Undisputed (4 page)

Sushi does sound amazing though, I reason. And I haven’t gone out in ages. But I have so much I need to do. I glance down at the to-do list I make each day. There are more things left undone than checked off.

“Oh, no! Don’t even try to think of a way to get out of it,” Mindy counters when she sees me eyeing the list.

With a mock sigh of frustration, I relent, “If y’all insist. I am not going to turn down sushi and drinks. What time’s dinner?”

With an exaggerated squeal and a clap of her hands, Mindy replies, “Six fifteen. We’re going to have such a good time, Sid. Now, cut the cake. I’ve been dying for a piece all morning.”

I look around at the smiling faces of the people I work with, and for once, I’m excited about the night to come.

At exactly six p.m. on the dot, I push away from my computer and roll my stiff shoulders. With the promise of a night just for me, I flew through my work, getting everything on my list done in record time. I look down at it one more time before grabbing my phone and pulling up Abby’s contact info. The phone rings for what seems like an eternity before she finally picks up.

“Hey, Ab, it’s me. I was just calling to make sure you really don’t mind me going out with friends from work tonight. If you need me to come home and help out with Connor instead, just let me know,” I tell her.

After I’d agreed to go out, I sent Abby a text to let her know my plans and make sure she would be okay without me for the night. She responded enthusiastically, encouraging me to have a good time.

Sighing on the other end of the line, Abby chides, “Sid, I can take care of my own son. It’s your birthday, for goodness’ sakes. Go. Have a good time. Meet a guy. Have random birthday sex or something.” She laughs at my groan.

“Random birthday sex?” I ask incredulously. It’s as if she doesn’t even know me. “I haven’t ever had random sex. I’m not starting now. Seriously though, do you have Connor’s list of meds? It’s on the fridge. Make sure you check each one off as you give them to him. Otherwise, they might get duplicated.”

“Oh my God, Sidney. Yes, I have the list. Yes, I’ll check them all off. You and your damn lists,” she mutters under her breath, but loudly enough for me to hear her.

“I’m just making sure, Abby!” I tell her.

“I’m hanging up now. I love you. Connor says he loves you too and to go out and have a good time.”

Horrified, I ask, “Did he hear you tell me to have random birthday sex?” I groan once more when her laughter comes across the line.

“No, I don’t think so. He has his headphones on. Besides, even if he did, he would probably agree with me. You need to let off some steam. I know I do—”

“Okay. Now, I’m hanging up. Love you, Ab. Give Connor a kiss for me.” I pull the phone away from my ear and end the call.

My phone only has twenty percent battery, so I make a mental note to charge it in the car. I don’t want to have a dead phone in case there’s an emergency at home.

Grabbing my purse, I head for the bathroom to freshen my lipstick and mascara, the only two pieces of makeup I have with me, and say a silent thank-you that our company embraces casual Fridays. Otherwise, I would be out dancing in business attire, and that just isn’t cute.

I get to the restaurant at the agreed-upon time and find everyone waiting for me in a private room. There’s an empty seat next to Jake, and when he sees me walk in, he stands up and motions for me to come sit next to him. I stifle a groan. Several packages are wrapped sitting in the center of the table, and as soon as I’m seated, Mindy begins handing them to me.

One by one, I tear into them, surprised to see that my coworkers seem to know me better than I gave them credit for. Mindy got me a day planner. There’s a gift card to the local coffee house and a bottle of my favorite wine.

Conversation flows freely for the next couple of hours while we gorge ourselves on raw fish, and I find myself having a good time. I’m surprised by this revelation, and for a brief moment, guilt overwhelms me.

Why do I deserve to have a good time while Connor’s at home, feeling ill from the treatment he had today?

I shake those feelings aside though and remind myself that I only turn thirty this one time. Besides, Connor wants me to have a fun tonight. And, deep down, I know I deserve it.
I’ve got to stop letting guilt overwhelm me.

I’m reaching for my wine glass when I feel a hand on my thigh. Snapping my head to my left, I see Jake gazing at me.

“Uhhh,” I sputter, unable to form words.

I angle my body away from him so that his hand drops from my leg and give him a questioning look. I’m still too shocked at his advance to put a coherent thought together, so I continue to stare at him, my eyebrows raised, and wait for him to say something. Luckily, it seems no one around us has taken notice of my sudden silence.

Leaning towards me, Jake says just a note above a whisper, “Come on, Sidney. You must know I’m interested. You’re beautiful, you know. Why don’t you let me help you celebrate your birthday some more? Just the two of us? Wanna get out of here?”

I want to respond to him, but my mouth is suddenly drier than the Sahara Desert. I take a large swallow of my favorite Pinot Grigio, hoping that it will not only moisten my parched tongue, but also help me figure out what to say. I’m out of luck though, because all it manages to do is give me time to think.

Even though I’m shocked by his declaration, I’m also flattered. With a head full of dark-brown hair that is always perfectly styled and bright blue-green eyes that remind me of the ocean in the Bahamas, Jake is a very good-looking guy. I’ve noticed the other women in the office blush when he talks to them, especially Mindy. He’s also always willing to help out when I have a question or need some guidance balancing the books. But I have a feeling that he has a serious case of little man syndrome.

At only five sevenish, he isn’t much taller than I am. And he seems to try to compensate for his lack of height with a larger-than-life personality and a monster truck. Jake spends the first hour of every Monday morning telling us all about the crazy exploits he had over the weekend, which usually involve big boats, parties, and women. That lifestyle sounds like it would be a blast—if I were twenty-one. But it only makes him sound like someone who’s trying too hard. And it’s a major turn-off.

Regardless of if I am attracted to him, the thought that he’s interested in me is flattering. It’s been a while since I’ve even attempted a date, and for a second, I entertain the thought of saying yes.

What’s the worst that could happen?

Jake once more places his hand on my leg, this time much higher than before, and begins slowly rubbing his thumb back and forth, up and down the seam in my jeans. I’m instantly disgusted and find my voice.

“No,” I say simply.

He raises his eyebrows but continues to practically molest me with his thumb. “No?” he questions.

“Jake, we work together. That would be inappropriate. I’m flattered—really. But no.” I try to keep the disdain out of my voice so as not to make things awkward at work on Monday.

Without waiting for his response, I turn my body away from his and interrupt Mindy’s conversation.

“Hey, lady. Thanks so much for putting this together. I’ve had a great night, but I’m beat. I think I’m gonna grab my check and then head home,” I tell her quickly. All I can think about is getting out of here and away from Jake’s wandering hands.

Mindy shouts, “No way! We are supposed to go out dancing after this. I was looking forward to showing off my white-girl moves.”

“Just because I’m going home doesn’t mean you have to.” I tell her smiling. I’m a little disappointed I’m going to miss her dancing, but if I agree to go out, I’ll never get Jake to leave me alone. Not to mention I have a whole list of chores to get done tomorrow and plans with Connor I don’t want to be hungover for. “I promise that we’ll do this again. And I won’t bail early next time,” I assure her.

Still pouting, Mindy grabs my arm. “Come on, Sidney! It’s not even that late. Let’s just go to one club and I promise that if you wanna leave after we get there. I won’t protest!”

Checking my watch, I see that she’s right. It’s only a quarter to ten.

Relenting, I tell her, “Oh, all right. I’m only turning thirty once. After this year, it’s back to twenty-nine again. I’ll go.”

Mindy squeals and grabs me for a quick hug. “We’re going to Raw! Have you been there?”

I shake my head. I haven’t been to a bar in at least six years.

“Oh my God. It’s the best nightclub in Atlanta. I know a guy working the door tonight, so we are definitely getting in.” She claps her hands and jumps up and down again.

Her excitement is contagious, and before I know it, I’m pumped about showing off my white-girl moves too.

M
ark put me through the ringer yesterday as punishment for not having shown up to the media event. I’ve tried to tell him so many times that the morning-after media events are killer. There is nothing I want less than to have to show up and rehash my latest win. I get two weeks off after each fight for a reason. I need to unwind, preferably in a club with a hot piece of ass and a bottle of Crown. Which is probably the exact reason he schedules them so early the next morning.

He’s constantly scheduling appearances and events that start before the fucking sun comes up, claiming it’s just when these things need to be done. But I have a feeling he does it to make sure I’m not out too late the night before. Which is why, as soon as I got up this morning, I called Tripp to talk him into going out to the clubs with me tonight.

“Hey, man. It’s about time you got here. I’ve been waiting around with my thumb up my ass for, like, two hours. It’s already”—I check my watch—“almost eleven thirty. Where have you been?” I bark while rolling my shirt sleeves back down.

“Yeah, I know. Something came up and I got held up. Sorry. Hey, that’s a nice watch. Is it new?” he asks, not bothering to glance up from his phone. Something’s up with him.

But I don’t ask him about it. “Yeah, man. I just got it. Thought I’d treat myself after that win the other night. It’s a Cartier. Looks pretty good, huh? It’s pretty big, but you know what they say? Go big or go home!” I smirk arrogantly.

Tripp quirks an eyebrow. “Really? What I usually hear them say is that big toys are compensating for something pretty small.” He finally looks up and lifts his hand, pinching his thumb and index finger barely an inch apart and pointedly looking at my crotch.

I pop my shoulder in a half shrug. “Well, maybe you should ask your sister if there’s anything I need to compensate for.” Punching him in the shoulder, I immediately regret what I’ve just said. Not because Reb isn’t the hottest woman I know, but because as cliché as it sounds, she’s definitely the sister I never had and thinking about screwing her is the fastest way to deflate my dick.

“Oh, dude, come on. I don’t want to think about my sister that way. How much did you spend on that fucking thing?”

I am all too thankful for the diversion from the thought of sex with Reb. “Not too much. It was, like, two grand. But look at it,” I say, stroking the face and holding it up for him to admire as well.