The room starts to spin a little. The edges get softer, worn down, so that it’s hard for me to see where things end. Georgina is studying me like she’s not sure how to handle the situation.
“My boyfriend is mad at me,” I say. “And possibly obsessed with his ex-girlfriend. That part is less clear.”
Christina snorts. Georgina elbows her. “Should we call Alexis?” she asks.
“Why?” I say. I suppress a hiccup. “She’s probably in her sickbed with Jordan.”
I squeeze my eyes shut and shake my head. I’m about to totally blow it.Get it together, Paige.“Don’t listen to me,” I say. “I think I’m drunk.”
“Think?” Georgina laughs. “Come on,” she says. “Let’s dance.”
Tailor takes me by the elbow, and we follow Georgina out in front of the stage.
I haven’t had dinner, and I feel the champagne in my stomach like liquid gold. It flows through my veins, warming my blood. It makes everything feel softer. Like the world has less impact.
Georgina is gyrating like the girls onstage, and I start to move, too—the champagne making my arms feel long and fluid.
I know people are watching us—let them. Tawny would probably warn me about camera phones, and my dress riding up, too short on my thighs, and the clearly alcoholic beverage in my hand—whatever. This isn’t her life. It’s not Rainer’s, either. I don’t actually care what anyone says about me. Let them write that I’m a wild child. Maybe I should be.
I’m moving to the music, letting it spin the frustration right out of me. I keep my eyes closed, and in the fluttering darkness all I feel is the spreading bliss of numbness. My body has been on hyperalert for weeks, and now it has just stopped caring. The tension flows outward, right along with the music. I’m spinning, lost in the sweat and rhythm and pounding bass of my heartbeat when I feel a hand grabbing at my wrist.
My eyes snap open. Rainer is standing in front of me, a look on his face I’ve only ever seen him use with his father at the premiere. He’s angry. More than angry.
“We’re leaving,” he says. He has to scream it right into my ear. “Now.”
I snatch my hand away. “No,” I say. “I’m having fun.” I turn back to Georgina, but she’s on the other side of the stage, surrounded by people. How did I get this far away on my own?
Rainer pinches the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. “You’re drunk,” he says. He looks around to see if anyone is watching us. It makes me even angrier.
“So?”
“I have to get you home,” he says into my ear, his tone low and dry.
I pull away from him. “You have togetme home? I’m not your charge, Rainer.”
His eyes go wide. “I know that,” he says. “You’re my girlfriend.”
I make a noise somewhere between a cough and a snort.
“You can act out all you want,” Rainer says. “But you’re not doing it here. Not where anyone can see. If you want to yell at me at home, fine, but we’re going home.”
He reaches for me again, and this time I take a giant step back, knocking into someone. A few people turn around. I feel the air around us heavy with eyes.
“Stop telling me what to do.”
Rainer shakes his head. “PG…”
“No,” I say. “I’m not going.”
He exhales. Lowers his voice. “I can’t leave you here, babe.”
I’m opening my mouth to protest when Georgina sticks her chin on my shoulder. When did she get here? “I’ll look after her, lover boy,” she says. “Don’t worry.”
I see Rainer look from Georgina to me. “I’d rather you come now,” he says.
“Stop being so protective,” Georgina teases. I feel her arms slip around my middle. “I won’t hurt her.”
Rainer’s eyes find mine. They pierce. “Fine,” he says. He takes out his wallet and shoves a bill into my hand. Then he turns and leaves.
