The Mistletoe Game

CHAPTER 4: Ellie

CHAPTER 4: Ellie

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Ellie searched on her phone for locksmiths that were open this late on Christmas Eve. She either changed her locks or she went to a hotel because she was not dealing with Marc tonight. The asshole wouldn’t have the decency to stay with his slut. He’d creep into the house in the middle of the night and into her bed. That’s what he’d done the last time and then he’d somehow convinced her that she was wrong about his cheating. That wasn’t going to happen again because this time she had more proof than odd charges on her credit card.

“Excuse me,” said a soft, feminine voice.

“Yes.” She pulled her gaze away from her phone.

It was the woman who’d been on stage earlier in the evening. Ellie knew men found her attractive, but this woman was extraordinarily beautiful with wavy black hair and blue eyes.

“Hi, I’m Desiree.”

“Ellie.” She smiled at the other woman. She’d never been the type to be jealous of another woman’s beauty.

“I know you don’t know me, but I need a favor.”

“A favor?” Ellie’s surprise must’ve shown on her face because the other woman started rambling.

“This is the first event I’ve been allowed to organize here and”—Desiree lowered her voice—“I screwed up. I have one more man than woman. I need a partner for him in the Mistletoe Game.”

“Ah...no. Thanks but I’m not in the mood.”

“Please.” Desiree grabbed her hand. “It’ll be fun, and it’ll take your mind off him.”

“Who said—”

“I saw you talking on the phone. You’re upset, and it’s always because of some man.” Desiree rolled her eyes on the last word.

“That’s true.” She laughed.

“So, you’ll play?”

“Ah...”

“Please. I need one more woman and then I can start the game. If I take too long my boss is going to stop this before it begins.” Desiree’s gaze lifted to the second floor.

Ellie’s eyes followed the other woman’s and her mouth dropped open. The most gorgeous man she’d ever seen stood at the balustrade, watching them, his face impassive. “He looks like a fallen angel. An angry one.”

“Doesn’t he though.” Desiree laughed. “But Ethan isn’t angry, he’s cranky.”

“Why?”

“Woman troubles. What else?”

“Him?” Men like him didn’t have women troubles, they made trouble for women.

“Yep.” Desiree shrugged. “As you know, even beautiful people get their hearts broken.” She touched Ellie’s arm.

“Ah...sure.” She didn’t consider herself beautiful. Cute? Yeah. Pretty? Some days. But beautiful? No.

“Thank you. Thank you.” Desiree gave her a quick hug before handing her a dark green poker chip. “I’ll explain everything when I call you to the stage.”

“Uhm...I didn’t—”

“Don’t worry. It’ll be fun. I promise.” Desiree grinned and started to walk away.

Ellie grabbed her arm. “What kind of game? Exactly.”

“What does it matter?” Marc pushed his way to the bar, stopping at her side, his brown eyes hard with anger. “You won’t play anyway.”

“I see you got my message.” She let go of Desiree and prepared herself for the upcoming argument. She usually backed down from Marc’s temper but not this time.

“Yeah. What the f**k’s your problem? I was working late because all you do is b***h about money and then I get this message from you.” He moved closer. “Babe, you know I’m only working this much for you. For us. For our future.”

“Please, don’t.” She looked around him. “Sorry, Desiree but I think you’ll have to count me out.”

“f**k that. We’ll play,” said Marc. “That’s why we’re here.”

“We aren’t doing anything. We are done. Over.”

“Is there a problem?” One of the bouncers stepped up behind Marc.

“No. Sorry,” said Marc. “Ellie”—he tipped his head—“we need to talk.”

“No, we don’t.”

“Ellie, you know you get like this. Jealous over nothing.”

“I can smell her perfume on you.” This was so embarrassing. She hated being the center of attention and Marc wasn’t even trying to be quiet.

“I saw my sister today. That’s what you smell.”

She was so not in the mood for this. “I’m done, Marc. I mean it. I’m not falling for your lies again.” She didn’t deserve to be treated like this.

“I’m not lying.” His face began turning red with anger. “You’d better watch it because I’ve about had it with your jealous fits.”

“My jealous...You’ve about had it.” She was at a loss for words but luckily, she had a picture. She picked up her phone, almost smiling because she hated him right now. She couldn’t wait to show him that she wasn’t as stupid as he thought. “I’m glad you’re almost done because I’m completely done”—she opened the message and shoved her phone in his face—“with you.”

His eyes widened and then narrowed. “Ah...that’s not—”

“Don’t you dare try and tell me that isn’t you.” She enlarged the picture so that the side of his face filled the screen.

“Son of a...that bitch.” He pulled his gaze away from the phone and pushed her hand down. “Babe, this isn’t what you—”

“Don’t.” She couldn’t do this. “It’s over, Marc.” She was tired, exhausted. “I’m going home. I’ll stay at my parents’ house tomorrow. Be out of the apartment before I get back.” She stood.

“This is your fault.”

“Excuse me? How is this my fault?”

“If you weren’t so f*****g cold in bed, I wouldn’t have to f**k someone else.” His chest puffed out.

“I am not cold.” Her words came out sure, but she wasn’t. Every guy she’d ever loved had cheated on her. She’d always blamed them but perhaps it was her. She was a forensic accountant. She looked for patterns and she was the common denominator.

“Ha. I had to beg you to come here tonight. s*x clubs aren’t your thing. Remember?” He sneered down at her. “Just like s*x isn’t your thing.”

“I like sex.” She did. “We used to have s*x all the time.”

“Yeah, before you froze up like a f*****g iceberg.” He gave her a disgusted look before turning and walking away.

She dropped onto her chair and stared at the holiday lights. She was not cold. She wasn’t. This wasn’t her fault. They were the ones who cheated. They were the ones who were broken. If she kept telling herself that, one day she might believe it.