Page 11 of How May I Please You

“Well, the reason I ask is because … she just quit.”

My eyes widen. I turn to Journey, expecting her to be just as surprised as I am, but she has her back to me as she puts the top onto her travel mug.

“She quit? When?” I inquire.

“Just now,” Trey answers. “I’m up here at the main office getting ready to head to the job site, and Robin comes in wearing a big ass hat and oversized sunglasses like a fucking movie star diva who doesn't want the paparazzi snapping her pictures.”

“What the fuck?”

“I know, right? But it gets weirder. She comes in and tells me she has to quit, and when I ask why, she says things just aren't going to work out. Something about a toxic environment.”

“A toxic environment? Are you fucking kidding me?”

She has no idea how toxic it could've been. What would be more toxic than being strangled to death?

“That’s what I wanted to say, because I didn't see anything going on yesterday that I thought would be a cause for concern. So I asked her to provide me with some details so I could figure out what to do and how we could resolve the issue, and she started stuttering and not saying anything that made sense. She couldn't come up with anything at all, so I told her I couldn't do anything to fix it if she wouldn't tell me what happened. She replies, ‘You’re right, there’s nothing you can do to fix this. I just have to leave. I’m sorry, Trey,’ and starts to walk out.

“So I stop her at the door and ask if it had anything to do with you, since you were her craft lead. Bro, I swear to God, she runs her finger under her glasses to wipe away what look like falling tears, and I swear she has one eye that’s completely black, and the other is all swollen. I don't say anything at first, but then I start to look closer and I can see these dark red marks on her neck like somebody tried to choke her out. The girl looks like she got jumped last night, but right as I’m about to ask her what the hell happened to her, she goes, ‘This has nothing to do with Evan, and please don't say anything to him about this. Please. I don't want … fuck, I have to go.’ Then she jets out the door like I was chasing her with a fucking chainsaw. Can you believe that?”

“No, I can’t … at all,” I say, frowning so hard that it hurts my face. “I don't understand, man. I barely spoke to her, so I don't know why she’d get all weird when you mention my name. Dude, I swear nothing happened between her and me. I can ask Shawn if something happened with him since she was on his crew, but I was next to them virtually the entire shift and didn't see anything go down. At the end of the day, she said bye to us and said she’d see us tomorrow, so I don't know where this is coming from.”

“I don't know either, bro,” Trey says. “Anyway, I know we’re getting ready to be at the site, but after it happened I was so confused that I needed to call and see if you knew anything. I didn't know if something took place that I didn't see, or if I needed to worry about her trying to pursue a lawsuit or something.”

“No way, man. I have no idea what she’s talking about.”

“Okay, I figured that much. Alright, no worries, bro. I’ll see you here in a bit.”

“Yeah, I’ll see you soon.”

The call ends and I place my hands on the counter, leaning against it for support with a frown on my face as Journey approaches me from behind. When I spin around to hug her, she doesn't look the least bit surprised by the conversation.

“Did you hear that?” I ask, still bewildered.

“Yeah … that’s crazy,” she answers nonchalantly. “I don't know what may have gotten into her, but you're probably better off without her. It’ll all work out and be for the best, I’m sure. Anyway, I have to get going.”

She lifts herself up on the tips of her toes to kiss me quickly before spinning on her heel and heading for the garage. I stay stuck in a cloud of confusion as I force myself to pour my coffee, and just before she walks out of the door, Journey turns around.

“Hey,” she says. “Never forget that I love you.”

I force myself to smirk as I reply, “I know, Baby Girl. I love you, too.”

Journey grins, pausing to stare at me for a moment before turning around and walking out the door.

det. summers

nine

~ journey ~

By the time I reach the Seventh Precinct, I’m still reeling from the conversation I overheard at home. While I knew you would eventually find out about Robin, I didn't expect Trey to call and tell you while I was still standing there. I hadn't planned on putting on a performance for you, and it kills me to admit that I had to because I don't like lying to you, Evan. Nonetheless, I did this for us. Robin had to go, and that’s all there is to it. I couldn't let her stay and disrespect what we have. I could never do that, so I have no regrets about what happened. Like so many other times in my life, I did what needed to be done. Honestly, the fucking bitch is lucky I let her live.

Getting out of my car now is a lot like it was when I did it yesterday. I acted as if it was a normal day—just a regular girl getting out of her car at the same time as another woman who just happened to be entering the hotel at that exact moment. It was purely luck that it was rush hour and all of the parking spaces at Robin’s hotel were taken, forcing her to pick a spot far from the entrance. There were only a few spaces left, making it look like I had no choice but to park close to her.

We got out at the same time, greeting each other with polite, dismissive smiles as we exited our respective vehicles and headed toward the entrance together. She was only a few paces ahead of me as we went, but don’t worry, Sir, I made sure to check for cameras as we approached the door. You would've been proud of me, because just as we turned the corner to go inside, I noticed a camera facing the entrance, and I knew I couldn't be seen walking in with her, so the camera ended up being my cue.

Before we could turn the corner, I gripped Robin’s hair in my fist and yanked back as hard as I could, snatching her head backward and keeping her out of view of the camera’s lens. I knew I didn't have much time. Like I said, it was rush hour and people were bound to be coming to this same hotel at any moment. I had to move fast.

The look on her face when she realized I was attacking her was priceless. It’s not the type of thing you forget, and I’ve always rather enjoyed it. I remember when you and I had some fun a few months back because people didn't know how to mind their own business, and you loved that look, too. You were so proud to let your beast take over and wreak the havoc it desperately craved, and I was honored to be by your side during those thrilling moments. Honestly, I sort of miss the way you were then, but I digress. Luckily for me, I was able to see the terrified expression on Robin’s face last night, and it was a dream come true.

---