Emily sat back, barely paying attention to the laughter and chatter around her. She felt like an outsider in this room full of people cheering on games and half-truths. Miranda, however, was thoroughly enjoying herself, basking in the attention as she grinned at Jeremy, who was, as always, right by her side.
“No need to defend me, Jeremy,” she said with a playful smile. “We’re all just here to have a good time. I’ll be brave and go with truth.”
The men around the table cheered, immediately leaning in with prying questions. One of them, smirking, spoke up. “Alright, Miranda, life must have been exciting overseas! Tell us—who was your first?”
Miranda froze, her gaze flickering briefly before she broke into a sly smile, glancing toward Jeremy. “Oh, it’s an old story, ancient history. I doubt you’d even know him, but if you must know… it was during the summer before senior year of high school, right before my parents and I left for good.”
She paused for dramatic effect, her voice taking on a dreamy quality. “It just… happened. We couldn’t control our feelings.” She lifted her chin, her eyes settling provocatively on Emily.
The implication was clear. This wasn’t just a story—it was a declaration, a reminder of the history she shared with Jeremy. The room buzzed with whispered reactions, but Emily only smiled back coolly, unfazed.
Cara leaned over and whispered, “Can you believe her? Acting like she’s just telling a cute story?”
Emily gave a faint shrug, lowering her voice. “Let her have it, Cara. I’m done competing with memories.” But she felt a strange, quiet sense of closure settle in. What was the point of holding onto someone who still clung to the past?
Another question came up and this time, it was directed at Jeremy. Miranda leaned in and subtly whispered something to the person asking, who then smirked, looking straight at Jeremy.
“So, Jeremy, here’s one for you. Do you care more about your new love or your old love?”
A murmur of anticipation rippled through the room, eyes darting between Jeremy and Emily. She could feel the tension, as though everyone was waiting for him to make a grand confession. Emily silently hoped, just once, that he’d have the courage to say something real.
But Jeremy chuckled, lifting his glass with a practiced ease. “I’ll take a pass on that one,” he said, grinning. “Guess I’ll have to go with a drink instead.”
A few people laughed, a couple jeering as he tipped the drink back in one smooth motion. Cara rolled her eyes. “Of course he dodges,” she muttered. “What a brave soul.”
The game continued, the bottle spinning back and forth across the table, the questions becoming increasingly absurd and the atmosphere rowdier. Emily was beginning to feel drained by it all when, finally, the bottle pointed directly at Miranda again.
Cara’s eyes sparkled with mischief. She raised her glass with a wicked grin, leaning forward as she delivered her question. “Alright, Miranda. How do you feel about being, let’s say, the other woman?”
The room grew hushed as everyone leaned forward in shock, watching the exchange. Miranda’s smile faltered for a split second, her cheeks flushing. She forced a laugh, but Jeremy shot Emily a hard look, his voice tense.
“Emily, could you maybe keep your friend in check? Miranda doesn’t need this right now.”
Emily raised her eyebrows, holding his gaze evenly. “You think Cara’s the problem here?”
Cara didn’t skip a beat. She leaned back with a mocking smile. “Relax, Jeremy. I just asked her a yes-or-no question. Besides, it’s a game, right? Miranda, you just have to answer or take a drink.”
Miranda quickly regained her composure, slipping her hand into Jeremy’s. “It’s fine, Jeremy,” she said, her voice sickly sweet. “Really, I don’t mind.” She smiled graciously, then reached for her glass. “I think I’ll choose a drink this time.”
As she downed the drink, Jeremy’s gaze shifted to Emily, an accusing look in his eyes as though she’d somehow caused Miranda some grave harm. But Emily only met his look with quiet detachment, her face unreadable. She no longer cared about what he thought of her.
The game continued, laughter and shouts filling the air, but for Emily, the night had lost its appeal. She glanced toward the door, itching to escape the claustrophobic room. But just as she was about to excuse herself, she saw Miranda looking at her, a gleam of satisfaction in her eyes.
Miranda leaned forward, tapping her fingers against her glass. “Alright, my turn. Emily, I’ll ask something simple—nothing personal, of course,” she said, her voice dripping with feigned innocence.
Emily waited, her face impassive, bracing herself for whatever petty question Miranda had in mind.
Miranda leaned in, eyes gleaming with barely concealed malice. “Emily, how does it feel to lose?”
The words were a challenge, laced with triumph. The room went quiet as everyone’s eyes fell on Emily, waiting for her reaction. For a moment, she simply looked at Miranda, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly, she smiled, a calm, knowing smile that caught Miranda off guard.
“Oh, Miranda,” she said, her voice steady and calm. “I didn’t lose anything. I finally let go of something that wasn’t worth holding onto.”
A ripple of murmurs went through the crowd and for once, Miranda’s mask slipped. She opened her mouth as though to respond but then closed it, clearly thrown off by Emily’s confidence.
Cara let out a delighted laugh, lifting her glass toward Emily. “To knowing your worth,” she declared loudly. Emily clinked her glass against Cara’s, feeling a warmth spread through her that had nothing to do with the drink.
Miranda shifted uncomfortably, her composure momentarily faltering as Jeremy fidgeted beside her, his gaze avoiding Emily’s. In that moment, Emily saw him for what he was—someone who lacked the courage to choose, someone who would rather keep everyone at a distance than truly commit to anyone.
The tension broke as someone suggested another round of drinks and the conversation resumed, the room’s attention shifting away from her. Emily seized the chance, slipping Cara a meaningful look.
“Ready to get out of here?” Emily murmured.
Cara gave an eager nod, flashing a triumphant grin. “I thought you’d never ask.”
They stood, catching a few surprised glances, but Emily didn’t care. As they made their way to the door, Emily felt a sense of closure settling in her chest, freeing her in ways she hadn’t expected. Just as they reached the doorway, she looked back one last time, catching Jeremy’s gaze. He looked as if he might say something, but she didn’t wait.
She and Cara stepped out into the cool night air, a new sense of freedom washing over her as they left the crowded room—and Jeremy—behind.
As they walked down the street, Cara slipped an arm around her shoulders. “You know, Em, tonight went better than I could’ve planned. You looked amazing back there.”
Emily laughed, feeling lighter than she had in years. “Thanks, Cara. For everything.”
Cara grinned, steering her toward a nearby café. “Come on, let’s get a real drink. The night’s still young and we’ve got celebrating to do.”
For the first time in a long time, Emily felt ready to celebrate—not just leaving Jeremy behind, but the start of something new. And as they walked through the night, she realized just how good it felt to finally be free.
