Heartbreaker (12 page)

“Where are you taking those?” Bennett asks.

“Pity party over. Now you can go home.”

Bennett smirks, which annoys me even more. “Don’t you want your birthday present?”

“No.” Because I really don’t. I’m too angry.

“It’s a good one. I bet you’ll like it.”

Considering he hasn’t got a bag or a box with him, I’m wondering what the heck it could be, but knowing Bennett it’ll be something I don’t expect.

“I got you a new job.”

Shut the front gate. A new frigging job!

“Bennett!
” I shout out.

“You start Monday.”

“Monday? But I already have a job.”

“It pays twice as much as you're earning now, and it has benefits.”

My mouth is agape. I don’t know what to say. This is too much. First he talks me into this apartment, which, if I’m honest, rocks, and I’m so glad he did. But a new job.

“Bennett, you have to stop this. I’m a big girl I can take care of myself. I can get my own job.”

“I know you can. But a position came up in the office, and I knew you’d be perfect for it, so I asked Dad if he’d hire you and he said yes.”

I’ve only met Bennett’s dad on one occasion. He’s really nice and easy going. I liked him immediately
. But I can’t believe he’s giving me a job without an interview or anything.

“What about applications and interviews? There must be a procedure even your dad has to follow.”

“Yeah, well that’s the good thing about being a partner, Dad can make on the spot decisions sometimes, and one of the girls left unexpectedly, so you’d be helping us out by taking it.”

“What is it, exactly?”

“Office administration, mostly. But as I said it pays well, and has medical and dental with it. Also you get a big fat bonus check quarterly, if you perform well.”

I plonk myself on the couch, and set the bowls of treats back
on the table. Bennett grins and takes another handful of sweets.

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Thank you Bennett, you are the best boss of the universe ever. Will be enough for now.”

I shove him. “I really can’t believe it. So, does that mean I’ll be working with you?”

“Not really. We’ll be on the same floor, but you’ll be working for a new guy who’s also coming on Monday. His name’s Andy Anderson.”

I let out a giggle. “Andy Anderson. Are you kidding me? Sounds like a puppet on Sesame Street.”

“Yeah, well he’s no puppet, believe me.” Bennett frowns a little.

“You know him?”

“I know of him. Has a bit of a reputation from what I hear.”

“Oh.”

“Don’t worry Bales, he’s very professional at what he does, but steer clear of anything else.”

“I don’t think that’ll be a problem. I don’t have any aspirations of finding my Christian Gray or anything stupid like that.”

“Who?”

“Never mind.” Why is it that girls are the only ones who read that book?

Bennett puts his arm around my shoulder and kisses my head. “And hey, happy birthday, beautiful girl.”

I snuggle into his side
and Bennett switches the TV on again. We both lie back and relax, watching and laughing, finally enjoying my birthday night. My head is abuzz with excitement over my new job, and I’m still smiling thinking about my boss’s name. Andy Anderson.

Little do I know, I won’t be laughing at him, or his name for long.

FiFTeeN

______________________________________

So my first official week working for Cam and Dad is nearly over. I check my cell and see that it’s nearly six. Wow, the time has flown. I have a few things to finish up before heading home. I’ve loved every minute of this week. It’s been so nice to get my head into something else, other than the troubles of my life. I haven’t really thought about any of my past much. Gives me hope that I can, and will, heal in time.

The other plus has been my limited communication with Cam. Seems I can work for him without having to see him and be mentally and emotionally tortured. He texts most of his instructions or sends emails. All professional and short, which suits me just fine. He only came into the office once to pick up some contracts, which I had ready for him, so he didn’t stay long. Caught me messing around with Candy Crush on the computer, though. I was waiting for an email from Dreik and decided to take a five minute break, to indulge in my new addiction, when Cam turned up. I quickly swivelled the screen around, but I’m pretty sure he saw it. He didn’t say anything, but that’s just typical of Bailey Ryan’s life. Constantly being caught out.

Dreik has been really good. I thought there might be bad feelings, but I’ve spoken to him on the phone a few times and he’s always pleasant and polite. I figure he might feel guilty for messing up Dad’s finances and is actually glad to hand the work over to me. Bennett has been on the phone every day, helping me out when I have a question about tax laws and accounting procedures.

Dad’s away this weekend. The first time in a long time. His friend, Beau talked him into taking the boat out on the lake for a weekend of fishing. I’m glad he’s relaxing. He deserves some R&R after putting up with me for the past month. I haven’t exactly been Little Miss Sunshine, but I’m trying. He stocked up the cupboards before he left, and I’m looking forward to the pasta and sauce he made and put in the fridge. He thinks I won’t cook for myself, which is so true. I’d be living on bread and cheese for the weekend, if it was up to me.

I asked Bennett what he was doing, thinking he might like to come visit and see Gerry. He was cagey as usual and made up some lame excuse about having to go out to his Dad’s place for a family get together. Not sure what’s up with him, he’s been all about business when I call him, but he’s hiding something, I know it. Gerry refused to tell me anything either, after I finished my session the other night, she didn’t keep her promise and left me hanging. It’s now my new mission to make her cave. Hers and Bennett’s possible blossoming romance is the best news I’ve had in ages, and I want all the juicy details to savor and swoon over.

I decide to give her a call and see if she wants to share my carb dinner, on her meal break.

I press her contact and wait. After a few beeps, I get sent to voicemail, which is strange. Gerry always answers, I think she worries I might lose the plot or something if she doesn’t. Says it’s her professional Dr Phil responsibility to be available at all times. I decide to call the shop and see if she’s caught up with a customer.

“Hello, Hocus, Pocus, can I help you?” It’s Taliah, Gerry’s sister.

“Um ... hi, Taliah, it’s Bailey, I just wondered if I could speak to Gerry, I couldn’t reach her on her cell.”

“She’s not here. She’s gone away for the weekend.”

“She has?” That surprises me, she never said anything, just that she was working.

“Yeah, gone out of town or something. I don’t know. All I know is, I have to take up the slack and it’s going to be one of our busiest weekends ...”

She goes on and on and I tune out, my mind filling in the blanks. Bennett cagey and evasive about his weekend, Gerry out of town for the weekend. Oh, now it all adds up. I smile, so pleased for them both.

I cut into Taliah’s ranting, “Um … yeah that’s a bummer. Hope it goes well. I’ll talk to you later.”

I end the call and immediately press Bennett’s contact. He’s in so much trouble.

“Hey, pretty girl,” he answers.

“Hey, yourself. So, since you won't come and visit me. I thought, I’d come and visit you this weekend.”

“Oh. Um … I ah, I …”

“Don’t you want to see me?” I say, while suppressing the urge to giggle.

“Of course. It’s just, um … mom won't expect you and well she likes to know numbers for catering. You know how she is?”

“It’s okay, I can ring her. She said I’m welcome anytime. I’m just getting on the bus now. I’ll be there soon.” I lift my legs and cross my feet on my desk, leaning back a little on my swivel chair.

“You’re on the bus?” He sounds panicked. This is so much fun. Not often I get the better of Bennett.

I pick up a pen and punch some keys on the keyboard to close the applications and switch the computer off. “Yeah. Should be there around midnight. Can you pick me up?”

“I … I didn’t think you wanted to come back here any time soon, Bales. Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

“Well, I thought about that, and despite my hatred of the place, I love you and miss you. And see, I just found out Gerry’s gone away this weekend, so I’m lonely. I need my best boyfriend.”

There’s a pause. I know he’s worked it out.

“You’re sitting in your office, aren’t you?”

“No. Of course not, silly. I’m stepping on the bus. Boy, it’s crowded tonight. Everyone must want out of Hicksville real bad.”

“Is that right. Let me hear what they’re all saying. I love bus talk.”

“I can’t do that, it’s rude.”

“Bailey Ryan you’re a pain in the ass.”

“Well, you’re a big fat liar.”

“Hey, I may be many things, but I’m not fat.”

I laugh. “So, you and Gerry. Gerry and Bennett. I love it.”

“She’ll kill me if she knew. We were trying to be discreet.”

“Discreet my ass. You just didn’t want me nosing around. I told you after the Lucy incident, I wouldn’t interfere in your love life, and I meant it. Doesn’t mean I can’t be interested and want all the juicy details though.”

“There aren't any juicy details. We’re taking it slow. Getting to know each other.”

“I know. Slow and cautious is your new mantra. I’m just glad you’re finally moving forward. Gerry is the best, so you better take care of her, or I’ll kick your ass.”

“I’d like to see that. Kick ass Bailey, sounds like a girl I’d like to meet.”

That hits home for a moment. I realize I miss her too.

“Have I been that much of a sorry ass,” I say with a hint of laughter, so Bennett doesn’t know how his words have affected me.

“Yes. But with good reas
on, I’m just glad you’re getting back into fifth gear.”

“More like third, but its progress.”

“I love you, crazy girl. I’ll be there next weekend and give you some best boyfriend time, I promise.”

“I love …” I don’t finish that sentence, the door handle turns and Cam steps into the office. I jolt in surprise and try to unravel my legs to get them off the desk, but lean back too far on the wheelie chair and lose my balance, toppling backwards, banging my head on something hard on the way down, I’m guessing it’s the shelf behind me. Great, just great, I think, as I lie there helpless like an overturned ladybug with a sore head.

Cam comes around to my side of the desk and I try to right my skirt, which has ridden half way up my thigh. My head is pounding, and I can hear a muffled voice on my cell which I dropped beside me. God, this is so embarrassing, and I can feel the heat flame my cheeks. Cam bends down with a frown on his face. “Are you okay?” he asks.

I want to melt into the carpet. I curse under my breath and try to get up, making a mess of it. Cam reaches for my arm and a jolt of warmth followed by a tingling sensation shoots right through me
. This is the first physical contact I’ve had, when we’ve been alone, for two years. And I can’t believe how painful it is. It hurts a thousand times worse than I ever thought it would. I can’t hide the hurt on my face, and once I’m on my feet, Cam lets me go, like I’m a contagious disease he doesn’t want to catch. That stabs at me even more and I forget about my head and rub at my chest, trying to ease the ache that’s settled there.

“Um … thanks. Sorry, “I say, though I have no idea why I’m apologising.

Cam doesn’t respond and there’s an uneasy silence between us, he’s looking at me, still frowning. Then a pain of the epic kind shoots through the back of my skull and I wince. Shit, that hurts. I reach behind and rub my head.
Uh oh
! I can feel a bit of sticky moisture. Blood. Ew ... I’m not real good with blood. Especially after... Ugh. I promised I wouldn’t think about that. I need to sit before I faint in front of Cam again. God, he must think I’ve turned into a pathetic female who needs to be constantly rescued. So not me.

I don’t want to alert him to the blood. I
plonk down on the only other chair in the room and casually fiddle with my hair, trying to make it look like I’m tidying it, rather than stopping blood trickle down my neck. I’m grateful my hair is brown so the blood doesn’t show. The pain is getting worse, and I hope Cam high tails it out of here real soon, so I can take an aspirin and stop the bleeding. I bought a medical kit, my first day on the job, and know its waiting for me in the top drawer of the filing cabinet.

Cam hasn’t moved, but I glance up and see him still frowning, his arms crossed. I decide I need to make him leave.

“Uh … did you want something? I was just about to finish up for the night.” I continue fiddling with my hair, trying not to wince when I touch the tender spot. Boy there is going to be one solid lump there tomorrow. Great, just what I need a lumpy head to go with a pounding headache. Terrific.

Cam opens his mouth to speak, when I hear a muffled shout over by my desk. Shit, I forgot about Bennett. He must be wondering what the hell is going on. I don’t make a move to retrieve my cell, my legs feel a bit shaky and I don’t want to collapse again. Cam glances over in the same direction as me.

“You want me to get that for you?” he asks.

I bite my lip. “Um, yeah, if that’s okay. I was talking to someone when you walked in, and…”

Cam doesn’t wait for me to finish, he goes over to the desk and bends to pick up my cell. I see him look at the screen for a minute, his mouth tightens and his eyes narrow. Bennett is yelling now, and Cam puts it to his ear.

Crap.

“You can calm down, your
girlfriend's
fine. I’ll put her on.”

Girlfriend?

Cam doesn’t let Bennett respond, he tosses the cell at me and I take my hand from my head to catch it without thinking, my hand is now covered in blood, I swallow the bile rising up my throat, I really can’t stomach it.

“Bales, who was that? And what the hell happened?” I hear Bennett ask.

I can’t answer him. I know I’m going to be sick. I try to close my eyes and calm my breath, but it isn’t working. The bathroom is only two doors down and I don’t wait to see what Cam’s doing, or not doing. I toss the cell and race out the door, my heart is pounding, and I’m sweating, my legs are shaking but I make it to the bathroom and shove my way inside, just reaching the cubicle in time to lose my lunch. Oh god, I feel awful. After throwing up a few more times, I wipe my mouth with my hand and put my head back against the cold stone wall. The coolness feels good for a moment, then I remember my head is bleeding, and the cold relief is replaced by a pounding ache.

I am such a mess, and I really want to cry. I wish my dad was here. A tear escapes down my cheek. I’m so sick of crying, but I can’t seem to stop it. I know I have to get up and sort myself out, but my legs feel like jelly and I’m shaking all over.

Then I hear Cam call out. “Bailey, are you okay, you need any help in there?”

Once again, with the
Bailey
. I want to yell back that I’m fine, but I’m really not. I’ll need his help.

“Um … could you bring me the medical kit, it’s in the top drawer of the filing cabinet?”

He doesn’t answer but I hear the door to the bathroom slam close. He appears back again in seconds, standing in the doorway of the cubicle, with the little metal box clutched in his hands.

“Shit,” is all he says. He’s looking at the blood on my hand and the blood that I know is
trickling down my neck. He bends and cups my neck, a chill slinks down my spine, despite my predicament. He inches my head forward a fraction and examines the back of my head. My breath hitches, I want his gentle fingers to stay there forever. I’ve missed his touch so much.

“Shit,” he says again. “You’re going to need stitches, Bai.”

Crap, not doctors again. “No. I’m sure I’ll be fine, it’s just a scratch.”

“You’re such a baby. I’m taking you to the hospital, whether you like it or not.”

“I am not a baby.”

“Just do what I say for once, will you.”

Whoa, there’s a lot more meaning to those simple exasperated words and I decide not to argue. Cam takes his fingers from my neck and I miss them already. He opens the first aid box and pulls out a wad of thick bandages and hands them to me.

“Here hold these to the back of your head. I’ll get some water and see if I can clean you up a bit.”