have you been in contact with them lately?" Lily asked, just as another burst of laughter came from the corner where Rob was standing.

I fought the urge to look in that direction, but it was damn near impossible. Thankfully, Roman was extremely tall and blocked most of them from my sight. Even if I wanted to stare at them, I would have to crane my neck around him to get a good look.

"Um...not for a while now. Last I heard, they were going on a safari and would be travelling for the next few months," I answered.

A tinkling of glass caught the attention of the room and we looked toward the center of the ballroom, where a small dais was set up. Rob's parents stood there, his father holding a mic in his hand.

"Thank you all for coming to our anniversary party. I can't believe it's been 40 years since this amazing, brilliant, beautiful woman became my wife. It has been such a wonderful 40 years, and I hope I get at least 40 more to spend with her," Rob's dad said to a round of applause.

"Hear Hear!" the room erupted in a toast. I lifted my own glass and drained it in one shot, then looked around for a waiter to fill me up.

Roman and Lilly were called away by some other friends of theirs and I was left standing alone again. Even though they were friendly, and I would have probably gotten along well with them on any other occasion, I was grateful they had left. They knew too much, and the way they kept glancing between Rob and me made me uncomfortable and a little bit irritated. It was like they were having a silent conversation about Rob and me, as if I wasn't standing right there.

I looked at my watch and saw that it was just before 11pm. I figured I'd been here long enough and could make my exit without drawing too much attention or speculation. Before I could find Rob's parents to take my leave, I caught sight of Rob and the brunette walking arm in arm across the ballroom, and toward the exit. They came within five feet of me, but Rob didn't even turn his head in my direction to acknowledge me. He just looked down at the brunette, smiling that stupid smile of his. I wanted to punch him in the face.

Once they passed me, I was half tempted to follow them out and give Rob and the woman a piece of my mind. It was so disrespectful and humiliating, I was sure no one could blame me if I lost my temper. But I decided they weren't worth it. I wouldn't lower myself by making a scene in front of all these people. Instead, I held my head up and walked toward the other exit and strode out the room, not making eye contact with anyone. All I wanted was to get away.

I walked up the stairs and back to my room, and before I had a chance to think or pause, I took off my dress and started packing my things. There was no way I would be spending one more minute in this house with him. I'd fly back to LA tonight, and tomorrow, I'd go to my lawyer's office and let him know the engagement was over.

Chapter 19: Rob

I could feel several pairs of eyes pinning my back as I stood and talked to Cordelia. Like I had assumed, Cordelia was more than happy to keep me company tonight. Eager, really. Her eyes lit up as I crossed the room to her and I smiled, feeling a boost to my ego. I was only a man, after all.

Cordelia was as pretty as ever and flirted with me shamelessly. I tried to concentrate on my conversation with her, but I wasn't really in a position to enjoy her attention. My mind kept going back to Emilia, wondering where she was and what she was doing. Did she let Peter Stanwick kiss her? Were they still at the house or had they gone off somewhere more private? What if they were in her bedroom? The thought sent a jolt of flaming hot anger surging through me. I clenched my fists at my side as I fought the urge to track them down and beat the shit out of Peter.

"What's the matter?" Cordelia asked, looking at me in alarm.

"Nothing," I snapped. "I'm just a little tired," I added, after seeing the distress on her face.

She relaxed instantly, and reached out a hand to rub my forearm. "Poor baby," she said, batting her eyelashes at me. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

"How about we get out of here and figure it out together," I suggested.

I don't know what made me say it, but the words were out before I could take them back. And I didn't know if I even wanted to. What harm would it do to leave with Cordelia at this point? Emilia had already left with Peter, and they were now doing God only knew what in my parent's house. Just thinking about it again made me angry, and I was even more determined to leave with Cordelia.

She looked surprised, but pleased as well. "What about your fiancée?" she asked.

"Don't worry about her. She won't mind. She's not really my fiancée. It's all an act for publicity," I said.

Cordelia's eyes widened in shock, but she didn't say anything. I felt slightly guilty for divulging that bit of information, but the alcohol had loosened my tongue, and I was feeling reckless. The effort of having to keep up this pretense was starting to wear on me and I felt like an animal in a cage.

"Oh," she said, her eyes gleaming. "If that's the case, then let's go."

I knew it was a mistake as soon as she agreed, but I was already too far gone. It was too late to turn back now. I'd had far too much to drink and had let my anger and hurt at Emilia get the better of me.

Cordelia was whispering something in my ear as we walked out toward one of the rear exits. I wasn't really listening to what she was saying. My mind was too distracted by the whiff of a familiar scent as we walked by. It was Emilia's perfume. I quickly looked up and caught a brief glimpse of her standing alone. She was looking in our direction. I didn't want her to catch me staring, so I turned my attention back to Cordelia.

I purposely steered us in Emilia's line of sight so that she wouldn't miss watching me leave with Cordelia. It was petty and mean spirited of me, and I felt a twinge of guilt as I saw Emilia's cool and composed facade cracked a little, the hurt evident on her face. But it was done. I couldn't take it back.

I didn't know what had gotten into me tonight--the past few weeks really. I'd never behaved so badly before. Now here I was with my ex-girlfriend acting like I was still into her, when nothing could be further from the truth.

When I saw Emilia leave the ballroom with Peter Stanwick, my blood was boiling and I had wanted to get back at her so badly. If she thought she could make a fool of me in front of all my friends and family, she was dead wrong.
Two could play at that game
, I had thought spitefully. But had I taken it too far? Right before I left, I glanced up and saw several people whispering furiously as we passed. I had a sinking feeling this would be in the papers tomorrow.

"Rob, did you hear what I said?"

I stared down at Cordelia blankly. "I'm sorry. I wasn't paying attention," I admitted.

She giggled and smacked my arm playfully. "Everyone is looking at us," she whispered. "I wonder what they're thinking."

"I don't," I said. I already knew what they thought, and didn't need it confirmed.

We walked in silence for a bit, just circling around outside the house. We made a pass by the formal gardens and kept walking. Suddenly, I felt my arm being jerked and I stopped, looking back at Cordelia in confusion. She had an angry look on her face, with her arms crossed over her chest.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"What's wrong is I'm freezing and we've been walking out here forever. Where are you leading us?" she demanded.

"Oh, I uh...I'm not sure," I said. "I hadn't thought of that."

She looked at me in disbelief, before shivering visibly. I remembered my manners, and shook off my jacket and draped it over her shoulders. She relented and smiled at me approvingly.

"Thank you," she said.

"No need," I said. "Listen, I think this was a bad idea. Why don't we get you back inside so you can warm up?"

"Do you mean you've changed your mind...about us? It could be our little secret, you know," she suggested. "We could head up to your bedroom, or we can take my car--"

"I can't," I said cutting her off. "I'm sorry; I shouldn't have suggested it in the first place."

My guilt and remorse had finally caught up to me and I realized what a big mistake I had made. I knew right then that I had to find Emilia and apologize. I started walking back into the house, but before I could move past her, Cordelia grabbed my arm.

"What do you mean?"

"I can't explain right now, Cordelia. I just have to find Emilia," I said, jerking my arm free.

"I thought you said it was a fake engagement," I heard her yell, as I continued walking away. I didn't bother to answer her. It would take too long to explain and frankly, I didn't really care what she thought. I just knew I needed to find Emilia.

As soon as I walked into the ballroom, I could tell something was wrong. I scanned the crowd, trying to search for her, but I somehow knew she wouldn't be in here. Moving with a sudden sense of urgency, I made my way across the room to the double doors leading to the foyer and the bottom of the stairs.

Before I could make it halfway, I was stopped by my sister Stella and my mother. Both women had angry scornful looks on their faces. If I wasn't in such a hurry to leave, I'd have felt more than a sliver of dread seeing their expressions. But I had more important things to worry about. I tried to brush them aside, but they wouldn't budge. Instead, my mother practically manhandled me out of the ballroom and into a small private study, assisted by my surprisingly strong sister.

"What has gotten into you, Robert?" my mother hissed, once the door had closed.

"I should ask the same of you," I retorted.

"Stop trying to avoid the question, Rob," Stella added. "You're being a complete arse, you know that, right?"

"I'm really not in the mood to discuss this right now. If you two want to harp about my manners, you can do it another time. I've got other matters to attend to."

"You're too late," my mother said, as I moved to leave the study. I stopped in my tracks and turned back to stare at her.

"What did you say?" I asked.

"She's gone," Stella answered. "Left while you were out having your little tryst with Cordelia."

My mouth opened and closed for several seconds, like a fish out of water. I couldn't speak, could hardly think.
Emilia was gone?
And then I felt another surge of anger and jealousy. Had she left with Peter Stanwick? I should have known better. Here I was thinking she was hurt by my actions, but she'd already moved on to someone else.

"What the hell were you thinking leaving with Cordelia? That woman is a snake. I can't believe you would be so stupid as to fall for her again," Stella hissed. "And Emilia--"

"Don't lecture me about it," I said holding my hand to halt her tirade. "Emilia wasn't exactly innocent either."

"Are you talking about Peter Stanwick? Because last I heard, he tried to force himself on her and she kneed him in the groin. He left about an hour ago."

"What?" I said jerking my head to look at her. If I was angry before, I was feeling murderous now. I could kill Peter. In fact, I wanted to hunt him down and rip him in two. I made to move out of the study again but Stella caught hold of my arm.