“Alfie, I’m gonna save you some time by saying I’ve seen it all. Mom told me right after she asked me how my orgy was by showing me a photo of me and three women going into a hotel room.”
“Ah, yes, I’d forgotten to mention she knows about that.”
“Next time, remember I’m your brother and warn me, dammit. I didn’t know what to say.”
“Well, how was it?” I ask, eager to level the playing field on embarrassing topics of conversation.
“The orgy?”
“Yeah,” I scoff, remembering that Teddy’s prefrontal cortex is likely severely damaged, he’s suffered one too many pucks to the head and therefore feels distinctively less shame than the rest of us. Or maybe he’s just an ass.
“Unreal…one of the girls, Indigo, does this thing with her tongue and I’m telling you, she lickseverywhere. A pioneer of the age, that one.”
Christ, why did I ask?
“Anyway…so you know about the TV show segment where I announced we’re dating?
“Uh huh.”
“Well, I think the ‘receptionist’ comment humiliated her because she’s just about to qualify as a psychologist, and maybe she thinks I’ve hurt her chances at that by declaring that she’s only my receptionist.”
“Alfie…”
“Yeah?”
“You’re a fucking idiot.”
Jesus. Doesn’t he realize I already know that?
“I’m aware that romantic relationships, when they pertain to me, aren’t always my strong suit. But she’s hard to read. She masks her emotions. Or at least she did up until last week. She absolutely ripped into me. I mean, I'm pretty sure my dick shriveled up, and it’s still too scared to come out, Ted.”
“Too much visual, brother. Even for me.”
“Noted. But besides the point, she’s left the city. A mutual friend hinted that she’s back in Texas with her family.”
“So when are you going after her?”
After her? Why would I go after my office manager/business manager/receptionist because, YES she is also technically my receptionist? The thought comes as the board with the gate information ticks over to the color red.As if to say, warning you idiot, your flight is leaving, so hurry the fuck up.
“No. I’m not going to fly to Dallas and cause a scene in front of her family. Why would I go after her?”
“God, you’re dense.”
Sighing, I rub my face with my free hand, digging my knuckle into my eye socket. My eye fuzzes over, and I blink a few times to clear the haze. I walk toward the gate, and once I reach it, I see the last few passengers boarding. I don’t know why I don’t want to tell Teddy I’m already at the airport. He’s my brother, and I know he’ll support me whatever I do.
“Explain it to me like I’m dense then.”
“Do you like her?”
“Of course I like her.”
“Do you like her romantically?”
“I…it doesn’t matter if I did. She works for me, and I don't have time for a girlfriend.”
“Who doesn’t have time for a girlfriend?” He tuts. “You’re Dr. Angel, TV personality, and successful psychologist with a waiting list as long as your leg. Ease up a bit and enjoy your life, man. You’re gonna end up as lonely and miserable as Dad is.”
“I don’t have time for anything romantic. I just want her back, for the business.”
