When she walked into the conference room, she disguised her nervousness with a brave show of confidence. Given the circumstances, she had done her very best. Through a power-point presentation, she described the overall project, gave a more detailed explanation of the steps that had been taken so far, and finally ended by discussing future talking points. Most of the board appeared to be impressed by the effort.
Sam stayed silent until just before she ready to leave. “Miss Logan, I do have a few questions.”
“Yes,” Kate answered calmly.
“I want you tell me more about the integration process,” he retorted. “Talk to me from a bottom level, hands-on approach.”
“Bottom level,” Kate repeated innocently.
“Yeah, like I was right there deep in the middle of all the action. How would that feel?”
“Well…”
Chapter 10
“Why?” Kate simpered.
“Because she’s my friend, and she wanted to drop by for a few minutes,” Sam answered patiently. “Just pretend you like her like everyone else does. It won’t kill you to play nice for a few minutes.”
“Says you,” Kate groaned. “She always finds a way to insult me.”
“Hannah insults everybody. Don’t take it personally.”
After being stuck on the phone with several impatient, rude state officials for most of the afternoon, the very last thing she wanted to do was spend an evening with Hannah the Horrible. Kate knew Sam cared for her, and on some level the subject of Hannah was nonnegotiable, but that didn’t mean she had to like it. Hannah was just part of the package—the ugly, mean part of the package. It was like being shackled to the worst friend-in-law known to man. But for Sam, Kate would try or, more accurately, grin and bear it.
While Sam was in the shower, Kate quickly threw together a tray of cheese and crackers and retrieved a bottle of wine from the cellar. No doubt, it wouldn’t be enough as nothing was good enough for her, but Kate hoped the snacks would settle any lingering questions about whether or not she would be sticking around for dinner. Definitely a not in Kate’s mind.
Hannah arrived a few minutes later with her usual flounce and gusto. The trio sat down in the front room. Hannah looked down at the tray and purred, “Oh Kate, you’re a darling, but I’m back to the runaway in a few days so I can’t eat a thing, but you go ahead. You don’t ever have to worry about your weight.”
Damn, here less than ten seconds and she already strikes, Kate thought to herself. How is Sam not getting this? When his phone began to vibrate, Kate stared helplessly at him. Please don’t leave me alone with the witch, her eyes cried out.
“Sorry, I’ve got to take this. I’ll be right back,” he said.
As soon as he walked away, Hannah was poised and ready to attack. “Sam’s birthday is coming up. Any thoughts?”
“His birthday?” Kate questioned. “It’s in two months. Honestly, I haven’t given much thought to it yet.”
“Sam celebrates his birthday like a goddamn national holiday. Two months is barely enough time to put together anything decent. I’ve hired Finn Sullivan.”
When Kate stared blankly at her, Hannah rolled her eyes with irritation. “Finn Sullivan…” she repeated with a hiss, “…he’s only the most prominent event planner in Texas. Honestly Kate, it’s like you don’t even try. Your whole relationship is one sided. Everything is all about you. Jesus Christ, you were raped once and now the whole world has to revolve around you.”
Kate’s blank expression vanished in an instant with Hannah’s sucker punch aimed straight for the heart. The feeling of betrayal was so intense it was almost as if she walked in on Sam with another woman. It was devastating beyond words and the hurt was unbearable. Why? Why would he tell her most intimate secret to this horrible cow?
Hannah’s lips puckered. “You really didn’t think he wouldn’t tell me, did you? Sam tells me everything…speaking of…your back. That didn’t take long,” Hannah purred innocently.
Sam came into her line of vision, but Kate couldn’t look up. Her stomach churned and boiled with revulsion. Kate clamped her lips tight, certain that if she opened them even the slightest crack, a fire ball of rage of would spring forth.
“I hate to dash, but I really must be off,” Hannah murmured quietly.
Looking suspiciously back and forth between the two women, Sam said, “I’ll be in touch.”
“I’m sure you will,” Hannah giggled wickedly. “Good night, darling.”
Once Hannah left, Kate shot off couch and screeched, “You told her!”
“What are you talking about?”
In a fury, the large open space felt too confining. Kate paced back and forth in front of him. “She knows, Sam! She knows what happened to me because you told her!”
“I did not,” Sam yelled his denial.
“If you didn’t tell her, how could she know? You were the only person I ever told,” Kate cried.
Sam ran his fingers through his hair with frustration. “I don’t know,” he admitted, “but she didn’t learn about it from me. Maybe she didn’t leave that day and overheard us talking, but I swear, I would never betray you like that. You know that.”
“I don’t believe you,” Kate hurled each word with venom.
For a second, hurt reflected in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced with a glistening of anger. Just as ruthlessly, he spat, “When you wanted to be friends, I was your friend. When you wanted to be lovers, I was your lover. When you wanted time, I gave you time. What else do I have to do to make you trust me? You’re going to have to help me, Kate, because I’m running out of fucking ideas.”
Although not Hannah’s exact words, Kate heard the echoed sentiments. The heat of her rage boiled until all she could see past the haze of steam was red.
“Trust!” Kate screamed. “Because you’re such a shining example of trust. Why did it take you six months to tell me you were filthy rich? People just don’t happen to forget they are multi-millionaires. And you wanted to bring me here but never got around to it. You didn’t want me to know. You didn’t mention any of it because it took you six months to decide whether or not I was gold digger!”
“I didn’t know it bothered you that much. If the money wasn’t an issue, it wouldn’t have mattered,” Sam accused.
“This isn’t about me!” Kate screamed. “This about you and your inability to keep your mouth shut!”
She stormed past him. Reaching for her purse, Kate torn open the zipper and rummaged for her keys.
“Where are you going?” Sam yelled.
“I’m leaving. I can’t be around you right now,” Kate hissed.
“You’re being ridiculous.”
After she found her keys, Kate turned around and said with a winter’s chill, “No Sam, grown men who have to wear makeup to feel good about themselves are ridiculous.”
“Then get the fuck out,” Sam growled.
As soon as she closed the door behind her, Kate heard the distinct sound of shattering glass against the wall behind her. Kate’s rage held her steady in the elevator and through the foyer, although her fury must have been coated on her face like a second layer of caked-on makeup, because none of the professional, yet reserved staff, approached her. Even the valet took her keys without a word.
She managed to drive four blocks down the road when she felt a heavy lead ball resting in her gut. Her mother used to say it was her conscience. It had been years since it had acted up. Of course, it had been years since she had been so angry she hadn’t been able to control the words that spewed from her mouth. Growing up, Kate lost count of the number of times she had been struck with the feeling. Usually, it came once was she banished to her room or sent to the principal’s office. Yet again, she was alone, only this time there was no imminent threat of an authority figure waiting to dole out the consequences.
Miraculously, Kate managed to make it home before her body was wracked with sobs so heavy she could barely breathe. Sam had told
her the truth. Of course he had. She knew Sam, and she knew he would never betray her. And she knew enough about Hannah to know she was a spiteful, vindictive bitch. In the heat of the moment, she had lost all control and had been blinded to the truth. Kate didn’t want to be alone. She really wanted someone to talk too, but who could make her feel better now that her best friend hated her?
As soon as she opened the door, Jenner saw that she was a complete mess. “Ahh, sweetie, what happened?”
Through hiccup-laced tears, Kate explained.
Several minutes and tissues later, Jenner confidently said, “The two of you had a fight. It’s normal. Couples do it all the time.”
“No, you don’t understand. I said some horribly awful things,” Kate whispered.
“That happens when people argue.”
“I feel gross inside,” Kate said.
“To be expected,” Jenner retorted. “Maybe the two of you need a little break from each other. I love chocolate truffles, but if I gorged myself every day for over seven months, I would be ready to hurl too. Just give it a few days, and all this will feel like a distant memory. In a few months, the two of you will reminiscent about your first fight and the make-up sex afterwards. Trust me on this.”
One day passed, then another, and finally by the third evening Kate wasn’t feeling any better, and she hadn’t heard from Sam. Fortunately, she was able to work from home, which was just as well because she didn’t want to be seen in public with her swollen eyes and a nose that had grown so red Santa might call on her the next Christmas.
While Jenner fixed herself up to go out for the evening with James, Kate laid on the couch, flipping through the channels on the television. Every station she stopped at, whether playing its regularly scheduled program or on a commercial break, seemed to remind her of Sam. The shopping networks were the worst because for a limited time only they were offering a twenty-piece mineral makeup set for a discounted price.
Jenner walked out of the bathroom and found Kate blubbering into a tissue.
“What is it?” Jenner asked impatiently. “Why are you crying now?”
Kate pointed to the television set, “It’s only $19.95.”
“Then pick up your phone and buy it.”
“I don’t want to buy it,” Kate hissed. “It’s crap makeup that will clog your pores. I’m crying because it’s an injustice. Women everywhere are watching this program thinking that this is the answer to all their prayers, and all it will do is make their skin break out.”
“That’s it,” Jenner announced, “sitting in front of that television set is driving you insane. Tonight you are going out with me.”
“No, I can’t,” Kate whined and tried to push Jenner’s hands away when she reached for her.
“It’s a group date. We’ll have fun. Tyler has this really funny friend named Eric. He recently went through a rough break up too,” Jenner insisted.
“Break up?” Kate panicked. “Sam and I didn’t break up. We are on a break.”
“I know,” Jenner exclaimed, “just get in the shower. You need to get out. Besides, your hair is starting to stink.”
Several hours later as the foursome sat in a crowded dance club, Kate begrudgingly admitted to herself that she was glad Jenner had forced her to come. She really did need to get out the house and back among humans that actually spoke when she talked to them. And Eric was really hilarious, so funny that he was trying to break into stand-up comedy. He was handsome too. Not in that steal your breath away, I don’t know if we could exist on the same planet sort of way, but he had soulful brown eyes and a lovely smile. If the stand-up comedy thing didn’t work out, Kate was certain he could make a go as a toothpaste model.
Jenner asked Kate to go to the bar with her but then Eric offered to pay.
“You guys bought the last round, we’ll pay for this one,” Kate said and went with Jenner.
On the way, Jenner coyly asked, “What do you think of Eric?”
“He seems really great, but…”
“I know,” Jenner readily agreed, “but you know what they say about putting all your eggs in one basket…oh shit!” she suddenly yelled.
“What is it?” Kate questioned, scanning their surroundings.
“Sam is here.”
“Where?” Kate rushed. “I can’t see him.”
“They just walked in.”
“They? He’s with Hannah.”
“Yeah,” Jenner agreed.
“What is he wearing?” Kate asked nervously.
“Dolce and Gabbana, I think,” Jenner squeaked.
“Shit,” Kate muttered under her breath. She wanted to see him again. She needed to talk to him, missed him desperately, but not like this, not when he was wearing his full armor.
“Are you going to say hello?” Jenner asked.
“No,” Kate gasped her denial.
“Why not? You’ve been miserable all week. I think it’s time to call a truce,” Jenner said.
“Not while he’s hanging out with the wicked witch of Austin dressed like that,” Kate muttered.
“We’ve been spotted,” Jenner said.
“Don’t make eye contact,” Kate hissed, “just pretend like you don’t see them.”
“Too late,” Jenner warned. “Hannah is pointing us out.”
Kate grabbed Jenner’s hand and tugged her to the bar. They returned to their seats a few minutes later with drinks in hand. Once she sat down, she felt a piercing stare stabbing her in the back. She waited for a few moments and then very casually turned around in her seat. She spotted Sam and Hannah immediately. Neither of them noticed her looking as they were both fully engaged with the young brunette beauty sitting between them.
“She’s new. Who is it?” Jenner questioned.
“I’ve never met her, but she barely looks legal,” Kate muttered.
“What’s this?” Eric questioned with a wide smile.
Kate looked back at him. “On the other side of the bar, do you see the fabulous blond with legs that go on for miles?”
It took him only a second to find Sam. “Wow,” he whistled through his teeth.
“That’s my boyfriend, Sam,” Kate chuckled.
Chapter 11
“Huh?” Eric questioned, dumbfounded. “No way that is a man.”
“He is,” Kate giggled. “Do you want to meet him?”
“I’m going to have to pass if you don’t mind. It’s bad enough I think he’s hot, if I get my ass kicked by a man wearing a dress, I’ll never be able to look at myself in the mirror again,” Eric answered.
“I don’t think Sam would kick your ass in heels,” Kate denied.
“I don’t know,” Eric said warily, “if looks could kill I would be a dead man about now.”
Kate turned around, but Sam was once again distracted by Hannah and the baby, having the time of his life by the looks of it.
Eric took a sip of his beer and then put it back down on the table between them. “If you don’t mind me asking, if your boyfriend is sitting down there, why are you up here with me?”
“We had a horrible fight a few days ago,” Kate admitted. “We’re on a break.”
“Oh, a break, right,” Eric agreed and then started to reach for his drink but stopped, “does he know about the break? I’m not trying to be rude or anything, but as a man who very recently discovered his girlfriend with a good friend and she tried to claim we were on a break, that I knew nothing about until the night I found them together on my couch, I can kind of sympathize with him.”
“You feel sorry for him?” Kate said doubtfully. “Didn’t you notice the bombshells sitting beside him?”
Eric looked over again and then back at Kate. “I don’t think either of them have anything on you.”
“That’s so sweet,” Kate smiled and reached up and kissed his cheek. “I don’t think you’ll have any trouble finding a new girlfriend.”
“Unfortunately, it won’t be Kate,” Jenner interrupted. “Now, if you two
gentlemen don’t mind, I think it’s time for me to take Kate over there to thaw the Artic freeze.”
“No, I already told you, I don’t want to talk to him tonight,” Kate denied.
“You have a better chance of throwing a snowball in hell than avoiding a conversation with Sam. It might as well be on your terms,” Jenner said.
“I have to agree with Jenner,” Eric affirmed. “It does appear unavoidable.”
“What are you two talking about? He isn’t paying any attention to me.”
“Yeah, when you’re looking his way,” Jenner said.
“Ouch,” Eric muttered and reached for his chest, “there was another icy dart. Are you sure about the heels? Because right now, I’m definitely picking up on some I-want-to-kill-you vibes.”
“Fine,” Kate growled and reached for her drink, “but it will probably get ugly.”
“Oh, it’ll be worse than ugly,” Jenner warned. “Sam is going to rip into you.”
“You don’t have to sound so cheerful about it,” Kate hissed.
“I’m not cheerful,” Jenner answered innocently. “All right, maybe I’m a little excited, but in the same way people anticipate a boxing match.”
“I don’t appreciate the sport,” Kate muttered as they crossed the crowded dance floor.
“I didn’t either until Tyler and I started dating. Think of me as your trainer, and here’s my advice. Be prepared. Think fast on your feet. And don’t take anything personal,” Jenner instructed.
“How am I not supposed to take his insults personally?”
“Remember where they are coming from,” Jenner said. “Sam has no idea who Eric is. He’s probably thinking you’re out on a real date, and he is furious. Just like you would be if you discovered him with another woman.”
“I did,” Kate retorted sharply.
“Hannah doesn’t count.”
“What about the baby?”
“Remember, you’re not here to stir up the waters,” Jenner whispered just as they reached the table.
Sam shot Kate a quick glance before looking up at Jenner. “Hello, ladies. Are you two having fun tonight?”
Hook, Line, and Garter (Bitches and Queens) Page 10