Page 31 of Stay Toxic

Oh no he fucking didn’t, the utter dick.

I don’t miss how, while ready to kiss Sebastian’s ass, Robert was blatantly ignoring Ari, until given the opportunity to insult her.

I. Hate. Him. “The red. Definitely wear the red,” I tell my roommate, before turning back to the jerk. “Well, as pleasant as this visit is, I have plans, so you can’t stay. Maybe send a text next time.”

So I can make sure I’m not here.

“Plans?” Robert asks, amusement and disbelief obvious in his tone.

And no wonder. I rarely ever have plans which aren’t made for me. Plans my mother doesn’t know of. And if she told him to come here, which I don’t doubt, she thought my agenda was clear.

Which to be fair, it is.

“I came all the way to surprise you,” he drawls. “Surely you can include me in yourplans. I’d love to see how you’re spending your time.”

And who I’m spending it with. The subtext is clear: he’s here on a spying mission for Mother Dearest, and won’t be deterred.I could have guessed as much without a hint.

So much for a fake social media account and spare wardrobe. I’m as shackled as ever, and they want me to know it.

“I’m afraid I can’t,” I say as pleasantly as I can manage.

I just refuse to let her, him,them bully me into playing house with Rob again. Not when I know what he’s truly like.

Besides, my tuition is already paid for the semester, and so is André’s. She can’t threaten to pull either of us out of school immediately, and she won’t do it for a small reason like that. I have to pick my battles, and I’m fairly certain this one is one I can win.

“That’s my fault, actually,” Sebastian cuts in before I think of an excuse. “I only had one spare ticket.”

I owe him and Ari a damn bouquet after this. They both jumped onto the Fuck Rob wagon without hesitation.

“Ticket to what?” Robert pushes, clearly not taking the hint that he’s unwelcome.

Thankfully, Sebastian has answers for everything. “Charity gala tonight. We’re raising money to build a ramp to increase accessibility in the less fortunate part of town. Hestia has been instrumental to the efforts; she simply can’t miss it. My mother would be devastated.”

He manages to say all that with a straight face, speaking so naturally even I believe him. With a bit of luck, Robert isn’t going to ask me anything about my supposed instrumental efforts.

“I see. Well, you’ve always been very good at that sort of thing,” he grumbles reluctantly.

In actual fact, I’m the opposite ofgoodat socializing, so helping with fundraisers has been a fucking ordeal, but it’s true that my mother has made me do it for most of my life.

“I’ll call next time,” Robert continues, no doubt lying. He much prefers making me squirm. “But it’s really good to see you’re making connections, Tia darling.”

He steps into my space and bends to kiss me. I quickly deflect it, turning my face at the last second. What the hell is that all about? He’s pissing all over my shoes, marking his territory, which is ridiculous.

I took care of Robert, for the time being at least. The entire world knows we’re not together. And sure, I might have told my mother that we’d reassess our relation after college in a few years, but that was only to weasel out of her grasp. I’ll never let Robert touch me again.

“Say hello to Chrissy for me,” I chirp, returning to the door to open it wide. “You’re still with her, right? She’s such a sweetheart.” My tone is as sweet as peach tea.

“Chrissy’s temporary. We agreed to get back together after you’re done with law school and I’m done with my MBA,” he reminds me, daring me to deny it, challenge him.

That’snot a battle I should try to fight now. Not if I want to win it in the long run. “Yes, well, as neither of us are done, do give her my best. Bye, Robert.”

He lingers at the door, turning back toward Sebastian. “Where did you say the gala was taking place?”

“I didn’t,” he replies smoothly. “But it’s at the Goltz estate up on the hill. Very private.” To my shock, he hands Robert his phone and produces an elegant black invitation with silver lettering. I peek over his shoulder and see that it’s indeed for a gala taking placetonight.

“If it weren’t last minute, I’d try to invite you, but well, it’s too late.”

What are the odds? I suppose the best lies stay close to the truth.