Total pages in book: 225
Estimated words: 218500 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1093(@200wpm)___ 874(@250wpm)___ 728(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 218500 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1093(@200wpm)___ 874(@250wpm)___ 728(@300wpm)
“Laugh or something, Fisher,” Jeffy urges, then takes a drag of his cigarette, throws his head back and cackles at the same time as Alannah breaks into a fake laugh that doesn’t touch her eyes.
“You really shouldn’t smoke,” I admonish, waving my finger playfully.
My face feels hot, but I do my best to keep up the casual act.
“It’s my Friday cigarette. You know I need my Friday cigarette.”
I fake another little laugh and then I look at my phone. There’s a text message from my boss wishing me well with the meeting and reminding me to reach out to him as soon as I’m done.
“Oh, look at the time. I have to go.” I slip it into my pocket.
“I’ll call you,” Alannah says.
“Maybe I oughta come for an impromptu sleepover tomorrow,” I mutter.
“Sounds good,” she says with emotion on her face.
“My phone and my place have electronic eyes and ears. I’ll swing by tomorrow without announcing it.”
Her eyes flash with understanding.
Jeffy says, “I’ll come by. I’ll bring wine. We’ll talk. I’ll tell you all I know. We’ll brainstorm.”
“Do nothing. I have to manage this all carefully. There’s a lot at stake. Believe me. Do. Nothing.”
I hug Alannah and then I hug Jeffy a second time.
“We’ll figure it out,” he whispers into my hair.
I nod and give him an affectionate squeeze. “It’s not a good idea to get involved. I can’t get into it but please. Don’t. Don’t let Lan go into momma bear mode, okay. She just can’t.”
“I’ve already told her. We need to brainstorm first. This is delicate.”
“Kay. Later,” I say.
My phone rings.
DS - Cavalier calling
I wave at them as I walk away, answering.
“What is it?”
“I don’t want his hands on you like that.”
“He’s my friend,” I state, hitting the button to unlock the door of my Cherokee.
“Next time, pull away faster.”
I cradle the phone with my shoulder so I can use that hand to get the door open and put the bag of food and my leather bag on the passenger seat.
“Don’t let it happen again,” he warns.
I say nothing.
“Chloe?” Derek calls.
“What?”
“They know, don’t they?”
“Know what?”
“Don’t patronize me, baby. They’re not very good actors. And you? I see straight through you.”
“My friends know me. They know I’m not acting like myself because you’re fucking with me. Alannah knows I’ve been weird since that day you sent the fake text. She saw through it; I didn’t say anything. I’m texting my boss now telling him something came up, that you had to cancel our meeting. Because I can’t possibly have a professional conversation with him right now.”
“Your friends know something’s amiss by your behavior. Yet the guy you’re supposed to marry thinks everything is hunky dory. Right, Chloe? What does that tell you about your relationship with him?”
“My relationship with my fiancé is none of your business.”
“I’ve made it my business,” he clips, then warns. “If Jeff or Alannah do anything stupid about you and me, they’ll be sorry. You’ll be sad. I don’t want you sad, so convince them everything is good. Don’t make me feel like I have no choice but to upset you by retaliating.”
“You’ve done nothing but upset me, Derek. And you could choose to stop fucking with my life.”
“Not gonna happen.”
Frustration is practically oozing from my pores. “I’m leaving now. Starting my car.”
“Don’t disappoint me, Chloe.”
“Goodbye, Derek.”
“Next Friday,” he says. “One o’clock. Weekly meeting.”
Does that mean he’s going to leave me alone for a whole week? I sure as heck hope so.
“Unless I can’t wait that long,” he adds, then laughs.
I aggressively stab end with my finger and put my forehead to my steering wheel.
Breathe, Chloe.
I decide to message my boss before leaving the parking lot.
Client had something come up and had to cancel our meeting after I arrived. I waited for quite a while but he said he’ll be in touch to reschedule. I’ve got a migraine so I’m going to be offline this afternoon. I’ll check in with you Monday morning.
My boss immediately replies.
Oh ok. Feel better. Have a good weekend.
I’m relieved he’s not calling me, asking a zillion questions.
When I get home, I call Alannah.
“Hey, breastie,” she answers fake-sunnily. “God, I’m in major need of some best friend time. I miss you.”
“Derek knows you know there’s something not right between him and I. I need to make sure you and Jeff leave it all be. He’s probably got someone listening now or will get a recording of this call or something.”
“Sweetie, what the fuck? I knew something was wonky with that text after he showed up and told you to come over. And you’ve been quiet ever since.”
“Let’s just say he doesn’t want things to end regardless of what I’ve said, and he’s been very… adamant about me doing what he wants me to do.”
“Is he hurting you?” she asks. “I’ll go to jail for you, sister; you know I will.”