“Whoa, what’s gotten into you?” Jesse asks. “Did someone piss in your Cheerios or something?”
“I’m not in the mood. Not today,” I growl, losing my patience. Usually, Jesse and I are pretty tight, and much more than just employer and employee. I might even go as far as to call Jesse my friend, but right now, I can’t stand his stupid little antics.
“Okay, what’s wrong?” he asks easily, unfazed by my demeanor.
“Channel 266. That’s what,” I snarl, unable to take my eyes off of the couple.
“Hold on a second,” my assistant mumbles. I can hear him shuffling through the room and clicking on the TV. “Oh wow. Is that Miss James?” he asks with curiosity in his voice.
I don’t bother to answer his question. “I want you to get a hold of Tom Benning and tell him that I’d like a meeting with him to discuss a great business idea I just came up with.”
“Sir?” he asks, confusion in his voice. “We don’t have anything–,”
“Just do it,” I snap.
“Okay. Right away.” With that, Jesse hangs up. He knows better than to stick around when I am angry because it’s like tempting a bull in a china shop, and it never ends well.
Finally, I manage to turn off the TV and lean back, although the chatter of the announcers’ voices continues to ring in my head. The plan takes shape in my head.
At our little meeting, I’ll just let it slip to Tom Benning that his precious girlfriend isn’t as innocent as she seems. Oh no, this girl sells her used panties online. Imagine that. Of course, Tom isn’t going to believe me because who would? Who does such a thing? Plus, Katie has such an angelic face that it’s almost impossible to conceive. But that’s the thing – it’s always the most innocent that get you. Besides, I have the proof. Tons of it, not to mention lots of x-rated photos and even videos, if he wants to see. Since we split up, I haven’t sold a single pair of panties. I just kept the stash to myself, and the site has basically gone dark due to lack of inventory.
I grin.
“That’ll get him dumping Katie like a hot potato.” But curiously, it doesn’t make me feel that much better. It helps me feel somewhat better, but it’s not I’m holding a royal flush or a slam dunk. In fact, it makes me feel kind of bad, and my heart beats painfully.
Damn, karma is a bitch. I get up and throw my uneaten muffin in the trash. In the kitchen, I grab a bottle of water and am about to take a sip when I notice a few liquor bottles on the counter.
“Fuck it.” I undo my tie, toss it aside, and pour myself a drink. The company can manage one day without me. The vodka burns on the way down, but it feels good – damn good. I take another shot and eventually swig straight from the bottle.
Slow down, a voice of reason whispers into my mind. This isn’t what you need, Bruce.
It’s probably right, but I don’t listen.
I’m flying high on my revenge scheme, yet it makes me feel worse inside. Damnit. What the hell am I doing? Because deep down, I know it’s much more than that. I’m not doing this to get back at Katie. Far from it. I’m just waiting for Tom to drop her so that I can swoop back into her life because I miss her so much.
God the truth hurts.
I’ve missed her. I’ve missed her like hell. Shit. Now that I think about – really think about it – it’s like she’s left this gaping hole in my chest that I can’t fill, no matter how much alcohol I drown myself in. It’s sad, I know, but it’s true.
I love that girl.
For better or for worse, she’s wrapped herself around my heart and now I can’t do without her.
I take another shot.
Tom’s handsome face pops into my mind. Fuck him. He knew she was with me at the premiere. So why’d he cut in and try to take her away from me?
“The bastard!” Already my words are starting to slur.
“Sir?” One of the housekeepers walks in and looks at me, a little afraid. “Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine!”
She eyes the half-drunk bottle of vodka. “Are you sure? Can I get you a glass of water maybe?”
I wave her away.
“No, no, I’m fine.” I straighten my posture and smile drunkenly at her. “In a couple of days, everything is going to go back to the way it should be. I’m sure of it.”
“Sir?” She furrows her brows together in confusion. “What are you talking about?”
“You’ll see.”
I’m about to walk out when I stop, hug the wall, and turn to look at her. “Tell me, do you like Tom Benning?”
