Page 61 of The Path to Loving Him
“I can get Hattie to make one for you,” Hayes says.
I shake my head. “No fucking thank you. You know how she is. The minute you give her any sort of power, she becomes commander in charge, and I don’t need her taking control of this house. I want . . . I want to do it myself.”
Hayes nods. “I get that. Any plans yet?”
“Nope,” I say as I take a large bite of pizza. “Been dealing with some shit.”
“Does this have any reason as to why you brought us here tonight?” Abel asks.
“Yeah,” I reply as I lean back in my chair. “You know the new assistant who was hired for me?” They both nod their heads. “It’s Gabby.”
“Who’s Gabby?” Hayes asks.
“Are we supposed to know her?” Abel adds.
“My tenant and the one-night stand I had.”
Abel sits taller. “Wait, what?”
“Are you serious?” Hayes asks, his eyes widening.
“Why the hell would I joke around about this? Yes, I’m serious. The night that we were together, she was here for her interview. She knew who I was the entire time.”
“Oh shit,” Hayes mumbles.
“How did you find out?” Abel asks.
“The principal ‘introduced’ us. Imagine my surprise when I found out she’s who I have to work with.”
“Jesus.” Abel takes a pull of his beer.
“Doesn’t help that the other day, when she was using my shower because hers is broken, we fucked again.”
Abel nearly spits out his beer but quickly holds it in, letting only a little dribble past his lips. “What? I thought you were against being distracted.”
“Yeah, well, I had a shit day, and she was there, fresh from the fucking shower, and I was tempted. I gave in to temptation, and I’m not lying when I say I would probably fucking do it again . . . and again.” I wipe my mouth with a napkin.
Hayes sets his piece of pizza on the lid of the box. “I’m confused. So this girl you had a one-night stand with, who is now your tenant, is also your assistant coach and I’m assuming co-worker? And you’re mad at her, but you want to fuck her?”
“Yup,” I answer simply. “And not just mad. Pissed. She lied to me.”
“Yeah, that kind of sucks,” Abel says. “But, I mean, can you really do anything about it?”
“No,” I answer. “I have zero control over anything, and you know how . . . how out of my mind that makes me feel.” I take a deep breath. “I can’t stop this itching, nagging feeling that keeps pulsing through me. It’s keeping me up at night. I don’t know how to fix this. I don’t know how to make this right.”
“Is there even a way to make it right?” Abel asks. “I mean, it’s not like you could have her fired. Not only is that unethical but she also doesn’t deserve to lose her job because the circumstances are awkward.”
“He’s right,” Hayes says. “Plus, knowing you, it might temporarily solve an issue, but you would live with that guilt for a very long time.” Not to mention, I’ll be without an assistant coach, something I desperately need. Fuck, this is complicated.
Abel nods in agreement. “You might want to come off as some tough asshole who doesn’t give a shit, but we all know that’s not the case at all.”
“So then what the hell do I do?”
“What’s bugging you the most?” Hayes asks. “That she lied? That you have no control? That all you want to do is fuck her again?”
“All of it,” I say as I drag my hand over my face in frustration.
They both go silent.
