Uncanny Valley by C A Gray

Author:C A Gray [Gray, C A]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wanderlust Publishing
Published: 2017-12-11T05:00:00+00:00

When the pub finally filtered out a few hours later, I slipped out, down the street and back to my room in the hotel while Liam’s back was turned. The second I entered the room, the tears came. I threw myself onto my bed, sobbing into my pillow.

Madeline wheeled over to me, patting the arm that dangled off the bed. She didn’t ask what was wrong. She knew—of course she knew. There was always only one thing.

“Why can’t I just get over him?” I sobbed. “Why?”

“What did he do this time?” she asked. “Or, what did he not do…”

“He showed up with Yolanda,” I practically spat the name. Then I admitted miserably, “And… she’s really pretty.”

Madeline patted my arm now in a rhythm, almost like playing the drums. “What would make you happy right now?”

I sniffled. “For him to stop hanging out with her. Obviously. At least I don’t want them spending all that romantic time at the beach together.” I wiped my face and added, “But what’s the point? Even if she left, it’s not like I’m there instead.”

“Would you have gone to the beach with them if she hadn’t been there?”

“Of course I would! Like I’d have passed that up!”

The syncopated knock at my door made me jump. I closed my eyes with a heavy sigh. Only Liam knocked like that.

“Just a minute!” I called, trying to keep my voice steady as I catapulted off the bed into the bathroom to splash water on my face. Couldn’t he just leave me alone for twenty minutes?

“Come back over!” Liam called through the door, “It was a raving success! Three people are already gonna give the same talk in their own towns, including your Roy Benson—”

“Liam, hold on!” I called, exasperated. I patted my face dry with a towel, and inspected it: no more tear stains, but the eyes were still bloodshot. Didn’t matter, though—clearly he wouldn’t wait. I opened the door, but stood firmly in the doorframe to keep him from coming inside.

A shadow of confusion marred the enormous grin he wore at first when he saw me. “What’s the matter with you?”

“Nothing.” I fixed the plastic smile in place again. “So it went well, huh?”

“Yeah, I wanted you to come out with us to celebrate—really, are you okay?”

“I—just don’t feel that great, that’s all,” I said at last.

Liam tilted my chin up and scrutinized my face, frowning. I felt naked. After a long moment, his expression changed to one of resignation. I don’t know how, but I suddenly felt certain he knew exactly what was wrong with me.

“Fine,” he said shortly, releasing my face. “Come if you want.” Then he turned to go.

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