Payback and a Bottle of Merlot: Like Sisters Series Book One (18 page)

Jack stormed past her and exited through the kitchen, slamming the door behind him. The vibrating sound of the BMW engine revving up, shook the windows. He pressed the gas pedal to the floor and held it there. It was Jack’s way of making his point known. I’m Jack Barnes. I’m pissed off. I drive a BMW, and I’m hot shit. He continued to rev the engine as the car remained in park. He finally backed out of the garage and took off down the street, squealing the tires in the process. She hobbled to the service door and pressed the button to close the overhead.

“Good riddance, you immature asshole!” She spewed the words without the satisfaction of anyone listening, except Reggie. She made it across the kitchen with a bottle of wine tucked under her arm. A glass and the corkscrew came next.
I’m going to have to figure out how to streamline things for the next week. This is ridiculous.
She poured herself a glass of wine, put her foot up on one of the chairs, and called Vic again.

“Vic, I can’t take this crap. Can you come and get me?”

“Of course, hon. I was ready to make dinner for myself, but let’s go out instead. It sounds like you need to vent. I’ll be there in ten minutes. I’ll come in and get you, just have the front door unlocked. Is Jack home? I don’t want to get into anything with him.”

“Nope, he left. Just talking about him gets my blood boiling. I’ll be watching for you.”

“Okay, sister. I’ll see you in a few.”

***

The reflection of Vic’s headlights flickered through the living room window as she pulled into Mia’s driveway. With her cell and purse in hand, Mia waited as Vic headed up the brick sidewalk. Mia swung the door open and handed her purse to Vic. “Let’s get the hell out of here. I need some food and plenty of wine tonight.”

“That’s my girl! My God, Mia, how are you going to get anything done in your condition?”

“I don’t know. I just need to become very creative I guess. I’ll figure it out.”

“Oh, I know you will. If anyone can get things done, it’s you. Come on, let’s go.” Vic opened the car door, helped Mia in, and placed the crutches in the back seat. They sped off and headed for downtown.

“Don’t go to Henry’s. That’s where Jack went,” Mia said, disgusted at even uttering his name.

“How about Bottoms Up?” Vic suggested, as she waited out the red light.

“Sounds great. Thanks for being there for me.”

“Honey, there’s a lot of people in your corner. We’re all there for you, so don’t worry about anything. We’ve got it covered.” Vic gave Mia a smile and an affirmative nod. “Let’s eat.” Vic parked the car right in front of Bottoms Up and helped Mia inside.

The hostess seated them near the front door, and they placed their order. A bottle of Merlot and two glasses were brought over while they waited for their food.

“So, how did you sprain your ankle?”

“God, Vic… it’s such a long story. The short version is, I fell down a hill while focusing on a deer and her fawn. I wanted to get a few pictures of them and didn’t realize there was a gully right in front of me. I mis-stepped and fell down the hill, smashing into everything as I rolled.”

“Jeez, Mia. You’re lucky you didn’t crack your head on a rock or something.”

“I know, I felt like a fool though. I screwed up the Boy Scout’s day hike, and they all heard me screaming and swearing like a sailor as I rolled. I mean I even had dirt and twigs in my mouth and jammed up my nose. What a moron.”

“Hmmm… let me savor that image for a minute,” Vic said, laughing. “It sounds pretty funny, but don’t beat yourself up, it was an accident. Shit happens.”

“Yeah, I haven’t told you anything yet. I think I’ve gone off the deep end with Jack and this whole Sasha crap. I mean, who the hell am I? What I’m going to tell you needs to stay between us. I’ll tell Tina tomorrow, but just thinking about what I did blows my own mind.”

“What the hell did you do? Is this going to get juicy?” Vic inched in closer, already salivating as she wrung her hands and smiled.

“Oh my God, is it ever. Okay, the condensed version is… I did it with a guy that stayed overnight with me on the trail because of my damn sprained ankle. We had to send the boys back to the camp before dark, so this wilderness guide kept me company until this morning.”

“And you friggin
did it
with him? Who the hell are you, anyway?” Vic gasped, as she choked on her Merlot. “Didn’t you have a swollen, sprained ankle, and for some reason the thought of having sex popped into your head? You’re certifiably insane! Why the hell can’t I get that lucky?”

“Seriously, Vic, I’m sure I did hit my head on a rock. I’m going to have to check for lumps. I’m as much of a slut as Jack is… my God! I mean why the hell would I have done that otherwise?”

“Um, I can think of a million reasons. To start with, you have a cheating loser for a husband, and you’re hornier than hell. Do you need any other reason? At least tell me this guy was hot, sexy and gorgeous. If you had sex with some dorky nerd, I’ll kill you myself.”

“Vic, this guy is hotter looking than anyone I’ve ever met in my life. Actually, he drove my car home for me earlier and we had sex again right in my friggin bed.”

The wine shot out Vic’s nose and sprayed across the table, landing like a bulls-eye in the center of Mia’s yellow tee shirt. Mia looked down in shock, staring at the deep red wine spray that was creating a new design on her tee. They both burst out laughing as Vic picked up her napkin and handed it to Mia in vain.

“What the hell, girl? Who knew you had a set of balls that big? Who is this mystery hunk anyway?”

“His name is Max Cole, he’s hotter than shit,
and
insanely sweet,” Mia whispered, obviously excited, yet still trying to maintain some decorum.

“No friggin way! Not
the
Max Cole?”

“What do you mean
the
Max Cole? You’re starting to freak me out, damn it.” Mia gulped down a glass of wine and poured herself another.

“He’s an enigma, hon, like Superman or something. His name has been out there for years. You’ve never heard of him? I thought for sure he was just a legend somebody made up like Bigfoot or Davy friggin Crockett. So he’s actually real?”

“Well shit, Vic, I didn’t have sex twice with an enigma. By the way, Davy Crockett was a real person and actually a Congressman in Tennessee.”

“Whatever… so now what? Was it a two time roll in the hay, or are you going to see him again? I’ve got to meet this guy. Holy shit! It would be like meeting the president or something.”

“Vic, get a grip. I have a million things on my plate right now. I’ll get back to Max later. Let’s just say we left it at ‘to be continued’ for now. I’ve somehow got to get pictures of Jack and Sasha next Wednesday if they really are going to be together. Then we have to get that fake photo shoot done with her. The sooner Jack is gone, the better. I can’t drag this out much longer. I’m going crazy with him in the same house. He’s such an ass, I can’t stand him anymore.”

“I know, hon, we’ll get this done. He’ll be out of your life within a month, guaranteed. Between all of us putting our heads together and plotting, Jack won’t see it coming. Blindsiding him will be sweet revenge. Let’s get you back home before he shows up. I can pick you up in the morning after he leaves. Hang out with us at the salon for the day. There’s nothing else you can do except sit around at home anyway. If he doesn’t walk Reggie, I’ll do it for you in the morning.”

“Thanks, Vic. After work we need to pick up my bike. It’s locked up at the train station. Max rode it there and took the train home.”

“So, he’s a mountain man with a tree house in the woods, and the train just drops him off? Hmmm… that image is friggin hot,” Vic said, laughing.

Chapter Twenty Four

Mia’s foot was getting stronger. She was able to bear weight on it for about thirty minutes at a time. Jack paced back and forth like a caged animal, hating every minute he had help do chores. It was so beneath him, in his own mind. He was annoyed and distant since he had to show some semblance of responsibility around the house. He couldn’t come and go as he pleased.

Soon Jack, soon,
Mia thought, as she watched him sneak off to talk on his cell phone, most likely to Sasha.
I wonder what he’s telling her. How many lies can he come up with to explain why he can’t stay in the city and make love to her several times a week?

Wednesday was right around the corner. Mia hadn’t tried driving her car yet. A rental sounded smarter, since she would get a car with automatic transmission. She had to call Jack’s secretary and find out if he really was going to Chicago. Mia needed to be in the city if she intended to make the call late in the day.
I have to stay one step ahead of him at all times
. She would wait with Aaron’s camera in the parking lot across from Jack’s office. She needed those photos of Jack and Sasha. She had no choice. It was the only way to take him down and expose him publicly.

Monday afternoon Mia made a call to Karen to update her on the plans. She hadn’t talked to Karen since before she injured her foot.

“Hi, Karen. Sorry it’s been so long since we spoke. I’ve been laid up for five days with a sprained ankle.”

“Mia, are you okay? How did it happen?”

“I fell down a hill, but it’s a long story. I just wanted to catch up with you. My plan is to get some shots of Jack and Sasha Wednesday after he gets off work. I’m only guessing, but I think he’s either going to stay with her for a few days, or actually take her with him on a business trip to Chicago. I don’t care what he’s doing, I just need to get the pictures. My friend, Aaron, loaned me a great camera with a telephoto lens. I’ll be able to get good shots if I can catch them together. At least it’s a start.”

“Mia, let me go with you. There’s no reason to do this alone. We’re a team now. I can drive, and you can take the pictures. How would you do everything alone anyway given the condition you’re in?” Karen asked, as she turned on the faucet and filled the water dish for Claire.

“Really, you’d go with me?”

“Of course. Where do you want me to meet you? I can be wherever you want at any time.”

“Well, I planned to rent an economy car, so at the car rental company?”

“No way, I’ll drive. Jack won’t recognize my car anyway. It’s big and you’ll be much more comfortable in it. There, it’s decided. What time should I be at your house?”

Mia nibbled on green grapes while lying on the chaise in the backyard soaking up the sunshine. “How about four o’clock?”

“Sounds good. Bye, hon.”

“Thanks, Karen, bye.”
This is perfect. We can go over the photo shoot plans on the drive into the city. We can finally get the ball rolling. Jack might be out of my life within a month after all. Then I can move on and do whatever I want… with whoever I want.

***

Karen and Mia watched from Karen’s Lexus sedan across the street from Jack’s office. The parking lot was small, but they snagged the perfect spot right as someone pulled out. They faced the entrance of his building. The car windows were open, and they enjoyed the sun and mild breeze as they sipped their Diet Cokes. The sun’s rays bounced off Mia’s long, golden hair. She checked the time: 5:47 p.m.

“Jack’s secretary, Abby, sticks around until at least six-thirty. She checks any missed messages and clears all the voice mails before she leaves. I better call now before Jack comes out. He should be heading to the elevator already. Abby won’t be able to tell him I called.”

“Do it, Mia. I can’t wait to find out what she’s going to say.”

“I know, me too. Here goes.” Mia nervously scrolled down her contact list until she reached Jack’s office number. She hit the green telephone icon and waited for the ring. “It’s ringing. I’m so damn nervous.”

“You can do this, be strong.”

“Good afternoon, Plan-It Kidz, New York. Abby Lee speaking, how may I direct your call?”

“Abby? It’s Mia James, Jack’s wife. How are you? Is Jack still there?”

“Hello, Mia. Jack left a few minutes ago. Can I help you with something?”

“Yes, you can, if you don’t mind. Jack said he’s leaving for Chicago tonight. I’m planning a little surprise trip to Chicago myself. I thought we could make it a fun weekend, but I don’t have his itinerary, and I forgot where he’s staying. I’m wondering if you could help me out with that.” Mia’s hand was shaking so hard, she could barely hold her cell phone.

“I’m sorry, Mia, but I’m confused. Jack doesn’t have any trips lined up until early August after his promotion. Are you sure you have the right month? Maybe you heard him wrong.”

“I bet you’re right. Sorry to bother you. Don’t tell Jack I called, he already thinks I’m an airhead,” Mia said, trying to sound nonchalant. “So his promotion is definitely in July, right?”

“Yes, he suspects it, but he doesn’t know the date yet. We’re hosting a celebration party for him Friday evening, July 18, at seven o’clock. We’ve reserved the Le Grand Paris Ballroom at the Sofitel. It’s going to be quite an event. I guess we can’t keep him in suspense forever.”

“Of course not. I plan to join in and surprise him at the party. We have a group of friends he’d love to reconnect with, and what better way than at a party in his honor? If there’s anything you need me to do, please call.”

“Sure, Mia, no problem. Take care, bye.”

Mia hung up. “Holy crap, Karen, I did it. I was so nervous. Jack is such a lying dirt bag. He’s staying with her until Saturday afternoon, knowing full well how hard it is for me to get around. What a self-centered jerk. Now that we know when his promotion party is, I’m sure we’ll find a way to mess it up.”

“That sounds awesome. As far as Jack lying about Chicago, I’m not at all surprised, knowing his sleazy ways. Should we wait here until he comes out?”

“Yeah… he should be outside any second. He’s probably going to walk to her place. It’s pretty close.”

“It’s weird how you and I became friends because of Jack’s lying and cheating. Nothing would make me happier than to blindside him.”

“That makes two of us. It will be a day to remember. Oh my God, there she is, Karen. Sasha is walking toward Jack’s building. I wasn’t expecting this, damn it. I’ve got to start taking pictures now. I can’t miss this opportunity.”