Chapter 16
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
P eople stopped by my desk at work on Friday to congratulate me on winning a bachelor. They all seemed to already know about my split with Gerry.
“So,” said Nicki, another CPA, holding a steaming cup of noodles in one hand, “he’s a nightclub owner?”
I slumped in my chair. “Yeah. I think I heard that last night.”
Dominic would be canceling our hiking date any minute, and I wouldn’t get the chance to ask him about his club. I wrapped my hands around my mug of tea. He realized what a wet blanket you are.
“Fun.” She leaned closer to my desk. “I heard Gerry wrecked his car last night. Hit a tree.”
“Oh my God.” I half rose in my chair, ready to run and find him. I plopped down. “Is he alright?”
“He’s working.” Her phone rang. She took the call and walked off toward her desk.
I slumped forward onto my elbows. Gerry’s Escalade, which he couldn’t actually afford, had always given me a mild case of heartburn. That car was everything to him—seemingly necessary to his sense of self. I rubbed my arms.
My lawyer had emailed again, wanting me to speak with HR about the threats Gerry had made in the parking lot. I straightened the bird ornament on my desk. It was a resin piece that resembled stained glass. A set of three Robin-like birds perched on a branch, it had been last year’s Christmas gift from my sister Audrey—when my family had thought Gerry and I were engaged. I’d wait to speak to HR. Poor Gerry? You’re so pathetic.
That afternoon, I stepped out into the windy cold to walk home with the black hood of Maria’s jacket cinched down tight over my head. Gerry stood next to Lori’s car, speaking to her. He bent over and said something close to her ear.
My stomach dropped. I turned around and strode the other way, forcing myself not to run. My phone rang as I crossed the street to take the long way to Maria’s using side streets away from the main road.
“Hey,” Maria said. “Are you still downtown?”
“Hi.” I took a deep breath, trying to slow the frantic hammering of my pulse. Why was I so scared? Because you’re a coward. I didn’t want to confront Gerry—if he touched me, I thought I’d scream. “Walking to your house now.”
“Wait—come to happy hour. I’ll cover you. Everyone’s dying to know how it went last night.”
“Thanks, but I didn’t sleep well. I’m exhausted. Not much to tell… I think he realized how uptight I am.”
“What? You’re not going to sleep with that fallen angel? Why not?”
I cleared my throat. “I don’t know…I’m nervous?”
“That’s what alcohol is for.”
I snorted. “Yeah. I wish I could loosen up. It’s…been too much. Have fun tonight.”
She sighed. “Fine. I’ll drink one for you.”
On impulse, I veered off to the library. My friend Deedee wasn’t working. I smiled at the other librarians and made my way, in a slightly circuitous route, to my favorite section. Romance—the smutty kind. Twenty minutes later, I left with a tote full of reads.
A bubble bath, the last of Maria’s boxed wine she’d told me to finish, and a stack of romances to work through wasn’t a bad weekend. I read everything from contemporary to fantasy—as long as there was a love story and a happy ending.
What I hadn’t told anyone, except Deedee, was that I did book reviews. I should say, my alter ego LoveBird did—she was sassy and unashamedly adored the dirty. It had been too long since I’d posted.
Gerry had walked in on me filming videos a couple times. One time, he’d thrown away a stack of my books—in a rage that I’d gone out with friends instead of meeting him at his golf club. After that, I’d kept my books in the closet. Do you really think you’re done hiding?
With LoveBird’s pink wig and big glasses on, I set up my filming stage in front of the gas fireplace in my room. After leaning around a stack of books, I pulled an open one down from in front of my face.
“Hello, book friends,” I said, grinning, sprawled out in a cushy chair, wearing a comfortable sweater dress and leggings, and holding a half-full wineglass in one hand. “I’m back with romance recommendations, reviews, and what’s on the docket for the weekend.”
I pressed stop on the remote to end recording. My video style had evolved over the years—I aimed for cute and a bit artsy. Most of my equipment and props were in a tote in the closet of the townhouse. One of the many things I wished I’d grabbed.
The process of filming, editing, and posting would take me several days. That evening, I sat down with my laptop at the desk in my room to start editing, eating the rest of the leftover pasta salad for my dinner.
“Let’s go,” I mumbled to myself.
The process was a bit like baking—everything in the right order. I paused, staring at my too-pale face on the monitor. LoveBird liked to throw her head back and laugh, often at her own corny jokes. I hadn’t managed that this round.
A message alert popped up on my screen. I jerked up—it was from Dominic.
Dominic
My aunt would like to see you again. Do you have time this weekend?
I blinked, chewing on my last bite of pasta salad.
Me
I’m surprised. Didn’t you say goodbye last night?
Biting my lip, I watched the dancing ellipsis as he typed.
Dominic
No. You’re hiking with me tomorrow. And I’m taking you on an extravagant date at some point.
I thought hiking was the date…
Hiking is exercise.
I was sure my crying last night had derailed everything…
It changed my idea that your breakup was normal.
Thank you again. For everything.
You make me feel like I’m capable of being a good person. It’s surprising me how much I like it.
You don’t consider yourself a good person?
Not really. Not caring about other people gives you a kind of freedom. I’ve enjoyed it.
You care about your aunt.
I suppose.
I care. Too much at times.
Opposites attract?
I was grinning, staring at my screen with my skin flushed. He was attracted to me? Come on, Kelsey. Try to be a little bit hip…
My phone rang.
Me
Hang on, phone call.
“Hello,” I said, expecting Maria’s voice. “How’s the bar tonight?”
“Kelsey? It’s Autumn.” She cleared her throat. “God, I’m slurring, shit. We had too much.”
“Are you alright?” I stood up and started pacing across my room.
“Fine. I mean, to get home. With an Uber.”
“That’s good. And Maria?”
“Why I’m calling.” She hiccuped. “She’s a little passed out.”
“Where are you?”
“Whiskey Tango.”
I wasn’t sure I had enough gas to drive downtown. “Is her minivan parked there?”
“Er—yeah?” There was a long pause. “At the store.”
“Wait.” I put my hand on my forehead. “How am I going to get her up the stairs to her apartment?”
“Make her throw up?” Autumn cackled with laughter.
“Stay with her, okay? I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“Yep.” It sounded like the phone had dropped onto the floor.
I sat down for a moment, considering asking Pippa…no. I didn’t want to embarrass Maria, even if it meant a five-mile hike.
Me
My friend drank too much and needs my help. Have to go so I can walk down there. See you tomorrow.
Dominic
Walk? It’s raining here and cold. Why are you walking?
My face scrunched up. Why did I tell him I was walking?
Long story. I’ll tell you tomorrow.
I’m ordering a ride for you.
No—it’s fine. Really. I like walking.
Ordering it now. I’ll ask them to wait on the road.
I put my face in my hands.
Fine. Thanks.
With that ungracious remark, I pushed my laptop closed and stood up to take off my pajama pants and put on jeans.
A new-looking Kia SUV waited for me when I jogged out. “It’s already paid,” the driver said when I asked how the billing was set up. I hadn’t really ordered rides before. “Says in the notes, for as long as you need it. All paid. No problem.”
We zipped downtown, which was crowded with people. The driver insisted he would wait for me to return with Maria and drive us home. Too tired to resist, I hopped out into the frigid night air. At least it wasn’t raining. River Gorge was a lot drier than Portland.
Weaving through loud people with my hands in my coat pockets, I made my way into the Whiskey Tango Bar. I spotted Autumn by the pool tables, laughing with a big, bearded guy in biker leathers.
“Hey,” I said, walking up beside her.
“Kelsey!” Autumn threw her arms around me and lifted me off the floor. We staggered sideways into the bearded guy. “You came. Fucking fast.”
“Yep.” I pulled myself free of her. “Can we go? I need your help.”
“Help?” Autumn took another swig of her beer. “Yeah, okay. Thanks for the drink,” she said to the bearded guy, side-bumping him with her shoulder.
“Anytime, blondie.”
“She’s over here.” Autumn led me to a table in the corner. A couple of servers stared at her and shook their heads. “Hey,” Autumn called, rushing over. “Is okay. We’re taking her home. Right now.”
They nodded curtly and sped off, their trays full of empty pint glasses.
“Sheesh,” Autumn said, bumping the table.
“Maria,” I said, sliding into the booth beside her and patting her hand. “Hey, wake up.”
Her eyes slid open, and she smiled, her mouth burbling something.
We had to prop her up, one of us on each side, gripping the waistband of her jeans and holding her arms over our shoulders. Luckily, she could sort of totter and lurch on her feet. We pushed through a back door to a smoker’s patio and made it into an alleyway.
Maria jerked, hunching forward. Autumn and I jumped away just as Maria vomited next to a dumpster.
“Nice.” Autumn glanced at a compact from her purse. “Better here than the car.”
“I’ll get our ride closer.”
Eventually, we loaded Maria up, with Autumn coming along to help move Maria up her stairs.
“She’ll be okay,” Autumn said, watching me put a hand on Maria’s forehead. “Doesn’t do this much anymore.”
“Was she upset?”
Autumn shrugged. “Maybe a little disappointed about the auction. I don’t know. Do you think I should go to Beau’s house? Tonight…I know where he lives.”
I bit my lip, holding Maria’s clammy hand in mine. “Did you text him?”
Autumn groaned, flopping against her seat. “Don’t have his number. I gave him mine—last night.”
“He’s a police officer, right? Probably working the night shift.”
She harrumphed. “I won’t do it—too desperate. Besides, it’s a damn small town.”
“Are you selling tomorrow?”
“Shit, I am. Thank God you got me out of that bar.”
Right when we’d gotten Maria to the top of the steps, Pippa walked over from the big house, frowning and in a bathrobe.
“I’ll stay with her,” I promised.
Pippa hugged me, then left, her arms wrapped around her chest.
Autumn ran back down to the ride Dominic had paid for, gleefully taking advantage of a free lift home.
I went to my room and made preparations to sleep on Maria’s couch, grabbing my laptop so that I could message Dominic. You’re checking in with him. Deluding yourself.
Me
Thanks again. Back home.
I had notifications for a bunch of emails from Google Alerts. My throat tightened—I’d put the alert on my name. There were naked pictures of me posted all over the internet.