Text Me

by Shelley K. Wall

  “No, you don’t. I don’t want to hear it.”

  “You don’t?”

  “No.”

  Abby frowned. Dammit, I wanted to tell you. She chickened out. Again.

  “Okay, then I guess you aren’t interested in the fact your friend Roger has the hots for my business partner?”

  “Seriously?”

  Abby could have sworn there was a touch of relief in his voice. “What, you don’t think she’s attractive? Or maybe not good enough for your horn-dog friend?”

  He laughed. “Hey, now. Of course she’s nice looking—a little too severe for me but certainly someone that would catch a guy’s attention. Come on, though, she’s three almonds short of an Almond Joy, Abs. Rog isn’t a horn-dog. He’s just a little—confrontational. At least until you get to know him.”

  “Oh, I get that. I saw it right away. Still, there are some things a guy just shouldn’t say. Ever.” Or put in a group text message. To ten of his friends.

  “Yeah, well. He’s an only child and his parents haven’t been around much since he was about thirteen. No one really gave him a lot of direction, other than the guys. I wouldn’t exactly call that the best school for manners.”

  Carter had told her none of those simple details about himself. In fact, had she not been to see his mother—she would never have known anything of his childhood. Was that a bad sign?

  “Good point. Anyway, he’s been following her around your office like a puppy dog whenever we do the maintenance. It’s cute, but awkward. Especially because she hasn’t even noticed.”

  “At all?”

  “Nope. It’s weird. I almost think she intentionally avoids him. You seriously don’t think she’s attractive?”

  “What do you want me to say? I think she’s super-hot? If she weren’t your partner, I’d probably call her up? Are you trying to push me off on her?”

  Uh-oh. Hell no. “No, of course not. Besides—”

  “Or maybe you want to do a threesome? Is that it?”

  Yeah, right. Every man’s dream. She detected the mirth in his voice and wasn’t giving him the satisfaction. “That’s it. You caught me. Only that would be assuming we were actually going to see each other again, which is a big assumption on your part. Considering the fact you’re on the opposite side of the planet and haven’t called me since—”

  “The first time?”

  “Technically, you need to add an S to that last word mister. Unless it was so unimpressive you’ve already forgotten.” And yes, it had rankled her he hadn’t called, then run off for weeks. Which meant he had no intention of calling.

  “I’m talking to you now, aren’t I? Oh, and Abs, I remember it all. Every. Single. Time. You want me to give you the number? I can, you know, but would that be your number or mine? I also remember the way you feel, the way you hum right at a particular moment, and how you bolted out of my apartment like it was on fire when your phone rang. So, no, I didn’t call. Mainly because I wasn’t sure if you wanted me to. You’re the one who said it was none of my business.”

  “What was none of your business?” Okay, now they were getting somewhere, and she definitely liked the part about him remembering everything. Was that in a good way? A best-sex-ever way, or just a yeah, it was nice but let’s don’t?

  “Who you’re involved with.”

  “Well, that was when you accused me of being involved with your friend—”

  “Which you were.”

  Ugh. Gross. That would actually NEVER happen. Still, she hadn’t cleared it up because that would mean she’d have to go back to the truth-telling part, which he seemed hell-bent on preventing.

  “I told you about him and that’s what we should talk about. There’s a lot there you don’t know and I need to tell you because—”

  “Look, Abs, I can’t hear it at the moment. Sorry. I just can’t. It would—”

  “Okay. I get it. You don’t want to talk about us. You don’t have to say it over and over.” Technically, as much as she wished otherwise there was no us but still, he wasn’t interested in hearing her explanation, so she’d not give it.

  “What us? Shit, Abby. Are you really going to do this to me on the phone? I mean, at least Amanda had the cajones to say it face to face. That’s—cold.”

  The light bulb went blaringly bright. Oh. He thought she was dumping him? How any two people could have such ridiculously bad communication issues was incredible.

  “The us I was referring to included two people. Only two … and you were one of them, okay? I wasn’t sure what it was, that’s all. I—”

  Holy crap, she needed to get off the phone before she said something really stupid. Before she spilled her guts and started some sort of mouth-explosion of words like missed you. After all, she barely knew him.

  He sighed softly. “Oh. I thought you intended to tell me something else.”

  “Like what?”

  “You were still involved with someone, I guess. I suspected the reason you jetted out when the phone rang was because that someone was looking for you. You know, it was pretty deflating.”

  “You seriously think I’d do something like that? I mean, I helped you with the flowers for your ex. Who, by the way, seemed really upset about your delivery.”

  Dead silence. Oh shit.

  “I thought you said she wasn’t there.”

  Oops. Okay, she could do this. It was time to spill it all—she was a pathetic liar and trying to keep it straight was exhausting—didn’t some famous person say “If you don’t lie, you won’t have to remember what you said”?

  She sucked in air and lifted her shoulders for courage. “I lied. That’s what I needed to talk about … ”

  More silence.

  “So she was there?”

  “Um, yeah, but it was incredibly awkward and she was crying and blubbering about what a nice guy you were and—” Then she said she was in love with your best friend. Abby bailed out before adding that final stake to the heart. She couldn’t do it.

  “You didn’t tell me about it. Why?” There was an edge to his voice.

  “It was awkward. Crazy. If I told you, I wasn’t sure what you’d do. Especially after the thing with Jackson, which is actually worse than you thought. It wasn’t a long time ago, it was recent but … ”

  There was another long pause.

  “Recent?” His voice hit a new octave. “Shit. You’re still … ” The silence on the phone made Abby’s stomach crawl as she waited for him to speak. “I shouldn’t have called.”

  “You’re upset.” She assumed he was desperately trying to get her off the phone after she’d spilled the beans. Was that because he planned to call the old flame? Had her admission made him want to win her back? Her omission about Jackson was critical—yet, she couldn’t say it. She growled. Why the hell should she? SHE wasn’t the one that screwed Jackson. The one that likely was tangled up with the sleazebag at the very minute they spoke.

  “No, no. Um, okay, maybe a little. I don’t know.” Another thundering pause. “Christ. Hell, yes I’m upset. What did you expect?”

  Click

  He was gone.

  “Crap.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Carter anchored headphones in his ears before starting the treadmill. When he reached the steady pace he liked, he turned up the volume and focused on the lights outside the glass. They blurred and bounced as he moved. Running outside was one of the primary things he missed while away. In a city this size with traffic, people, and the constant blur of activity, an outside jog would surely put him in the hospital.

  Thailand had a zillion charms about it, and he hadn’t minded the travel. Almost everywhere were people that had a smidgen of English under their belt, so while he tried to learn the basics of the language, it hadn’t hampered him much. The charm could easily be misconstrued as chaos, frenzy, and overcrowding. Not to him.

  He loved the way they did business also. People were as driven to succeed—as he was. They worked hard,
meticulously applied themselves, and had little tolerance for lack of effort. Not to mention that most of them took their health as serious as their business. Therefore, he had no trouble accessing a gym and working out whenever needed.

  The only thing that annoyed him was the music. Pop music in Thailand was nothing like home. More of a dance, electronic thing that made his head throb. He glanced at the time on the treadmill. He’d gone more miles than intended. It was ironic since he had debated not working out when he left the office. He needed something to take his mind off work. And Abby’s revelation.

  Carter shook his head and kept jogging. Four miles. He’d gone four miles while he mulled over her words. I lied. That’s all she said—as if it wasn’t a big deal. He could think of a small number of reasons she would withhold Amanda’s response to the flowers. Two that made sense. Either she thought he’d be more upset by it and she hadn’t wanted to make it worse—or she felt sorry for Amanda. Then there was the thing with Jackson: it wasn’t a long time ago. He lifted the towel from the machine and rubbed his head. That didn’t take into account Jackson’s admission.

  There had never been a reason for him to suspect Amanda was involved with someone, yet she was. Of course, his work had been crazy busy so he hadn’t paid much attention. More like basking in his overall success. He still felt the kick to his gut when she told him. Now he recognized it as a kick to his ego rather than his heart. It was a kick he probably deserved for being inattentive.

  It hadn’t compared to when Jackson stunned him by revealing his relationship with Abby. What exactly was that relationship anyway? Jackson said he’d been with her before, but was it after Carter mentioned her? After Jackson knew he was interested? Knowing it was in the past helped a little—but only a little.

  When Jackson told him to call Abby, he’d thought the motive sincere. Until she started telling him whatever she had to say. He wasn’t up for it. Not again. Amanda was history, but Abby still touched a nerve. If she was involved elsewhere, he wasn’t ready to accept it. Not after the way they’d connected during the last weeks. The whole thing blindsided him. Ironic since his friends all thought him notorious for short-term interest in women.

  Four and a half miles. His breathing was labored and sweat ran down his neck then trickled along his spine. It reminded him of Abby’s fingers as they had trailed there. Dammit.

  He hit the Stop button and headed to the shower before going back to his hotel. A little cold water would do him good. There was a twelve-hour difference between home and Bangkok, which meant he had about forty minutes before his scheduled video conference with Roger. He needed to get his head back in the game and focus. This was the biggest project he’d ever managed, and it was going to be kick-ass. His career depended on it.

  His phone signaled a chat message from his new friend and pseudo-counselor.

  She Hearts Dogs: Well, leave it to me to screw it all up.

  He grinned.

  What happened?

  He thumb-typed.

  She Hearts Dogs: I told him. Why did I do that? I mean you tried to warn me but NO, did I take your advice? Of course not. I blurted it out like an idiot.

  Carter checked the time to make sure he could still respond and delved into the chat screen. He wasn’t really in the mood but he’d give it his best shot.

  Repeat … what happened?

  She Hearts Dogs: He hung up. Mad.

  Man, she’s really grinding over this and she didn’t even do the cheating. Noble. He sighed. What to say? He thought for a second then answered.

  He’ll get over it once he realizes where the fault belongs. Next time, listen to me. OK?

  She Hearts Dogs: OK. Gotta get to work. Bye.

  • • •

  “Good morning,” Carter said as Roger joined the conference. Roger had their client, John Gazman, beside him. John waved.

  “Good evening to you.” Nine p.m. in Bangkok meant Carter was already half a day ahead of Roger and the rest of his team. Roger looked freshly showered and battery-charged, which was about as far from Carter’s current state as possible. Still, he’d fake his way through.

  “Okay, let’s get started.” The men jumped into the project plan and talked about the various orders and deadlines required to meet their needs. An hour and half later, John had excused himself. Carter and Roger went over their internal needs, with Carter giving a list of research items, some small assignments for other members of their team and a status report for the board. “So, what’s this about Abby’s partner?”

  Roger stopped tossing a wadded paper and pulled closer to the camera. “Which partner?” He frowned and shook his head, a clear warning to hush.

  Carter laughed. “I’m pretty sure there’s only one. You know who I’m talking about. She said—”

  Roger rolled his chair to look toward his credenza. “What exactly did you say, Abby?”

  Carter snapped his mouth shut. Oops. He forgot. With the time change, they were on morning time and right in the middle of plant maintenance. Yikes. He waved sheepishly when she leaned over Roger’s shoulder. “Hey, Abby. What d’ya know. There’s the pretty little liar in the flesh.”

  Her gloved hands were filled with a water can and a fertilizer/plant food bag. “Watch it. I could douse your friend here if you provoke me.”

  Roger crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back. “Spill that and I’ll make him pay.”

  Abby dropped her brows in a brief glare at the camera before shrugging. “I’m counting on it. I just told him you noticed her. A lot.”

  Roger rolled his eyes. The chair screeched as he lunged to a stand. “I’m going down the hall to get the team started on this list. You need anything else, just send an e-mail or text me.” He held up a stack of papers with scribbled notes, waved it then disappeared.

  They were alone. Or at least he thought they were—in two separate rooms, on two separate continents. Just the two of them. And a ticking time bomb.

  “Not sure, but I don’t think he liked the idea of us talking about him.”

  “Ya think?” She shifted from one foot to another and set the bag of plant food down in Roger’s chair. Hopefully no dirt would spill because Carter was pretty sure Roger had light colored pants on. The man was really into khaki.

  “You sure you’re not reading it wrong?”

  She plopped the water can on the desk, sending a few drops to the floor. “I’m sure.” She paused to glance at the door. “You guys use Skype a lot?”

  He nodded. “It’s a good way to hold a meeting without flying around the globe. It keeps things personal. I use it to talk to a lot of people. If I could get my mom to use a computer, I’d Skype her too.”

  “She doesn’t have one?”

  “Oh, she has one. She just never turns it on. What about you, do you ever use video-chat or Skype to visit with family or friends?”

  She nodded. “Sometimes. On my tablet. I have family spread out all over, so once in a while we use it. With my business, it’s not really necessary.”

  While she looked fresh and energized, he was anything but. He ran a hand over his head and rubbed his neck. “So, what was it you wanted to tell me? Another one of your big stories? Just curious, is there an organization called Liars Anonymous? ’Cause if there is, you should sign up. You seriously have a problem.”

  Abby moved the bag of dirt to the floor, dropped into Roger’s chair and leaned forward. Even angry, the pixilated image was nice, but he would have preferred the real thing. She sighed. “Look … whatever you thought about my leaving the other day, it was wrong. I just had to get to work, okay? Don’t read anything into my actions.”

  “Or your words either, right? Got it.”

  “Okay, got everything,” Roger’s voice jolted both of them away from the screen.

  Abby jumped from the seat, apologized for taking over, and grabbed her things. She tossed an obligatory wave and headed toward the hall.

  “Hey, Abs?” Her image had disappeared and Carter w
asn’t sure if she was gone or not.

  “Yeah?”

  “Take it a little easier on the next guy, okay? He might not be as easy to let go of you as I am. Oh, and send me your info and I’ll be happy to plaster it on the bathroom stalls in the bars around town when I get back.”

  “Yeah, thanks.”

  “Wait, I think I still have it.” He yanked his wallet open and looked through the pile of receipts and cards. Yeah, it was there. He yanked it out and held up the card, “Got it. Never mind.”

  “She’s already gone,” Roger said. “That was fun. You’re a real jerk, you know. Good thing you’re not here, I might have to kick your ass. You know, this isn’t what you think, right? I can explain everything. It’s actually a funny story.”

  “Ha. Ha. You don’t know what you’re talking about. Doubt you could explain or kick my ass. That woman’s a habitual liar. Besides, from what I hear, you’re all talk and no action. So, tell me what you have.” Carter flipped open the folder in front of him and grabbed a pen to jot notes.

  Roger frowned and pursed his lips before he started reading through the information Carter had requested.

  They dove back into business mode.

  • • •

  A few mornings later and back on his own turf, Carter glanced at the time on his phone as he hurried toward work. Damn it. Late. He was never late. Or at least never used to be late. The wind slashed his face as he passed the newsstand. He glanced at the front page on each stack, a habit and sometimes his only chance to see what was going on in the world. National news showed nothing. Local news was a family of socialites talking about their family business. Wait. He slammed the brakes on. Was that Abby?

  Holy shit, it was. Right in the middle of the group. He grabbed a paper and scanned the text underneath. His stomach dropped. Jennifer Jeffries. As in Jennifer Abigail Jeffries. As in the hateful woman that had gotten him fired months ago, thanks to Jackson’s outburst. Seriously? They were the same person? Vile rose in the back of his throat. No way. No fricking way. Well, that explained Jackson’s ranting in the meeting—and to think Carter’d been stupid enough to stand up for him.