Trouble

“Even an idiot like you can see what I’m doing.”

“Don’t do this.” His grip tightens, and fire burns up the anxiety in my chest.

“Take your hand off me, or I’ll rip your head off.”

His grip loosens, falling away from my arm, and I jerk open the dresser, shoving everything into my bag as fast as I can. My panties, my Unsolved Mysteries PJs, my fluffy socks. Running to the bathroom, I scoop up my toothbrush and my face creams.

Making my way to the door, I grab my one Armani suit from the closet. I sacrificed and bought it for when I made executive visits… It still has the tags on it.

God, I’m so ashamed.

I hate that Daisy was right.

I hate I stayed here three months longer than I ever should have.

“I wish you would slow down and let me explain.” Idiot Flick is still speaking like I have any interest in hearing his excuses.

Nadine has pulled on a shirt, at least. She’s fastening the buttons over her push-up bra when I see a diamond tennis bracelet sparkling on her wrist.

“Is that…” My eyes squeeze briefly, and I will not cry.

Dammit, I will never cry over this loser again.

“What?” Elliot looks all around the bedroom, and I spy the fucking Jared’s box on the desk.

I almost lose my battle with the tears, but I steel myself. I’m almost out the door.

Stay strong, Sly…

“I’ll leave my key card with Eric.” My voice is so controlled, I wish they gave awards for best actress to regular people.

“Sly…” He touches me again, and my expression must warn him. He quickly holds up both hands like I’ve pulled a gun. “I never meant to hurt you.”

“I hope your dick falls off.”

With a slam, I’m in the elevator, hurtling to the ground below.

* * *

“I knew. That’s the whole problem. I always knew.” My nose is hot from crying, and I’m curled up on a plush sofa with my head in Courtney’s lap.

I couldn’t drive all the way home, and I couldn’t call Daisy tonight. Instead, I went to the grocery store and bought several pints of ice cream before calling my friend Courtney.

She told me to come straight to her tiny apartment in Belmont. She’s a true friend.

“It’s not your fault.” She traces her fingers through my hair. “If you’d known, you wouldn’t have stayed with him.”

Pushing up into a sitting position, I wipe my nose again. “I kept holding on to the memories of when we met, how things were those first months. I couldn’t believe he would let that go… God, I’m such a fool.”

“You’re an amazing person.” She holds the pint of Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia to me, and I stab the fork in and take another bite.

Courtney and I met in massage therapy school, and we’ve been there for each other through the pain of getting established in a new town. I’ve kept her son Oliver when Ozzy, her ex, started harassing her…

“If he would throw what you had away for a bimbo secretary, he deserves whatever he gets.”

I wipe a fresh tear away. “We hadn’t had sex in three months. I knew he was sleeping with someone else. I just couldn’t let everyone be right.” Shaking my head, I look down at my lap. “I’m the idiot.”

“You loved him. I remember how giddy you were the day he asked you to move in with him.” She gives my hand a squeeze. “You’re not an idiot for loving someone. He’s a loser for not valuing what you had.”