5. Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Chloe
“Hello, darling,” I drawl to Kate over the phone while driving home from work.
“Hey, babe. How was the football game yesterday?”
I tap my finger on the steering wheel. “Besides having root beer spilled all over me, I enjoyed it. The new guy Carter hired brought his son. And Carter asked me to plan your appreciation festival for November. I only have nine weeks to do everything, but I’m sure I can pull it off.”
“We’ll circle back to the root beer. Tell me more about my new coworker. What’s he like? How old is he? Is he nice?”
I chuckle. “Slow down, lady. I’ll answer as best I can.” How to describe Dawson? I think back to how he kept pace with me in class, never complaining that I pushed him hardest during the workout. How his muscles bulged as he lifted weights.
He was concerned and apologetic at the game when Finn spilled on me. “I don’t know. Nice, I guess. He’s probably not too much older than us. I think you’ll like working with him.” And he’s smokin’ hot.
But I can’t admit it to her. For multiple reasons. I’m not sure what the situation is between Dawson and Finn’s mom. I don’t want Kate thinking I’m ready for a relationship. And Dawson has a son.
“Phew,” Kate says. “There’s nothing worse than a new coworker who upsets the dynamic of the office.”
I pull into my driveway, excited to head inside and wash off the sweat coating my skin. “Most of you work from home. How does that upset your dynamic?”
“Carter lets us work from home because he trusts the current team to actually get stuff done when he’s not there to babysit us. If new guy—”
“His name is Dawson,” I say.
“Dawson, right. If Dawson can’t manage his time well, it’s back to the office for all of us.”
I wish I knew Dawson well enough to ease Kate’s worries. “We can’t let that happen. How will we do our Monday lunch dates if you’re stuck in the office?” I complain.
“Exactly, Chlo. Ex-act-ly.”
I easily picture Kate’s facial expression as she says this. The way her pink lips would exaggerate the last word. If we were sitting next to each other, she’d lean toward me and punctuate her statement with her finger pointed at my chest.
My best friend has a beautiful creamy complexion with super long dark auburn hair I’m totally jealous of. I have to use ten different products to get my hair to look anything like her smooth strands. And her blue eyes? Man, she knows how to use the perfect makeup to make those babies pop.
She’s often misjudged. Like someone drop-dead gorgeous, nice, and girly can’t be a video-game designer? Puh-lease. Kate does it, and she does it with class.
“Well, let’s wait to see how Dawson does before you freak out,” I say. “Maybe he’ll fit right in with the company and we can continue our lunch dates as usual.” Getting out of my car, I lock the door, then head inside. I put my phone on speaker and peel off my wet tank top.
“Let’s hope so.” She clears her throat. “Speaking of freaking out. I have a date tonight and I don’t know what to wear. Any suggestions?”
I pull a disgusted face, glad Kate can’t see it. “Is this date with Boston again?” Kate’s cousin set her up with him. From what Kate’s told me, Boston needs to grow up and be a man instead of a man-child.
“Yes. He’s taking me to an escape room and dinner.”
I’ll give Boston credit for the activity. Escape rooms are a lot of fun if you’re with friends. Figuring out clues and puzzles with strangers is stressful and annoying when one person thinks they know everything and refuses to listen to anyone else on the team.
Am I bitter about a previous experience?
Possibly.
“Wear jeans and a cute top,” I suggest.
“My dark wash denim and forest green silky blouse?”
“Yes. Boston won’t be able to keep his eyes off you.” My tone isn’t chipper and supportive. It’s bland, as I mask my annoyance .
“I’m ignoring that tone of voice,” she says. “What are your plans for tonight?”
“The usual.” I rip my sweaty socks off my feet, throwing them in my hamper in the corner of my bedroom. “Dinner and a movie. By myself.”
“That’s it. We’re going out tomorrow night. You need to do something besides fitness and football.”
I bristle. “Pardon me for loving what I do and having a hobby millions of other people also enjoy. Besides, I do more than those two things.”
“Whoa, chica. Chill. I was teasing.”
I roll out my shoulders. Relax. No need to be defensive. This is Kate. “What do you have in mind?”
“Shopping and pedis.”
Because I can’t help myself, I smugly say, “Oh look. More things I like besides my job and the Utes. Yes, I’ll happily go shopping and get pampered.”
Pedicures are slightly wasted on me. I wear tennis shoes ninety percent of the time. Not many people get to see my painted toes. But I love getting them done and having my feet look cute.
“Excellent. I’ll pick you up at three.”
I wiggle out of my bike shorts. “I’ll be ready. Have fun with Boston.” Or not. She needs to find someone who can support her and be a partner. Not someone who can’t keep a job.
“Have fun with your dinner and movie, babe. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
“Very funny,” I deadpan.
“Love you, boo. I’ll see you tomorrow. ”
“Byyee,” I sing before hanging up my phone and heading to the only bathroom in my half of the duplex. The shower surround is old and more gray than white despite how often I clean it. The green and white tile on the floor is a throwback to the early nineties when Grammy and Papa bought and updated the duplex. They’ve painted the walls and cleaned the tan carpet since they acquired the two units, but it’s all they’ve done for upkeep.
If they had money to spare, I’d recommend gutting the whole place to make it more modern, but they don’t care too much about what it looks like as long as it’s functional and renters pay their dues on time. Considering I don’t make a ton of money, the discounted rent they offer me means I can’t be too picky about color and flooring.
After showering, I change into joggers and an oversized tee. Dinner tonight is Lunchables for grown-ups. Also known as a charcuterie board, but I prefer the authentic name, not the bougie term. I have whole wheat crackers, slices of lunch meat, Swiss cheese, cucumbers, and strawberries. My only problem is figuring out what to watch.
Do I go for a romance, further hammering my loneliness into my brain, or a drama?
I settle on something that has both.
Downton Abbey.
Grabbing my plate of food and a tall glass of ice water, I head into my living room and settle into my comfy couch. Next weekend, I’ll pull out all my pumpkin and leaf decorations. After I’m done, my house usually looks like Hobby Lobby exploded in here and I can’t wait to usher in the autumn vibes .
As the movie plays, Lord and Lady Grantham are in bed talking. My heart pangs. The longer I watch, the more I wish I could have a relationship like that one day.
I’m by myself on a Friday night with no one besides Kate or my brother to hang out with. Is this really the life I want?
Yes, because the alternative is not an option. I refuse to do to anyone else what Mom did to Carter and me.