Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 87913 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87913 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
“I don’t know what I thought he’d do.” She looks away. “I’m really sorry, Dayton I…”
“You know Franny is pregnant, Jamie, and although I feel some empathy for you and your situation, you have to know that this puts me in a fucked-up position.”
“I never asked you to tell people that we’re together.”
She’s right, she didn’t ask. Billy did because he’s a piece of shit.
“What are you going to do?”
“I’m looking for a new job. I can’t work here anymore.” Thank fuck, at least there’s that, though if I’m honest, since she had her epiphany about Billy, she’s been a great secretary. She shows up on time, is always professional, and has never hesitated to help out when she’s needed. “I’m not sure what I’m going to do about Billy. He isn’t exactly talking to me. I guess at some point, I’ll have to get a lawyer. Or maybe I’ll just move home to Florida close to my parents and forget that I ever had anything to do with him. That would probably be better for me and this baby.”
“Is the kid his?”
“I want to be offended by that question, but since I was sleeping with a married man, I guess I can’t be.” She wipes the wet from under her eyes and straightens her spine. “I know that you think I’m the bad guy, but he’s the only guy I’ve been with in a very long time, he told me that he was getting divorced, he met my family, spent time with my parents and told me that I would meet his kids.” More tears start to fill her eyes, and I reach over for the tissue box that is in the middle of the table and hand it to her. “I made a lot of mistakes when it comes to him, more than I can count, but my biggest mistake was believing him when he told me that he loved me.”
“I’m sorry.” And I mean that. If she’s telling the truth, which I do believe she is, he played her and preyed on her vulnerabilities. Franny was, or is, right.
“Of course you are, you’re one of the few good ones left.” She rubs her hands down the front of her skirt. “Do you need anything from me right now?”
“I can’t think of anything,” I tell her, and she nods, pushing up to stand.
“I think I’m going to go out for a walk. I need a few minutes. Do you want something while I’m out?”
“I’m good, but thanks.” I mutter and she leaves the conference room with her chin down and her eyes on her feet.
After scrubbing my hands down my face, I get up and leave the room. I don’t go to my office. I instead head to Billy’s. He might be able to avoid Jamie, but he can’t avoid me. Walking past his secretary, who smiles and waves me on, I don't even bother knocking before I open his door.
Hearing me come in, he turns around with his phone to his ear, and his eyes widen when he sees me. “Steven, I’m going to call you back.” He says as I close the door. “Yes, I’ll call you back.” He hangs up, tucking his cell phone into his pocket. “Dayton, I’m getting ready to leave for court.”
“That’s okay. This won't take long.” I lean back against the door and cross my arms over my chest. “I just wanted to let you know that you’re going to have to find someone else to blackmail.”
“Dayton.” He sighs.
“I’m done, Billy. Barrett knows about the baby, he knows Franny and I are together, and Franny knows about you and Jamie. I’m not keeping your secret.”
“You told Franny about Jamie and me?”
“I did, you might not have an issue hiding shit from your woman, but I got a problem doing that with mine.”
“Is she going to tell Shelly?”
“I doubt Franny wants to be the person to share that kind of news with your wife.” His shoulders sag. “But given what just happened, I would say you’re not going to have much of a choice but to be honest real fucking soon.”
“That kid is not mine.” He waves me off.
“If you say so.”
“It’s not.”
“That’s not my problem, Billy.” I turn to open the door.
“Dayton.”
“What?” I look back at him over my shoulder.
“Never mind.” He falls back into his chair, looking defeated.
I don’t fucking care. He made his bed. He can fucking lay in it and rot away.
When I get to my office, Jamie isn’t at her desk, and I don’t know how long it will be until she gets back, so I leave my door open.
Taking a seat at my desk, I take out my cell phone and dial Barrett’s number. He doesn’t answer so I leave him a message asking him to call me back. I don’t want to add to the stress that he is already dealing with, but I’m not stupid enough to believe that I don’t need to cover my own ass at this point. He and Billy have been friends for years, and they have a history Barrett and I don’t have. I’m not worried in the least about Franny believing the bullshit, but she loves her family, and if they decide that they don’t believe me, that could cause issues for us.