by Claire Angel
“Hi, Frank. What’s up?”
“The papers are ready. I’m serving Cassandra tomorrow afternoon. I thought I’d warn you first in case you decide to open packages left on your doorstep.”
“Thanks for the heads up. I’ll be on the lookout.”
“Good night, Noah. Get some rest. You’re going to need it.”
“Ditto. Polish off those boxing gloves, buddy.”
It was just before eleven when I got home. Max had practically chewed his way through the front door by the time I walked in. He hated being alone and jumped all over my clean shirt with muddy paws. I couldn’t stay mad at the gigantic ball of hair. Max followed me to the bedroom, lay down on his bed, and promptly fell asleep, snoring like a bear. I was too tired to care about the noise. I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.
***
I held my breath the whole of the next day. I was fully expecting a vicious call from Cassandra, her tongue ripping me to shreds before she unleashed the flood of manipulative tears. But by the end of the day, when I hadn’t heard from her, I assumed she hadn’t received the summons. Brooke and I didn’t talk much at the office. She had a lot to do after the start of the new project. I had meetings up the wazoo, so the day flew by at record speed.
At six, she knocked on my office door.
“Come in,” I said.
“Wow, that was an eventful day.” She smiled.
“You don’t say. You may want to bring dinner to work with you from now on, or you may starve.”
“Way ahead of you,” she said. “I have a bag full of power bars and M&Ms.”
“Clever girl.” I grinned.
“You’d be surprised how much university dorm girls can eat. I’ve got used to hiding snacks in my bag, just in case the piranha came across my stash of sugar.” She laughed, clutching her bag to her chest.
“I don’t suppose you have a spare power bar in there for a starving boss?”
“I don’t know about that. What’s in it for me?”
“How about I take you out to lunch tomorrow?” I asked.
“How about you replace the bar? We can’t have Betty all suspicious now, can we?” She laughed.
“Deal. Now hand it over.”
She smiled, handed me a bar, and said, “Goodnight, boss. See you tomorrow.”
“Thanks for dinner,” I said.
“You betcha.”
So, she wasn’t a pushover. Good to know. My cell rang. It was Charlie.
“So, what the hell, Noah? I get you laid and then I don’t hear from you again.”
“Hi, Charlie. Been a little busy here, building a legacy for my sprog,” I said.
“All work and no humping makes Jack a dull boy, bud. You feel like meeting me for a drink?”
“Actually, I do.”
“Cool, see you at the club in a bit,” he said.
“I’m leaving the office in ten minutes. See you there.”
Time to call it a day. I packed up and made my way to the club. I thought of Cody on my way to meet Charlie. I hadn’t seen my son in two weeks. We spoke on the phone, but there was no substitute for hugging your child tightly. I didn’t know why Cassandra was being so quiet. I was worried. She was a spiteful woman, and those were dangerous. I decided to phone her first thing in the morning.
Charlie was at the bar, chatting up the pretty woman next to him. He smiled broadly when he saw me.
“There he is! Hey, Noah, come and meat Lianne.”
“Hi, Lianne, nice to meet you,” I said to the pretty brunette.
“Hi, Noah. Your friend here is quite the charmer.”
“And then some.” I smiled.
“Don’t you go anywhere, sexy,” Charlie said to Lianne. “I’ve got a few things to discuss with my good buddy, Noah, then I’ll buy you a drink, and you can tell me all about your nail boutiques.”
“Okay, but don’t be too long,” she whispered at him. “I’m not getting any younger.”
“Ooff,” he said, as she walked away. “Will you look at that ass!” Then he turned to me. “Come on, Bob the Builder, let’s get some liquor into you. Tell doctor Charles where it hurts.”
I ordered a drink from the barman and sat down on one of the chairs at the counter.
“Oh, I meant to ask you. How’s Martha’s daughter working out? What’s she like?” Charlie asked as his eyes scanned the place.
“You don’t want to know,” I said.
“That bad, hey?”
“No, actually, that good.”
“You're shitting me.” He smiled. “Spill it.”
“She’s a babe, firstly, and she’s smart and witty, too. What can I say? I'm in deep trouble. You know my rule about office romance.”
“Fuck, brother. Why do we have rules if we can’t occasionally break them?” He grinned. “You have to ask yourself the big question. Is she worth it?”
“And how.” I smiled. “But Martha will kill me, and I don’t have the time or energy for drama right now. I’m suing Cassandra for full custody of Cody.”
“That’s gonna be a shit storm! But good on you. Proud of you, bud. Did she go bat shit on your ass?”
“No, but it’s coming. I better not drink too much tonight. I can’t be suffering from a hangover tomorrow morning when she’s screaming at me in that screech of hers.”
“Yeah, she could strip paint with that shrill. I’m here for you, Noah. If you need anything, just ask. You know, money, a place to hide out, a man with a baseball bat, anything.”
“That’s very decent of you, but I’ve got this.”
“I’m sure you’ll be fine. Frank is a good lawyer. He got you out of the clutches of the dragon without breaking a sweat,” Charlie said.
“Yup. I have my Dad to thank for that. The prenup was a lifesaver. I was naive enough to think that love would conquer all. What an idiot I was.”
“Your parents have been married for close to thirty years now, and they are still very much in love. It can be done, bud. Just find the right one.”
“I’m sorry, did you fall on your head?” I asked him. “Since when are you a crusader of love and matrimony?”
“Just because I’m not a practicing monogamist, doesn’t mean that I’m against it.” He smiled. “I’m just sowing my wild oats with vigor.” Charlie grinned and looked over to Lianne, who was undressing him with her eyes.
“Okay, you hound dog. I see I only have half of your attention. I’m off. Big day tomorrow.”
“You’re a pal. That’s why I love you, bud.” He laughed.
“Enjoy,” I said.
I finished my whiskey, patted Charlie on the shoulder, and left. On the drive home, my mind bounced between Cassandra, Cody, and, surprisingly, Brooke. She was steadily, and probably unbeknownst to her, worming herself into my subconscious. I wondered what her lips tasted like. Her breasts were firm and just the right size. More than a handful is a waste. I found myself turned on just by thinking about her.
Cut it out, Noah! You’ve got enough on your plate. Dessert much later.
Chapter 10
BROOKE
“But he’s such a prickly chop! What the hell is going on in that head of yours?”
Jennifer was more than a little taken aback when I told her about having dinner with Noah.
“I don’t get it, Jennifer. You’ve never even met him. How do you know what he’s like?”
“I saw first-hand how he threw out his toys at the club where I was golfing. It was quite a scene. We still talk about it.”
“Perhaps he had a good reason, Jen. Mom told me he was going through a very messy divorce. That kind of thing would make a sane man crazy.”
“So, what's your next move?” she asked.
“I don’t have a move. It was a pleasant night out is all I’m saying.”
“I see. You forget who you’re talking to. I’m your best friend, chicken. I know you better than anyone else. I also know when you’re trying to convince yourself of something, and I’
m smelling a rat.”
“No, please, tell me what you really think.” I laughed.
“If I don’t keep you in check, who will?”
“Thanks, Ma.”
“Oh, on a completely unrelated note, I met a guy.”
“Really? When? You’ve been home for barely two weeks,” I said.
“Some of us aren’t as slow as you are.”
“Ha ha. Who is he?”
“His name is Brandon, and he’s a beefcake with a wicked sense of humor.”
“He’d have to have one if he’s planning on keeping up with you,” I commented.
“I can’t wait for you to meet him,” Jen said excitedly.
“Cool. Make it happen. I’ll be there with bells on.”
“Excellent. I think we’re both free this Saturday. I’ll keep you posted.”
“Okay. Chat soon. Love ya.”
“Right back at ya.”
Jen pretended to be such a player, but she had good taste in men. Her last boyfriend moved to Europe, which made it too tricky for romance. Jen didn’t have an easy schedule either, with traveling from one tournament to another. I wondered how she was going to manage this one.
I was hungry. Munching down on the occasional power bar wasn’t nearly enough to keep me going. I rummaged through the fridge and found eggs, cheese, and a few suspicious looking tomatoes. I remembered I’d frozen whole wheat wraps, so I took two out, and let them soften while I cooked the eggs. A meal wasn’t complete without chili. I always kept a bowl of fresh green chilis on the counter next to the stove. By the time the wraps were soft, I was eyeballing a feast fit for a queen.
As I sat down, my phone rang. Murphy’s law!
“Hello,” I answered, ever so slightly irritated.
“Darling! It’s Mom.”
“Hey, Mom. Where are you? Is everything okay?”
“Fine, my love. Thought I’d give you a quick call before we get back onto the bus again.”
“Great. You having fun?”
“It’s great! I’ve met such amazing people so far. Looking forward to getting to know them all better. How are things going at the office? Is Noah behaving?”
“We got off to a rocky start, but it’s all good. He’s not so bad.”
“Good. You can tell me all about it when I have a bit more time. Thank you, my darling girl. I couldn’t do this without you.”
“No problem. Have fun, Mom. You deserve it.”
“Chat soon. Bye, darling.”
“Bye, Mom.”
I called my Dad while I was in the swing of it. The phone rang for a long time before he answered.
“Hey, Brooke. How are you, my darling?”
“Hi, Dad. I’m good. How are you doing without Mom?”
“Excuse me. I’m a domesticated metrosexual, thank you very much.”
I burst out laughing.
“First of all, what do you know about metrosexual? And secondly, you and I both know you’re a hoarder.”
“That’s why Mom arranged a cleaner twice a week. I think she feels the same as you.” He chuckled. “How are you getting on at work, hon?”
“All good, Dad. It’s nice being busy, actually. There’s always something going on. No wonder Mom is so tired when she gets home.”
“I see. And how is the legendary porcupine treating you? Any quills stuck in your butt yet?” Dad asked.
“He’s not so bad. Grumpy for sure, but very smart. I can handle him.”
“I have no doubt. You’ve got your mother’s sass. Oh, crap!”
I heard a pot lid clanging as it hit the floor. What followed were a few chosen expletives I was sure he thought I hadn’t heard him utter before.
“Are you okay, Dad?” I asked him when he came back on the phone.
“Nothing serious. The pot lid was a little hotter than I expected.”
“Use the oven mitts, Dad.”
“Yeah, yeah. Gotta drain the pasta now. Chat later.”
“Yes, that’s a good idea. Don’t burn the place down, please. Mom won’t be impressed.”
He put the phone down, and I went back to focussing on my fabulous dinner. Mom and Dad hadn’t been apart since I could remember, so I thought it very unselfish when he encouraged Mom to go and follow her dream. They were such a sweet couple.
I wondered what Noah’s family was like. I didn’t want to pry, so I didn’t ask. He was an only child according to Mom. That was one thing we had in common. We were usually independent people, capable of entertaining ourselves. Not that I was alone much. My extended family was gigantic. Mom was one of six children, and Dad one of eight. Our house was a perpetual railway station when I was growing up, with uncles, aunts, and cousins up the Ying Yang.
I never had a shortage of kids to play with. Then there was Jennifer. She practically lived with us. Her house was down the street from mine, and we became besties practically overnight. Our family must have been way more exciting than hers. I think her twin brothers got on her nerves, so my house was more of a haven than anything else. I wasn’t complaining.
I was tired after a long day of filing, typing and making dozens of phone calls. I decided to hit the sack early. I needed all my faculties at hand, and of course that ever important beauty sleep. I found myself spending a few extra minutes deciding what to wear in the mornings, more than usual.
It had been a while since I found a man I tried to impress. The guys at university were interested in two things, and serious relationships wasn't one of them. Booze and boobs were more interesting.
I wondered what Jen’s new crush was like. One thing he wouldn’t be was ordinary. Jen liked them exotic and challenging. Her last love was a fiery Italian stallion. She adored him, and it took her a long time to get over her heartbreak. I hoped Brandon was all she hoped he would be.
I was so ready for bed by the time I lay down, that it didn’t take me long to fall asleep. I woke with a start at three in the morning to the sound of a dog barking like a crazed animal. I got up and went to my bedroom window to tell it to shut the hell up. Fat lot of good that did me. I couldn’t see the bloody mongrel. It was probably in one of the apartments across from mine.
I got back into bed and lay there, listening to the dog’s impression of Mozart’s Motet Exsultate in C major. I was never much of an opera fan, and the mutt wasn’t doing anything to win me over. Two hours later, the hound of hell notwithstanding, I drifted off. The alarm clock woke me at six. I felt like death warmed up and cursed the operatic escapades of the fleabag.
There was only one cure for a sleepless night—strong coffee, and lots of it. I ran through a quick shower while my coffee machine pumped out the dark elixir that would snap me out of my funk. Before long I was dressed and ready to go. I still felt like death warmed up, but death that had thawed in the midday sun at least.
I walked into the office, and to my surprise, I heard the voice of Noah, thundering in his office, in almost the same key as the hound of the night before. Clearly the man was on the warpath. I tried not to eavesdrop, but he was shouting so loudly that I’m sure the people on the ground floor of the building could hear every word he was saying.
“No, Cassandra, I’m not fucking joking. I mean every word. Make sure Cody is ready in an hour. I’m picking him up and taking him to the doctor. I cannot believe you left him with the babysitter when he’s got such a high fever. And don’t you dare take this out on her, either. At least she had the good sense to phone me.”
He was pacing up and down like a caged animal. I’d never seen a man that angry before—it was a little scary.
“This was the last time, you bitch. I’ve had it. You care more about whoring around than you do about your own child. Just a little heads up, dear. Watch out for a large brown envelope delivered to your door today. I’m suing you for full custody of Cody. If I had known how fucking useless you’d be as a mother when we got divorced, I would have never agreed to shared custody.”
He slammed the phone down so hard, the
pigeons nesting outside his office window flew away. I didn’t want him to know I had heard everything, so I tiptoed back to the fire escape and went down to the first floor. I thought I’d give him a few moments to cool off before I returned to my desk. Five minutes later, I returned to man my station. It was quiet. I walked over to his office door, which was slightly ajar, and knocked.
“What!”
“Good morning, Noah. Are you okay?”
“No, I’m not fucking okay. I’ll be out of the office for the rest of the day. Hold my calls. Take messages.”
He grabbed his briefcase and his jacket, and stormed out. Then, he was gone. I stood there for a few moments trying to process what had just happened. At first, I was pissed off at the way he’d snapped at me, as if it was my fault his ex was a moron. I closed his office door and went to my desk. Perhaps it wasn’t such a good idea being friends with my boss. It was too complicated, and although I found him ridiculously attractive and sexy as all hell, I didn’t want to put my foot in it.
His kid was sick, I got that, but he’d been an inexcusable asshole to me. Put on your big girl panties, Brooke, and do your job!
The day dragged on with nothing much to do while the boss was out. At five, I packed up and went home.
Chapter 11
NOAH
Cody was burning up when I got to Cassandra’s apartment. She wasn’t there. Big fucking surprise. I was furious when I picked him up in my arms. The babysitter was hopping about, trying her best to collect his things and stay out of my way. I wasn’t angry with her, but the poor thing had no way of knowing that. After I thanked her, some color returned to her face. I strapped Cody into the Jag and left for the doctor’s.
Dr. Berning dropped what he was doing when Cody and I arrived at his office. He did a thorough check of my boy, and when he had finished, he wrote out a prescription.
“What’s wrong with him, Doc? Why is he so hot?” I asked, completely clueless as to what ailed little people in general.
“He’s got chickenpox. It’s not fatal, so you can take a breath now, Noah, and calm yourself. I’ve written a prescription for him, which you can pick up at the pharmacy on your way home.”