“You've never hit me, but you've hurt me plenty of times, Charlie. But make no mistake, you're never getting the opportunity to hurt me again.”
He nodded slowly, but I could see he was just placating me. “I know, because you've changed so much. I mean, you changed your name, you inherited all that money...” he sneered at me before continuing, “Well, I guess at least you changed you name.”
“What are you talking about?”
A smile spread across his face, but all it did was make me nervous. “Stella, you really don't think much of me do you? I know I hurt you, when I borrowed money from you-”
“Stole money from me. Borrowing implies permission of some kind.”
He shrugged. “You always did look at things negatively. Fine, stole, if you want to use that word.” He sighed. “You were so worked up when you found out about the stripper. You were always so quick to judge about that. How do you know that girl wasn't putting herself through college?”
I scoffed, disgusted. “And how would know know that, Charlie? What'd you do? Help her study for her SAT's? Was that your idea of a scholarship? Stuffing money in her g-string?”
He shook his head, finally at a loss for something to say. I had to admit, I was proud that I could still outwit him. He'd always been slower with the comebacks than me.
At least he used to be.
“Like I said, such a low opinion of me...you never thought I cared about you, but I always did.” He paused for a moment. And there was that smile again. “For instance, I always listened, Estelle. Remember when you told me about your family? How hard the holidays were for you?” I tried to catch on to what he was talking about, but before I could make sense of his words, he spoke again, “How you hated Christmas because your mom and dad both got kind of blue...you know,” he shook his head sadly. “Since they'd both lost their parents. I still remember how you always wished you'd had a chance to meet your grandparents.”
So much for outwitting him. I had forgotten all about that. Back when I thought he was a decent human being I'd opened up to him, but who knew he would have remembered something like that?
He interrupted my thoughts, “Here's the thing, Estelle. Maybe I'm a little slow on the uptake, but since your grandparents have been dead for years, how did one of them manage to leave you all this money recently?” He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, enjoying the moment. “Hmmm...that is a head scratcher.”
“This is none of your business Charlie. I moved past him and opened my front door. Get out of my apartment.”
He moved, but it was toward the couch, and away from the door. “In a few minutes. Aren't you going to offer me a beverage?” He sat down and propped his feet up on my coffee table. “I could go for something cold.”
“It'll be a cold day in hell before I offer you a beverage. I don't care what you think you know Charlie, you are not welcome here.”
“Come off it. We both know that I'm right, Estelle.” He chuckled. “Gotta hand it to you, that was a pretty good story, I guess you must be desperate for people to like you, huh?”
“Shut up Charlie!” I was tired of this. So what if he knew the truth? He couldn't prove it. Even if he could prove it, I was not letting him back into my life. I considered grabbing his arm, but I knew I couldn't manhandle him, he was almost a foot taller, and seventy pounds heavier than me. What was worse was that he knew what I was thinking, I could tell by the way he sat so comfortably on my couch, completely confident that I couldn't do anything to get him to move.
Then it hit me, I could so something. I smiled at him sweetly, then reached for my purse that was still on the end of the couch. “You're right Charlie, I do see the negative in things. I always have.” I reached into my purse and pulled out my cell phone.
“Aw, you're really going to call the police? You sure you want to do that? I mean, I could tell all your little friends at work about your overactive imagination.”
I shook my head. “Nope, I'm not calling anyone. See this?” I held up my phone, pointing to one side of the case that was cylindrical shaped. While he watched, I stepped closer, holding the phone near him. “See the top here? This is the trigger for my pepper spray. Like I was saying, I am always thinking the worst. That's what made me buy this.” I waved it a little in front of his eyes, smiling as they grew bigger. “See how clever? It's built right into my phone, so it's nice and handy. I read that when you're spraying an attacker, you should sweep it from side to side at his eyes, like this.” I made the sweeping motion quickly. He instinctively leaned back against the couch.
I stood up, still holding the phone, my hand on the pepper spray trigger. “I figured I couldn't be too careful, what if I was attacked on the street, or even worse, what if someone broke into my home?” I let the threat in my voice linger between us.
He stood up quickly and make his way to the door. “You're insane Estelle. I stepped toward him, but he held up his hands in defense. “I'm leaving, alright?” He stepped out into the hall and said, “But you should think about telling everyone the truth. Since you're right, you never know what can happen.”
I slammed my door, trying to appear like I wasn't worried, but in reality I was a wreck. I was relieved to have him gone, but I knew he was serious, he'd tell everyone abut my lie just to screw with me. I tucked my phone back into my purse. What was I going to do?
Chapter 27
“You're not going to do anything,” Kami answered. She came back into the living room with two more sodas and a bag of mini peanut butter cups. She sat back down next to me and starting unwrapping one of the candies. “What's that loser going to do? Storm into Lawson & Stone? No one would take him seriously Estelle. Hell, you could pretend you didn't know him. How's he going to prove anything?”
I leaned my head back on the couch cushion and let a peanut butter cup soften in my mouth. “Why do you keep these things in the fridge? When they're this cold the chocolate has no flavor.”
“Yeah it does. Besides, they last longer in the fridge.”
“When have you ever had chocolate in the house so long it went bad?”
“It's happened. Sometimes I just forget it's there.”
“You're a robot.”
She nudged me in the ribs with her elbow. “Shut up. Oh, and thanks for the magazines!”
“'Bout time I get a thank you.”
Kami laughed. “Well you handed them to me as soon as I opened the door, and before I could say anything you launched into this mess with Charlie. That took priority.”
I nodded. I'd barely slammed the door on Charlie before I grabbed my stuff and came over to Kami's. I knew she'd be able to help me find a solution to this. Unfortunately, we hadn't really come up with one yet, other than: ignore him and he'll go away. Not exactly full-proof.
Kami laughed as she unwrapped another chocolate. “I can't believe you threatened him with pepper spray. Quick thinking lady.”
“Thanks. I thought so. But I'm considering taking Bruce to my place for a few weeks. At the sound of his name Bruce came over and laid his head on my lap. I leaned forward to pet him. “Yeah, that's what we'll do huh, Bruce? That'll make that dirt bag think twice, when he hears you on the other side of the door.”
I heard Jack's voice coming from the kitchen, “Very funny. There's no way it's gonna happen.”
Kami and I laughed. Bruce was Jack's dog, and I knew there was no way he'd let me take him, even for a little while. “Relax in there big guy, I'm not really trying to kidnap your dog.”
Jack walked into the room. “What?”
“I said I really wouldn't take Bruce, I don't think Charlie's coming back any time soon anyway.”
He shook his head. “No, I'm talking about this.” He took the magazines from behind his back. “Is this supposed to be a subtle hint? Kami, I know you put her up to this, but we're not remodeling. We just spent a small fortune getting the back yard landscaped.”
Kami wrinkled her forehead and leaned forward, squinting at the magazines i
n her husband's hand. What are those?”
I was off the couch before he could answer. I grabbed the magazines and the ribbon he'd removed from his hands, and put them by my purse. “Those weren't for you, they're for a friend of mine.”
Jack knew me well enough to know when I was flustered. “What friend?” He grinned and sauntered toward me, grabbing the ribbon back. “Must be a boy friend, considering the blue ribbon here.” He pulled it up out of my reach as I tried to grab for it.
“Jack, knock it off!” I tried one last time to get the ribbon before giving up. “They're just for someone I know, not a boy friend.
By now Kami had caught on. “You magazine tramp! She giggled as she got off the couch and grabbed the magazines. “Dream kitchens...six simple spa secrets...” She looked at her husband and raised her eyebrows. “These are for Dreamboat Drew, Honey. She's bribing him with home improvement literature!”
“Give me those!” I grabbed the magazines from her and went after Jack. “Give me that ribbon!”
He laughed and gave it back. “Wow, he must be something if you're trying to buy his affections.”
I grabbed my purse, trying to avoid facing them since my face was bright red. Seeing it would only give them more to tease me about. As I headed to the door I spoke over my shoulder, “Very funny you two.”
“Oh!” Kami laughed. “She wont turn around, she's blushing!”
“You guys suck!” I said, as I quickly shut the door behind me.
I got back to my apartment earlier than I planned, since Kami and Jack's teasing ran me out of their house so soon. I parked my car and quickly re-wrapped Drew's magazines. I figured I might as well just drop them off tonight. Walking the short distance to his side of the street, I saw his truck, parked where it had been the first time I'd been over here. As I approached it, it occurred to me that I didn't know which apartment was his. Because it was set up just like my complex, I knew it would be one of the four in front of his parking spot, but I didn't want to knock on four doors to find him.
Then it occurred to me that even if I knew exactly which door was his, I still might not want to find him. What if Trina was here? I wouldn't want him to have to explain what I was doing here, and I really didn't want to see them together. She'd probably answer the door, her perfect body swimming in one of his shirts. Her hair all messed up from rolling around in his bed. Yet, I pictured her makeup perfectly applied; no smeared eyeliner or lipstick. Yeah, better to avoid that possibility altogether.
I noticed that his driver side window was rolled down about an inch. Just enough for me to slide the magazines through. I pushed them in and watched them land on the drivers seat, bow side up and everything. Perfect.
I went back to my apartment, double checking to make sure my dead bolt and chain were both fastened after I shut it. I cleaned up the living room and kitchen, watched a couple reality shows, then got ready for bed. The whole time I listened closely, half expecting Charlie to re-appear. He never did. I was relieved for the night, but I knew I'd have to deal with him sooner or later.
Chapter 28
“Lawson & Stone, Stella speaking. How can I help you this morning?”
“Um, hi. I'm calling about a house I saw that's for sale. I was hoping someone could give me some information about it?”
I smiled when I heard the woman's voice. She sounded excited but nervous too. I wondered if she was a first time buyer. “I'd be happy to help you with that, what's the property address?” She gave me the info and I looked up the listing. I was relieved to see it was Gina's. I knew Mick would eat this poor girl alive. “That property is being handled by Gina Matthews. She's in a meeting right now, but can I take your information and have her call you back?”
“Um, yeah that's fine.” I took down her contact info and texted it to Gina. “Do you know how long it usually takes for her to return calls? I'm just worried that someone else might get the house while I'm waiting.”
I tried to reassure her. “Gina is very organized. I'm texting her your info now, and the meeting should be over in about an hour or so. I'll let her know that you're eager to speak with her. I'm sure she'll call right after her meeting is finished.”
The woman sounded relieved, “Okay, thanks! I've never done this before, so I'm not sure how it all works.”
“Don't worry, Gina is really nice, if I were buying a house I would choose her as my agent in a heartbeat. Have a good day, and I hope everything works out with the property.”
The woman said goodbye and I hung up the phone. I looked up to see Slick standing in front of my desk. “Who was that?”
I smiled at him. “Good morning. It was just someone calling about a listing.”
“Oh, they have an agent already?”
“Not technically, I guess. She was asking about one of Gina's listings, so I took a message.”
“Gina's in a meeting.” He reached out his hand. “Here, give me her contact info and I'll call her.”
I was so thankful that I'd immediately texted Gina instead of writing it down. “I don't have it.”
“What do you mean, you don't have it? You just said you took a message.”
“I did, but I sent the info to Gina in a text, I didn't write it down.”
He looked at me for a second, obviously peeved that he couldn't get this woman as his client. He held his hand out again. “Give me your phone.”
“Excuse me?”
“Your phone,” he repeated with impatience. “Give it to me. You sent her a text, there will be a copy of it in the phone and I can get the info from there.”
I shook my head. “No way, Mick. I'm not giving you my phone. Besides, Gina's already got the text, she'll call this woman back.”
“Gina's in a meeting that won't be done for another forty-five minutes. You really think it's professional to make a client wait that long?”
I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, I think she'll be okay Mick.”
“Well I don't. Give me your phone, Estelle.”
My skin prickled with annoyance at the sound of my name. He called me that on purpose. He knew I hated it. In fact, this whole conversation reminded me of the way he used to act before the inheritance rumor. For a second, my mind went to Charlie. Had he somehow gotten to Slick?
Since I didn't respond as quickly as he liked, Slick reached down to get my phone off the desk. I reacted quickly, and got my hand on it before he did. “Forget it, Mick. I will not have you going through my phone.”
Still not giving up he insisted, “Estelle, I'm not going to look at your messages, I don't care who you're taking to. This is business.” He caught my eyes and smiled with satisfaction. “Besides, that's a work phone. There shouldn't be anything on there that doesn't pertain to Lawson & Stone. Hand it over.”
I picked up the phone and placed it in my lap, my hand still covering it. “Sorry to burst your bubble Mick, but this isn't a company phone. I'm a lowly receptionist, remember? I don't get all those perks that you're used to. This is my private phone that I pay for, therefore, you have no right to look at it.”
When he heard that, he knew there was nothing he could do. His face was a little red, revealing that he didn't like being bested. The look in his eyes again reminded me of how he used to see me. “Have it your way Estelle. I guess we really do have no relationship anymore. Let's just forget about dinner tonight, okay? I'd hate to have you suffer through that. It's clear that spending any time with me is painful for you.”
He headed back to his office and I let out a sigh of relief. Even though the idea of being in his bed was exciting, the idea of having dinner wasn't. Especially with how he was treating me now. I guess we'd officially come to the end of our after-hours romance.
* * *
“I'll take another margarita, no salt.” Gina looked over at me, her eyebrows raised. I shook my head, but she ignored me, addressing the bartender, “Make it two.”
After the last few months, Gina and I in a restaurant was a familiar scene. But tonight
was a different scene: the bar scene. This wasn't lunch, and Gina was definitely not downing iced tea.
“Anyway,” Gina continued, after the bartender left, “He wants nothing to do with me I guess. I was so excited to tell him my new plan of adoption, but it just pissed him off.” She shook her head as she swirled her drink, as if she was hoping the answer was in her slushy margarita. “I thought he wanted kids? Wasn't that our big issue?”
She looked at me now, expecting wisdom of some kind. I felt like telling her she'd have better luck getting the answer from her drink. I was completely confused too. I figured that once she talked to Steven, she'd be on cloud nine. When she first suggested going out for drinks after work, I thought it was to celebrate their getting back together. “Did he say why he doesn't want to adopt?”
She held her hands out, palms up and shook her head, mystified. “No. He just seemed annoyed that I would suggest it. Then he told me that this, 'isn't going to work'. He said he wants out of the marriage, and he 'wants out now'.” She was using air quotes all over the place. She finally put her hands down, wrapping them around the fresh glass that had appeared in front of her. After a long drink she looked over at me. “So I guess that's that. I'm officially single.” She looked around the bar. “Maybe I should pick someone up. At least I know I can sleep around with no worry of getting pregnant.” She smiled at me. “Silver lining.”
I put my hand on her back, hoping to comfort her. “Gina, it's okay to be sad about this. I know you love Steven. And I know you were so excited, thinking you had a solution. It's okay to be upset.”
“She shook my hand off her back. “I don't want to be upset. Why should I be? Steven's not sad about our marriage ending. I don't want to be sad either!”
Her voice was slowly but continually rising. I found myself reliving my experience at that bar months ago. This was a different place, and a different bartender, though the expression I saw coming across the bar was very similar. I guess they all reacted the same to loud, drunk girls.
The Millionaire Myth Page 13
