CHAPTER ONE

 

I’m going to kill the Bastard,” I shouted, slamming the phone back onto its cradle. “How could I have been so stupid?”  In a moment of rage, I hurled the photos against the wall and watched them scatter around the floor.  I dialed Mags’ number. 

“Hey, what’s up, Jor?” She answered in a preoccupied voice.

“Vinny DeCarlo is dead meat.  You are not going to believe what this bastard did this time,” I shouted into the mouthpiece.  “He’s been two-timing me.”  I strode toward the living room too quickly and stubbed my toe. “Oh man,” I slumped to the floor and cradled my foot, rubbing my toe.

“What’s wrong, Jor?” Mags said in a panicked voice.

“I slammed my toe against the door frame.”

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah.  Hell, in the scheme of things, this is nothing.”

“Okay, so tell me how you finally came to your senses about him two-timing you.”

“Someone sent me photos of the dirt-bag in a compromising position with some blonde bimbo.” 

 There was a stretch of silence before she went off into her usual tirade.  “I’m not the least bit surprised.  I’ve been telling you this for years, and, and . . . I told you not to put your career on hold for him.  Vinny’s always been a cheat . . . you didn’t want to listen to me.”

 “Yeah, Mags I know that now.  Don’t rub it in, okay?”  I pulled out a stool and sat down, resting my elbow on the counter and cradled my head in my hand.  My eyes welled with tears.  “I can’t believe it,” I bellowed. “Why, after three years?”  I grabbed a tissue from the box and wiped my eyes.  “Oh, he’s going to pay for this.  Big time!”

“Did you call him?”

“I was opening the mail when he called to cancel our date for tonight.  That’s when I saw the pictures.”

 “Did he deny it?”

“How could he when I had the proof right in front of me?”  My anger turned to sadness and tears gushed out, running down my cheeks like a geyser erupting.  “You know, I really thought this time was going to be different.” 

“I’m sorry, Jor, I didn’t mean to rub your nose in it.  You know how much I hate that jerk . . . it just came out before I realized what I was saying.”

“I know,” I said shrugging it off.

“Listen” she said with a deep sigh, “you sit tight.  Emily and I’ll be right over.” 

After we disconnected, I slipped off the stool and angrily kicked a photo from my path with my good foot as I entered the kitchen.  I grabbed a dirty wine glass from the sink and watched the ruby red liquid fill the bowl.  One hefty swig later, a skittering thought danced through my mind wondering if the alcohol would kill the germs I currently held in my mouth.  I shrugged and swallowed the velvety taste of grapes. 

A sudden heavy thud against the door told me Mags had arrived.  When I pulled the door open, Emily dashed forward and threw her arms around me in a tight hold. 

“Oh Jor, I’m so sorry.”

“I’ll be okay,” squeaked out of my mouth, and with it came a rush of tears.  I flopped down on the sofa in a freefall.

“Yeah, I can see that,” Mags said from across the room, her mysterious look focused on my face and I knew what was coming.  She made her way over to me and crouched down in front, grabbed a hold of my chin and stared into my eyes as though she was looking into a crystal ball. It’s almost as if she believes she has special powers.  She flicked a loose strand of blue hair out of her eyes and leaned in closer.  “Your pupils are dilated,” she said. 

I pushed her hand away.  “Please stop,” I sniveled.

“Listen, I know you’re upset, but it’ll get better, I promise.”  She reached out to hug me.

“How do you know that?”  I asked.

“I don’t.  You know, I’m just saying.  So you go ahead and cry.  Get it out of your system.” 

Mags is a petite little thing, five feet in height, cute figure, and into the “emo” look—not that she has the same beliefs as the diehards, but she’s opted to look the part with the black lips, black nail polish and multi-colored hair, because it’s her way of fighting the establishment—namely her mother who’s a socialite.   I’m sure her color coordinated sneakers gives her mother hope that not all is lost and she’s taught her daughter something about fashion.  Unlike her mother though, Emily and I accept her just the way she is.

Emily sat down next to me.  “Where are the photos?”

“On the floor,” I said weakly, nodding toward the kitchen.  Mags released me and bolted up, racing to the kitchen to see the photos before Emily could get there.  Emily, who mostly ignores Mags’ control issues, shot her a look that could kill as she breezed past her, stooping down to scoop up a few of her own.

“Hey,” Mags responded in defense, “I wanted to see if I knew the bimbo.”

Emily held up her hand ordering Mags to stop, then studied the photos she’d retrieved.  When Emily released a loud “whoa,” Mags bolted next to her like she was sliding into home plate. 

“Oh my God,” Mags giggled leaning over Em’s shoulder.  “I had no idea he was so—”

Emily elbowed her from behind and Mags’ hand shot up to cover her mouth.

I didn’t find any of this amusing.  Sadness crept into my chest. “This must be my fault,” I said remorsefully.  “Maybe I didn’t bring enough to this relationship.”

“What?  Are you nuts?” Mags said, handing the photos to Emily before walking back into the living room.  “Don’t even go there.  I’ve known the dick-head longer than any of you.  He was a loser then, he’s a loser now.  You don’t think this latest chick is going to be any better off than anyone else, do you?”

“I don’t know.”  I shook my head in despair.  “Has he been doing this to me the entire three years?”

Mags gave me the raised eyebrows side glare as she walked back into the kitchen.  I watched her remove two wine glasses from the cupboard and fill them from the bottle on the counter, handing one to Emily, and then stopping in front of me and tip the bottle over to fill my empty glass.  “Okay, what are we going to do about getting even with him?”

“I’m working on it,” I managed to get out, my voice slightly wavering.

“Tell me about your conversation with him.” 

“He’d called from the airport to cancel our date for tonight saying he had to cover a meeting for his boss.  I had just opened the large envelope and was pulling the pictures out, confused as to why someone was sending me photos.  When I gasped after seeing THE picture, he knew something was up.”  Those words were no sooner out of my mouth than I remembered the picture of him.  The tears now rushed down like a geyser.

 “I’m not sure, but I think I was hyperventilating because I vaguely remember the jerk asking me if he should call 911.”  I blew out a breath of air.  “When I got to the final photo, I totally lost it. I was screaming at the top of my lungs.  I’m sure I called him every name in the book.”  I covered my eyes with my hands.  “Everything is a big blur right now.  All I remember is our voices colliding with one another.”  I took a swig of wine begging it to numb the pain.  “He immediately tried to deny it, saying someone was trying to frame him.”

Mags cocked her head and twisted her mouth to the side, “Yeah, right.  They framed him all right—in a picture frame.”

“Did he say anything about the woman in the photo?” Emily asked.

“Yeah, he finally had to admit he was lying.  After more quizzing, he finally said he’d met her at a conference—he’d never seen her before then, but it was just that—meeting her.”  The two girls stood with their hands securely planted on their hips, nodding. 

“Yeah right.”  Mags’ angry voice echoed.

“Then I asked him if he was in love with her.  He said he loved me.”  My heart constricted rehashing the conversation again.  “That’s when I lost it again, and slammed the phone down in his ear.  I hope I broke his freakin’ eardrum.”

“So he didn’t really tell you he wasn’t in love with her though, right?”  Mags’ lips twisted into a smirk.  “He’s lying—you know it, and I know it,” she screeched.  Emily punched her in the arm and gave her a disapproving frown.  Mags rose from her seat and began pacing in short succinct steps, her hand resting on her chin deep in thought.  She turned to me.  “So, what are we going to do?” 

The shrill ring of the phone cut into her conversation.  I flipped it open. 

 “Jordan, I’m sorry.”  I pointed to the phone and mouthed Vinny’s name.  Mags and Emily both rolled their eyes.  Mags raced over, ready to take the phone from me, but I turned just as her hand shot up to grab it.

 “My plane leaves in a half hour.  I didn’t mean to hurt you, baby.  I didn’t know what I was doing.”

“Oh really?  Looks pretty damned rehearsed to me.”  Anger jetted through my body.  “And don’t call me again.”  I flipped the phone shut and turned to face Mags and Emily.  Mags had a sneer on her face; no doubt pleased I hung up on Vinny.  Emily’s facial expression remained grim as though she was at a funeral.

“What?” Mags asked, with an arched brow.  I could see she was seething which was only magnified by her intense dislike for Vinny.

“He’s sorry.  You know; the same bullshit he’s been feeding me.”

“Yeah, but it sounds like the sleeze is feeling guilty,” Mags said, flipping Vinny the bird as if he could see her.  “What do you think, Jor?  I mean, we have to do something to him now, not when this blows over.”

“I know.”  I released a heavy sigh, unsure of my next step, wondering if I needed to slow down.  Maybe I moving too quickly?

“Let’s get something to eat at TGI Friday’s,” Mags said.  “I’m sure the three of us can come up with something.”

“Okay.”

Emily snatched my purse up off the floor and tossed it to me, then pulled the car keys out of hers and headed for the door.  “C’mon, let’s roll.”

I got into the back seat of Emily’s car with Mags up front.  Mags snapped her fingers together.  “I’ve got an idea. Let’s call Vinny’s job to find out what the secretary knows.”

“Why?  What more do I need to know?”

  “Yeah, but if she’s knows something, you know she’ll spit it all out.  Don’t you want to know the truth?”  I shrugged.  “And then, maybe she doesn’t know anything all but at least we’ve done our research.”

“Yeah, and maybe she knows more than I want to hear?  I’m officially done with the jerk, so what difference does it make?”  My stomach tightened as I remembered the pictures.  “You don’t think I’d ever take him back now, do you?”

“I certainly hope not, but I want to make sure you don’t,” she flung her hand in the air.  “If you don’t find out Jor, you’re always going to wonder,” she said with an insistent ring in her voice.

I considered the possibilities.  “Okay,” I huffed out, “but I don’t want to talk to her.”

Mags beckoned a response with her hand.  “C’mon, give me the number,” a smug expression covered her face, “I’ll call.”

I shrugged and reluctantly scrolled down the contacts in my cell and found the office number.   Mags reached over and clicked on the speaker so we could all hear at the same time.  I was a bundle of nerves listening to the sound of the ring uncertain I wanted to know more.

“Good afternoon, this is Lisa Young.”

“Hi Lisa.  This is Vinny DeCarlo’s girlfriend, Jordan . . . remember me?”  There was a brief silence.  “We met at the company picnic in July.”

“Oh, sure. I’m sorry,” she said with a giggle.  “I was in the middle of a text message to my boyfriend,” she confessed sheepishly.  “Yes, of course, I remember you..  What’s wrong?” She asked, her voice showing signs of panic.  “Oh no, please don’t tell me American Airlines messed up your tickets again?”

 “Well, I wanted to . . . .”

“Oh, wait a minute,” she scoffed, “I get it.  Vinny put you up to this little prank, didn’t he?”  She giggled.  “That guy is so funny.”

“What do you mean,” Mags said, faking a laugh.

“He told me I’d better not screw up his vacation plans with you to Cabo because this was a special week.”  She giggled.

I gasped, slapping my hand against my chest.  Mags’ hand shot out and clamped over my mouth.  Hot tears streamed down my cheeks like the Mauna Loa volcano on the island of Hawaii.  I couldn’t believe my ears.

 “What’s wrong?” Lisa asked.

“Oh nothing.” Mags released another laugh to cover my outburst.  “A woman sitting next to me was just overreacting to something someone told her.”

“Oh God, I thought I spoiled something for you.  I mean, Vinny told me you guys had been planning this trip for a long time.”

“No, no, you didn’t spoil a thing.”  Mags’ eyebrows rose.  “Oh yeah, Vinny and I have been planning this for a long time.”

Lisa released an exaggerated sign of relief into the phone. “Man, you really had me going there for a minute.”

 “Not to worry.  Can you just tell me when we’re returning from the trip?  I let Vinny handle it and, well, you know how that goes.”

“Well, he didn’t handle it.  I did, but I did give him the itinerary.  Didn’t he show it to you?”

“No, he seems to have misplaced it.” 

Lisa paused.  The crinkle of a page being turned sounded in the background. 

“Hold on a minute, Jordan, I’ll check it in my computer.”  We could hear Lisa’s fingers clicking on the keyboard of her computer.  “Yeah, here it is.  Uh, two weeks in blissful elegance.”

“Okay, thanks.  That’s what he said, but I wanted to be sure.  Well, I’d better run—people are lining up at the gate.  Thanks for being such a good sport, Lisa.  Vinny is always telling me how much he enjoys working with you—now I understand why.”

“Yeah, we do have a good time—he’s a real game player. Can I talk to that jokester?” 

“Aww, Lee, I’m sorry.  He’s in the men’s room, and I hope he hurries before the plane leaves without him.  I know he’s going to be anxious to hear about your reaction.  I’ll be sure to tell him you have him all figured out.” 

She laughed.  “Okay,” she giggled.  “One of these times, the Jokester won’t be joking, and I’m not going to know the difference.”  A buzzing noise interrupted the conversation.   “Hey, I have to go too.  My boss is sitting on the buzzer—the jerk must need a cup of coffee,” she said sarcastically.  “You guys have a fabulous time.  I understand the stone you picked out is like the rock of Gibraltar.  You go, girl.  You’re an asset to the gender.  Be sure to stop in as soon as you return, I want to see that rock.  And, hey, don’t forget my address for that wedding invitation.  This is one wedding I don’t want to miss.”

“Yeah, me neither.” Mags replied.  “Okay, Lisa, you take care and we’ll talk when we return.”  

I stared into space.  There were no more tears, only anger.

“I’m so sorry, Jordan,” Mags said sympathetically.  “I know this hurts.  Please forgive me for being such a jerk.” 

The only thing I could do was nod and stare out the window.  Words would not come to me.

 “Here, Jor, take a sip of my water.  I wish I had something stronger, but this’ll have to do for now.”   She expelled a deep sigh.  “Okay, sweetie, what do you want to do?”

“I want to die, that’s what I want to do.” 

“Oh, stop talking like that.”

I continued to sit trance-like, staring out the window and trying to make sense of what was happening, convinced more than ever Vinny wasn’t getting away with this quite so easily.  I wasn’t a vengeful person, but I’d just wasted three years of my life, put my plans on hold because I thought I would be planning a wedding, and now he was marrying someone else.  I recalled the last time I’d run into his mother, and how awkward it felt, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.  She knew what was going on.  My mind raced as random thoughts surfaced of other instances when I’d been duped.  The burning anger deep in the pit of my stomach festered and finally erupted into a full boil.  I was out for blood—his blood.

Mags broke the silence first.  “So what do you want to do, Jor?”

My fist bounced off the cushion, “I’m off to Cabo. Who’s going with me?”