Though being served papers from Jaxon’s lawyer about custody of Pepper had been traumatic, the silver lining was that I’d stopped receiving creepy texts and calls from Jaxon. Maybe his lawyer had told him such messages would ruin his case.
But apparently, he can’t help himself.
Unknown Number:You think you can just ruin people’s lives?
Unknown Number:I know where you live. I’m watching you.
Unknown Number:I’m going to make sure you pay for what you did to me, how you humiliated me. Tried to take what’s mine.
Unknown Number:Your dog is going to be mine, and the first thing I’m doing is leaving her in a ditch.
My hands shake as I take a screenshot and send it to the lawyer.
Salinger barks behind me, making me jump, “Mandy, seriously, what is taking you so long? How much time does it take to load a dishwasher? I emailed you three minutes ago. I need the stats on the Cormack account. Now.”
I can’t turn around to look at him, afraid I’m going to break into hysterical tears. “Sorry. I’ll send it.”
Salinger’s waiting for me, not leaving until I do his bidding.
Head down, trying to think about dry things like deserts and split ends, I hurry to my desk and pull up the data while Salinger paces next to me, listing out every grievance I’ve racked up that week.
“And where were you earlier? You aren’t allowed to just leave in the middle of the day. I need to know where you are. At all times. Where were you? You weren’t messing with those interns, were you? I bet you’re the reason Austin hasn’t quit yet. You’re probably buying him treats or pep-talking him. News flash, Mandy, Austin is legally an adult. He has to sink or swim—you can’t coddle him. You’re not doing him any favors.”
Clamping my teeth together, I hit Send on the data.
“You have a call at four,” I remind him, hating how my voice trembles. “Data is in your inbox.”
“Next time, I shouldn’t have to stand over you to get you to do your job.”
His door closes.
My phone dings.
Randy:I’ll have the paralegal add it to the file, but I really think you should just give this guy a chance. Just go on a date with him, maybe sweet-talk him into dropping the case.
I can’t stop the tears that flood my eyes and roll down my cheeks. I stuff my sleeve into my mouth to stop the sobbing as I race to the bathroom, locking myself in a stall.
With sudden surety, I realize I made a horrible mistake with the lawyer. I misjudged a managain, put my faith in oneagain, and was being screwed overagain.
I don’t have any more money to hire another lawyer.
I should report Randy to the bar association, right? Or blast him on social media? But then everyone would know. They would know how I screwed up.
The bathroom door opens. Claws and boots click on the tile floor. Pepper struggles to crawl under the door and nuzzles my leg.
“Mandy?” Jess’s voice is full of concern. “Mandy, open the door.”
“I’m fine.”
“No, sweetie, you’re not.”
The lock slides with a metallic clang, then Jess is in the tiny stall, too, wrapping her arms around me.
I sob into my friend’s shoulder. “I can’t do this anymore.”
“I know—he’s a horrible boss,” she says, soft and soothing. “We’re going to find you a new job.”
I want to tell her, desperately needing to share the burden with someone. But I know Jess. She would go all Wonder Woman and declare war on Jaxon, then my stalker would come after her, maybe do to her what he was doing to me. Jess supports her mom and disabled sister. Jaxon could really mess up her whole family’s life. I can’t let that happen. Clearly, I am the one who makes bad decisions—this is all my fault. I’ve already sucked Pepper down with me. I am not going to do that to Jess.
