Wrong Text, Right Love

by Claudia Burgoa

  “What is wrong with what I do?”

  “Nothing, it’s just … for those who have to live with you, it gets old you know,” Thomas explains. “I mean, trying toys and all that was fun, at first, but you can’t—”

  Chad’s jaw tics with frustration, or maybe anger. I’m still trying to figure out his facial expressions. And why did Thomas call him Chadwick? However, the severe tone of his voice when he says, “Solis,” is an indication that he is pissed.

  “What’s your deal, man?” Thomas asks.

  “I like you, but why don’t you shut the fuck up while you’re ahead?”

  “No, let him tell me what is wrong with me,” I stop Chad.

  “Nothing is wrong with you, Persephone. You are taking advice from a guy who went from having a job, to setting up an HR business, and now owns a bar. It’s obvious that it took him a long time to get his shit together. He shouldn’t be judging you.”

  Thomas stares at him, speechless.

  Chad lets out an exasperated groan. “No one has their life together. At some point or another, everyone dates the wrong person. I don’t blame you for letting her go. She’s larger than life. That doesn’t give you the right to put her down so you can feel better about yourself—or less shitty—because it didn’t work out. You were wrong for each other, and it’s okay to accept it and move on without having to talk shit about her.”

  “We have to do another show together,” I say excitedly, trying to ignore the tingles that his words create.

  I mean, he’s not professing any attraction to me, but he is talking my language. He gets me. Not many do. He’s no Lang, but I would take a Chad any day of the week. Not that I’ll take him. I stare at his lips and wonder if things would change between us if I kiss him. I mean they look delicious, and I bet he knows how to kiss.

  “He’s right,” Thomas says, exhaling harshly and running a hand through his thick dark hair. He lifts a hand up and the other one almost a foot lower. Then, he continues, “You are up here, in the big leagues, and catching up to you was so fucking hard. I… I was threatened by you. HR didn’t work because, really, it’s boring as fuck. I was just trying to show you that I could be successful but … it’s impossible. I don’t know how to find a woman who’s just right, you know?”

  I squeeze his hand because I know he likes relationships, and he doesn’t hold back when he loves, but it disappears too fast. “There’s someone out there for you. A woman who will make you want to be a better version of yourself, and you won’t have to work hard to accomplish it.”

  He looks at me and smiles. “Why are you doing this, Pers?”

  “Being nice to you?” I ask. “You are a goof, but I kind of like you.”

  He shakes his head. “You are showing more than you used to … how to get a date. That’s not you, Pers. Ever since you started going out with the last scumbag things got a lot more… It’s not you.”

  “Well, right now, I have a book deal gone bad,” I whisper. “This is part of what I’m publishing.”

  “The Persy I know wouldn’t sell her soul,” Thomas reminds me. “Make sure you don’t lose sight of what’s important.”

  He kisses my cheek. “If you have more dates, make sure to come here. I’ll have my guys look after you.”

  “Chadwick, it was nice seeing you,” he says, giving him a long glare. “Watch out because I’ll kick your fucking ass if you do something stupid.”

  Chad’s arms are grasping my shoulders carefully. When I look up, he’s glaring at Thomas. I don’t understand why my body tingles with excitement.

  “We’re leaving,” he orders.

  “No, I have a date.”

  “I don’t give a fuck,” he barks. “This is just a sham, and you are a professional. When we get home, we have a lot to talk about.”

  “As I said, I have a date.”

  His gaze darkens. “Would you like me to carry you out?”

  I fume. “What is your problem?”

  “Right now, you,” he answers, his gaze darkens. He bends close to me, and I swear my body shivers. He’s never been so close to me. This is the first time we’ve had any skin to skin contact. And he, of course, chooses the worst place.

  “I respect your work, your life, and your choices,” he grunts. “This dating people because it’s necessary didn’t sit well, but now that I know why you are doing it. You are better than that.”

  “Are you kidding with this?” I snap. “You have zero input in my career.”

  I’m close to showing him that while I traveled a lot with my parents, I also learned a thing or two from masters of karate, Kung Fu, and other martial arts. But I can’t because Robert appears.

  “Persephone?” he asks, and his voice trembles when Chad glares at him.

  “Get lost,” Chad warns him.

  Robert doesn’t even say a word, he leaves.

  “What are you doing?” I protest. “You are joking, right?”

  “No, this isn’t some kind of practical joke,” he responds. “I don’t know you well, but what I’ve learned, this isn’t you. Let’s go home and talk about it, please.”

  Maybe it’s the word please or his pleading blue eyes. I’m not sure why I give in, but I do. We walk all the way to his building in silence. His jaw clenches so tight I’m afraid he’s going to break his teeth. The tension between us is thick. I’m so irritated with him that I want to punch him, or at least yell until he’s deaf.

  How dare he tell me what to do? I just needed a few pictures with Robert. Some stupid story on how he was nice, yet, we didn’t click. I huff and fume, but I still don’t say one word.

  The moment we arrive at the penthouse floor, I march toward my door, ignoring him.

  “Persephone,” he calls out. “I get it. You think I overstepped, but hear me out, please.”

  “Are you going to lecture me?” I bait him. More like, I dare him to say a word. “You have no right to be angry at me. This is my life. You said it. You don’t even know me.”

  “I know enough,” he groans. “There are other ways to meet someone. I just saw one of the losers who let you go. You know what went wrong? You dated a man-child.”

  “You got all that from meeting Thomas?”

  “I know him. He’s not much different than me,” he argues. “Listen, I’m not a relationship expert—that’s you. Just sit down and look into what’s happening in your life. Do you really need to write that book?”

  “My other option is to return the money, but Eros needs it,” I explain. “Not everyone has their shit together like you.”

  There’s a lot more I want to tell him. Maybe he is right, and I can do this without having to give up so much of myself. Thomas wasn’t the perfect boyfriend, but what he said was on point. This isn’t me. I always kept a lot to myself—including the guys I dated.

  However, when I started dating Ian, things got out of control. It’s not my relationship with Ian that made me unhappy, but how our relationship and my social media presence got entangled.

  He pushed for it. Ian. He wanted to be the center of my universe. I never let him be anything other than the guy I dated. The more I think about it, the more everything that’s been happening in the past couple of years becomes clear. I did it a month ago, and I can do it again. There’s a contract, but Nyx always makes sure to have a few loopholes to get out of it. I have to talk to her.

  I won’t stop doing what I love, but I’m going back to doing it the smart way.

  “What you did back there is unacceptable,” I tell Chad. “You might’ve had good intentions, but I don’t agree with the way that you tried to push me.”

  “Sorry,” he apologizes. “I… Good night, Persephone,” he says, leaving me alone, staring at his closed door.

  What the fuck just happened?

  Twenty-Two

  Her

  Monday, June 29th

  Lang: This Monday sucks!

  Joy: My thoughts exactly. Thank you for staying up late last night.
r />   Lang: Are you kidding me? I was doing what I love best, playing video games and chatting with you.

  Joy: I’m still rusty, but give me a few more days, and I’ll get a hang of this game.

  Lang: Honestly, I was joking about the gaming system. I’m impressed that you went out and bought it.

  Joy: I’m impressed that I installed it all by myself. Usually, my brother is the one who sets up my gadgets.

  Lang: You want to play later tonight?

  Joy: Thank you for the offer, but I have to decline. Tomorrow, I have an early appointment, and I can’t afford to stay up all night.

  Lang: Did you have dinner already?

  Joy: I’ve been snacking all day. How about you?

  Lang: Just got some leftovers from yesterday. My father and stepmother were in town.

  Joy: Did you have a nice time?

  Lang: It was fine. We pretended that we enjoyed each other’s company, but I think the three of us were hoping the ordeal ended faster.

  Joy: I take it that you don’t get along with your father.

  Lang: He’s cool and a good dad. However, when it comes to being a family, he is awkward. It’s like he’s trying hard to mix his new life with the old one, but at the same time, he doesn’t want to bring the old to the new. You know the worst part?

  Joy: That you don’t care to be a part of the new?

  Lang: That too. It’s been years since he married. I think he should stop. I’m an adult. Not including me is fine. I’d rather he called rather than visit me with his wife or make me visit him, so I can be with his new family. It’s painful.

  Joy: Why don’t you talk to him about it?

  Lang: We don’t have actual conversations that involve feelings.

  Joy: I get that part. You have two options: keep doing what is not working and resenting each other. The second one is be proactive and talk to him. What can you lose?

  Lang: :thinking emoji:

  Joy: You might not fix your relationship, but what if you find a new way to interact with him that is less painful—hopefully painless.

  Lang: What is it that you do for a living?

  Joy: I work on social media.

  Lang: Like a social media administrator.

  Joy: That’s a good definition.

  Joy: What do you do?

  Lang: I game all day :wink:

  Joy: I’m sure that’s your dream job, to game all day long. I don’t believe that’s what you do.

  Lang: I did, back when I interned at a gaming company.

  Joy: You did?

  Lang: Yes. I was fifteen, and though it didn’t pay, I was there from nine to five, playing all day long. There are people who actually do that for a living.

  Joy: Why not apply to do that?

  Lang: Beta gaming doesn’t pay well.

  Joy: I’ve seen people who get paid to play video games.

  Lang: That’s different. Those are influencers. Beta gaming is trying them before they release them.

  Joy: Why not become an influencer?

  Lang: That’s not for me. I hate the spotlight. There are people who get a high from being the center of attention. I hide from it.

  Joy: It’s not necessarily being the center of attention. It’s more than that.

  Lang: Would you sell your privacy just to have people who barely know you follow your every move?

  Joy: It’s about the people you touch when you post.

  Lang: Clearly, we’re never going to agree on this.

  Joy: You are pretty set in your ways. Are you fifty?

  Lang: That’s a pretty strange age. Why fifty?

  Joy: Males from that generation have a love-hate relationship with social media.

  Lang: We agreed that I’m in my thirties, remember?

  Joy: Now, I’m pretty confused about your age. Dad, is that you?

  Lang: LOL!

  Joy: :wink:

  Lang: I’m thirty-four if that makes you feel better. Social media is great if used smartly and with moderation. I have nothing against it. If anything, I make a lot of money because of it.

  Lang: Now, I’m curious. How old are you?

  Joy: I’m not quite thirty yet.

  Lang: Legal drinking age?

  Joy: I passed that several years ago. Don’t worry about it.

  Lang: Well, you said your dad is fifty, so now I’m wondering if you are old enough to be texting.

  Joy: My dad is in his sixties. It was a joke, but now, you are overthinking it.

  Lang: Yes, sorry. You have to think about the implications of texting a minor. What if you are a fourteen-year-old?

  Joy: I promise that I’m close to turning thirty. Has anything like that happened to you?

  Lang: Not at all. Actually, I created a cyber police program that is used by the FBI.

  Joy: So, you’re a police officer?

  Lang: No, I’m … never mind.

  Joy: That’s cool, that you take care of the security of minors.

  Lang: It’s not just minors. There’s a lot involved in that program. I like to use my time for things that are worth it.

  Joy: Which means you hate people who use social media to promote themselves.

  Lang: I don’t hate them, I just… It’s their life you know.

  Joy: They would never be a part of your circle.

  Lang: For sure. I’m sure they wouldn’t invite me to be a part of theirs either. There’s no lost love between people like them and me.

  Lang: Hey, are you still there?

  Lang: Did I bore you and you fell asleep?

  Lang: Okay, I’m heading to bed, but I’ll have my phone next to me, in case you are back. Night, Joy.

  Tuesday, July 1st

  Lang: Good morning, Sunshine!

  Lang: Are you ghosting me?

  Joy: Hey.

  Lang: I feel like I lost you last night.

  Joy: I fell asleep, and I had a long morning.

  Lang: Of course, you had an early appointment. I remember that now.

  Joy: How was your Tuesday?

  Lang: It was interesting to say the least. How about yours?

  Joy: I’ve had better days. My schedule was full, and then I had some family drama going on as well.

  Lang: Anything interesting?

  Joy: My youngest sibling had a different upbringing than mine. We share the same parents. However, she had different experiences. Since she was the last one, they spoiled her. I love her, but there are times that we can’t see eye to eye. Needless to say, she hates me.

  Lang: I only have a brother, so I wouldn’t know. I’m sure that being the baby of the house is hard. You have to catch up to your siblings.

  Joy: I didn’t see it from that perspective before.

  Lang: It’s something new I’m learning. Believe it or not, it’s helping me deal with my parents’ separation.

  Joy: Interesting.

  Lang: I came across this book the other day and started reading it.

  Joy: Was it laying on the floor waiting for you?

  Lang: You are being obtuse today. Are you pissed?

  Joy: Maybe … disappointed.

  Lang: How did I disappoint you?

  Joy: Why do you assume it’s you?

  Lang: You stopped talking to me. I don’t buy that bullshit that you fell asleep.

  Joy: I did fall asleep. And I’m not disappointed in you because, actually, I don’t know you. For all we know, I’m some bored stay-at-home wife, having fun with you until my husband arrives home, and we fight for a couple of hours before we fuck when we go to bed.

  Lang: But you are not.

  Joy: No, I’m not.

  Lang: The wife isn’t that bored if she is getting sex every night.

  Joy: She could be bored, while she’s in the carline waiting for her children. Maybe she’s at soccer practice ignoring the other soccer moms and texting you. Who knows? Perhaps you are married and looking to have an affair. Maybe you are the one who is having a horrible marriage and torturing your chi
ldren.

  Lang: Okay, you are pissed at me. (And it’s summer. You couldn’t be in the carline).

  Joy: I am not.

  Lang: This passive aggressiveness is not going to take us anywhere. What is wrong today? All the women I know are pissed—including my stepmother.

  Joy: Now, you are generalizing.

  Lang: Babe, I’m trying to fix this, but I can’t if you don’t tell me what I did wrong.

  Joy: It’s not you, it’s me. I’m having a crisis.

  Lang: How can I help?

  Joy: You really can’t. Is it wrong to wish that you were here, just holding me while I’m trying to think?

  Lang: I wish I was there, holding you and making everything better.

  Lang: You went silent again. Please talk to me.

  Joy: Sorry, I’m thinking.

  Joy: Tell me about this book that is helping you work through your parents’ divorce.

  Lang: It talks a lot about putting yourself in the other person’s place. I doubt my parents ever thought about what the other was feeling or thinking. Dad is a good guy, but he is very black and white. You want to leave me, do it now—it’s over.

  Joy: What about your Mom?

  Lang: I don’t remember much about her, but I’m sure it wasn’t easy to live with him.

  Joy: So, you think maybe they never accepted each other?

  Lang: Yes, that’s what I’m thinking.

  Joy: And you’re afraid that no one will accept you?

  Lang: I’m not what you call a normal man, Joy.

  Joy: But what if it’s worth trying?

  Lang: This, what I have with you, is better. Nothing is messy. I feel like I can talk to you without reservations, and you’ll listen.

  Joy: You are trusting a total stranger rather than a woman who might be able to make your dreams come true.

  Lang: A wise person once told me that I am responsible for my dreams.

  Joy: I can dream, I can create my happiness, but I also want someone to love—and to love me. It is part of the dream.

  Lang: Except, you’ll always have me with you, right?

  Joy: Maybe I’ll keep you around, so when I have children and I take them to soccer practice, I’ll have you to entertain me.