Want Me (Mess with Me 4)

I turn around immediately. “I’m still here, baby.”

“Being steady isn’t boring. It means that when the chips are down, you’re the man who comes through. Every time. It means people can count on you. You give me aspirin in case my head hurts. You remember the dress I left crumpled on the floor. You came to the hospital because my mom needed someone there. You’re always there.”

“I’ll always be there for you, Anya. I would do anything for you.”

“I know you would,” she mumbles sleepily. “If I fell down the stairs because I forgot where they were, you would come and find me.”

With a final deep breath, she rolls over to face the wall and I walk out feeling more confused than ever.

Luckily that day at work is uneventful. I wait until almost lunchtime to send a text checking on Anya. If she managed to sleep in, then I don’t want to wake her. But she responds immediately.

JAMES: How are you doing?

ANYA: I’m good. Just came over to take my mom back to the hospital. Pop seems better today.

JAMES: Let me know if there’s anything you need.

She doesn’t respond for the rest of the day. I open and close a text to her a hundred times before I decide to give her some space. When I go home that night, I try to distract myself with a movie but by the time I crawl into bed in the early morning hours, the silence is deafening.

Saturday afternoon, I decide to go to the office and get some work done. I used to have a pretty firm rule about never working on weekends but what do I have to stay home for now? So I throw on a pair of sweatpants and a muscle tee before heading out. I’ll go to the gym before coming home. It’ll be nice to get a decent workout in for once instead of doing some half-assed weightlifting in my garage.

Mya is waiting for the elevator when I walk off.

“James! I didn’t think you were coming in today.”

“I figured I’d get a few things done. Everything ready for the GlowUp event?”

“All systems go. It should be perfect. I just came in to check a few last minute details. I’m heading over to the theater early to make sure everything is being setup according to my directions. I’ll text you updates tonight.”

After considering what Anya said about delegating, I’d decided not to attend the event. After how many times I’ve given him the stink eye, I’m sure Seth Barrington won’t be heartbroken that I’m not there.

“Great. I’ll see you later.”

After about an hour, I realize I’m not getting much done. So I walk two blocks over to the gym near our building and spend a good hour working out. Once I’m sweaty and all my muscles are burning, I finally head home. After I park in the garage, I enter the house. It takes a minute to register that all the lights are on.

I didn’t leave the lights on.

Just when I’m about to go back into the garage and get the hell out of there, Liz turns the corner. She’s holding a glass of wine.

All the breath explodes from my lungs. “Nice of you to make yourself at home. How did you get in here?”

Seemingly shocked at my annoyance, she shrugs. “You still keep your key in a potted plant.”

“That’ll be changing. A lot of things will be changing actually.”

She looks amused. “Such as?”

“Don’t worry about that. Let’s focus on you. I’m guessing Gareth finally got sick of your shit. How long has he been gone?”

The look of shock that flashes over her face is gone just as quickly. Was she always this good at manipulation? Or was I just not looking in the right place? I throw my gym bag in the corner and get a bottle of Gatorade from the fridge.

“Well? I’m waiting.”

Liz huffs. “I don’t know what you mean. Gareth is back at home. Where I left him.”

“Somehow, I doubt that’s the whole story. Let’s follow this Yellow Brick Road all the way to the end, shall we? If Gareth bailed, a bunch of your other clients probably jumped ship, too.”

Her eyes are hard. “You’re reaching. Let me guess. Your little girlfriend convinced you I’m making it up because I’m jealous, right?”