“Is there anything you want to know? I mean, I have no solid proof, but they’ve been pretty close. Lots of lunches. She has flowers on her desk sometimes, and I don’t get the impression they’re from her husband. She always takes the card out and hides it in her purse after looking around like a sneaky rat to see if anyone saw the card.”
“Thanks Lilah. I’m just gonna sit with it for a while. Don’t say anything to him. I’ll speak to him when he gets home on Sunday,” Anna said.
There was silence.
“Hello? Lilah?”
“I’m here. We get back Wednesday morning, honey. This is a two-day conference.”
Anna stilled and the tears began again. Of course it was a two-day conference. The other five days were the April–Mason Fuck Fest of 2025. Well, at least one of their 2025 fuck fests. Maybe fuck fests had happen in 2024. Who knew at this point?
Lilah filled the silence.
“If you want me to do something, I’ll do it. I’ll take pictures if I see anything worth capturing but I’m only here for the next two days. Call me if you need anything Anna. I’m so sorry. I can’t stand your weasel of a fiancé, but you seem nice. Too nice for him. I truly am sorry.”
“Thanks Lilah, I’ll manage.”
After exchanging a final thank you and goodbye, Anna ended the call. She wanted to call Rosa or Mel but found herself pulling up Shane’s contact.
Anna: I was waiting to hear from you but have something to tell you. The conference only runs for two days. The rest of the company are back Wednesday morning. Mason’s coworker texted me to tell me that they’re together right now.
Shane: Ok. Thanks for letting me know.
How blasé was this man about his wife’s affair? Even if he didn’t care, how was he so cold toward another human being who was being betrayed? Fatigue, frustration, sadness, anger, and feelings of hopelessness warred inside her. She moved her fingers furiously over the screen.
Anna: You may be used to a shitty relationship, but I’m not. If you don’t want to talk, just fuck off and lose my number. I’ll do this on my own. Best of luck with your wife.
Anna pushed her phone aside and felt satisfied. This standing-up-for-yourself business felt good once you moved past the shakes and racing heart. She stood and stretched. Maybe she’d actually get some sleep that night. So much emotion over the last few days had exhausted her to her bones. At some point, sleep surely would just take her. Her phone buzzed.
Shane: You free tomorrow night?
Anna: Are you going to be an asshole?
Shane: Maybe. I think it’s my default setting at the moment. I’ll try not to be, I promise. Dinner, 7pm? You know that Mexican place on High Street?
Anna: Yes. Tacos are my thing.
Shane: See you there.
His message, while not hugely comforting, gave Anna some hope. Hope of what, she had no idea. What did she expect him to do? Maybe it was just a “misery loves company” thing. At the very least, she had tacos to look forward to.
Chapter 8: Shane—Tacos and secret texts
“So, Couliers wants to increase security patrols to three a day. Apparently, the vandalism is happening even when ... You listening, Trigger?” Brax frowned and looked up from his laptop.
Shane was staring out the window, blocking out Brax’s monologue about fluorescent yellow dicks being drawn on the brick wall at the main Couliers branch and increased security patrols. Trigger was his old nickname from when he and Brax were in the marines. Brax and Sawyer were the only ones to still use the nickname, but it felt good. Like family. It reminded him of their bond and shared histories.
“Yeah, I’m listening. Fuck it. No, I’m not. April’s fucking some guy from work and I’m meeting his unicorn tits Tink fiancée for dinner. That’s it. I'm done with her.”
Brax frowned. “That’s a lot to take in at one time. What’s a Tink fiancée? And why have you seen her tits?”
“She reminds me of Tinkerbell. She has unicorn tits. And no, I haven’t seen them naked, just under her top. I’m a starved and horny man going out to dinner with the chick of the fuckwit that April is screwing.”
“Shit. I don’t even know which thread to follow here. Did you know about April? I know you suspected. How did Tinkerbell find out?” Brax asked.
“She saw them kissing. Her name’s Anna and she’s fine as fuck. No idea why her dick fiancé would go behind her back for April, but she’s pretty sure he is. Found some red underwear shit in his drawer that wasn’t hers.”
Brax closed his laptop. “So, this is your shot to find proof? She can’t claim a damn cent from you if you can prove she fucked around.”
