Page 99 of Big Stick Energy
But I wasn’t kidding when I told Eric that we’re a terrible idea. And it isn’t fair of him to draw things out. “Eric, you can’t be seriously implying that we would work as a couple.”
“Why not?”
“Because…”I’m not a Grammy winner or an underwear model?“Because we work together. We’ve been over this.”
He sighs. And the last twenty minutes of the ride home are super awkward. When we pull up at the curb, Eric’s jaw ticks as he climbs out of the Porsche to unload my luggage from the trunk.
“Can I help get these inside?” he asks. Because of course he does.
“When you’re double-parked on the street? That’s a terribleidea,” I point out. “But I do appreciate the chivalry. And thank you for the ride home.”
The look on his face tells me that I somehow made that sound ungrateful and distant. But I don’t know how else to behave right now. Either our fling ends right this second, before it’s hardly begun, or it ends messily during the hockey season, where everyone in my life will have a first row seat for my heartbreak.
So this is for the best. It really is.
We give each other a tense glance before Eric’s gray eyes cut away. “You take care of yourself.”
“You do the same.” I grip the handles of both my rolling suitcases and walk toward my apartment building. Luckily, someone exits at the same time as I approach, and he holds the door open for me.
My heart is still pounding as I roll into the small vestibule and punch the elevator button. Outside, I see Eric standing on the sidewalk, staring at the building. For a half second, I think he’s going to lunge for the closing door.
But then he doesn’t. He turns back to his car, gets in, and drives away.
Numbly, I go upstairs and let myself into my apartment. It’s hot and stuffy, and disturbingly quiet. My phone plays Darth Vader’s theme.
I tap the green button. “You seem to have dialed me on a summer Sunday afternoon. Is this a social call? Or did somebody die?”
“Cute,” he grunts. “You know what’s not so cute? Eighty prospects descending on us Wednesday for development camp, and the facility manager’s wife went into early labor. He’s on a fucking paternity leave now.”
“That’s disgraceful. His child won’t even be able to sayDadafor at least a year. Let’s just tie him to the Zamboni until then.”
“No need to be sarcastic. I’m texting you Bart’s new home address, so you can send them… whatever it is that people with babies want. Spend three hundred dollars on my personal card.”
“Yessir. And I’ll find us a backup tomorrow.”
“Good. I also need you to stay on top of the plans for the development dinner on Saturday night. Last year, the sommelier—”
“—Poured you the wrong Bordeaux. I remember, sir. We had him immediately executed.”
“Uh, Kendrick? Are you okay? You seem a little grumpy.”
“I’m fine,” I say tightly. “And if I’m the bigger grump on this call right now, then it’s only because you’re slipping.”
“Probably true,” he huffs. “You working all five days this week?”
“Nice try, but no, and it’s nonnegotiable. I have midterms. But I will see you tomorrow morning.”
“Good to know. Later, Kendrick.”
I hang up without saying goodbye and go back to unpacking my suitcase. The dress I wore to the wedding goes back onto its hanger. Maybe I’m just projecting, but I can swear I get a whiff of Eric’s cologne when I shake it out.
And then there’s the green bikini…
My phone rings. It’s not Darth Vader this time, just the regular ring. Naturally, my heart leaps in anticipation. Just in case it’s Eric. It’s not, though. The screen readsTESSA.
My first reaction is a flash of annoyance. But since Tessa hasn’t called me in… Well, ever. So my irritation quickly turns to panic. “Hello? Tessa?”
“Darcy!” She lets out a sob, and I go rigid with fear.
