MRS. WEST

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝟠

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Dixie

Cameron decided to get me spicy sushi with extra soy sauce- a combo I used to like. Key word, used to. I don't understand why he won't let some things go. If I didn't want to eat, I didn't want to, so why was it such a big deal to him?

I've reached my office, and since there's no new cases for me to work on, (Thanks to Ted.) I'm leaned back in the squeaky office chair, reading some law book. Even if you're the smartest person in the world, there's still something you can learn.

A knock on the door interrupts my reading. "Come in."

Two of the lower employees enter– Olivia and Jackson.

"Hey, Dixie." Olivia says, a little sheepish.

"Hello," I say slowly, putting my book down. "Can I help you two?"

They both look at each other before Jackson speaks up. "Uh, about your previous case.."

Of course. What was I expecting? I bet the whole firm now knows about the terrible loss of Justin Deyes.

It was all Cameron's fault. I needed something and I didn't have it.

"I mean... cases like that are rough. Anyone could've lost that." Olivia says.

Jackson follows. "Yeah, I mean– you're still a really good lawyer. One loss doesn't mean anything."

'It's okay to make mistakes?' 'One loss doesn't mean anything?' Can they hear how stupid they sounded? Of course it means everything. My mind drifts to Jordyn. One loss doesn't mean anything, but she meant the world to me.

"Wow," I say flatly. "I- thanks. Anything else?"

They smile slightly before shaking their heads. "No, we'll leave you back to what you were doing."

I'd prefer if you did. I think, but obviously I don't say it. Instead I inhale, giving them a big, fake smile. The door closes behind them and I can finally breathe. The silence was mine again.

My phone buzzes on the table. I sigh before flipping it so I can see the screen, and to no surprise, it's Cameron. He's sent me three new texts.

I stare at the screen, unsure of what to say. My read receipts were on, so he would obviously see I've left him on read.

He replies back almost instantly.

I didn't know Cameron was such an attentive listener. I honestly only told him that so he would stop pestering me about my life.

There's this annoying pull in my chest at how fast he answered- like he dropped whatever he was doing the second I texted back. Whatever, Cameron!

The sudden change in his texts makes me raise my eyebrows. I lean back in my chair, letting it creak under me.

Wait, it was creaking. Have I gone up again?

He must think I'm intimidated by him– in your dreams.

I actually let out a small, disbelieving laugh at that. The man was all bark no bite.

I swipe out of my messages app, but as soon as I do, Cameron's contact name spreads appears on my phone. I exhale, dragging a hand down my face before pressing accept.

"Finally," he says, and I can hear the background noise- there's distant chatter, something metallic clanging, he was probably at the station, on a break. "I was two seconds away from driving over there."

"You're infuriating!" I spit back, spinning slightly in my chair.

"And you're lying to me at nine in the morning," he shoots back. I hate that feisty mouth of his. "So here we are."

"Have you eaten yet?"

"No." I reply, unbothered.

"Dixie." he sighs.

"What?" I snap, sharper now. "I told you I didn't want it."

"That's not what I asked," he replies, calm but a little exasperated. "I asked if you ate."

I hate how he does that. Sidesteps my attitude like it's a puddle and keeps on walking. Not that I had an attitude.

"I told you, I wasn't hungry," I say.

"You haven't been hungry for a while."

"Wow, you've been tracking me?" I reply snarky.

"Yes," he replies fast. "You're eating less than before, and you're shutting me out. What's the problem?"

"I'm fine, there is no problem."

"And I said you're not," he counters, "Dixie, you don't even believe that."

"I just lost a case, Cameron," I say, my voice rising. "I'm allowed to be upset."

"I didn't say you weren't allowed to be upset," he replies. "I said you don't get to shut down and push everyone away like this."

I swallow, staring at my reflection faintly in the black screen of my computer- he's right, which is exactly why I'm annoyed.

"Oh my gosh, are you my husband or my therapist?"

"I'm the guy who's trying to make sure you don't disappear on me." he says, his voice dipping slightly.

"Cameron, leave me the hell alone." I say, running a frustrated hand across my desk.

"Dixie, is this because of Jordyn?," he drops. "I know she's the reason you haven't been yourself."

My eyes widen as a sweat drops down my forehead.

It wasn't even hot, and yet I was panting like a rabid dog.

We had never mentioned her name out loud with each other ever since the incident because of how much division it caused between us.

Sure, we had beat around her name for a while, but never anything about actually saying it.

I feel angry hot tears basically piercing their way out of my eyes, but I tilt my head, blinking them back.

"You know what? I'm not doing this with you right now- you're this close to getting blocked." I gesture with my fingers, though he can't see me.

"Block me," he scoffs. I can tell he's had it with me. Two can play at that game. "Block me, Dixie. Like that'll solve all your problems."

I raise my eyebrows to his willingness. Usually he would plead with me or try to reason things out.

"Don't contact me again," I manage to say, despite the lump in my throat. "I hate you, Cameron."

I press decline before he even has the chance to speak. My chest is rising too fast, my fingers curled tight around the edges like I might throw it if I hold it any longer.

The words echo in the back of my mind. He deserved it.

Didn't he?

I drag a hand down my face, exhaling hard through my nose like I can physically push the irritation out of my system.

"Oh my gosh," I mutter under my breath, pushing myself back from the desk.

Why does he do that and why can't he just leave things alone when I say I'm fine? Why does everything have to turn into something deeper, something heavier, something I don't want to do?

I shove the thought of Jordyn down fast. It makes me dizzy- lightheaded. My jaw tightens immediately. He knew he crossed a line. We don't talk about her ever. He brought it up like he expected me to let all my feelings out about it.

"So stupid." I whisper.

I reach for the law book on my desk, flipping it open with more force than necessary. The pages rustle, loud and aggressive.

Hundreds of words fill the page- case citations, logical arguments, and tips on how to build your speech. This is what I could do. This is what I'm good at. Nothing about that whole conversation made sense.

My eyes stop moving and I've read the same paragraph three times although nothing sticks. I stare at the page, reading it over and over hoping to get some information in my head.

"You've got to be kidding me," I mutter, snapping the book shut.

The sound is sharp, final, but it doesn't fix anything.

I lean back in my chair, staring at the ceiling. I know I shouldn't have said that. I shut my eyes immediately.

No, I meant it.

I definitely meant it. He needed to hear it and he needed to stop.

He can deal with himself, and I can deal with me, like always. And if that means blocking him, ignoring him, shutting everything out just to get through the day, then so be it.

Before I can drown in my own thoughts anymore, the office telephone rings beside me. I pick it up, and to no surprise, it's Ted.

"Yes, Ted?"

"Ah, Dixie, can you come to my office?"

"For what?" I ask immediately.

"It'll just take a minute."

I exhale slowly, already pushing my chair back. "I'm coming."

I hang up before he can add anything else crazy. At least I had something to do now.

See, I am working, Cameron.

~

People glance up as I pass. I can hear them whispering about the big tragedy. Isn't it polite not to talk about someone while they're walking right past you?

Word spreads fast around here when you fall.

I get to Ted's door and knock once.

"Come in!" he calls.

I push the door open and I immediately want to close it again because Georgia is already there, sitting comfortably in one of those chairs like she earned it. My jaw tightens instantly and I already don't like where this is going.

"What is it?" I ask. I don't bother to sit.

Ted looks up at me, offering a small smile.

"You look busy," he says.

"I'm not," I reply bluntly. "You took my work, remember?"

His smile tightens. "Right."

Georgia glances up at me the second I walk in. "Dixie."

"Georgia," I reply, just as flat.

I look at Ted with sharp eyes. "What is this about?"

"Come in, come in," Ted gestures warmly. "Close the door."

I do it slowly and gently, then I take the seat beside Georgia, there's a careful distance between us. Good, it should stay like that. Any closer and she might be in ruins. I take it back- I'm too classy for that.

Ted clasps his hands together, smiling like this is a friendly meeting.

"I wanted to talk to both of you about something important," he begins.

Georgia leans back slightly, crossing her legs, completely at ease.

"I've decided," Ted continues, "that for the upcoming case- Georgia's case- you two will be working together."

I don't register the words for a second, then, my eyes widen.

"What?" I yell.

Georgia turns her head toward him. "I'm sorry?"

Ted nods like all is fine. "Dixie, you'll be assisting Georgia. Helping where needed-"

"No," I cut in immediately.

Both of them snap their heads at me. "I'm not doing that."

Ted's expression tightens slightly, but he keeps his tone calm. "Dixie-"

"I'm not assisting her," I repeat. "I'm not being reduced to that."

Georgia lets out a quiet, almost entertained breath.

"I don't need assistance anyway, Ted." she adds smoothly, flipping her hair behind her shoulders. "Especially not from someone who just lost a case like that."

I turn my head toward her slowly. "Say that again," I say, as sweet as sugar.

Ted lifts a hand quickly. "Alright, ladies, let's not-"

"No, I want to hear it," I interrupt, eyes still locked on Georgia. She meets my gaze, completely unfazed.

"I said," she repeats, voice calm, "I don't need your sorry help."

"That's funny," I let out a short laugh, "Considering this is your only real case."

I smile wide as she gasps.

Ted sighs.

"Okay- this is exactly what I didn't want- "

"You brought me in here to assist her?" I cut in again, turning my anger back to him. "After everything I've done for this firm?"

"It's not about diminishing your work," Ted reassures, though it feels like a stab. "It's about making sure this case is airtight."

"I make cases airtight," I snap. "That's what I do-"

"-And right now," he replies quick, a little more firmly, "I need you to support the team."

"The team?" I repeat. "Or her?"

Georgia shifts in her seat, clearly enjoying this more than she should. "You're being dramatic."

I turn to her again. "Am I?"

"Yes!" she exhales. "It's one case. Get over it."

My hands clench slightly in my lap. "One case?" I repeat quietly. "Tell that to the man sitting in prison right now."

She doesn't respond to that.

"Dixie, listen to me. This is temporary."

"That's what you said before," I shoot back. "Temporary, strategic, a 'reset'- Ted, you have a lot of words for the same thing."

He sighs. "And what might that be?"

"You don't trust me," I say.

"That's not true at all."

"Then why am I sitting here being told to assist someone who couldn't hold a candle to me two weeks ago?"

Georgia scoffs. She needs to let the powerful people do all the talking.

"Enough," Ted says, more firmly now.

"You're both going to work this case," he continues. "Together. I don't care if you like each other or not."

"I don't," Georgia mutters.

"I could care less, Georgia." He smiles.

Something in my chest tightens- it's hot and humiliating.

"Fine," I say finally, my voice quieter now.

Ted leans back in his chair, relaxing a bit. "Good."

"But don't mistake this as me agreeing with you," I add. "I'm doing this because you told me to. Not because she needs me."

Georgia rolls her eyes. "I don't."

"I'm aware." I stand up.

"Alright. I think that's enough for now. You two can start coordinating later today."

Georgia stands too, smoothing out her outfit like she just walked out of a meeting she won. Think again! "I'll send over the files," she says casually, glancing at me. "Try to keep up."

I just watch her until she walks out and the door closes behind her.

Ted exhales, rubbing the back of his neck.

"I'm sorry," he says.

"Are you?" I ask, irritated as heck now.

"Yes." He looks up at me.

"Because it doesn't feel like it."

"I'm just trying to do what's best for the firm."

"And that involves sidelining me?" I reply.

"It involves protecting our success rate," he corrects.

"At my expense." I fire back.

"At no one's expense," he insists. "You're still one of my best."

"Then treat me like it!" I yell, stomping my foot.

I calm down, my chest rising up and down too much. I close my eyes for a brief second before opening them again. Ted is still staring at me, but with something else in his eyes.

"You look.. nice today." He says suddenly.

I blink twice, a little caught off guard. He decided to say that after what I just said? He must not take me seriously at all.

"What?" I say, clenching my fists.

He smiles slightly.

"I'm just saying. You carry yourself well. Even after everything."

I stare at him, and he's staring back hard. His eyes linger on my body for quite a bit to the point I feel uncomfortable.

I don't look too much into it, because I'm too mad to unpack it.

"Save it," I say flatly.

His smile falters slightly. "I mean it."

"I don't care," I reply.

"I didn't ask for compliments," I continue. "I asked for respect."

"You have it," he says.

"No," I shake my head. "I don't, obviously."

Then I turn toward the door.

"Dixie-"

"I'll do the case," I say, stopping just short of leaving. "But don't expect me to like it."

"I don't," he replies.

I glance back at him once. "I'll see you later."

~