Chapter 3
MADDIE
Women with Barbie figures and men with biceps that bulge when they do downward dog.
The sharp scent of Clorox attacks my nose. I look down to see Janie scrubbing her mat with a disinfecting wipe.
“Man, Janie,” I say with a laugh. “I wish you were such a germ freak in our apartment’s bathroom.”
She flips me the bird just as the teacher floats into the room in her matching Lululemon set.
As the teacher’s soothing voice melds with the meditation audio flowing through the speakers, my mind races.
I can’t stop thinking about Mr. Walker’s hint that the school may close. And then Steven’s wanting me to play Rio’s fake girlfriend. If it weren’t for Snorty, no way would I even consider it.
***
After class ends, I dodge sweaty bodies as I follow Janie to the juice bar. We could never have afforded this fancy club if it wasn’t for that two-for-one deal they ran last January.
Janie’s eyes dart around the room until she spots an empty high-top table near the window. Some muscled guy in gray sweatpants has his eye on it too.
But Janie sprints over and slams her purple water bottle down, claiming territory.
“Look around, let’s see who’s hot,” she says, putting a fake smile on her face.
“You’re so obvious!” I flush red as I pull a tea bag from my purse and dunk it into a Styrofoam cup of the club’s water. “Can’t you try Tinder in the privacy of our apartment?”
“Of course,” she says with a grin. “But this way we can identify guys who hang together and go on a double date.”
I roll my eyes. “Stop it. You know I’ve completely sworn off men. Snorty gives me everything I need in a boyfriend. He’s super smart, always cheers me up when I’m down, and cuddles with me every night.”
She shakes her head, her expression turning serious. “You and that puppy. Speaking of Snorty, have you talked to your brother about borrowing money for his operation?”
“Actually,” I say slowly, “it turns out I might not need to ask for a loan after all.”
“Oh yeah? You happen to have a cool six thousand lying around I don’t know about?”
“No,” I say. “But Steven knows someone who needs my services.”
“Services, eh? Miss Modesty is hooking now?” She teases.
I roll my eyes. “Possibly worse. He asked me to play the role of Rio Wilder’s girlfriend in Las Vegas this weekend.”
Janie’s face turns a bright shade of pink that matches her workout top. “Rio Wilder! Your childhood heartthrob! Finally. He’s so hot when he struts his stuff in those tight leather pants. Please tell me you said yes.”
“I haven’t said anything yet. Rio’s been my brother’s best friend forever. Four years ago, something happened that showed me his true colors. Rio’s real character. And I want nothing more to do with him.”
I pause, thinking about my puppy’s wheezing breaths that kept me up last night. “But then, when I think about Snorty…”
The vet’s estimate sits heavy on my mind. Six thousand dollars for the operation to fix his breathing issues. It would eliminate his pain and prolong his life.
“Say yes,” Janie leans forward, her eyes wide with excitement. "I bet the weekend will be super glam! Let me look it up."
I watch Janie as she taps at her device. "Got it. Concert this weekend in Vegas by Rio and the Wilders. Benefiting the Quench Autism Foundation."
"What? Steven didn't tell me that part," I say, grabbing Janie's phone. I quickly read the details.
"It says here Quench soft drinks will donate part of the concert proceeds to autism research. This is great. If I go, maybe I'd be able to meet VIPs directly involved with the charity. And tell them about the programs I've developed at my school."
Janie snatches her device back.
"Boring!" Janie says, using her fingers to expand the picture of Rio so that the front of his tight jeans fills her phone frame.
"Your fake rockstar fiancée has a package like this, and all you can think about is research?"
"Rio's my brother's best friend. I've known him since I was a kid. He's nothing to get excited about."
"To you, maybe. You must go to Vegas, Maddie. I can’t wait to tell my coworkers my roomie’s marrying the hottest rockstar on earth. Then, when you tie the knot, I’ll fill their heads with all the kinky sex you guys are having—”
“We’re not getting married, and there’ll be no sex. Kinky or otherwise. I’m sorry I even told you.”
“Then why did you?”
I sigh. “Steven needs a decision before midnight. If I answer yes, I’ll need to fly to Las Vegas early tomorrow morning.”
“Do it, Maddie, do it! Las Vegas will be so fun! Besides…” She drops her voice, leaning in closer like she’s sharing state secrets.
“It would be good for you to get out of town this weekend. Especially since he is going to be there.”
“He? Who?”
“Joseph. Remember I told you about my new friend who only dates finance guys? Well, she knows Joseph. And she says his new firm is having their big annual convention at Las Palmas in Vegas this weekend.”
I stare at her. “That’s where I’ll be staying. You’re joking.”
“Nope. Apparently, this new firm is super conservative. Like, ‘family values’ conservative. They fire people for messy divorces or public scandals.”
“Then Las Vegas isn’t the place for them,” I say.
“I don’t know,” she replies. “Maybe they're staging the event in Las Vegas to provide temptation and see who breaks.”
“I’m curious if Joseph can pass the test.”
“What do you mean?” Janie looks at me.
“He’s a binge drinker. Rarely drinks, but when he does? Whoa, Nellie!”
It's not funny. Not by a long shot. But we both explode into giggles.
“Here's another thing," says Janie. "Since Joseph broke up with you, imagine how jealous he'll feel when he sees you on the arm of gorgeous Rio. He’ll regret your breakup and all the nasty things he said about you.”
“Ha! That will be the day.”
“Speak of the devil. Here comes he comes now, Joseph W. King.”
I turn my head in time to see my ex-fiancé saunter through the upscale fitness center entrance. He wears a charcoal gray suit that fits him a little too perfectly.
Joseph W. King. The guy I’ve known since we were fourteen.
Back then, he was gawky. Geeky. Now? He looks like a G.I. Joe action figure come to life. Square jaw, thick dark hair, muscles that look sculpted rather than earned.
Handsome, yes. But in a way that feels synthetic. Like manufactured by Mattel.
I watch him flash his new, perfect veneers at the receptionist, who practically melts behind her desk. He doesn’t just smile. He deploys charm like a weapon.
It’s hard to reconcile this "Wall Street Wolf" with the man who left me at the altar two months ago.
I know the truth behind the suit. I know about the drinking. He keeps it together 99% of the time. Yet once in a blue moon, he binges. And when he binges, he gets mean.
Like the night before our wedding.
I heard through the grapevine that his best man got him drunk, poured poison in his ear about how he could “do better” than a schoolteacher.
Meaning me. And Joseph, drunk and arrogant, must have believed him.
Clearly, standing me up at our wedding proved we were over.
But if that’s the case, why did he buy a membership to my club?
Must be because he wants to mark territory. To irk me. To remind me that he won and I lost.
He scans the room, and his eyes land on me. He offers a small, tight wave. A smirk that says, See? I’m doing just fine.
He looks so smug. So secure. So safe.
Suddenly, the idea of a chaotic, dangerous weekend with Rio the rockstar doesn’t seem like a burden.
It seems like a weapon.
I stand abruptly, gathering my things with newfound determination.
Las Vegas. Here I come.