“Dar, Drew and I had a fight one day, and we were both stubborn. You know how I always say we shouldn’t hold a grudge—you know what I mean, bad thoughts on someone? Well, I did. I held a grudge, and I did a stupid thing. I left Ohio with you in my belly, and I didn’t tell anyone but Grandma G.”
“Oh,” she said. “So, you would’ve been with me?” she asked Drew.
“Of course, but you know what? God does funny things, and he didn’t want me to meet you until you were this old, superstar.”
“Yeah?”
She blinked back tears until Drew said, “Yep, I know it. Maybe so I could see how smart and funny you were going to be. And an amazing tennis player.”
Once we were inside, Darla began running around Drew’s museum of a house.
“Wait here a sec,” he yelled from the kitchen, then walked toward what I thought was the laundry room.
Darla plopped down on the white leather sofa and bounced from one butt cheek to the other.
“Here you go, superstar.” Drew handed Darla a new tennis racquet, top of the line, complete with hot-pink grip and string.
A smart man, he knew I was going to protest, so he cut me off by giving me a quick shake of his head, mouthingno.
After that, it was all fun and games and plans. Darla saidjump, and Drew saidhow high.
“Mommy, Drew said we’re moving here and I can pick a room ... I mean, Daddy!”
I took a deep breath and let my new reality wash over me. Everything was about to change, and my daughter was taking it in stride way better than I was.
By the end of the day, I craved the mundane task of working despite Drew’s private warning. “Not for much longer,” he whispered to me as I left his place to go get ready.
“Drew ...” I sighed.
“You can do anything or nothing.”
“I can’t do nothing.”
“I know, babe. You’re in the serving box, I swear.”
But I knew he didn’t really mean it when I got to work and Bryce called me into the office. “Tell me, Claire—I mean, Jules. Do you not have any respect for me? As a friend? Coworker? Boss?” His eyes were narrowed, dripping with animosity.
“What are you talking about?” I leaned against the doorjamb in my white shirt, black slacks, comfortable clogs, and purple tie, staying as far away as possible.
“Like I told you before, I was here for you when no one else was,” he said smugly from behind his desk. “I told that cocksucker King the same. Where the hell’s he been all these years?”
“I know you were, Bryce, but I’m not sure what I’ve done to get this treatment. I missed that one weekend, but otherwise I’ve been working a full schedule and taking lunches. Please leave Drew out of this,” I said, trying to defuse the situation.
“I’m not talking about your schedule or work ethic,” he said, slurring the last word or two.
As he stood from his desk and approached where I was standing in the doorway, I wondered if he was drunk. When he got close, breathing into my personal space, my suspicions were confirmed.
“Bryce, I think you should let me call you a cab to take you home. You’re not acting like yourself, and you’re going to regret it.”
“No way. I’m talking about your boy toy calling over here and making demands. I’m acting like myself, and I for damn sure don’t regret anything coming out of my mouth.”
I considered going to get another server as backup, but didn’t want to air my dirty laundry in front of the entire world. Today had been emotional enough.
“Your guy, he went on and on.Give you a small section, not to overwork you, blah, blah, more bullshit. And the icing on the cake? Keep an eye out for roving eyes when it comes to the mother of his child. Like I haven’t been doing that for years.”
“What are you going on about, Bryce? I’ve always taken care of myself.” I took a step back, because even though my blood was boiling over Drew’s little stunt, Bryce’s proximity was making me more than nervous.
“He did say that. And let me ask you this again. Who kept an eye out when he wasn’t around?”
