Page 99 of A Song for You

“One night,” she replies, her eyes holding mine.

“One night?” I question.

“Yes, that’s my price. Give me one night with Cat, and I’ll do it.”

I jump to my feet and shout, “The fuck?”

“You get everything else, Jay.” She folds her hands in her lap and tilts her head like her demand isn’t fucking insane. “You stole it all from me, and now you want my help, so that’s my price.”

“She’s not a fucking hooker, Mia. I don’t bargain with her body.” Spinning, I slam my fist into my desk. “What the fuck is wrong with you? You claim to love her, and then you do this? Fuck you. I’ll take care of it.”

She stands, eyes wild. “One night, or I tell her.”

I squeeze my eyes shut and fist my hands so tightly my nails puncture the skin. I could kill her. I could literally strangle her right here. End this right now. All I see is red. “Get the fuck out of my office,” I say through gritted teeth. I can’t be held responsible for what happens next if she doesn’t leave.

“Worried she’ll want it?” she sneers. “That she’ll realize you aren’t enough?”

She hits on a nerve, but I stifle my reaction. If she knows how much she’s getting to me, it’ll be that much worse.

“So help me God, Mia, if you don’t get the fuck out of my office, I will fucking kill you.”

The door to my office swings open, and Kevin walks in, scanning the space. When his eyes land on Mia, he turns back to me with a scowl. “What the hell are you two screaming about? Your secretary asked me to come in because she was so nervous.”

I turn and face the window, knowing I can’t be trusted. “Get her out of my office. Now!” I bark.

“I’m leaving,” she mutters.

Before she can make it out, I warn, “Two can play at your game, Mia. You talk, I talk…and your best friend will know exactly what you just tried to do. So keep your fucking mouth shut.”

Her answering glare is powerful enough that I can feel it burning into my back, but I don’t turn.

Kevin slams the door shut. “What the fuck was that about?”

I run my hand through my hair. Think. What the fuck can I say? What can I do?

At a loss, I pivot and point to the bar cart in the corner. “I’m taking the afternoon off. I don’t want to talk about it. Just drink with me or get the fuck out.”

Kevin follows me to the cart and clinks his glass against mine after a heavy pour. “To not remembering.”

Hours later, I’m three sheets to the wind when my phone rings. I grip it with all my strength, wishing I could actually crack it. As if ignoring her will fix things.

It won’t. I have no choice but to answer because she holds all the cards now.

If she tells Cat, I lose everything. Because Cat is everything.

“What?” I growl, taking the phone outside so I can hear her over the bar crowd.

“Call Carter!” she hisses.

“What?”

“Call. Carter,” she enunciates, still in a whisper. “I’m in his room, but someone just came in the front door. I’m in the closet. Call him and tell him to meet you before he catches me!”

“Fuck,” I say. “Stay in that goddamn closet until I call you back.”

I hang up without waiting for a response and dial Carter.

“Hey, Jay,” he answers coolly.