I Confirmed Cambridge While He Was Laughing With Her Chapter 03

I Confirmed Cambridge While He Was Laughing With Her Chapter 03

Martha’s birthday dinner was booked inside a private booth at the low-country boil restaurant near campus.

Silas had reserved the largest table and invited more than a dozen people. I sat at the far end of the booth, closest to the door.

When the cake was rolled out, Silas handed over the pink gift box. “Happy birthday, Mattie.”

Martha tore it open and covered her mouth in shock. “Oh my gosh, the M-charm! You put so much thought into this, Silas!”

“Glad you like it. Try it on.”

He stood up, walked behind her, brushed her hair aside, and looped the chain around her neck to fasten the clasp. Their bodies were inches apart.

The whole booth erupted in cheers. “Kiss! Kiss!”

Martha’s cheeks flushed pink. She shot a glance straight toward me. “Cut it out! Silas has a girlfriend! Jennifer is sitting right over there!”

Every single head whipped my way. I sat in the shadowed corner, hot steam from the boil fogging my face.

“Yeah yeah, sorry, don’t be mad, Jennifer,” one guy lifted his glass. “We’re just messing around.”

Silas laughed and sat back down. “Jennifer doesn’t mind. She’s really generous.”

My own boyfriend had fastened a necklace around another girl’s neck in front of everyone, and I was supposed to be generous.

Martha picked up her cola glass and slid over to sit beside me. “Jen, Silas put this on for me. You aren’t upset, are you? My fingers are terrible at clasps.”

“I’m not upset.”

“I knew you’d understand.”

She draped one arm loosely over my shoulder and lowered her voice. “Honestly, Silas treats you really well. He just isn’t great at showing it.”

I gave a faint smile and said nothing.

Halfway through dinner, Martha drank several cups, her face flushed, and she leaned her head on Silas’s shoulder. “Silas, my head’s spinning.”

“I told you not to drink so much.” He steadied her shoulder, his tone soft and indulgent. “I’ll walk you back later.”

Someone at the table darted a quick sympathetic look at me, then glanced away.

I stared down and shoved a mouthful of food past my lips. It tasted like nothing.

“I’m heading out.”

“So early?” Silas lifted his head.

“I don’t feel well.”

“What’s wrong? Is it bad?”

Martha nuzzled deeper against his shoulder. “Silas, I think I’m gonna throw up…”

He spun around instantly. “Don’t get sick in here. I’ll get you to the restroom.”

That question—Is it bad?—still hung unfinished in the air. He was already lifting Martha to her feet.

On his way out, he called over his shoulder, “Jennifer, get back safe. Looks like it might rain out.”

He wasn’t even certain whether it was raining. But he knew exactly how much Martha had drunk.

I pushed open the restaurant door. It was pouring. I had no umbrella. I stood there for five minutes. The rain showed no sign of slowing, and I couldn’t get a taxi.

My phone lit up. It wasn’t Silas. It was Hazel.

[It’s getting late. You okay?]

I splashed through puddles to the bus stop, soaked to the skin. I was all alone on the platform.

Rain streaked my phone screen. No messages from Silas.

He would not come. He was inside taking care of Martha.

I caught the last bus. Cold, empty, lifeless.

My phone lit up again. Silas had posted an Instagram post.

The photo showed Martha leaning her head sleepily on his shoulder, eyes half-closed, cheeks flushed.

Caption: Happy 20th, Mattie. I’ll always have your back.

Martha commented below: [Besties forever.]

He replied: [You bet.]

Over twenty comments. Not one mentioned me.

I was his girlfriend. Yet in his world, I wasn’t even a background character on his Instagram feed.