19
Blue
My phone screen lights up,and I already know it’s Ian. I figured when he walked out, he wasn’t going to be coming back in. He was already talking about leaving after sitting here looking miserable for the last thirty minutes. I’m not sure why Hilary decided she wanted to bet me. I really wanted him to come back, so he didn’t sit in his apartment driving himself crazy, but there was no way I was going to be able to make him stay here.
I lean over to Hilary, showing her my screen.
“You owe me a drink,” I tell her, and she rolls her eyes.
“I didn’t think he’d actually leave,” she says before sipping her margarita. “The best-case scenario is if this baby isn’t his, so he can cut his losses and find someone normal,” Hillary says, shaking her head.
I groan on the inside. I know Hillary isn’t new to this and knows how this work from Lauren and Cal, which gives her words more weight than most, but it is also why she should understand why if the baby isn’t Ian’s, he just won’t do that. Besides, I’ve been wracked with guilt ever since I found those cameras, and I’m more than pissed at myself for taking Veronica’s cry for help so lightly. Even if it doesn’t turn out to be what Ian thinks, I’m still going to deck Kam in the face for spying on Megan. That part is inescapable for him. He’s going to deserve what's coming to him.
But those are grounds I’m not walking on with Hillary. She has a very specific opinion about Megan and how she thinks everyone is overreacting. I don’t want to get into all the reasons why this could be a kidnapping, nor do I want to tell her about Kam’s obsessive behavior. I just want to have one night, at least a few hours, where I’m not thinking about this.
“I doubt he’ll feel that way,” I tell her, not trying to even hint at what I think is going on.
“I doubt he will,” she sighs and then sets a prodding, seductive gaze on me.
“So, Blue, what’s your theory? You must have your own speculation,” she prods. “Where do you think they went?”
“I don’t want to talk about Megan. That’s all I do with Ian. It seems like I’m surrounded by it, and I just want to get away from it for a little while.”
“Oh, so I’m just a distraction?” she asks, her voice terse. “That’s why you agreed to meet up with me?”
Shit. I didn’t think she'd take it that way.
“No. I didn’t mean it like-”
My words are cut off when she laughs. “I’m just kidding, dude.” She gently nudges me. “I know what you’re talking about. Lauren’s worried about her, and herhusbandsare going insane looking for her… All three of them. Even Chris is more frantic than I’ve ever seen him. All I hear is Megan, Megan, Megan. I’m positive she just ran off with Kam again. I wish everyone would stop making it out to be a bigger deal than what it actually is. She’ll be back. Cal used to disappear all the time.”
I know she’s not Megan’s biggest fan, and I’m aware that’s my doing. Maybe one of these days, I can fix it. Hilary will see that Megan isn’t all the trouble she’s making her out to be, but as of today, I’m trying to avoid going down all roads that lead to Megan.
“So let’s not talk about it then,” I suggest. “Let's talk about how you owe me not one but two drinks.”
She scoffs. “That wasn’t a fair bet. You know him better.”
“Yet you still shook on it,” I remind her even though I plan on paying the tab anyway. “You knew what you were getting into.
“How about I get one round of drinks and a thirty-six-piece wing for us to share.”
“Thirty-six wings?” I ask her. “Isn’t that kind of a lot?”
“No. I’mgoingto eat at least twelve. I haven’t eaten shit all day. Preparing for this show has been kicking my ass.”
“How long until that happens?”
“A little over a month,” she answers me. “Most of it’s coming along smoothly, but then there are so many rough patches. Mainly Lauren’s shit. I’m not sure she’s going to finish her last piece with all this extra stuff she has going on.”
“How many is she doing?”
“A few. Which one is ambitious with her having the new babies, the girls, and all of this added nonsense withyourfavorite girl.” She says the last part jokingly, but that’s a trap I’m for sure going to avoid.
“Damn.” I’m impressed. “I know she put some long hours into those.”
“She’s been at it for months,” Hilary says, placing the menu on the table. “Two of them are finished, but the pointillism piece still has a long way to go. And this time, I have permission to put all three up.”
Looking at her curiously, I sip my beer. “What’s that mean?”