Alonso
Maggie’s irritated voice berated me. “How could you let this happen, Ali? Again!”
I pinched the bridge of my nose and sighed. “I didn’t. I loaded her complete, correct package into the system and then left my computer and my phone to talk to Tyrell until the cameras rolled.”
“You have to fix it.” It was a demand, not a suggestion. “Piper is the best thing to ever happen to you. Besides me, of course.”
“You will always be my number one, Mags.” I rested my head on the back of my chair and closed my eyes. Exhaustion loomed since I hadn’t slept the night before, trying to figure out what had happened. “I wish I knew what happened, I just know I didn’t have anything to do with that footage—from a room I’ve never been in—being on-air last night.”
A voice from outside my office snapped me to attention. “Then you better figure it out, big shot.”
Piper. My eyes flew open to see her in her dark purple suit, hands on hips, head cocked to one side with a scowl on her face. She towered over me, and I told Maggie I would have to call her back before abruptly hanging up on her.
“I tried to call and explain.”
She rolled her eyes. “I know. I wasn’t in a headspace to listen. All I know is I said I wanted to be anchor to you and only you, and the next thing I know, I’m making weird noises and sucking my teeth for the world to see.” She stepped forward and pointed a finger at me. “I will end up as a meme or on one of those embarrassing news YouTube videos!”
How she was still blaming me was beyond my comprehension. My own ire rose. “After all these weeks and months working together, do you really think I would do this to you again? Have you not seen that I have changed from that stupid college kid? I would never jeopardize your career, or mine for that matter, with an on-air prank like that.
“I loaded your package, labeled ‘P. Campbell Bridesmaid Package,’ and then left all electronics on my desk to see Tyrell. He can tell you there’s no way I did this. And the package I uploaded was still there, everything just as it was supposed to be.” I stood and looked Piper in the eyes, internally begging her to believe me.
“So what happened?” A look of defeat came over her and her eyes fell to the floor. I could see goosebumps rise on her arms.
I threw my hands up. “I have no idea. When I saw what was running, I immediately checked and what I loaded was there, but so was another file. ‘P. Campbell package, use this one.’ That was what aired. And it was loaded from one of the daytime intern’s computers. He had left about five hours earlier.”
Piper bit her lip, it was what she did when she was thinking. I loved to watch her, wondering what her lip tasted like, longing to be the one biting it. But not now. Hurt, disbelief, and fury filled me. I had spent months going out of my way to prove myself to her, to apologize for what had happened in the past. And she still thought the worst of me.
Well, if Piper Campbell wanted to be rid of me, I could make that happen. “Did you talk to Andrews yet?”
The hair that had fallen forward was tucked back. “Yes. I just came from there. He said they were looking into it.” Her voice was low, defeated.
“Did you tell him you wanted a new cameraman?” I stared at her, making her fidget and refuse to meet my gaze.
“N-no.”
“Well then, I’m going to go demand a switch. I won’t work with someone who can’t trust me.” I pushed past her, not caring that I shoved her shoulder into the doorjamb. “See you later, Campbell.”
But I didn’t go straight to the bigwig’s office. I went to the men’s room and sat in Sam’s make-up chair for a minute, my head in my hands. After several deep breaths, I looked at myself in the mirror. The room was dark, as the overhead light didn’t provide much in the way of illumination. I leaned forward and flipped on the mirror lights. and studied the room behind me.
The ladies’ room was beside the men’s and I could only assume it matched. Bathrooms and sinks behind, a dressing and make-up area in front. The dressing area was partitioned off with a heavy curtain for privacy. Where had that video been shot from? It was a little grainy, so I imagined it was from a cellphone.
I positioned myself where I thought Piper had been standing. The video showed her from the side and her mirror image reflected back. I needed help.
I grabbed Rex. “You got to come to the bathroom with me.”
“Whoa, AO, I didn’t think we were that close.”
“I’m trying to figure out what happened last night. Just come with me.” I pulled him into the men’s room and sat him in Sam’s chair. “Now, lean forward and look at yourself.”
Rex turned and looked at me. “You’ve got it bad, AO.”
“What?”
“You’ve fallen for her, man. Everyone can see it. Maria even said something to me about it yesterday.” Rex looked at me through the mirror and wagged his eyebrows while puckering his lips.
Maria. I told Rex to stand still while I hid behind the dressing room curtain. I left a crack between the wall and the fabric and aimed my phone. Sure enough, it gave me the right angle for the video that aired. I videoed a few seconds’ worth of Rex playing it up before coming back out.
Rex turned and looked at me. “I thought you were a confirmed bachelor, AO.”
The thought that I was falling for Piper came to mind, but then the hurt that she didn’t trust me outweighed those feelings. “I’m reconfirming, Rex. Relationships are too much work and bring nothing but trouble.”
My friend clapped his hand on my shoulder. “Anything worth having is hard work, man. And the trouble is all worth it in the end when you have someone who gets you and knows why and how you tick. It’s a risk, sure, but the reward... Man, the reward is so much more.” With that, he exited.
Back at my desk, I pulled up the video of Piper in the dressing room. I froze the frame and zoomed in. Sure enough, a high-heeled shoe was poking out from under the curtain. It was a dark color, which could be any of the women who worked at Action News. The glint of camera phone glass flashed momentarily on the video and I froze it again. The face was too grainy to make out, but sure enough, pale skin was visible.
A text alert came through my phone and I glanced down. Maggie’s name popped up.
Maggie: Did you fix it?
Alonso: Not yet.
Maggie: You and Piper belong together. You have to fix this.
My little sister was playing matchmaker now? I knew she was too attached to Piper.
Alonso: She doesn’t trust me. You can’t have a relationship without trust. Besides, I don’t need a woman.
Maggie: Don’t be stupid, Ali. She made a mistake just like you did. And you do need a woman. I’ve seen your place. And Piper, she’s like a perfect match.
Alonso: I’ll call you later, Mags. Te amo.
Maggie: Adios.
Before I could put the phone back in my pocket, I noticed a missed text from Piper. I debated erasing it before reading it, but I couldn’t. I had to know what she said.
Piper: I cannot say how sorry I am for not believing you. I should have calmly come to you before making any accusations. If you don’t want to work with me anymore, I completely understand. But truly you are the best cameraman and producer I’ve ever had. You make me laugh and that’s something I’ve missed out on in the past few years. No matter what happens, please know that I’m sorry for my behavior.
Piper: It’s been twenty minutes. You must be really upset with me. I assume you’re with Andrews. I’ll talk to Tyrell about getting us switched. I think I might apply at Channel Seven.
What? Apply at Channel Seven and leave Action News? The idea of not just losing Piper as my partner, but losing her from my life was terrifying.
I fired a text back to her.
Alonso: STOP! Do not do anything and for the love of God don’t apply at Channel Seven. You’d hate it. I think I figured it out. Come to my edit bay NOW.
Piper: Ok?
A minute later she tentatively stepped through the doorway. “What’s going on? You don’t hate me?”
I raised an eyebrow in her direction. “Hate you? Can’t I be mad at you without resorting to hate? Do you hate me?”
She shook her head. “No.”
“Being upset doesn’t mean hate, Piper. It just means you’re upset. And believe me, I’ve been plenty upset that you didn’t trust me, but I understand. And I think I figured it out.” I motioned to the seat beside me and she took it, her arms wrapped around her middle.
I cued up the video and showed her the high-heeled shoe and the glint of the camera. She held a hand up to her mouth as she watched.
“Who was in there with you?”
Shaking her head, she looked at me. “I had no idea anyone was in there. I was in front of that mirror for a good ten minutes, they must have hidden the entire time.”
I laid my hand on her arm and felt the goosebumps pop back up. “The question is, was this intentionally planned, or was this spur of the moment? Regardless it’s bad, but that’s something I think you need to know.”
She looked from me to the computer screen. “Have you shown anyone else this?”
“No.”
Piper’s mouth opened, but then she shut it again. I could tell she was changing gears as she bit her lip and moved her hair. “First off, Alonso. Please, please forgive me. I had no right to accuse you. You’ve been nothing but professional here at work, and a friend both at work and outside. I was wrong.”
“Forgiven. As long as you’ve finally forgiven me for all those years ago.”
She nodded shyly. “Second. I think this might have been Maria. She was wearing dark shoes. And she had already announced her intentions to apply for the anchor job.”
“She was not happy when I told her I wouldn’t be giving her a recommendation. I think you’re right.” I leaned in closer to Piper. “I think we need to tell the powers that be. They can follow up on that.”
“Alonso?”
“Piper?”
“Can we—can we try again?”
I brought my face within inches of hers. “Only if I can do this first.” My hands went to her cheeks and I lowered my lips to hers, kissing her softly. She tasted like cinnamon and coffee and the combination gave me a rush of heat and caffeine. I brought her closer and tasted more of her as she groaned under the weight of my lips.
Breaking apart, Piper looked at me with heavily lidded eyes. “I um, I might need to try that again. Just to make sure we’re on the same page.”
“With pleasure.” I moved my chair behind the wall so we were hidden, and brought Piper onto my lap. She leaned into me and wrapped her arms around my neck as I claimed her lips, working my way down her neck and back up the other side.
“I thought you were proud to be the last man standing?” She giggled.
“Now I’m proud to be the man who gets you, Piper Campbell. Now, no more talking.”
With that, I pressed my lips to hers once again and forgot all about being a bachelor, ready to take on the role of claimed man.