Down to Business (Business Series)

by Alexander, J. C.

  I spun around again to watch Tyler and Becky escape up the escalator. Tears burned my eyes and I shook my head. “I always knew he was a piece of shit.”

  Vinny took my shoulders in his hands and turned me around again. “Listen to me. I know you want to protect Lindy, but the best thing to do is let her find out on her own. I’ve been in this situation before, being in the middle of something like this is the worst place to be.”

  I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. “I don’t care. I have to tell her, Vinny. I won’t be able to look at her, knowing this. God, he’s such a piece of shit.”

  “What if it’s not what you think? What if they are just close friends…”

  I glared at him. “Are you fucking kidding me? He was touching her ass!”

  Vinny pinched the bridge of his nose. “Autumn, you need to listen to me, you don’t want to get in the middle of this.”

  I heard the trepidation in his voice and realization came over me. He knew more than he was letting on. “You knew about this didn’t you?”

  He released his grip on my shoulder, his eyes wide. “What?”

  “You knew he was fucking around on Lindy.”

  He sighed. “Like I said, it’s none of our business what he does.”

  “You dick!” I shouted, slapping his arm hard and gathering stares from passer-byers. “I can’t believe you would condone this!”

  I could have punched him in the face. Instead, I turned and walked off toward the parking lot doors. “Autumn!”

  He caught up with me before I could escape by stepping in front of me and blocking the door. “Would you hear me out?”

  I swiped the dampness from my eyes. “No. I don’t want to hear you out. I’m going home.”

  “What about lunch?”

  “I’m not hungry anymore.”

  I stepped to the left to go out of another door but he caught me by my sleeve. “Would you just fucking listen for a minute?”

  I glared at him and crossed my arms, giving him my undivided attention.

  “First of all, I don’t condone his behavior. Cheating is the most disgusting thing a guy could do to a girl. He’s a dick and an idiot to cheat on a sweet girl like Lindy. It’s his fucking loss. I don’t put my nose where it doesn’t belong because that is how you lose friends and make enemies.”

  “Lindy deserves to know.”

  “I know she does. And she will, trust me. He’s an idiot. He will get caught. Be patient.”

  I sighed and looked away. I hoped he was right. The sooner the better because I didn’t have the patience to wait.

  “Look, we just got back on the right track here. I don’t want any drama, especially someone elses drama to get between us.” He placed his gentle hand on my hip and drew me against him. “Will you please go to lunch with me?”

  I sighed and pressed my cheek against his shoulder. “I’m not really hungry anymore.”

  “Well you can have a drink then. Let’s head there and see what happens…”

  “Fine…”

  He took my hand and led me out of the mall.

  He drove me to at the chinese restaurant he liked called Golden Sun. It was not busy and we were seated immediately. We ordered family style and we shared sweet and sour chicken, beef with broccoli, egg rolls, and fried rice. While we ate, he told me about his weekend. He said that after the fight with his father on Friday night, he left with Vivian and his cousins to go chill at some Manhattan bar and he could not remember how he got home. He said that his mother handled the altercation situation with his father, but it was far from over, which I knew.

  After he was done telling me about his weekend, I told him about how my father was going to buy me a car over the Thanksgiving break, how my grandmother was doing well, and how happy I was that Tyler was moved out. By the time we were finished with lunch, I was so stuffed I couldn’t move. We packed up the leftovers to go and he drove me back to the apartment.

  Once we were parked in front of the building, he looked over at me. The thought of going upstairs and facing Lindy left me nauseated and I wished I could just stay with him.

  “Did you want me to walk you up?”

  “No, I’ll be okay. Thanks for lunch.”

  “Thanks for going with me,” he reached over and took my hand, kissing my knuckles. “See you tomorrow in class?”

  I glanced over at him and smiled. “Yeah.”

  I looked up at the apartment door again and my stomach cinched. I groaned and covered my face. “I don’t know if I can do this. What if I fold? I’m a terrible liar.”

  “You can do it. Just remember it’s not your business.”

  I frowned.

  “Just trust me on this.”

  “I do.”

  “Good,” he leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to my lips. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  I half-smiled, my nerves slightly settled by his pep talk. “See you.” I said before letting myself out.

  I walked the two flights of stairs, armed with a bag of chinese food and not a lot of confidence. I unlocked to door to find Lindy sitting on the sofa, painting her toe nails a shocking pink hue and watching some daytime talk show.

  “Hey,” she called out, concentrating on painting her big toe.

  “Hi,” I said avoiding eye contact and escaping to the kitchen.

  My heart pounded as I opened the fridge.

  “How was the mall?” she called from the living room.

  “Fine,” I said, arranging the drinks around so the bag of food would fit. “I ran into Vinny and we went to lunch.”

  “Oh yeah?”

  “Yeah.”

  I gasped as she suddenly appeared on the other side of the fridge door when I closed it.

  “Jesus Lindy. You scared the shit out of me.”

  She laughed. “What kind of left overs?”

  “Chinese.”

  “Yum. Can I have some?”

  “Help yourself.” I said passing the bag over and stepping aside.

  She grabbed a plate from the cupboard and started piling the leftovers on it. “I’m starving. I was waiting for Tyler to come over for breakfast but he never showed up…so by the time I decided to eat without him, the pancakes were gross.”

  Just hearing his name made my blood pressure rise.

  She shoved her plate in the microwave and punched in the cook time. “So what did Vinny have to say for himself?”

  “Not much,” I said moving to throw away the empty food containers she left on the counter. “He said he missed me.”

  “Did you tell him that you are a miserable moping mess without him?”

  I smiled. “No.”

  The microwave beeped and she turned, removing the plate and grabbing a fork.

  I busied myself with washing my hands at the sink. “So why didn’t Tyler come to breakfast?”

  “He said he was helping one of his frat brothers move in. We are meeting up for dinner though.”

  I bit my lip and did my best not to say anything, but the words escaped before I could stop them. “Do you think this whole living apart thing is going to work for you guys?”

  “Why wouldn’t it?”

  I turned to find her staring at me with a skeptical expression. My face stung and I walked past her, heading for the living room. “I don’t know. Sometimes living apart can change things.”

  She followed me. “We haven’t have really changed much. I guess we are going through a boring phase, maybe. It’s happened before, like a few months after we started dating, but we came back around.”

  I immediately assumed he was cheating on her then too. I hated him so much! The truth was on the tip of my tongue and then Vinny’s voice popped in my head:

  It’s not your business, Autumn.

  “I’m gonna go take a nap, I’m stuffed.” I said already heading for my room.

  “Okay.” She called, oblivious as she sat down on the sofa to eat her food in front of the TV.

  I flopped down on my b
ed and tried to ignore the guilt and chinese food brawling in my stomach. The next thing I knew, I fell asleep and my phone vibrating in my pocket woke me up. I removed it and saw it was a text from Vinny asking if I wanted to go out to a movie and dinner.

  I replied I’d be ready at five and he sent back a wink face. I decided I should probably shower so I could re-do my hair, but when I walked out to the living room to let Lindy know my plans, I found her curled up on the sofa, crying.

  My stomach clenched and I hoped it was because she watched another sappy romance movie.

  “Lindy?”

  She sat up and looked at me, her eyes red and angry. “What?”

  “Are you okay?” I asked and held my breath.

  “What does it look like? No I’m not okay!” she held a wad of tissues up to her nose and trumpeted out a blow.

  “What happened?” I crossed my arms and waited for the crisis story to unfold.

  “My friend was at the Alpha Tau house this afternoon and she said she saw Tyler practically fucking Becky on the couch!”

  I was speechless. Vinny was right.

  “Oh my God…” I managed to blurt, feigning surprise.

  “I know! I called him and he won’t answer his phone.” She stood up suddenly, sending the box of tissues on her lap flying across the floor. “I will kill that little bitch! I knew she was a slut!”

  I backed out of her warpath as she paced the living room. “I want to kick her ass so bad right now!”

  Why was she focusing on killing Becky? Wasn’t Tyler the one she should have the vendetta against?

  “Tyler isn’t exactly innocent either Lindy,” I interfered. “It takes two to—”

  “She put her slut moves on him, I know it! Ugh! If I had a car I’d drive over there right now and confront that bitch to her face!” She kicked the tissue box into the wall.

  I chewed the inside of my cheek, holding back on saying anything more.

  “You know what?” She pointed at me. “I am going over there. I will teach that bitch a lesson.”

  I blinked in surprise as she marched off to her bedroom. “Lindy wait! Don’t you think you should calm down first?”

  “No!” Her door slammed shut.

  I covered my face and groaned, knowing that there was no reasoning with her when she was this pissed. I just hoped she wasn’t serious about walking over to the Alpha Tau house.

  Unfortunately, she was serious when she emerged from her room two minutes later and grabbed her coat. “Let’s go.”

  I blinked. “What? I’m not going.”

  “Yes you are. You have to come with me. You have to help me take her down.”

  I stared at her and laughed. She had seriously lost her mind. “Lindy, I’ve never fought anyone before. I’m a passive aggressive fighter, remember? I slam doors and leave angry texts.”

  “You beat the shit out of your brother all the time when we were little.”

  “We were kids!”

  “Well you can come watch me break her fucking nose,” she proclaimed shoving on her jacket.

  “Lindy, you have no idea how to fight someone. She is twice your size. She will kick your ass. Just sit down and take a deep breath.”

  “Well there is a first for everything. I have to confront her. I need to get this off my chest. Now, are you coming or not?” she said with desperation in her voice.

  I stared at her, every instinct telling me this was a horrible idea. I tried the only other escape route I could to try to sway her. “I have plans tonight…I was going to go to dinner and a movie with Vinny. Why don’t you come with us?”

  She scoffed and shook her head, yanking open the front door. “Whatever. Have a great fucking time.”

  “Lindy!” I shouted at the slammed door.

  I marched over, yanked the door back open, but she was already down the stairs.

  “Shit.”

  I had no choice, I couldn’t let her go alone. I grabbed my coat and chased her down the stairs.

  Lindy marched down the sidewalk, like a soldier heading into war with her shoulders drawn back, her face serious and sour. I attempted once more to change her mind, but it seemed there was nothing I could say or do. She had a right to be pissed. I opted that we should just key his car or slash his tires, but that wasn’t good enough for her. She wanted to face the bitch who stole her man. I just hoped Becky packed her boxing gloves or her running shoes when she moved to college.

  I decided to text Vinny in a silent cry for help, letting him know what happened and that Lindy and I were headed to Alpha Tau to kick Becky’s ass. He said he was on his way. I prayed he got there before us.

  Once the Alpha Tau house came into view, Lindy’s breathing deepened and she walked with even more determination. I already decided that I wasn’t going to get involved unless I had to. If anything, I would be a key witness when the cops came.

  Lindy stomped over the lawn, kicking a half-deflated beach ball against the side of the house. I took a deep breath and followed her up on the porch. My stomach turned into a giant knot as she rang the doorbell repeatedly until someone answered.

  One of the frat brothers dressed in just his boxers opened the door and frowned at her. “What the hell?”

  Lindy didn’t bother with his question. “Where is she?” she snapped and marched right past him into the house.

  “Who?” The guy asked glaring after her then at me.

  I shrugged back at him and followed Lindy’s heavy footsteps as she stomped into the living room. She glared at the four guys who were lined up on the sofa playing a video game.

  “Where is that bitch?!” she shouted at the back of their heads.

  They all looked over at her like she was nuts.

  “Who?” one of the guys asked, but she didn’t wait for an answer as she marched off to the next room. I hoped Becky had already left. Maybe she’d punch Tyler instead.

  “Where is everyone?!” she screamed after we passed two empty rooms.

  We crossed the hall where the basement was located. The sound of drumming bass filtered through the door with the distinct smell of marijuana. I winced when Lindy‘s gaze zeroed in on it.

  She was like the Terminator as her hand snapped out and she yanked the door open, sending it clattering against the wall and letting out a cloud of smoke in its wake. I winced and watched her storm down the basement stairs, disappearing in the haze. I followed behind her praying she caught a contact high and calmed down. To my dismay, the opposite happened. She spotted Tyler sitting in the pot smoking posse circle, with a dark green bong in hand and Becky on his lap. They both looked stoned out of their minds. This wasn’t going to be good…at all.

  “You fucking bitch!” Lindy screeched. She missed the last three steps as she leapt through the crowd, charging right at them.

  “Lindy!” I yelled, nearly falling down the stairs.

  Becky’s red-rimmed eyes went wide and she screamed as Lindy pulled her off Tyler by her hair. She threw her on the floor, pounced her, and then punched her in the face repeatedly.

  I froze on the bottom step, cupped my hands over my mouth, and watched in horror.

  “Lindy! No!” Tyler yelled, dropping the bong and grabbing Lindy’s leg in a poor attempt to pull her off.

  “What the hell!” Another guy shouted.

  It was no use, they were stoned, and their coordination was off. Tyler was pulled onto the floor and the guy who was assisting got knocked over the coffee table.

  “Fight!” A girl with dreads screamed and suddenly the room came alive. I was lost in the hustle as more frat brothers and their friends came pounding down the basement steps behind me. They rushed past, shoving me aside.

  In the haze of smoke and shitty lighting, I watched two guys pull Lindy off, screaming and flailing like a rabid monkey, her hair all mangled. My breath caught when a firm hand gripped my shoulder and I looked over to see Vinny beside me. He looked me over to make sure I was okay, then moved into the crowd to help.

&nb
sp; There were so many people I couldn’t make out which one was Lindy, but I could still hear her yelling and cursing.

  Finally, the crowd parted and Vinny appeared holding Lindy and Tyler by their arms. He escorted them past me up the stairs, followed by Becky who was sobbing and being supported by two guys. One of them held a bloody t-shirt against her face to stop her nosebleed.

  Maybe Lindy could kick some ass after all.

  I followed them up the stairs and into the living room. Lindy didn’t look all that hurt besides a few scratch marks on her face and her hair being a mess. I figured Becky never had a chance.

  “Get your psycho girlfriend in check, man!” A Tau brother shouted at Tyler.

  Tyler blinked repeatedly, obviously too shocked and stoned to really absorb what just happened. “Sorry bro, she just came out of nowhere.”

  “You fucking asshole!” Lindy yelled, ripping away from Vinny. “How could you cheat on me with that fucking slut after all I’ve done for you?!” Her face was red with vengeance and streaked with tears.

  Tyler frowned and looked over at Becky who was trembling and sitting on some guys lap while he pet her hair like she was an injured child.

  “It just happened,” he mumbled, looking around at various guys as if they were going to give him a better answer.

  His reply was so monotone and uncaring I wanted to punch him myself. I walked over to Lindy and rest my hand on her backside, glaring at Tyler as well.

  Vinny stepped up beside me and rested his hand on my shoulder as if to silently tell me not to get involved. Lindy’s shoulders shook with her sobs and she looked to the frat guys watching her like she was an attack dog. “You’re all nothing but assholes! You all knew what he was doing and not one of you had the balls to say shit to me!”

  “It’s code,” someone answered in the crowd. “We don’t snitch on each other.”

  “Fuck your code!” Lindy snapped. She pointed at Becky who was holding a bag of ice over her bruised eye. “And you are nothing but a whore and you’re lucky they pulled me off when they did or I might have blackened both of your eyes, bitch.”

  “Leave her alone Lindy, she didn’t do anything wrong,” Tyler defended, stepping closer to Becky.

  I glared at Tyler, renewed anger surging through my veins. “I always knew you were a piece of shit. I’m just glad everyone else knows now too.” I pulled Lindy into my arms, letting her cry on my shoulder. “Don’t cry over him Lindy. He never deserved you.”