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I shrug. “I haven’t seen him.”
“Asshole,” he hisses and I shove him.
“Don’t be a jerk.”
He shakes his head, his eyes wide. “Your boyfriend doesn’t show up to your birthday party and I’m the asshole?”
Well, I can’t argue with that.
“I’m gonna go.”
“Wait,” he says, shaking his head. “Don’t go ‘cause of me. I’m in a bad mood and I’ve had too much to drink. Don’t let me ruin your party.”
I smile, patting his cheek. “You didn’t. I’m just not in a party mood anymore.”
“Well, then don’t let that prick ruin your party.”
Slipping off the barstool, I give him a one armed hug and he pats my hand. “Don’t worry about me so much and thank you for the necklace.”
“Glad you like it, sis.”
I say good-bye and slip outside before anyone else can ask me why I’m leaving so soon. The more I wait for Ryan to show up, the more frustrated I get and I can’t understand why he’s not here. He knew about the party weeks ago and promised me that he would show up. Headlights blind me as someone pulls into the parking lot and I recognize Ryan’s car as it pulls into the spot next to mine. Crossing my arms over my chest, I stop and wait for him to get out of the car. When he does, he smiles and saunters over to me.
“Hey, baby,” he coos and I arch a brow, hoping that conveys the deep level of my anger. At the look on my face, he stops short. “What?”
“Where have you been?”
He watches me for a moment before answering. “I had to work a little late and then the guys wanted to grab a beer.”
I scoff and push around him, heading toward my car. I’m so angry that I’m not even sure I could form words right now. He just ignored my birthday and went out with his friends?
What. The. Fuck?
“Emma! What is your problem?” He catches up to me and grabs my arm, spinning me around.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I scream, drawing the attention of a few of my guests by the door.
“What’s the big deal?” He looks truly stupefied. Surely, he can’t be this dumb.
“It’s my birthday.”
“I know.”
At this point, I don’t even know what to say or do.
He knows?
“And you just decided ‘fuck her, who gives a shit about her birthday’?”
“I’m here. I went out with the guys for a bit, but I’m here now to celebrate your birthday.” He makes it sound so rational but I’m anything but rational right now.
“I’m going home, asshole. The party is over.”
He glances toward the bar before turning back to me. “It doesn’t look like it’s over.”
“Yeah, well, getting stood up by your boyfriend tends to dampen the party mood.”
He moves in closer and I back away from him, not wanting him to touch me. He advances on me quickly and wraps me up before I can get away.
