What You Left Behind

by Len Webster

  She didn’t want to live a life where she didn’t have it. Not anymore. She had sworn control would be the essence of her life and the path she would choose. She would enforce it. Stevie sat at her new desk and stared at the cubicle walls. The off-grey colour was dull and exactly what she needed. Passive. Not demanding and not vibrant either. Dull was what she would search for.

  After orientation, Stevie had nothing else to do. Introductions were made and she couldn’t remember anyone’s names except for Rogers’, the owner of the company, and Mona, Stevie’s internship mentor. It was just as she’d thought; Rogers hadn’t hired her for her skills in marketing and research. But instead because of her father. As she had suspected, she’d obtain next to no experience out of the internship. Just something that would look nice on her resume.

  Resting her chin in the palm of her hand, Stevie sighed as she listened to the conversations around her. Mona was somewhere getting documents prepared, but Stevie didn’t care to pay attention. That and Mona had insisted she get comfortable in her cubicle.

  “Working hard, Blondie?”

  His voice had her freezing.

  No.

  Motherfucking.

  Way.

  Stevie straightened her spine and sat properly, seeing his reflection in the computer screen.

  “Are you kidding me?” she breathed.

  “Excited to work together?”

  She slowly turned her head to see him standing in her cubicle with a smug expression on his face. Her eyes travelled down his entire body. The dark blue suit he wore fit perfectly, hugging every muscle of his body.

  What was the quote?

  A well-tailored suit is to women what lingerie is to men.

  Oh lovely, the idiot wears a light blue tie.

  Great.

  Super great.

  I kissed my now co-worker last night.

  Double great.

  Triple-stupid-Julian-great!

  He raised a brow at her. Maybe it was out of curiosity or for her to speak but the way his eyes glazed in a gleam had Stevie taking a deep breath.

  “Out of all the advertising companies in Melbourne, I’m stuck with you?” she asked, unbelievably.

  He grinned and nodded at the same time. Repeatedly. “We sure are.”

  “Ah, Stevie, I see you’ve met the company’s newest consultant. He’s one of the best, and he’ll be overlooking how management does its job. Mr Moors is here to improve the firm and make sure we remain number one,” Mr Rogers explained.

  The wrinkles around Rogers’ eyes deepened as he introduced Julian to her; no doubt proud that he’d secured Julian’s services.

  So in theory, Julian is a gigolo for businesses.

  What a whore!

  She smiled to be polite, but internally, she was going to track down whoever decided to specifically hire Julian Moors and make sure they died a slow and painful death.

  “It’s lovely to meet you, Mr Moors.” She dragged out his title and noticed his lip twitch.

  Guess we’re playing this.

  “And you, too,” Julian replied.

  Rogers buttoned his suit jacket and then walked past her cubicle. Julian didn’t move, still grinning at her.

  “Mr Moors, shall I have you meet the other bosses?” Rogers asked as he made his way towards his office.

  “I’ll see you at lunch, Stephanie.” Julian winked as he left.

  When Stevie heard Rogers’ office door close, she glanced at the clock. It was 11:32 a.m. When it hit noon, she would disappear into the records room or any department that meant she wouldn’t have to see him for lunch.

  Great.

  Now I have to avoid the man I lost my virginity to in my own workplace.

  Karma, you’re a real bitch!

  Success had been achieved. And for that, she smiled as she opened the front door of her best friend’s apartment. Stevie had managed to evade Julian as much possible. When she had to walk past the bosses’ offices, she’d pretend to be staring at the folder or hold the report so that it covered her face. She’d swore she saw him chuckle and shake his head at one point during the day. It had been awkward. She had felt awkward.

  I need to quit or get fired.

  Quitting is more dignifying but being fired means I don’t need to write my resignation letter.

  But Papa would not be happy.

  Dammit.

  She walked into the hallway and dropped her keys on the table. “Fuck my life,” Stevie sighed as she stepped out of her heels and trudged into the kitchen. The moment she lifted her eyes from the floor, she groaned. “And fuck it harder.”

  Clara turned her head and their eyes met. Her best friend cleared her throat as a blush overtook her cheeks.

  “Stevie, you’re home!” Clara said, surprised.

  “Jesus Christ, you two. You guys are at it like bloody rabbits.”

  A shirtless Noel kissed his wife and helped her off the bench. “What? I can’t kiss my beautiful wife, Stevie?”

  Stevie shook her head. “Not on surfaces we eat off. Please tell me you two haven’t had sex on the counter?”

  Noel grinned. “Not today we haven’t.”

  “Noel!” Clara exclaimed as she tucked her blouse back into her skirt.

  “I’m surprised Clara isn’t pregnant alread—” Stevie stopped. “Wait, are you pregnant?”

  Clara kept quiet as she buttoned her blouse.

  “No,” Noel answered for her but then stared at his silent wife. “Wait, baby?”

  Clara smiled and then let out a light laugh. Her hands were on his hips as she kissed him on the cheek. “No, love, I’m not. I want you all to myself for a little longer, if that’s okay.”

  Noel grinned as he lovingly gazed down at his wife. As much as their affections disgusted her, Stevie couldn’t help but love the way Noel looked at Clara. And most times, she was jealous.

  “Hmm, I can wait,” Noel said.

  “I can’t,” Stevie interrupted. “I want to be an aunty before I’m fifty, but the way you two are at it, I’ll be one before my next birthday.”

  The instant Clara’s eyes met Stevie’s, her smile faded and her lips pursed. “Baby, could you let me bake with Stevie for a bit?” Clara asked.

  Noel kissed Clara’s temple before he crouched and grabbed his shirt from the floor. “I’ll start packing for your dad’s then.”

  He had disappeared before Stevie could tell him to stay. Then Clara picked up her apron and tied it around her. “Talk.”

  Stevie approached the bench and leant over it. “About?”

  Clara grasped her icing bag and then squinted at her. “Your day.”

  “I lived.”

  “Stevie,” Clara said firmly. “How was your first day?”

  Stevie let out a sigh and sat on the barstool. Clara iced a cupcake before putting it on a small plate and setting it in front of Stevie. She quickly noticed what cupcake Clara had made. They were her favourite: blueberry and cream cheese cupcakes.

  “Excited about your honeymoon?” Stevie asked, changing the subject.

  Clara iced the remaining cupcakes and then set the icing bag down. “Very. But you know we’re not leaving for a bit. Now, how was work?”

  Stevie let out another heavy sigh. “Julian’s the company’s new consultant,” she stated as held the cupcake and bit into it.

  “Whoa,” Clara breathed as she wiped her hands on her apron. “Are you okay?”

  Stevie hung her head and closed her eyes tightly. “I would have been had we not kissed last night.”

  “You kissed!”

  The heat rose from her chest to her throat, causing Stevie to only nod in reply.

  “Baby, I can’t find your passport,” Noel said as he walked back to the kitchen.

  Clara picked up a cupcake and handed it to him. “It’s in the first drawer. Did you know anything about Julian getting a job?”

  Stevie’s eyes roamed Noel’s naked chest. Unfortunately for women out there, Nolan Parker was n
ow a married man. It was a damn shame.

  “No. I haven’t had much time to catch up with him yet,” Noel replied as he bit into the dessert his wife had made.

  Clara reached up and wiped the icing off his nose. “Maybe we should catch up with Julian a bit before we go on our honeymoon. I’m sure my dad won’t mind us not staying at his place before we leave for Queensland. We could visit him rather than stay in a house with him, Alex, and Keira.”

  “You sure?”

  Clara nodded. “Very.”

  “I’ll call Julian and your dad now,” he said before he walked back in the bedroom he shared with his wife.

  Stevie’s eyes had followed the naked back of Nolan Parker before he disappeared. “I’m going to miss living with Noel.”

  “Really?” Clara smiled.

  Stevie turned back and grinned at her best friend. “I can see why you jump him and have sex every hour you can. To be honest, I’m not even surprised I walked in on you both almost doing it.”

  “What?” Clara blushed.

  “The walls are thin, Mrs Parker. I heard this morning when I walked out of the shower,” Stevie revealed.

  “Oh, my God.” Her blush deepened.

  “That’s what you moaned.” Stevie laughed.

  Clara buried her face in her hands. “I’m so sorry.”

  Stevie laughed harder. “I’m glad you got a good nailing this morning. A sexually satisfied Clara Parker is better than an emotional one.”

  Her phone alerted her to a new email, and Stevie reached into her blazer pocket and took it out.

  From: Julian Moors (julian.moors@Morrisconsultations.com.au)

  To: Stevie Appleton (Stevieappleton@rogersandcoadvertising.com)

  Subject: Six.

  Stephanie,

  How do we get number six to happen again?

  Julian Moors

  Senior advertising and management consultant.

  Morris Consultations.

  Sydney. London. Paris. Milan. New York.

  From: Stevie Appleton (Stevieappleton@rogersandcoadvertising.com)

  To: Julian Moors (julian.moors@Morrisconsultations.com.au)

  Re: Six.

  Mr Moors,

  Not going to happen. Ever. Again. Period.

  Sincerely,

  Stevie Appleton.

  Market Research Intern.

  Rogers & Co. Advertising.

  Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

  Clara let out a giggle. “I could always give you his number. Emails are so Fifty Shades.”

  Stevie locked her phone and glared at her best friend. “Please, I’d rather Christian Grey fuck me senseless than let anything happen with Julian Moors.”

  That is a total lie.

  Ugh!

  Why can’t it be the truth?

  Clara picked up her phone and started to text. “You’ll thank me later,” she said once she set her phone on the counter.

  Stevie’s screen lit up and she looked down at it.

  Unknown: Stephanie Appleton, is this you? If not, then I’ll tell you now that these aren’t the droids you’re looking for.

  “You, Clara Parker, are dead to me,” Stevie mumbled as she replied to Julian’s text.

  Stevie: I have the worst best friend ever.

  Then she saved his number.

  Julian: My best friend has the greatest wife alive. See you at work. P.S. Bob says tomorrow is Taco Tuesday! I’ll see you then, amiga.

  Stevie glared at Clara, hating the grin on her face. “You’re the worst.”

  She laughed. “I’ll take it as a compliment.”

  Julian: Never mind. Bob was joking. The asshole. Never trust accountants, Blondie, especially Noel and Alex.

  Staring at PJ’s Irish Pub, Julian smiled to himself and rubbed his hands together. Tonight was going to be the carefree night he needed. A week of working with Stephanie was a lot harder than he’d thought possible. He’d look up to see her smiling at one of the junior marketers and Julian would feel the jealousy boil every part of him, burning him alive. She’d refused to speak to him. He’d be the one who would have to go out of his way. Avoiding him only had Julian wanting to speak to her more. But with the amount of money Rogers & Co. were paying him, he unfortunately had to do some actual work.

  Through his observation of the company, they looked good. On paper, they were excellent. But for Julian, it didn’t feel right. Something about the company was off, and he was going to figure it out. Though he was in no rush. The sooner he figured it out meant the quicker his return to Sydney and Tara. And that was not happening. Rogers & Co. had to prove their potential for him to leave his senior consulting position and become a VP. Julian enjoyed consulting. But vice president was a far greater role, and he needed to be sure of the company before he signed on.

  “I’m so happy I could cry,” Julian expressed with a smile.

  Max locked his Porsche and stood at the door with him. “It’s PJ’s.”

  “No.” Julian’s grin deepened. “It’s Noel’s bachelor party.”

  “Come on,” Max said, walking into the pub first.

  Julian followed, and once he took his first steps into the pub, he let out a contented sigh. The smell of Guinness and roast, the dark oak furniture, the heavy voiced conservations, and the sound of darts. It was bliss. It was home. He remembered the times he used to come here with the boys and their families and celebrate Rob’s wins. When he was younger, they’d walk into the pub with Julian on his father’s shoulders and his mother holding his hand. They had been the happier times in their lives before his mother passed away and their father slipped into a deeper form of grief they had ever known.

  He scanned the pub to find Noel and Alex standing at the counter. Julian raced over to Noel and set his hands on his shoulders, turning him so their faces met.

  “That smile on your face… Dude, I’m happily married,” Noel teased.

  Julian shook his head. “Strippers!”

  Noel’s eyebrows furrowed, and he glanced over at Alex. “Strippers?”

  Julian pulled back and gaped at Alex to see him chuckling and shaking his head.

  “No strippers, mate,” Alex revealed.

  Julian’s hands dropped from Noel’s shoulders. “No… Strippers?” It was like a wail, maybe even a plea, more than likely both.

  “Sorry,” Noel offered with a shrug.

  No goddamn remorse from this man!

  “What is this bullshit?” Julian raised his arms, emphasising his displeasure.

  “I’m sorry we’re late,” Clara interrupted.

  Her voice had Julian’s head falling.

  Of course.

  He spun to see Noel’s wife, Clara, and Alex’s fiancée, Keira, standing there.

  Clara tilted her head, staring at him. “What happened to you? It’s like someone took away your favourite toy or something.”

  Julian crossed his arms and pouted. “No. You two took away a man’s right.”

  Clara and Keira shared baffled glances then they stared back at him.

  “What?” Keira asked.

  Julian lifted his chin at them. “You, ladies, took away my right to see strippers tonight.”

  “Is that so?” Clara asked as she stepped around Julian and made her way to her husband.

  Noel wrapped his arm around her and kissed her deeply. If Julian hadn’t known what they both went through, then he’d drive them apart. Too much Noel and Clara was sickening.

  “Strippers, Noel?” Clara asked once they stopped eating each other’s faces.

  Her husband shook his head. “Nah, baby. The only woman I want to see naked is my wife.”

  “Nope,” Alex interrupted, shaking his head. “Can’t hear shit like that. You need to learn to fucking whisper that kind of shit. She’s my little sister!”

  Julian let out a laugh. He was wrong. Seeing Alex cringe was far better than seeing women dance around poles. This was a lot funnier. From the corner of his eyes, Julian could see Max chuckling as he
picked up the beer he’d ordered.

  “Alex, shouldn’t you be thrilled that your brother-in-law is madly in love and only sees Clara?” Keira asked as she kissed his cheek.

  “Doesn’t mean I’m okay hearing it. It’s sickening. My best friend married my little sister. I’m still not over the fact that they’ve, you know—” Alex paused and shivered.

  Because he couldn’t help himself, Julian finished Alex’s sentence. “Fucked.”

  Alex’s face paled as he stared at Julian.

  Julian grinned, ready to continue his onslaught of Alex. “Had sex? Screwed? Rooted her? Bucked her? Done her hard? Pounded? Drilled? Jackhammered? Doggie styled? Sixty-nin—”

  “Oh, my God! Enough!” Clara squealed. Her face was a vibrant red that made him chuckle.

  Payback.

  Julian beamed at her. “I don’t think so, Clara. This is remuneration for being denied a night with some lovely strippers that need our money to pay for their kid’s soccer, or their education, or their cosmetic surgeries.”

  “Julian,” Noel warned, his nostrils flaring.

  “Noel, are you going to tell us you’ve never had sex with your wife? Never fucked her so hard that she screamed? If you haven’t, mate, you ain’t pleasing your woman right.”

  Max spat out his drink, laughing. Noel stepped away from Clara as his chest rose heavily. Then he glanced at Alex for confirmation and he received a nod.

  “You know I get a clean hit on that pretty face of yours,” Noel stated as he balled his right fist.

  Julian stretched out his arms and welcomed it. “Yeah, yeah. I know how it works. I got work on Monday so avoid the nose. I need to breathe. But aim wherever. You’ve got a weak hook anyways.”

  Noel smiled. “I’m not going to hit you, Julian.”

  “Scared to break your hand?”

  Clara stepped forward and wrapped her hands around Noel’s arm, lowering it. “No, because I’m going to punch you,” she announced.

  The rage and embarrassment that filled Clara’s eyes had Julian bursting out in laughter. He let his arms fall by his side as he continued to chuckle and shake his head.

  So much better than the strippers!

  However, he didn’t give her a chance as he closed the distance, yanked her away from her husband, and wrapped his arms around her small body.