“Just for part of the day. I’ll be back so we can go to Jake’s Saturday night.” Whoopee.
“Well, let me know when you get back. I sort of... I kind of have a date.”
“A date?” She spins from the window, holding Birdy. I guess I shocked her again.
“Yeah. Rhonda asked me to go to that festival with her. I told her I would. I might have said it was a date.” What the hell am I doing?
“My God. Rhonda? She said real words to you?”
“Knocked me for a loop. She’s only delivered phone messages and mail to me.”
“I can’t even believe that. How...bizarre.”
“You’re telling me. And I’m going to hang out with Rhonda.”
“If the music’s loud enough, then you don’t have to say much to her.”
I frown and then laugh. “What kind of date would I be if I don’t talk to her?”
Simone rolls her eyes. “Come on, Greg. It’s Rhonda. I doubt she talks to you much anyway. It’ll probably be boring.”
“I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt. Maybe we’ll have a good time.” And butterflies will fly out of my ass.
Bouncing her short hair, she squeals, “Oh, my God! Are you going to kiss her goodnight? With tongue? Do you think you’ll get serious with her? Are you going to sleep with Rhonda? She’s going to see your 10-foot rod?”
I shake my head, making a face at her. “Jesus. Take a sedative, Garrison. You’re scaring the kid. It’s just a music outing. Dinner, I guess.”
“It’s a date. The implications are huge.”
“Settle the hell down. You’re making a bigger deal out of this than it is. I shouldn’t have even told you.”
“It is a big deal. I’m trying to help you.”
“You already are. With Birdy. I don’t need dating advice too.”
“I’d like to think we’re friends.” She frowns and I check my phone, needing to avoid her guilt trip.
“That doesn’t mean you have to give a shit about who I date.” Rhonda? I took a wrong turn somewhere.
“I do give a shit. Just like you don’t want to see me with Ricky because of his reputation.” Damn it. She’s got me there. Why in the fuck do I care what she does with Tesco? “I’m not exactly innocent either.” Most people I know aren’t innocent.
My phone dings and I read Nico’s response. Shit. Good news and bad news.
Sighing as I text him back, I say, “If you want to be with Tesco that bad, then by all means. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“See? If you didn’t think of me as a friend, you wouldn’t care.”
I stop typing, contemplating that. Fucking hell. I guess I do care enough to consider her a friend. But there’s no way I could ever call Simone a friend to her face. I’d break out in hives.
Simone sighs and sits down on a chair as she feeds Birdy. I finish my text to Nico, mentally adjusting my schedule. She says, “Well, anyway, I found out where Ricky goes to the gym. I signed up for a membership.”
Still holding my phone, I cross my arms. “Oh? I thought you belonged to my gym?”
“No. I just went with Hadley a few times as a guest.”
“Yeah. I still need to find a new one.”
“You can come as my guest. We can go during lunch tomorrow. Finn said Ricky goes there during his lunch when he works day shift.”
“How’d you pry this information out of Wilder without being obvious?”
“I just told Finn I had some questions about illegal drugs for a term paper, so I need to talk to Ricky.”
“Good one, Garrison,” I say, slightly impressed. It’s an improvement from this afternoon.
“Thanks. I’ll need you with me for Project Ricky.”
“I didn’t know this insanity had a name.”
She nods, setting down the bottle and lifting Birdy to her shoulder, patting her back. Knowing it could get messy, I go into the living room and grab a burp cloth. I then shimmy it between Birdy’s face and Garrison’s shoulder. She smiles at me and the light above the kitchen table makes her eyes a brighter blue. “Thanks. I’ll invite Hadley, too, but I can only bring one guest with me per visit.”
“I’ll just get my own membership if I like the place.” I return to leaning against the counter, thinking of this upcoming weekend. What a fustercluck.
“How do we go about doing this with Ricky?” Not do it at all.
“Keep up the pretense about your term paper. That’ll give you a legitimate reason to stalk him. And then... I guess we can hang out together in front of him, standing close, helping each other with equipment and workouts...”
Her entire face lights up. “Do you think it’ll work?” It’d better. I’m not cut out for this fake shit.
“I don’t know. We’ll see if Tesco takes the bait.”
“It sounds like we’re catfishing him.”
I laugh. “Sort of is. But if you want Tesco, it’s the game you have to play.”
She nods, frowning. “I guess so. I finally found a new apartment. I had to get out of Finn’s old apartment. It’s too expensive and...”
“I wouldn’t want to live there.”
“Yeah. With everything that happened there with... Anyhow, I don’t get the new place until next week.”
“Amos would love to help you move.”
She grins. “I know. He loves me.”
“My condolences.” Simone giggles, shaking the bottle in Birdy’s mouth, and I sigh. “I suppose I can lift a box or two.”
“Cool. Thanks.”
Watching her feed my kid, I say, “You know, you don’t have to be here.”
“I want to be. I have nothing else to do and no one else to talk to.”
“Like I’m good for conversation.”
“You are.” She smirks, her eyes glittering still. “Sometimes. Besides, someone has to help you with your DVR. Maybe we can watch a movie.”
“If I don’t fucking fall asleep first. You hungry?”
“Yeah. You want me to pick up something after I’m done feeding her?”
“It’s my turn.” Picking up my phone, I bring up my saved menus. “Pick your poison.”
“Whatever’s closer.”
“Chinese it is.”
Sitting down at my desk, I wake up my computer, wishing I could instantly wake up like that. Last night Birdy wouldn’t sleep, and she only calmed down for Simone. Figures. I guess I still do need her there because I’m not equipped to deal with any of this on my own yet.
Seeing Amos’ office dark, I remember he won’t be in until later today. Thank God for huge favors. Sighing, I rest my head against my hand, and since my door is closed, I probably could sneak in a nap.
A sharp knock at the door makes me jump and wanting to strangle whoever’s at my door. Sitting back, I mumble, “Enter.”
Hadley whips herself into my office and then shuts the door, leaning against it. She’s breathless, making her tits heave. I force myself to think about my cousin Leroy jumping on a trampoline, shaking his massive manboobs instead. Again, desperate times...
She grins but doesn’t say anything. Not in on the joke, I ask, “What?”
“You’re doing it.”
“Depends on what it is.”
Hadley loudly whispers, “You’re going out with Rhonda!”
I roll my eyes, crossing my feet. “Oh. Lame news travels fast.”
“She just told me. She’s super excited.” I can’t picture that even if I had an actual picture of it.
“It’s just a music thing. It’s not like we’re running off to get married afterward.”
She pushes off of the door and stands at my desk. I don’t need her this close. “I know, but it’s a big step.”
“You sound like your sister-in-law.” Hadley seems surprised or offended by that. I’d definitely be offended.
“You told Simone? Is she still staying with you?”
“Yeah. I still haven’t worked my way up to shitty diapers yet. She’s not go
ing anywhere this week.”
“If you need my help...”
I concentrate on the desk calendar on my desk. “No. I got it.”
She sighs, making me look up, seeing her sudden sadness. “Greg, I’m sorry. Things got heavy at the party. We said things...” Yeah. I can’t forget any of it.
“It’s not like I’m going to broadcast it all to the office...or to anyone.”
Hadley squeezes her eyes shut for a few seconds, probably ashamed of the whole conversation. “I know, but I shouldn’t have said some of it.” I can only guess which part she regrets.
“But I meant all of it.”
“Greg...”
“Hadley, just... Forget it.” Strike me dead, but I kind of wish Amos was here to save me from this. Desperate times...
“It’s hard to.”
“Tell me about it.”
“I want us to be friends. I do mean that.” Her gaze falls to my desk, and she whispers, “I can’t lose you.”
I nod, somewhat dazed. “We’re friends. Don’t worry about any of it.” Frustrated with lying, I stand, wiping my tired eyes. “I need coffee.”
“Okay.” Hadley goes to the door, opening it, and I follow her to the kitchen while forcing myself not to stare at her ass. Fuck. I wish I could snap my fingers and instantly move on somehow.
Before walking into the kitchen, I hear Val laughing in there amongst other voices. When we enter the bright kitchen, Brandon, Val, and Ali stop laughing. Still, I smile. “So we meet again, Ali. What’re you doing here?” Her paper-thin sweater nicely showcases her assets, which I’m sure Brandon has also noticed. If Shasta were here, a chunk of Ali’s hair would be on the floor.
Val answers, “That’s my doing. I brought her here this morning to show her where I work.”
“Bring your kid to work day? Nice. But nobody wants to hear mine screaming.”
Everyone laughs except Ali. Shocker. Deliberately turning away from me, she says, “What you and my mom have here is impressive, Brandon.” What’s with this chick? Did I accidentally piss in her champagne?
He drools as he thanks her. And then seeing Hadley next to me, Brandon says, “Hadley, I was going over the team’s roster last night and I realized I need to include all of the team, everyone in and out of the office, in regards to the Halloween party. Will you please extend an invitation to Simone?” Son of a bitch.
Hadley smiles. “I will. I’m sure she’d love to be there.” I’ll never escape her, but she’s infinitely better than Shasta. That’s crazy.
“Great.” He grins his Richie Rich mega smile and turns back to Ali. “I’ve already invited you, Ali. I hope you will consider my invitation.”
“Absolutely. Thank you, Brandon.” She sucks up to him almost more than Shasta, and that bitch literally sucks up to him.
Val side-hugs Ali, nearly squealing, “Won’t this be fun?”
Ali’s snooty smile and eye roll for Val sadden me. Her mother is a star human. She should be fucking treated as such.
Still, seeing how Brandon is foaming at the mouth in front of Ali’s mother, his founding partner at this firm, I play with it fast like a jackoff quickie.
Walking to the coffeemaker, I give Ali another glance, longer this time, studying her off-the-shoulder top with shoulder straps and billowy sleeves. She frowns at me as I probably stare too long. I’m not an expert, but I take a shot in the dark. “Ralph Lauren, right?”
Her frown slips from her face, and genuine surprise is evident. She holds up her arm, making sure the brand isn’t written somewhere. “Yeah. How’d you know?”
“He’s one of my favorites.” I honestly took a guess.
Hadley giggles. “Rod is our fashionista here.”
Pouring my coffee, I shrug, miffed of how Hadley sees me. “I wouldn’t say that.” I turn back to Ali. “Ralph looks good on you. The pastel yellow with the blues and oranges complements your hair too.”
“Uh, thanks.” Ali smiles at me, and it’s an authentic one. Knock me over with a feather. Or a wrecking ball. Either one will do the job for fuck’s sake.
Val laughs. “Did our Greg Rodwell just impress you?”
Ali’s smile is still sincere. “No comment.” Which, to me, is a huge statement in and of itself.
Kicking it up a notch, I say to Brandon, “From what I remember the last time I saw your granddaughter Hannah, she’s also a big fan of Ralph Lauren.”
Brandon pushes up on his glasses and crosses his arms. “Sure.” In his eyes I just made him look like an ancient, dickless wonder. A small victory for me. Extra small.
Walking toward the kitchen door, I say, “See you at the party, Ali.”
“What makes you think I’m coming for sure?”
I shrug. “Just a feeling.”
Val says, “Oh, she’ll be there.”
Smirking, I brush against Hadley’s shoulder as I leave the kitchen and head back to my office, kind of victorious for an adrift loser hopelessly holding onto something he was never meant to have.
Knocking makes me look up from a stack of reports on my desk. Hadley smiles entering. “Hard at work or hardly working?”
“A little of both.” Tossing down my pen, I take a deep breath before asking, “What’s up?”
“Lunch.”
I check my watch, amazed I actually worked. “I guess it’s that time already.” My phone buzzes as Hadley laughs and I see Simone’s text about meeting her. Damn it to hell.
Hadley says, “I can’t believe you forgot about lunch.”
“Maybe I was busier than I thought.” Thank God.
“If you want to have lunch downstairs with me...” I miss those days.
Shaking my head, I say, “Uh, I can’t. I have to meet Simone.”
“Really? Simone? For?”
“She found a new gym. I wanted to check it out on her guest pass.”
“Oh. So you’ll be spending even more time with her.” It’s not really a question but a concrete statement.
“Not if I can help it.”
“She likes you.”
I sigh, rolling my eyes. “Jesus. Not you too.”
“I just mean she doesn’t hate you like you thought.”
“I never thought she hated me. She’s just...a lot.”
“I don’t see her that way. Maybe it’s because you two are kind of alike.”
I frown at her, irritated by that remark. “Bite your tongue, hag. I’m sane.”
Hadley giggles, pulling her ponytail over her shoulder. “So, will I never see you again then?”
“Why would you say that?”
“Simone. Rhonda...” She bites her lip, looking out the window.
“I thought you’d be ecstatic I’m going out with Rhonda.”
“Yeah. I am. It’s...”
“What?” I’m yours.
“It’s great.” She forces a smile, something she picked up from her husband.
“You’re lying.” What the hell is she doing?
“No. I’m happy. I... Just have fun. Okay?”
“Sure. A laugh riot.”
“Give her a chance.” But the way she says that makes me wonder what she wants me to do now. But speculation doesn’t win any trophies.
Checking my pockets, I stop at the doorway, and Hadley swallows, barely able to hold eye contact with me. Frowning, I say, “I guess I’ll see you around.”
“Yeah. I’ll have to check out the gym sometime. I miss hanging out with you.” But I’m not good enough for more than that.
“Uh, okay.” Having nothing else to say in a place where there’re always ears, I sigh, leaving my office and Hadley.
As I walk, she says, “Tell Simone I said hi.”
“If I don’t strangle her first,” I reply as I pass the reception desk. Rhonda smiles at me, and I smile back, stopping. I’m not sure why, but with Hadley still watching me, I’m inspired to show her I’m making an effort to move on. I ask, “What time did you want me to pick you up and where?”
Rhonda stifles a nervous giggle by pressing her lips together until they all but disappear. Her piled blonde hair is a scattered mess, and her cheeks flush the more she stares at me.
I’ve never noticed it before, but Rhonda is...pretty. And uncomplicated.
She stutters, “Um... Uh... Let’s just meet here. The parking lot. Around 4:00?”
“Okay. See you then.”
As I push off the counter, I see Hadley still in the hallway, gaping. Maybe stunned that I took her advice.
Yeah. I’m fucking astonished too.
But maybe shock and awe are what we both need.
CHAPTER 14
“You actually came!” Simone excitedly claps while dancing in place as I approach her near the main entrance. I need to find new people to hang out with. Like serial killers with a quota to meet.
“Not yet, but maybe if you talk dirty I will.” I smirk, covertly checking her out in a pink tank top and gray sweats. But then she grabs my arm, hugging me to her. Catching me off guard, I stiffen and not the kind I just joked about.
“I’m happy you’re here.”
I pull out of her clutches with a frown as I shift the gym bag to my other hand for a barrier. “Simmer down. Ricky ain’t watching yet.”
“You never know.” She grins at the mention of his name, and I already want this to be over with.
The building is twice as big as my old gym. If I remember, this place was pricier. I can’t swing that expense. Not with Birdy. Still, I’m here, and it’s free for now.
I open one of the oversized glass doors for her, sneaking a peek of her ass in the gray sweats. “How are you going to explain this to your brother? You told him yesterday we’re not together.”
“He said I’m an adult. You heard him. I’ll make him choke on those words.”
“He can choke on a dick.” Preferably Tesco’s.
Simone shrieks, laughing, again grabbing my arm. My gym bag bounces between us as she drags me through the lobby. Fancy chandeliers grace the ceiling and leather furniture is scattered throughout. Of course, Tesco would belong to a place like this. Even dressed for work, I’m tremendously underdressed at a fucking gym.
Unscrewed Page 24
