Chapter 18
Pulling up to my apartment,I sigh in relief. The last twenty-four hours have been some of the craziest in my entire career. Weather delays last night kept us from leaving until three hours after our scheduled flight time.
We arrived in Denver after midnight, and I crashed until 5 a.m. when I had to get ready for my 8 a.m. return flight. I should have made it back by ten at the latest, but mechanical delays and a missing copilot grounded us for hours. It’s right after three when I get home. I desperately need to shower and nap before Ralphie’s game, but my brain is fried.
Not only was the flight delayed and full of turbulence, but the passengers were a nightmare. We almost had to request one be removed before takeoff when she loudly insisted another passenger trade seats with her so she could sit by her husband. She was not happy when that person refused to give up their sixth-row aisle seat for a middle seat on the twenty-eighth row.
The last thing I want is to dress up and be around more people. I would much rather curl up on my couch. All my rage-induced confidence after reading Andre’s email has fizzled out with my energy level. I do not have it in me to face him and the other WAGs tonight.
It’s been days since I’ve seen Ralphie, but being in the suite isn’t that different from watching from home. I don’t see him until after either way. I know he wanted me to go, but surely he’ll understand I’m not up for it.
3:16 PM
Me
Finally made it home.
Ralphie
Did you get much sleep?
Me
No. Since they kept telling us the plane was almost ready, there was no time to nap in the lounge. I’m running on four hours.
Ralphie
You must be exhausted. You should nap.
Me
I’m about to, but I am beat. It was a madhouse on the flight today. Are you at the stadium yet?
The puck drops at seven. And his rigorous pregame routine requires a serious time investment.
Ralphie
I’m here. I dropped a jersey off with Madison so you can wear mine this time and not some other fucker’s.
I tense at the reference. I had hoped the correct jersey comment was just Andre finding something to pick at. It must still be bothering Ralphie if he would drive across town on a game day to drop one off. My desire to go tonight plummets further at the idea Ralphie could share sentiments with Andre.
Me
About that, I was thinking about watching from home. Getting glammed up sounds terrible right now.
Ralphie
Your name is already on the list. You don’t have to get dressed up. Just throw on my jersey and your beanie.
The unlicensed, homemade beanie your agent specifically asked me not to wear? Fat chance.
Me
No way! That’s what I wore the last time I was there. They would totally notice. I don’t want to embarrass you.
Ralphie
You could never embarrass me.
I have an email in my inbox that would beg to differ.
Me
Will you get in trouble if my name is on the list and I don’t go? I am not up for faking happy tonight.
Ralphie
You never have to fake your feelings, Zlatí?ko.
I won’t try to convince you if you don”t want to go. Andre may get on my ass about it, but he can shove it. I pay him, not the other way around.
I bet he will be thrilled I’m not there. There is no risk of embarrassment. Although, I’m sure he’ll find a way to complain about how it makes me appear as an unsupportive girlfriend or some other dumb take.
Me
I don’t want to make things difficult for you…
Ralphie
It’s fine. I can handle it.
Me
Come over after?
Ralphie
Of course.
I get the vibe that Ralphie is disappointed with my decision, but I am beyond relieved. After the email and everything I went through traveling the past day, I need a night to decompress. All I want is a quick shower and to sleep.
That plan is interrupted by Madison hogging the bathroom. As I’m deciding between going straight to sleep or waiting it out, she emerges surrounded by steam. Great, there went all the hot water.
“You’re home,” she notes.
“Yeah.” My reply comes out more snarky than intended, the lack of sleep and a grueling day getting to me. My mood plummets even further knowing my shower will be lukewarm at best.
“Geez, what crawled up your ass.”
“Are you done in the bathroom? I need to wash the plane off me before I crash.”
“I have a few more things to do, but I guess if you’re quick, I can wait.”
By a few more things, she means she’ll spend an absorbent amount of time doing her hair and makeup only to restart halfway through.
“How generous of you,” I snap.
“Not all of us have loaded hockey player Sugar Daddies as a backup. I gotta pull out all the stops if I want free drinks.”
“Are you kidding me? He is not my ‘Sugar Daddy.’ Why would you even say that?”
“Could’ve fooled me. The man bought you jewelry on your first date and dropped off another gift this afternoon. It’s on your bed, in case you were wondering. I don’t know when I became your secretary, but that isn’t what I signed up for when I agreed to be your roommate.”
I stand there slack-jawed at her audacity. We’ve never been besties, but we are friends. At least, I thought we were. We’ve been perfectly compatible roommates up until this point. I let her use my car when hers crapped out for Chrissake.
Her jab about Ralphie spending money on me is ridiculous. He isn’t paying any of my bills. But even if he were, that wouldn’t be her business. Plus, it’s not as if she’s destitute. Working for the airline may be her only job, but she makes decent money. And I don’t recall her turning down all the dinners at Nobu she enjoyed during her brief fling with that former child star turned cult leader.
I don’t know if it’s because I’m tired from my hellish day or years of built-up tension from being walked over by other people, but I snap.
“First of all, the necklace he bought me cost sixty dollars. Even the brokeass men you date could afford that. Second, I don’t know where this hate is coming from, but I don’t appreciate it. I have been nothing but a good friend to you since we met, which is more than I can say for you. You abandoned me when I got sick a few weeks ago. I would never do that to you.”
“Your boyfriend was here.”
“You were planning to leave before he arrived, and we both know it.” Her lack of response is enough of an answer.
“I don’t know if you’re jealous or hormonal or simply being a bitch, but I don’t appreciate you talking down to me as if I’m using a man to get ahead. I work hard for everything I have. If my boyfriend wants to give me his jersey—” I put extra emphasis on that to show how ridiculous she’s being “—it’s none of your business. Hell, if he wants to give me a Ferrari, it’s none of your business and in no way detracts from how I’ve supported myself up to this point.”
Now it’s Madison’s turn to be shocked. I’ve never talked to her this way before. Hell, I don’t know if I’ve ever truly stood up for myself to anyone other than Chet. It is incredible. Is this how Rob feels when he calls out Dad’s disapproval? It’s exhilarating. I need to do this more.
“If you’ll excuse me,” I say as I push past her. “I’m going to rinse off before crawling into bed to sleep off my crappy trip. Since I am sure you used up all the hot water, I’ll be quick.”
As I rinse off, a million snarky comments run through my head. Wanting to take the high road, I don’t repeat any of them. Instead, I make quick work in the shower and fall asleep the second my head hits the pillow.