Page 93 of Fake it For Good
Cane looked at her with a hatred that made me just a little uncomfortable. He had told me she cheated. I believed she did, but was he totally innocent? Was anyone? I snatched the purse that I had hung from the back of my chair.
“Clearly, you two deserve each other,” I said. “I hope it works out.”
I walked down the yellow brick road, and just like Dorothy, I wanted to go home. I rushed through the hotel and down to the street to hail a cab. I held my arm in the air and looked over my shoulder. I didn’t know why I was in a hurry. It wasn’t like Cane was chasing me.
I had been a fool to even think there would ever be anything between the two of us. He lived a different life than I did. I preferred my life. I might not have a fancy house or a heated pool, but I had integrity. I spent my days helping kids. He spent his making money.
I hopped in the cab and gave the man my address. I wasn’t planning on paying for cab fare. I had completely blown my budget the last couple of weeks anticipating a big payout. Now, the very thought of taking anything from him made me ill.
I didn’t want to see him or have anything to do with him ever again.
33
CANE
Ihit the brakes, spilling the coffee I had just picked up. The morning was shit. The night had been shit. And I just knew the day was going to be shit. To say I was in a foul mood was one of the biggest understatements ever. I wanted to break things. I wanted to punch something. Actually, I had spent my morning punching my bag in the gym. I’d gone to bed after midnight, but I never slept. I finally gave up trying and went to the gym to work out some frustration. My hands were a little stiff, but it was worth it.
After Noelle stormed out, I’d been left to deal with Kelly. She couldn’t help but gloat that she’d been right. I was the asshole with egg on my face. I let myself fall for a woman I was paying. If that wasn’t cliché, I didn’t know what was.
It only made me hate Kelly more. She ruined me. She turned me into a monk. Any kind of social awareness I once had was gone. I was a recluse because of her. My first foray into the world of women and sex and I fell for the first one that crossed my path. Except she didn’t just cross my path. I paid her to be there. I was so disgusted with myself I could barely deal with it.
I walked into the office without trying to hide my scowl. I stopped at Dana’s desk. She looked at me and grimaced. “Rough night?”
“Yes. If that whoring ex-wife of mine shows up, call the cops. Call security. I don’t care who you call, but don’t you dare let her in my office. I cannot be responsible for what might happen if she darkens my door.”
Dana grinned. “You know I would be more than happy to drag her to the elevators or a window, whatever is closest.”
“Good. Thank you. I’ll be in my office. I don’t want to see anyone. No calls.”
“I see you have coffee. Can I get you another?”
“Considering most of the coffee that was in this cup is now on the floorboard of my hundred-thousand-dollar car, yes please.”
She popped out her bottom lip. “You’re really having a rough morning. Go in. I’ll get you some coffee and no one will get in there.”
“Thank you,” I said, grateful to have such an amazing assistant that could guard a door better than a Rottweiler.
I went into my office and closed the door. The blinds were closed. Usually, I opened them to see the city below. I didn’t want to see anything. I wanted to sulk and hate life for a bit. If I had to look outside and see the flashing lights announcing Christmas wishes, I would scream. It was the time of year I used to like. Now, I hated it. I thought about throwing the tree outside this morning, but that was just wasteful. The tree didn’t do anything.
I shrugged out of my jacket and hung it on the coatrack. I was glad I didn’t have anything on the agenda today. The holiday season was done. What went out was it. Most of the office would be off starting tomorrow through the first of the year. I was going to spend my time off hating women.
“Good morning,” Denton called out as he threw open my door.
I rolled my eyes. “So much for my Rottweiler.”
“What?”
Dana came rushing in behind him with a coffee cup in her hand. “Denton, you’re not supposed to be in here.”
“Why?” he asked. “Are you wrapping my present?”
“It’s fine, Dana,” I said.
She handed me the coffee. “Denton Phillips, one of these days you’re going to learn some manners.”
“What did I do?” he asked with confusion. “I come in here every morning. What did I miss?”
“Nothing,” I said. “It’s fine, Dana.”
