It makes me laugh. Hard. My sisters are the best. Why do I need a guy when I’ve got them?
Okay, don’t answer that. I know why. At least after last night I do, but I’ve got a drawer full of boyfriends. I’ll be fine.
Ask me how much sleep I got last night. Alright, I’ll just tell you. None. Zero. Zilch. I tossed and turned all night thanks to my day yesterday. I kept hearing Lewis’ voice in my head and then I remembered the way Keeton blew me off yesterday and that memory made me cry. Long story short––it made for a very rough night. By the time my alarm beeps loudly, I’ve made one decision. I’m calling in or in my case, texting in sick.
Me: I’m not feeling well. I won’t be in today.
Keeton: Must be going around. Eric’s got it too.
I’m sure Eric doesn’t have what I have but I keep that to myself.
Keeton: Feel better, baby. Want me to bring you anything?
He’s probably just referring to his penis. But, he could also be talking about medicine or chicken soup. Who can tell?
Me: No, Keely’s here.
He doesn’t need to know Keely’s teaching during the day. Keeton doesn’t reply and I’m okay with that.
Confession. By eleven in the morning, I was no longer okay with it. I’m not okay with shirking my duty at my temporary job even though the last thing I want to do is face Keeton. But, face him, I must. I will also tell him that this will be my last week. My first week will be my last week. That’s not going to look good on a resume. It can’t be helped, though. Besides, I need to return the car. I don’t feel right driving it any longer. I know Keely would like to drive it forever, but she knows that’s not going to happen.
I shower and dress in jeans and a pretty, flowy top. I also wear my favorite pink Mary-Janes. They always give my spirit a lift, as well as my height,ba-dump-bump. By noon I’m pulling into the back parking lot and at the back entrance to GCM, staring at the door. “Open the dang car door, Lainie. You. Can. Do. It.” I recall saying something similar less than a week ago.
This door doesn’t squeak like the old car door. Instead it chimes something pretty, reminding me to take the key fob with me. I grasp it in my right hand, shut the door, and make my way inside. I hold the door so it doesn’t slam shut. I’d rather not alert anyone I’m here just yet. I still need to gather my courage. Plus, I need to push my shoulders back and hold my head high. In my brain, I say positive things like:You did nothing wrong, Lainie.You took a risk, you did some naughty things with a big, sexy biker man. You should be proud of yourself for taking the risk.Right?
As I move into the hallway that leads to the offices I hear raised voices. Angry voices. Should I go back out? I don’t feel it’s my place to eavesdrop on a private conversation, especially one that sounds as heated as this one. That’s when I recognize one of the voices. Lewis. “What is Lewis doing here?” I whisper to myself. I used the back driveway. If I’d pulled up front, I might have noticed his car. I move to the wall and slowly scoot closer to Keeton’s door. I don’t want either man to know I’m listening.
“Why are you here, man?”
That was Keeton.
“You know why I’m here.”
“No, I don’t.”
“I’m concerned about Lainie.”
“Concerned?”
“She seems to be making some very bad choices of late.”
Keeton chuckles, “Bad choices? What is she, ten?”
“If the shoe fits,” Lewis adds smugly.
“She’s got a new life, man.”
“A new life?” he squawks. “She doesn’t need a new life. Her life with me was perfect.”
I scoff to myself.Perfect?Is that guy mental?
“I beg to differ,” says Keeton, sounding calm and collected.
“Beg all you want, but Lainie belongs withme.”
I can picture Lewis jabbing his own chest with his thumb just then.
“Lainie’s life is none of your business anymore.”
