Page 116 of Hot As Ice

“Your boyfriend is an amazing dancer, Stevie,” Celeste says as she sits back down, but my gaze is on Hunter. He looks like he’s seen a ghost, and he doesn’t even look at me as he takes his seat.

I put my hand on his thigh. “Is everything okay?”

“Peachy,” he says, reaching for his Coke and taking a sip. He still won’t look at me. His eyes are scanning the room, looking for someone, and his jaw is clenched. He’s pissed, but I don’t think he’ll tell me why. Not now, anyway.

I turn to Celeste. “What a fun party.”

“Isn’t it?” she agrees. “I’m thinking of all the ways I’ll have to try and outdo it.” Her eyes twinkle. “Don’t tell anyone I said that.”

“Your diabolical plans are safe with me.”

She laughs and adjusts her bolero jacket. I wonder that she hasn’t taken it off, but it’s probably part of her ensemble. She notices me eyeing it and says, “It’s faux fur, I promise. I would never wear real fur.”

“Oh! I wasn’t judging you or anything. I wasn’t even thinking of that.”

She pats my arm. “I would take it off, but my cast doesn’t exactly go with this dress.”

“Your cast?”

Nodding, she moves the sleeve of her jacket to show me. “I fell and broke my arm a few days ago.”

I stare at her arm in the cast, feeling very dumb. How did I not notice that her right arm has been tucked against her body this whole time?

“I can’t believe I didn’t realize that,” I tell her. “Are you okay? Does it hurt?”

She shakes her head. “I took pain meds.”

I glance at Hunter, wondering if Celeste’s broken arm has something to do with how quickly his mood changed. He must’ve noticed it when they were dancing together. He spares me a look then goes back to scrolling on his phone, his face blank. I’m about to say something when he abruptly gets up and walks away.

Unsure what to do, I check the notifications on my phone. My mom has texted me about Christmas Eve dinner and what she’ll be making. I suddenly miss her fiercely and wish I was with her. Life is so much simpler with her.

“I tripped on the rug and fell awkwardly on my arm,” Celeste says, though I didn’t ask.

“Oh.”

“It was just one of those things.”

I nod. “I’ve never broken a bone before.”

She laughs. “I don’t recommend it.”

Deciding I shouldn’t go looking for Hunter, I tell Celeste about the first editions I saw in the library. I’d rather think about that than the weird energy that’s taken over our table.

thirty-seven

hunter

CELESTE’S BROKEN ARM is not normal.

When I noticed it on the dance floor, she explained it away like it was no big deal, but her eyes were shifty. She seemed apprehensive and wanted to change the subject. Knowing my father’s true nature, it’s difficult for me to believe he didn’t hurt her. They’ve only been married for two months and dating for I don’t know how long. But it wouldn’t shock me if he’s already started abusing her.

The problem is, I have no proof, I don’t know how to get any proof, and confronting him might only make it worse. It also kills me that I can’t really talk about it with anyone.

It’s the day before Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve Eve, as Stevie says. She and I are cuddling on the couch, watching Elf, which is one of her favorite Christmas movies. I haven’t seen it in years.

I have my feet propped up on the coffee table. She’s nestled against me, my arm around her, my hand on her hip. It’s fucking heaven. I hope all the drama we’ve had is behind us, and I haven’t paid her for sex since that whole shit went down with the school newspaper. Perhaps our arrangement wasn’t my finest idea, but I can’t regret it either. I still want to deposit money in her bank account, so she always has cash no matter what. But I won’t do it until she gives me the green light.

She’s been making more jewelry and marketing her designs all of the past two months in time for the holidays. I offer my support and give her advice if she asks for it, but otherwise I stay out of her hair.