I march back into the other room and pour the drinks down the sink. “Leave. Now,” I call.
“Why did you bother bringing us up here if you didn’t want to see us?” Nicki calls.
“Brain snap,” I call back. Dick snap, more like.
Nicki tries again. “I can make you feel better.”
“For fuck’s sake, Nicki,” I yell as I lose my patience, “enough.” I point to the door. “Get out. Right now.” I grab Heidi’s dress and throw it at her and pick up the G-string and stuff it in her hand. “Please, I’m sorry.” I’m flustered and tripping over my words. This is the first time I’ve ever done anything like this. “Just . . . you really need to go.”
Nicki storms out the door, and Heidi hangs back. “You all right?” she asks softly.
My nostrils flare as I stare at her.
Do I look all right?
“Goodbye, Heidi.”
Her eyes hold mine for a moment longer than they should, and I know she actually cares.
Hayden.
I turn and walk to the window and stare out at the city below. I hear the door quietly click closed, and regret swims deep in my stomach. I close my eyes, ashamed of myself. What the hell is wrong with me?
I’m fucking losing it.
I walk into the office at eight thirty sharp, and Jameson and Elliot are standing in reception. “Morning.”
Jameson cringes when he sees me. “You look like shit.”
“Margarooted.” I march past them. “I hold you responsible,” I say to Elliot.
Elliot chuckles. I walk down the corridor and into my office. I slump into my seat.
Fuck, I feel bad.
Headachy, nauseous . . . embarrassed.
Heartsick.
What must Heidi and Nicki think of my literal prick teasing last night?
Knock, knock sounds on the door.
“Come in,” I call.
The door opens, and my mother appears. “Hello, darling.”
And there she is, the most glamorous woman in New York. Dressed to the nines in a camel-colored designer dress and heels, hair done to perfection, with a ramrod-straight back. I smile. “Hi, Mom.” I stand and kiss her cheek. “You look lovely.”
She smiles up at me. “I’ve come to take you to breakfast.”
Fucking Elliot.
“I’m too busy today, Mom.”
“Nonsense.” She smiles. “I have only seen you for two hours since you got back. I need more time, sweetheart.”
“I already ate.”
“Come.” She walks out of my office, ignoring everything I just said to her. “I’m stealing Christopher,” I hear her announce to my brothers.
I trudge down the hall to see Elliot and Jameson still hanging around reception, chatting, and I narrow my eyes at Elliot. “You’re fucked,” I mouth as I walk past him.
He smiles and waves with his fingertips. “Have fun,” he mouths back.
It’s blatantly obvious Elliot has tattletaled on me, and I am not in the mood for this today.
We get into the elevator, and she links her arm through mine. “Tell me about your trip.”
“It was great.”
“Was?” She frowns up at me. “Does that mean you aren’t going back?”