As the party wound down and we all started heading toward the door, Simon stopped me in my tracks.
"It's late, and it's not safe. I'll give you a ride," he said.
Since the ride was free and I wasn't about to walk home, I didn't argue. I climbed into the backseat, but Simon was faster than me. He blocked the front passenger seat and said, "You're sitting in the back."
With that, he gently helped Audrey into the front seat, like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"I'm sorry. Bianca," Audrey said with feigned concern. "Simon’s just being protective. He’s afraid I’ll get car sick…"
I didn’t say anything. I just slid into the backseat, exactly where I’d planned to sit in the first place.
The whole ride home was just Simon and Audrey talking and laughing like they were the only two people on the planet. At a red light, Audrey teased Simon, asking him to help her with some lip balm.
They exchanged this look, and I swear, the tension in the air thickened.
Suddenly, Simon whipped his head toward the rearview mirror like he’d just remembered I was in the car. When his eyes met mine, and I pointedly stared out the window, trying to ignore them, his expression faltered for a moment.
For a moment, I saw raw anger flash across his face. Then, before I could even process it, he slammed his foot down on the gas pedal.
When we pulled up to my place, Simon did something I really wasn’t expecting. He grabbed my arm again.
"Alright, enough with the act," he said, his tone dismissive. "Don’t pretend like you don’t care. It’s beneath you." With that, he shoved a bracelet into my hand. "This is your engagement gift from me," he added, his voice dripping with condescension. "As long as you stay in line, I’ll throw you a wedding. At least, on paper, everyone will think you're my wife."
I glanced up at him, locking eyes. "And who exactly are you planning to marry? Audrey?"
Simon’s face twisted with rage, but there was something almost smug underneath it as if he was enjoying the chaos he was causing.