The Scheme

by Mia Kayla

  This platonic thing may be more difficult than I had planned.

  SIX

  BRIAN

  Rubbing the back of my neck, I tilted my head side to side, trying to release the tension from a long week at work. I rested my elbows against the table as I steepled my fingers against my lips and glared at the computer screen in front of me, analyzing the write-up that I had spent the whole week pondering over. I ducked closer, squinting, hoping the numbers would change.

  Sensing his presence behind me, I turned and lifted an eyebrow at Conner Clinton, the Third, another banker who’d been at One Financial as long as I had. He loomed above me, his eyes flickering to my computer screen.

  Nosy ass.

  “Did I tell you?” His grin was cocky, the kind that made me want to fire back with an ‘I don’t care’.

  I could almost predict what he was going to tell me. “No, what?” I said with fake enthusiasm. That’s how I had to play in the game of sales. My face said ‘Sure, buddy, what’s going on?’ while my head was screaming, ‘I don’t give a shit!’

  “I landed the Rosedell deal.” He sat at the edge of my desk, crossing his ankles like he was staying for a while.

  I straightened in my seat, throwing him a congratulatory smile. “Good job, bro.” I forced gusto in my voice, just for his benefit. I didn’t care what deals he landed. I didn’t care what he was currently working on. Why he was so concerned with what I was doing, I had no idea.

  He sighed happily. “That’ll make one new deal and two expansions of current clients. And all in this quarter. I’m sure I’ll be on management’s radar for that promotion. Perfect timing with Joe’s retirement and that vacated spot.”

  My muscles tensed.

  Over my dead body.

  Work brought out my competitive nature. I never deemed myself a competitive guy, but now that I was thinking of it, when I was younger, I had always excelled when it came to sports and academics, consistently topping my previous quarter grades or motivating my football team to make the championships.

  I nodded in fake approval. Maybe if I remained mute, he’d get the hint and move the hell on.

  “Yeah, man. I’m crushing my goals.” He pushed his glasses farther up his face.

  I’d had enough of Cocky Conner and his designer clothes, which his trust fund had paid for. “Good for you,” I said, flipping back around to my computer.

  I wanted to yell, ‘Show a little modesty, dude’. I didn’t go around letting everyone know when I had landed new deals in my portfolio. I didn’t broadcast every little accomplishment.

  My manager’s voice had me raising my head again. “My two favorite boys.” Jason stepped into my cubicle with a file folder in his hand. “Good job on Rosedell, Conner.”

  Conner nodded, pleased with himself. “Yeah, it was a tough win boss, but you know I’m always up for the challenge.” He pushed out his chest, all proud and shit, and I coughed to cover my laugh.

  Jason smiled, but it didn’t meet his eyes. It was one of the many gestures which gave me tiny hints that Jason didn’t like Conner as much as Conner thought he did, which made me appreciate my manager that much more.

  Jason was a no-bullshit kind of guy. He worked hard and had climbed to the top by pure determination. We had one quality in common, which was one needed to excel in sales—Jason and I were good people readers. We knew when to speak and when to shut our trap, and we knew exactly what to say to reel clients in and close the deal.

  Conner talked out of his ass too much. He never listened, and a part of me believed a lot of his current deals were won by his well-connected father.

  Jason pushed the file folder into Conner’s hands. “These are the additional files for Rosedell. You should contact our operations team to get them on board.”

  With a slight nudge, Conner stood, like a doggy receiving an order. “On it, boss.” He nodded once then swaggered out of my cubicle.

  “And Conner,” Jason called out.

  Conner swiveled, coming to heel on Jason’s command.

  “Don’t forget our eight a.m. call on Monday.”

  “I’ll be there,” he said a little too cheerfully.

  With a slight shake of his head, Jason chuckled. “That’s Conner for you.” I assumed his comment wasn’t a positive thing. “So, how’s that Tiggins deal you’re working on?”

  “Pretty good. I’m typing up the proposal and getting ready for my spiel next week in front of their CEO. I’ve got this in my back pocket.”

  He slapped my shoulder, his eyes filling with pride. “I don’t doubt it, son.” He sat at the edge of my desk, crossing his arms against his chest. “You remind me of myself twenty years ago. You’ll make it far here, Brian. You’re good at your job and, above all else, you work hard.” He stood and straightened his pant leg, turning to walk away. “Don’t stay past five tonight. Remember, work is work. It’ll be here next week.”

  I smiled up at him. He knew I was a bit of a workaholic. And I would’ve stayed all night if I hadn’t already promised I’d meet Kendy at Central Park. The tenseness in my shoulders eased up as I thought of our meeting later that evening. My curiosity spiked as I wondered what she had planned. Whatever it was, I would soon find out.

  ***

  KENDY

  After tidying up my apartment all day, I was ecstatic to get outside and enjoy my walk to Central Park. I spotted Brian on a bench at the corner of 5th Avenue and 85th. As I’d expected, he was punctual and exactly where I’d told him to meet me. I smiled big as the warm breeze brushed against my face, the warmth of summer soaking into my skin.

  When he spotted me, the corner of his mouth lifted, as though I’d amused him in some way. He was business casual, in a button down and slacks, looking professional and boyishly cute all at once.

  In a chipper mood, I plopped down next to him as the warm summer sunlight beat down on my face, forming little beads of sweat on my forehead. I pulled my tube top a little lower, as I didn’t want any tan lines while I let the sunlight wash over me.

  “Hiya,” I said as I opened a bag of chips. “No suit or tie?”

  “No client calls today, plus Fridays are usually our laid back days at the office,” he said smoothly, eyeing me as I chomped away. “Are you going for a run or something?” He eyed my short workout shorts and gym shoes.

  I looked at him like he was crazy. “Kendy does not run unless she is being chased by a wild animal.” I pulled at my tube top. “And run in this? My boobs would be bouncing everywhere.”

  A flash of humor crossed his face. “I’d like to see that.”

  “You and the rest of the males at Central Park. Chip?” I pushed the small bag in his direction, chewing animatedly.

  He squinted against the sun and shook his head.

  “More for me.” I shrugged. My bag was dwindling down to crumbs anyway.

  I had come here on a mission, not to shoot the shit, so I angled toward him, getting down to business. “Okie dokie, so let’s talk about this deal.”

  He was still smirking at me, and I had no idea why.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “You.” He grinned, but he motioned for me to continue.

  “So I narrowed down my proposition, and you’re going to love, love, love this one.” I laughed, because he was still smiling at me. I guess he must’ve been in a good mood, too. “So, as you already know, I’ve been secretly stalking Dr. Klein.” I popped a half chip in my mouth. “And so far I’m having a little difficulty.” I scrunched my nose, because, seriously, I had no idea why I was having a tough time with this guy. They must be built different here in New York.

  “Anywho,” I continued, “I’ve tried every play in my playbook. I’ve flirted sweetly. I’ve worn fitted scrubs, which are very uncomfortable, by the way. And outside of the hospital, I’ve kind of secretly stalked him at that one bar. I’ve done everything shy of stripping naked and asking him out.” I raised my pointer finger for emphasis. “But . . . now I have a plan.”
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  Brian displayed a wide grin, most likely at my enthusiasm. I placed my bag of chips on the bench and shifted to tuck one foot under my butt. “Men like competition, right?” When he didn’t respond, I continued, “I think we should pretend to date. I mean, you have to pretend to be interested in me. And also, we have to formulate a plan where he sees the both of us together. We have to make him believe you want to get with me.”

  I extracted the crinkled piece of paper in my back pocket. “This is a rough draft. The key is to show up wherever he’s going to be. Maybe you can come to the hospital a couple times? You know . . . pretend to court me?” I peered up to gauge his reaction. Judging by his happy-go-lucky smile, I went on. “Maybe come with flowers or presents, like you want me bad.”

  I folded the piece of paper within my fingertips. “I mean, of course I wouldn’t want you to buy me things. I’d be buying them and signing the card with your name.” When I locked eyes with him, my insides soared knowing that he was on board.

  He laughed when I was finally done. “Why can’t you just ask him out?”

  He made it seem so simple.

  I shook my head, my cheery mood slipping. He obviously didn’t know how the chase worked. “Guys like him want to feel like they’re in charge. No one likes an aggressive girl. You bang those types of girls; you don’t marry them.”

  He raised a curious eyebrow. “Didn’t you say you weren’t against sleeping with him on the first date?”

  “That’s different!” I sighed heavily, my face pinching together. I didn’t want to go into details on how Evangeline’s prediction had foretold that our relationship would be purely physical at first, but would blossom into more than anything I could ever imagine. This was what I had, so this was what I was going with.

  His eyes lit with curiosity. “When do we start?”

  I let out a squeal and threw my arms around his neck. “So you’ll help me?”

  He faked a longsuffering sigh. “I guess. If good boy me is your only option, how can I say no?”

  I knew he was joking, but I couldn’t be happier. “Ahh, thank you, thank you, thank you!”

  At that, I pulled away and got down to business again. “Well, I have the inside scoop that he’s going to Bartlett’s again tomorrow. Sarah, my former wing-woman, says so.” I looked to the crowd of people as I spilled the plan in my head. “You can go to the bar, too. Be there before me. This time, our meeting will be planned. After I show up, flirt with me like you normally would, but this time it would be staged. We can go over your exact pick-up lines. This’ll get him jealous and badda-bam, badda-boom, he’ll ask me out, and then it’ll be happily ever after from there.” I raised both shoulders to my ears and pointed to my cheeks where dimples would be if I had any.

  This was so going to work. I just had the best feeling.

  ***

  BRIAN

  There was a carefree lightness in this girl, but most of all, she was just plain funny. Her idea was humorous, and the funnier fact was her certainty that her foolproof plan was going to work.

  I still didn’t like that it was Stiff she was going after, but the overprotective side of me was agreeing to her deal just to prove he wasn’t who she thought he was.

  “What is it about him?” I felt like I’d asked this question a million times. “How are you so sure he’s the one?”

  She softened like he was already her world, and a sudden but fierce pang of jealousy coursed through me, making me uneasy. There was absolutely no reason why I should be jealous.

  “He’s obviously good looking and smart.” She stared into empty space, falling into a dream-like state. “And he’s sweet and charming.” She turned to me then. “The way he cares for his patients. I especially swoon every time he handles children.” She slumped against the bench and sighed. “Let’s reiterate again; he’s a doctor. Plus, I think I just love him.”

  I wanted to tell her, ‘To be nice to people and fix them up is his job.’ I still didn’t understand her obsession with this guy. I probably never would.

  “Like I said before, I’m not a gold digger.” She sat straighter in her seat and jutted out her chin. “I’m like the song; I work hard for my money. If I’m in search of a guy who does the same, what’s wrong with that? If he wants me to retire so I can raise his babies, what’s wrong with that, too? So quit trying to make me feel like I’m a gold digging hoe like Chlamydia Clary.”

  I blinked at her, trying not to laugh. “Who?”

  “Never mind,” she muttered, but clearly I’d struck a nerve.

  “I never said that, Kendy, and I don’t think that of you.” Moving on. “So . . . what’s in it for me?”

  Her eyebrows pulled into a V as she placed her fingers on her lips, in deep concentration. “Hmm.” She let out a carefree laugh that lightened my insides. “And here I was thinking all about me.”

  Just like that, her smile stretched across her face, and if I could have bet my last paycheck, it’s as if she found another great idea. Her eyes gleamed with excitement. “I’m going to find you a girl.”

  “Go on,” I prodded.

  “I’m going to teach you a little about how to play the game, which in turn will land you that forever girl.” Her face brightened.

  Did this girl only think in forevers? “Okay,” I said hesitantly.

  “Don’t be like that.” She gave my shoulder a lighthearted punch. “Nice boys always finish last, right? So, say we make you not so good. I can show you pointers or something. Maybe we can even head to the bar and find your ‘it’ girl.”

  I cocked my head. It didn’t sound like much, but if it revealed what an asshole this guy was, it’d totally be worth it. Besides, I had been so work focused I could use a change in my day-to-day. Maybe I needed this.

  Trey was right. I deserved to have a little fun.

  I gave her a light shoulder punch back, ready to commit to this. “Tonight it is. I’ll see you then.”

  SEVEN

  BRIAN

  Showered and clean, I tugged up my jeans. The tightness in my muscles told me that maybe I overdid it at the gym today. After slipping on my button down, I applied a little of Trey’s hair product to the tips of my hair and stepped out of my bedroom.

  “Whoa, hot date?” Trey was slouched against the couch, beer in hand, while the TV blasted in the background. I was surprised he was chilling tonight, staying in. By this time, he’d be ready to hit the clubs. Maybe he had a lady friend joining him.

  “No, just going out,” I said, fixing the buttons on my sleeves.

  He lifted an eyebrow. “Going out alone looking like that? Someone’s on a mission,” he said, tipping his beer back.

  “I’m just going out with a friend.” Glancing at the Miller Lite in his hand made me want one for myself.

  “Do I know this friend?” Trey asked, prodding for more information.

  I squinted at the clock on the wall. I still had time to chill, so I strolled to the fridge and grabbed a beer. “Yeah, remember I was telling you about that nurse I met at the hospital?”

  “Nice,” he said, nodding in approval. “Finally. I like seeing you putting yourself out there.”

  Sure. Putting myself out there. He had no idea what Kendy had planned tonight, and I wasn’t about to clue him in on her crazy scheme. I didn’t want him to read more into it.

  I plopped next to him and zeroed in on the soccer game he was watching. “So, where’s Jenny today?” I wondered how serious this latest girl was, but I didn’t want to pry.

  In the six months I’d been here, I’d seen a revolving door of women come in and out. Most were models. Trey had high standards, and I swore every girl he dated had been as tall as him, with legs that went on forever. Jenny was the most recent constant.

  “She’s hanging out with her girlfriends or going out or something,” he said, his eyes absent of any emotion.

  “You guys serious?”

  His tone hardened, getting touchy for a reason I couldn’t place. �
�I don’t know, bro. I’m trying . . . but something’s off. She’s a sweet girl, but . . . I just don’t know.”

  My phone vibrated on the table, and I saw my little sister’s face pop up. Trey stiffened as his eyes moved from my phone and then back to the TV.

  I debated answering.

  “Hey, man, it’s cool,” he said, but I could read the hurt behind his eyes.

  I picked up on the third ring. “Hey, Katelynn,” I answered warmly, well aware that Trey was right next to me. It’d been years since they’d broken up, and although he never talked to me about it, I knew there were still some unsettled issues between them.

  “Hey, Bry. Ah! I miss you. I haven’t talked to you in weeks.” Her sweet voice automatically had me thinking of home, instantly relaxing me, and it got me wondering about my other siblings.

  “Sorry. This new deal is kicking my ass.” I rubbed the back of my neck, a habit I noticed I’d formed whenever I thought of work.

  “It’s fine.” I could hear the enthusiasm in her voice. “Guess what?”

  “What?” A smile crept up my face to match hers I sensed over the phone.

  “I got the job!”

  I could picture her blonde hair in a high ponytail as she bounced on her toes. At twenty-three, she still acted like a little girl. Then again, being the youngest of four kids, that’s all I saw her as.

  “I’m so excited,” she continued. “I just went on my last interview a couple days ago. I had my phone glued to my hip. Mom kept asking me daily, and I didn’t want to let her down, so I’m so glad I got the position. Program associate at the NOD, the National Organization of the Deaf.”

  I chuckled, picturing the goofy smile on her face. Katelynn had been top of her class at Champaign University, majoring in Early Childhood Education and earning her masters in American Sign Language. She knew what she wanted, and had always worked hard to get it.

  NAD was the top non-profit organization assisting and educating others about the deaf. The company was headquartered in NYC, but they also had offices in many other prominent cities across the nation.

  My sister was sweet as pie, and the most patient person to boot. She had the biggest heart and believed she was put on Earth to change the world. I knew she’d be perfect for them and kick that job’s ass. I loved her drive. At times, I believed we were two peas in the same pod.