The Other C-Word (10 page)

I finally brought my face close to his and whispered in a low voice so only he could hear, “He doesn’t want to come inside. He’s waiting for me out there because he’s going to take me to his place and fuck the hell out of me for the next twenty-five minutes and bring me right back here, so you can just back out of my business right now.”

I pulled away, expecting shock, disgust—even dismissal—but instead Rick gave a tight smile. It wasn’t a happy one. It was as if he was holding back his anger. The throbbing vein in his neck became more prominent. “He only lasts twenty-five minutes? You don’t have very high standards, Marley.”

Although he couldn’t hear, Dillon must have sensed the intensity of the moment, because he cleared his throat and announced, cheerfully, that he would fetch Doug. Dillon had never talked to Doug, although he had been a witness to me hopping on the back of Doug’s bike numerous times. I had always kept my rotation separate from everything else. Now because of Rick, my two worlds were going to meet, and I didn’t like it.

Doug came in, seemingly annoyed by Dillon’s pestering. “Hi, babe, you’re not ready?” he asked.

Before I could respond, he kissed me hard on the lips. I backed away. I didn’t like public displays, especially not with Dillon on one side of me, Rick on the other and the owner of my company sitting at a booth across the way. I smiled tentatively, but I didn’t speak.

Rick patted Doug on the shoulder. “Join us for a drink,” he said, pulling him over to the bar. Rick proceeded, to my utter shock and displeasure, to draw Doug into a long conversation about motorcycles. It appeared Rick knew a few things himself. I gave Dillon a look of helpless confusion, but Dillon wasn’t even looking at me. He was enthralled, watching Rick as he expertly manipulated Doug into being his new best friend. Rick bought Doug a beer, and they continued their conversation, ignoring me completely. After the second drink, it became obvious Doug had a man-crush on Rick. Then they did a round of shots, except Rick didn’t finish his shot. He slyly slid it over to Doug, asking him to do it as if it was a challenge. Doug rose to the challenge, repeatedly.

“We should go, Doug,” I suggested.

“No, babe, I’m having fun. You didn’t tell me you had such cool co-workers. Let’s stay for a while,” Doug replied, slurring slightly. I hadn’t told Doug anything about myself. He had no idea if I was a pole dancer or preschool teacher. I preferred it that way. I didn’t consider myself promiscuous, but physical needs were an indulgence I could afford, whereas emotional ties were not.

Rick returned my scowl with a bright smile and had the bartender refill my beer, but he didn’t converse with me. He kept Doug completely occupied with stories about the motorcycles he’d owned, throttles, carburettors and
American Chopper
. I had no idea what they were talking about, not that I wanted to participate in their conversation.

It further irked me when Kathy and Henley approached the bar and took up the remaining vacant barstools. Rick had a magnetic presence that naturally captivated people. Dillon and I watched silently as Rick plied Doug with beers and made jokes, which Kathy laughed too loudly at. He introduced Doug to Henley and Kathy as his friend. It made Doug feel welcomed. It made me feel pissed off. Occasionally, he would include me, as would
Henley
, but for the most part I sat and sulked as the crazy scene unfolded.

Doug completely ignored me. Dillon was right…he was a douchebag. When Rick deflected one of Kathy’s advances, she pounced on Doug like a second round winner. She licked her lips seductively in a subtle sexual overture. When that didn’t work, she licked his. Doug seemed happy to act as a consolation prize and damn, if Rick wasn’t encouraging it. I could not believe what was happening. It was surreal.

“Wow, this night is turning out much better than I planned. I was going to watch a marathon of
Gossip Girl
, but this is like ten times better,” Dillon whispered to me, lifting his glass. I narrowed my eyes at him, refusing to toast.

“It ends, now,” I said, stepping off the barstool. “I’m going to the jukebox,” I exclaimed loudly. Everyone but Dillon and Rick ignored me. “Rick, can you come with me?” I asked with fake sweetness. He hesitated, but followed me. Doug didn’t notice. He was busy staring into Kathy’s high beams…and I’m not talking about her eyes.

The jukebox was far enough away, and the music was loud, so we couldn’t be overheard.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I demanded.
 

“Marley, I’m just talking to your eh…friend,” he replied, matter-of-factly, as if I was asking a stupid question.

My heart was racing, and I could feel the blood pumping through my veins. I’d had a few drinks, which didn’t help the situation. I blurted out, “You’re getting him drunk so he can’t fuck me.”

Rick smirked. “Oh? Is that what you think?” He brought his face close to mine. “Are you making a spreadsheet or something?”

I screeched. Yes, I actually screeched as if I was an inarticulate, blubbering teenage girl. Rick didn’t seem fazed by it. Instead, he smiled softly and his voice became serious, “Marley, I’m really going to need your help the next few months. I don’t want to see anything happen to that pretty head of yours and riding on a motorcycle without a helmet is a sure-fire way to do some irreparable damage. You’re a smarter girl than that.”

God help me, I wanted to kiss him and punch him at the same time. Most of all, I wanted to let him know I wasn’t his concern. “What I do outside of work is none of your business. You think you’ve ruined my night? You haven’t. I have other guys I can call. I have a rotation.” As soon as I said it, I regretted it. I wished I could take the words back. I knew, with certainty, that I’d feel even worse in the morning that I’d revealed this facet of my personality to him. Rick blinked in confusion.

“Explain it to me.”

“It’s none of your business,” I responded, looking down. He put a finger under my chin and lifted my head to meet his gaze.

“You brought it up, now explain it to me,” Rick demanded.

Whatever, why stop now?
It would only make him think I was a slut. Maybe he would stop making advances then. I know it didn’t make sense to think a guy would cease flirtatious behaviour if he thought a girl was a slut, but for some reason, I thought Rick would. He didn’t seem like the kind of guy that was interested in slutty girls.

“I don’t believe in dating. I have three guys, and we’re in purely sexual relationships without commitment. So, you can bench the first guy, but there are another two that will be happy to keep me company tonight.”

I started walking back, but Rick grabbed my reddened wrist, holding it up to my face. “Which one did this to you, Marley?”

“It’s none of your business.”

“Who did this to you?” he growled, demanding, rubbing his thumb across the crimson mark.

I blinked rapidly, hoping it would hold back the tears. “No one! Leave it alone.” It wasn’t the complete truth, but it wasn’t a lie either. How could I tell him I did it to myself? He regarded me with measured scepticism, as if he didn’t believe me, then his look changed to concerned, though the vein in his neck throbbed and he took a deep breath like he was trying to calm himself.

“Marley, I’m sorry.” I didn’t know if he was apologising for asking the question, or for grabbing my wrist—either way I could hear the sincerity in his voice—but all my resolve was gone and I just wanted to end the conversation.

“Leave it alone… Please.” I felt in that moment that Rick was closing in on the painful secrets I’d kept to myself. The ones that seemed to define my life.

He moved my wrist down to my side. “I’ll forget…for now. Let me buy you a drink,” Rick said with a slow, soft smile.

I matched his smile although I didn’t feel it, and nodded. Maybe this little interaction was crazy enough to prove to Rick that I wasn’t the girl he thought I was, and he would stop his childish antics.

We headed back to the bar. I suggested to Doug that we leave again, but Rick insisted Doug stay. He ordered a round for all of us, including Dillon and I. I didn’t feel I was part of the group, but Dillon seemed to be having a great time, which only pissed me off further.

Rick was talking to Doug and Henley about incorporating outdoor elements in our new catalogue, including motorcycles. It was somewhat amazing how he steered the conversation into something both Henley and Doug would find interesting. They were two people who’d probably never converse in normal life, but to any outside observer, it would seem like they were the best of friends.
I guess alcohol and motorcycle talk does that to guys.

I played with my phone, deciding who I was going to text for a booty call. Rick grabbed it right out of my hand.

“I need to use your phone.”

“Why?” I asked, stiffening, trying to snatch it away from him, but he turned so his back was to me.

“There’s the number of that mechanic on it that I want to give Doug,” he said casually.

“What number?”

“The number I gave you the other day”

I shook my head. “You didn’t give me a number.”

Kathy rubbed Rick’s arm, shaking her head at me disapprovingly. “Rick, I don’t know how you deal with Marley. She’s so scatter-brained all the time.”

I met her gaze, clenching my jaw. “Yeah, but I never call in sick, even for two hours.” She shot me an offended look, but Rick gave her a bright smile. It made her forget what I’d said as if he’d put a spell on her. Women must be such easy prey for him.

“Marley’s a great assistant.”

“Give me my phone, Rick,” I insisted, loudly.

“I will. Just give me a minute, please.”

It occurred to me I was drawing too much attention. Everyone was suddenly looking at me, even Mr Henley, and the last thing I wanted was for him to think I was arguing with Rick needlessly. The conversation kept up at a jovial pace, while he pretended to be looking for a number that didn’t exist.

What the hell was he up to? I wanted to scream the question, but he had me in a position where it would be awkward to voice my curiosity. After fifteen minutes, he announced that he couldn’t find the number, but it didn’t matter, everyone was drunk and cheerful. That was everyone but Rick, Dillon and me. Doug was almost falling over the barstool. Funny—I didn’t feel any jealousy when Kathy rubbed his shoulders with her manicured hands. However, when she bumped against Rick quite intentionally with her body, my knuckles turned white and I had to loosen my grip on the beer mug to keep myself from throwing it.

Many hours had passed, it was a weeknight and it was late. Everyone was murmuring about getting home. Rick came around to my side of the bar and whispered in my ear, “Are you okay to drive, Marley?”

No one else heard Rick’s question, except Dillon. “She’s okay, Rick. I’ve been watching her.”

I shot a menacing look at Dillon, who just smiled. When I looked back at Rick, he was also staring at Dillon but with a grateful expression. “Did you walk here from work?”

“Yes, I’ll walk her back,” Dillon replied.

“No one needs to walk me back. I’m not helpless.” Although, it was a stupid thing to say since Dillon and I were going to the same place.

“Thanks, Dillon, I would appreciate that.”

They were talking about me like I wasn’t there, and I struggled not to tell them both off. It had already lost my cool with Rick, but I wasn’t going to further embarrass myself in front of
Henley
. “Cool origami,” Rick said, gesturing to the dozen shapes Dillon had created out of cocktail napkins. Dillon had a hard time keeping his hands still and would often make origami napkins, or towers out of cream and sugar, when we went out. Doug had commented on Dillon’s habits during the night too, but he made fun of it as most guys did. Rick said it with a sincerity that made my heart melt a little, despite my growing exasperation with him.

Rick continued addressing the whole group like a natural-born leader, “Doug is too drunk to drive so Kathy’s taking him home, since she lives close to him. I’m taking
Henley
home.”