_______________
The next month is pure hell, and if I thought time would heal my broken heart, I was sorely mistaken.
No breakup has ever affected me like this.
No guy has ever stubbornly lingered in my thoughts like this.
No pain has ever gutted me, night after night, quite like this.
It feels like I’ll never recover.
Like I’m destined to live the rest of my life with this constant ache in my chest.
He avoids me like the plague at work and at Abby’s house, and it hurts.
I hate that I miss him.
But I miss him so much.
And it’s not getting any easier.
I’m standing at the copier on Thursday at lunchtime when I overhear a conversation I wish I hadn’t. Two interns are gossiping at a desk behind me, knowing full and well I’m in earshot. “I hear Charlie Barron has moved on with Corrinna Smith,” one of them says.
“I heard that too,” the second bitch concurs. “Apparently, he’s taking her as his date to that management dinner tonight.”
“They make such a gorgeous couple,” the first bitch says. “Imagine how adorable their kids would be.”
I slam the top of the photocopier down, grabbing my documents, and shooting them a scathing look as I return to my desk. This wouldn’t be the first time I’ve had to endure such shit, and I’m officially done.
I retrieve my resume from my personal folder in the cloud and begin updating it. Then I scroll through some recruitment websites, and apply for a few jobs, uncaring if anyone sees what I’m doing.
At this point, getting the hell out of his building is all I care about. I cannot stay here and watch Charlie parade that gold digger on his arm. I’ve got more pride than that.
It feels like the rest of the day drags, and when five o’clock finally rolls around, I’m the first up out of my chair for a change. I head down in the elevator, needing to put as much distance between me and this place as I can.
My heels make a clacking sound as I dash across the lobby. I’m torturing myself with images of Charlie and Corrinna, so I’m not paying attention, and I almost slam into Charlie and Simon Reed as they shake hands just in front of the entrance doors.
“Demi!” Simon’s eyes light up. “I was disappointed to hear you had moved although congratulations on your promotion.” His smile is appreciative as he casts a quick glance over me.
All the tiny hairs are standing at attention on the nape of my neck, and I can feel Charlie embedding daggers in my spine as I give him my back, purposely avoiding looking at him or even acknowledging him.
As far as I’m concerned, he’s dead to me now.
“Thank you.” I smile sweetly at Simon, batting my eyelashes in a deliberate attempt to flirt.
I’m in the mood to inflict some pain.
Although, Charlie probably won’t give a flying fuck, considering he’s already moved on.
“I’m disappointed we didn’t get an opportunity to work together on the project,” I tell Simon, “but I’m delighted you won the business. I guess congratulations are in order for you too.”
“We should celebrate.”
“That sounds like a plan.”
Behind me, Charlie’s energy field is like a thunderstorm hovering overhead, ready to wreak havoc across the sky at any moment.
“How about dinner? Tomorrow night after work?” he asks.
Simon is attractive, smart, and easy to talk to. But there is zero chemistry between us. Ordinarily, I would shut him down because I can tell from the hope in his eyes that he doesn’t feel the same, and I don’t like leading guys on. But I’m still so freaking pissed, and quite frankly, a night of good food and good conversation is just what the doctor ordered. “That sounds wonderful.”
“Demi has to work overtime tomorrow,” Charlie barks, injecting himself into the conversation.
“No, I don’t.” I still refuse to look at him, so he moves around me, standing beside Simon so I’ve no choice but to see him and his disgustingly perfect face.
“Your boss obviously hasn’t spoken to you yet, but you’re not available tomorrow night.”
The air is knocked out of my lungs as we stare at one another for the first time in weeks. Pain obliterates every part of me, and my legs feel like they might go out from under me. Tension bleeds into the air, and I know I need to reply to his statement, to call him out on his bullshit, but I’m too heartsore to do it.
“Ah, I see.” Simon’s smile is flat. “I didn’t realize there was something going on between you two.”
“There isn’t,” I say the same time Charlie says, “There is.”
Simon takes a step back. “I wish you well, Ms. Alexander.” He tips his head at Charlie. “I will see you at the meeting on Monday.”
“Thank you, Simon. I’ll see you then,” Charlie grits out, and I can tell it’s killing him to act polite.
I grab the strap of my bag and force my limbs to move. But I’ve only taken two steps away when Charlie takes hold of my elbow. “Don’t go.”
“Take your hand off me.”
He moves in front of me before dropping his hold. “Can we talk?”
I fold my arms across my chest. “No. I have nothing to say to you.”
“Well, I have plenty to say to you.”
“I don’t care.” I glare at him, ignoring the voice squealing in my ear to hear him out. I stomp off, but he follows me.
“I made a mistake, Demi. I was stupid, and I can’t live without you. I want you back. I—”
I whirl around, anger blazing in my eyes. “You are too fucking late, Charlie. I don’t want to hear your pathetic excuses. You tossed me away without even talking about your concerns, and you think I’ll waltz back into your arms because you’ve realized you were a complete fucktard and you’ve decided you want me back?”
I’m aware I’m talking way too loud, and that people are listening, but I have zero fucks to give anymore. “That is not how this works.” I shove at his chest. “Stay the hell away from me. As far as I’m concerned, you are dead to me. Go cozy up to your new redheaded girlfriend instead. Maybe, she’ll buy your bullshit because I’m not.”
I storm out of the building, wishing today hadn’t been the day my Volvo decided not to start. Because it’s lashing rain outside, and I’m quaking all over as the aftermath of the adrenaline rush leaves me unsteady on my feet. I walk in the pouring rain to the bus stop, ruing the day I ever stepped foot in that building, wishing I had never laid eyes on Charlie Barron.
I climb on the bus, soaked to my skin with hair plastered to my face, and I wish I could click my fingers and be at home in my jammies, snuggled up with Dad in front of the fire, watching one of his historical documentaries.
I’m halfway home when my cell pings. I pick up, and I’m instantly alarmed as Mrs. Griffin’s sobs trickle down the line.
“What’s happened? Is Dad okay?”
“I’m so sorry, sweetie. Your dad collapsed. He’s having trouble breathing. I called an ambulance, and they’ll be here any minute.”
The world blurs, my stomach churns, and I clutch the handrail in front of me, gripping the metal as tight as I can, needing something to ground me in time and place because I’m floundering. A silent scream builds and builds inside me, and I hop up, pressing the bell, pushing past people in my haste to get to the top. I drop my cell, and Mrs. Griffin’s voice can be heard calling me. I pick it up with trembling fingers as the driver stops the bus and I get out. I press my cell to my ear, and my voice is as hollow as my heart as I speak. “I’ll meet you at the hospital.”
I pull the Uber app up on my cell and book a car to take me there.
Then, I sit down on a bench and pray like I’ve never prayed before.
Chapter 18
Charlie
I PURPOSELY SIT in a different seat when I return to the table after visiting the bathroom, because I have officially reached the limits of my patience reserves and I ca
nnot bear another second in Corrinna Smith’s company.
For an educated woman, she sure is dumb as fuck, continuing to paw at me and blatantly flirt when I have made it clear, over and over, that I am not interested nor will I ever be interested.
I make a mental note to ask Arthur if there is protocol in place for firing the chief human relations officer because I want that poisonous bitch gone from my business.
After Demi’s cryptic comment earlier, I went straight to Margaret Ann to get the lowdown.
Margaret is the ultimate professional, and she’s not one to spread gossip, but she has her ear to the ground in the office, and if I ever need to know something, I always go to her. It helps that she’s known me since I was a little boy and she trusts me.
Demi mentioned a redhead, and it didn’t take much to connect the dots. I asked Margaret point-blank if there was gossip about me and Corrinna and she spewed without hesitation.
That gold-digging bitch spread the word around the office that she was my date tonight, knowing it would get back to Demi and sabotage any chances of us reuniting.
It’s my fault because when she suggested I bring her as my official date, earlier in the week, I told her the only woman I would consider bringing anywhere as my date was Demi because she was the love of my life and I was going to try to patch things up with her.
I thought she would take the hint and take a hike, but I should’ve known she would turn nasty.
Now, everything I planned is ruined because Demi won’t even give me the time of day let alone allow me to whisk her away for the weekend.
I know I fucked up big-time.
That I needed to make a grand gesture to try to make up for it.
And I instantly knew what I wanted to do. Because Demi is the one. There is zero hesitation in my mind, and I need her to see I’m serious about our future and that I won’t ever push her away again.
I’ve spent all week putting plans in place. Groveling to her dad and her best friend. Laying my heart on the line as I begged them to help me, finally winning their support when I showed them the pretty gold-colored diamond engagement ring I’ve bought her and told them of my plans to whisk her away to Cape Neddick by private jet and propose to her on Nubble Light, Maine’s most famous lighthouse, which also happens to be the very place where her parents got engaged.
Henry mentioned that during one of our talks, and I filed it away for future reference. I’ve booked a gorgeous property, close to the lighthouse, for the entire weekend because I want to make our engagement a memory to cherish forever.
But that’s shot to hell now, thanks to that spiteful bitch.
My phone pings in my pocket, and I pull it out, ignoring the fake hurt looks Corrinna is throwing my way from across the table. I’ve no doubt she’ll be over here as soon as she can extricate herself from her current conversation, but I’m not planning on sticking around.
These management events bore the shit out of me, and I’ve more urgent places I need to be. If I could’ve gotten out of it, I would’ve been groveling at Demi’s door hours ago, but I couldn’t, so I swore I would stay until dinner was over and then make my excuses.
I frown as I spot the numerous missed calls from Abby, Drew, and Kai. I’d turned my phone off while we were having dinner, and now, I’m sorry I did, because something is clearly wrong.
Fear causes goose bumps to sprout on my arms as I accept Abby’s call now, jumping up, narrowly avoiding bumping into the waitress distributing dessert to the table. “What’s wrong?” I ask before she can speak.
“I’m at the hospital. It’s Demi’s dad. He’s had a heart attack, and it’s not looking good.”
“I’m on my way.” I hang up, hustling toward where Arthur sits. “I’ve got to go.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Henry Alexander is in the hospital. Demi needs me.”
“Go. And keep me updated.”
I feel Corinna’s eyes on me as I race out of the restaurant.
I pace the sidewalk as I wait for my driver to emerge from the underground parking lot.
I sit with my face in my hands in the back seat of my car, praying I get there in time.
I bump into people as I run through the hospital doors, pushing my way into the elevator, ignoring the filthy looks, because all I care about is being there for Demi.
Kai is in the corridor when I emerge from the elevator. “Any news?” I ask.
“All we know is he’s had a coronary and he’s in surgery now.”
“How is she?”
“Barely holding it together.”
“Take me to her.”
“This way,” Kai says, lifting one shoulder. “I don’t know how she’ll react to your presence, but it’s good you’re here.”
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.” We stop outside the door to the waiting room. I clamp my hand on his shoulder. “I just want to say thanks. I think I’d still have my head stuck up my ass if it wasn’t for our conversation.”
“I know you would have.” He smirks, punching me in the upper arm. “Like I said, I totally understand. I tried to shield Abby from it too until I realized she was safest with me. You know how the elite work. It doesn’t matter that you pushed Demi away to protect her. They could find out about her in a heartbeat and still use her against you. The safest way of ensuring she’s safe is keeping her close.”
“The thought of anything happening to her kills me, Kai. I would burn the world down if anyone hurt her. Mom and Lil too.”
I’m so glad my family is back home where they belong. Where I can keep an eye on them and keep them safe. Mom and I still have some way to go, but when she told me she’s forgiven me, I broke down and sobbed like a baby. I know it’s going to be all right, and now, I just need to win back the girl I love.
Demi is the only girl who matters.
She’s the only girl I want for now and always.
“We won’t let anything happen to them,” he reassures me, and I’m glad I let my stubborn pride go and mended shit with my friends, because with the stuff coming down the line, we need to stick together as a united team.
The elite ball was a real eye-opener. The new president said all the right things, but everything we suspected is coming to fruition. The reorganizing committee is just a PR exercise to make it look like he’s committed to change when he’s most definitely not.
We’ve all been summoned to the newly constructed Parkhurst—now housed in some sprawling private facility in Virginia—for some final initiation tasks in two months. Abby and Vanessa have been summoned too, which is cause for concern, along with Harley and Joaquin. The mothers haven’t been included, but we’ve no doubt plans are afoot there too.
So, yeah, shit is getting real. And I need to ensure my loved ones are safe before it all kicks off.
“You ready, man?” Kai asks, curling his hand around the door handle.
“As I ever will be.”
We step into the small waiting room, mostly occupied with people here for Henry. Xena is here with her boyfriends. Drew is chatting quietly with Shandra while Olivia and Sylvia are talking with Margaret Ann.
Abby jumps up when she sees me. “I’m glad you’re here,” she whispers. “She’s distraught.”
“I can see that,” I say, my eyes glued to Demi’s trembling shoulders. She’s seated in the far corner with Mrs. Griffin. Demi is hunched over with her head in her hands, her dark hair falling around her face like a curtain. Mrs. Griffin has her arm wrapped tight around her shoulders, whispering words of comfort, no doubt.
“I know you had big plans this weekend, Charlie, but she doesn’t need to hear any of that right now.”
I gawk at her. “I am not a complete imbecile.”
“Could’ve fooled me,” Xavier says, entering the room from behind, carrying a tray with coffees. Hunt slips in behind him with another tray, and they start distributing them.
“Rick is in the air,” Kai says, hauling Abby into his arms. �
�Hopefully, he can talk to some of the doctors and find out what’s going on.”
I take a coffee from Hunt, nodding gratefully, as I extricate myself from the conversation and walk to Demi.
Mrs. Griffin lifts her head up, smiling softly when she sees me. She knows about my plans because I’ve already paid her handsomely to stay with Henry this weekend.
“I’m going to take a little trip to the bathroom,” she says, giving Demi’s shoulders one last squeeze.
I sit down on Demi’s other side as she lifts her head. She watches Mrs. Griffin walk off before she slowly turns to face me. Her eyes are bloodshot and swollen, her face puffy and red from crying. “Hey.” I hand her the coffee, and she curls her fingers around it while staring straight through me. “How are you holding up?”
She stares numbly at me. “Why are you here?” she asks, her voice devoid of emotion.
“I came the instant I found out because I want to be here for you.”
“Why?” She hugs the coffee cup to her chest.
I smother my nerves because this isn’t about me. “Because I love you. And I love your dad. And there is nowhere else I want to be but right here holding your hand and cradling you in my arms, reminding you that you are not alone, because you have me. You have always had me.”
Her lower lips wobbles, and silent tears roll down her face. Gently, I pry the cup from her hands and set it aside. I open my arms. “Come here.”
I expect her to hesitate or to refuse, but she falls against me, collapsing in a river of tears.
Quietly, our friends exit the room, giving us some privacy. In the other corner, a young child is asleep in his father’s lap. The man nods, and I smile at him as I wrap my arms tighter around Demi.
“I’m so scared, Charlie.” She sniffles, clutching my shirt as she sobs into my chest.
“I know, baby.” I press a kiss to her hair. “We just have to pray he comes through this.”
She looks at me through blurry eyes. “I don’t want him to die,” she sobs, “but I feel so selfish for thinking that since he has little quality of life.”
Bully Me: Class of 2020 Page 16