She furrowed her brow. “Okay…?”
“Did he take anyone with him on that trip? Is he with anyone right now?”
“You mean, like someone from the board? Or a woman? Or…?”
“The latter. And former. Seriously, did anyone go with him?”
She shrugged. “I only booked one ticket, so if he took someone, I don’t know about it.”
I groaned. “This man is going to be the death of me.”
She giggled. “Trust me, we all feel the same way. Is there something I should know, though?”
I shook my head as I started for the stairs. “I just really need his ear for a second. That’s all. Thank you for your help, Lexie!”
I slammed into the door for the stairs and found myself alone on the landing between his floor and mine. With my back pressed against the concrete wall, I slid into a puddle on the floor and curled my knees as close to my chest as I could. With my tits settled on top of my knees I drew in a few deep breaths, trying to settle my mind and my soul as I rationalized things.
“He’s out of town, so that’s why I don’t have a lot of work. He’s out of town, and that’s why H.R. hasn’t contacted him. It’s okay. Things will be all right, Becca.”
But, as tears dripped down my cheeks, things certainly didn’t feel all right.
And I was growing tired of crying my eyes out every time I came into work.
* * *
The week passedin a blur and despite JoJo’s Friday return, he wasn’t in his office all day. I had yet another easy day and I decided to take a half-day just so I wouldn’t have to pretend to enjoy my lunches with Brit.
Like Maggie always said, “Keep your enemies close.”
So, I tried to stomach as much interaction with her as I could.
“Skipping out early?” Brit asked as I passed her desk.
I nodded as I headed for the elevator. “Yep. Going to go get some rest.”
She smiled. “Good for you. Want to go get some food first?”
I shook my head. “Nope. My bed’s calling my name.”
“Want me to bring wine over later?”
I stepped into the elevator. “Probably won’t be awake.”
She stood from her seat. “What about snacks and a movie night?”
The elevator doors started closing. “Have a good weekend!”
I closed my eyes as the metal encasement carried me all the way back down to the garage. I got into my car and peeled out of there like a bat out of hell, especially after all of the shit I had endured down there. I took the long way home, driving through my favorite burger joint to get the most amazing meal along with a large mint chocolate Oreo milkshake.
Then, I dragged myself up to my apartment and stripped right out of my clothes.
“Ah, freedom,” I whispered.
I checked my personal phone and my work phone to see if JoJo had returned any of my text messages, but they had still gone unanswered. He had read them, of course. That little “R” kept taunting me every time I opened those fucking messages. But I tried to push it all out of my mind as I flopped my naked ass onto my worn-and-torn couch.
Then, I turned on my favorite trashy television show.
I loved unwinding with mindless television. I also loved watching drama unfold when it didn’t revolve around me. I bit into my juicy burger and let the sauces run down my chin as I dug around for a napkin, then I chased it all down with some of my milkshake. I’d never be able to get enough of this place. Even if I died weighing over six-hundred pounds, I’d never give up this burger joint.
