No, he didn’t. Hasn’t uttered a word about it. And why didn’t Kacey say something when I contacted her earlier? As his admin, she knows his schedule.
–Me: Must have slipped his mind. Where’s the party?
–Adam: At SportsBrews. Right across from the office.
I know the place. It’s famous for serving specialty beers from local microbreweries. But it’s even more famous for its late-night snacks for lawyers burning the midnight oil. Everyone at Huxley & Webber has spent time there at some point.
–Me: I’ll be there soon.
I drive my ten-year-old Corolla over to the bar. Even from the street, it’s obvious the bar’s packed with lawyers in their fancy suits and confident swagger. The firm is one of the best in the country, and most associates there behave like they’re God’s Chosen. But then… I guess God must really love you for you to be able to attend an elite law school. You can have all the talent and drive in the world, but circumstances can keep you from realizing your full potential. I think about my perfect LSAT score, and the fact that I’m never going to be able to attend a law school.
I park on the street and go in. Buzzing conversations provide a counterpoint to Kurt Cobain’s vocals on the sound system. I look around for Peter—the lanky six-two frame in a charcoal-gray suit, topped with a golden head. He’s not near the door, so I start pushing through the crowd.
About halfway into the bar, slurred words come from a nook to my right. “At some point, y’know, you just need to move on.”
Peter?
He’s standing with his back to me, one arm wrapped around a brunette in a red dress with a magenta scorpion tattoo on her shoulder. I inhale sharply as shock punches my gut. The design is something I’ll never forget—it’s the tattoo my half-sister Vivienne got the day she wrecked my car, which happened to be the day before Mom was rushed to the ER. Viv had been worried about her tattoo parlor being in a bad part of town, and didn’t feel safe driving her Maserati there. I ignored her babbling, not realizing that she was planning to filch the key to my car from my bedroom and take it instead.
Of course, she denied she was responsible for the crash. Karie said I would need to pay for the repairs, until the police showed her security footage from a gas station near where Viv fucked up my car.
After that, I put a small security camera in my bedroom to make sure Viv will never be able to lie about taking my things and get away with it. I would’ve been so screwed without the cops’ help.
What the hell is Peter doing with Viv?And why is his arm around her like she’s his date?
She says something to him and trots away without seeing me in the crowd.
Now that Peter’s with just guys, his shoulders relax a little. A lawyer to his left says, “Where’s your girlfriend?”
Yeah, what about yourgirlfriend, Peter?
I can see a just-between-you-and-me-boys smile on Peter’s face in the reflection on the window.
“You didn’t hear what I said earlier about moving on? It doesn’t just apply to cases, man. Everything in life. Including women. It isn’t like we’re really compatible,” he says. “I only slept with her because I thought she could help my career.”
What?
“She was crushing on me hard, you know? And I didn’t want to be mean, especially since she’s Andreas’s grandkid.”
“Why was she crushing on a bastard like you?” one of the lawyers says.Guy talk.
“Because I’m hot?” Peter laughs. “Nah, I did something nice for her once, and after that she wouldn’t leave me alone. It was a little pathetic.”
That wasn’t how we reconnected. He couldn’t figure out what was wrong with his fob because it refused to unlock his car in a Home Depot parking lot. I recognized him instantly, although it took him a few minutes to remember me. I fixed the fob by replacing the battery—it happened to me once—and he asked me out for coffee.
I might’ve been happy enough to run into him again that I was a bit too friendly for his taste. But that doesn’t give him the right to trample on my gratitude and affection.
Waves of tremors rack me. Humiliation and pain pool in my belly like acid.
“And sort of useless.” He sounds annoyed. “I thought the least she’d do would be to tell Andreas or Nelson how hard I’m working. Try to help out with my career if she wanted to really be useful.” He shrugs. “It’s fine, though. I’ve upgraded. Viv is better anyway.” He tilts his head in that particular way, and I can tell he’s smirking. Bet he’s smug that he’s been given the promotion he wanted, thanks to Viv. And here I thought he was working toearnthe promotion.
Disappointment drips through the ignominy of my situation.
He opens his mouth to say more, but I step forward. I’ve heard enough. “Peter.”
He stiffens, then turns. “Grace! Wow. What are you doing here?”
“Oh geez, let’s see…” I tap my chin, then snap my fingers. “Oh, that’s right—I was told my boyfriend was having a party to celebrate his promotion.”
