Page 34 of Falling for Them
“Vice?What’s that?”
“A club in Dorado Heights.You haven’t been here before?”
“No,” I snap.“Nobody’s ever invited me.”
“Sorry, what?”
“Never mind,” I say.“I’ll talk to you later.”
I end the call.The differences between Joel and me are insurmountable, aren’t they?A person like me could never be in a long-term relationship with a person like him.
Ella
I don’t see Joel in the Tyler building the following night.I feel like he’s avoiding me.A part of me is relieved, because I’m not sure I want to see him, either.
But he must have been here at some point, because there’s an envelope on my cleaning cart, with my name written on the front.Maybe it’s an apology.He was a douche last night.
Hands shaking, I pull the card from the envelope and gasp.The paper inside is a rich, deep brown, and embossed with gold lettering.It matches the Tyler Analytics logo.I read the scripted font in disbelief.
The Tyler Analytics Charity Gala
Date: Saturday, January 18th
Location: The Tyler Building in San Esteban, California
Time: 9 pm - 1 am
Admit One
My heart has stopped beating and I’ve forgotten how to breathe.
I’m holding a ticket to the gala.
The gala which takes place intwo days.
A part of me wants to crumple it up.Did Joel think I was kidding around when I said I couldn’t get a dress?Did he think it was a joke?
It’s not a fucking joke.
I could sell this ticket.I’m sure someone would pay good money for it.
But that’s wrong.This is for charity, not for my benefit.
I go through the motions of my job for the next couple of hours.At the end of my shift, I leave the building, wondering why Joel would give me the gala ticket.Maybe he forgot that I can’t go?That must be it.
What an asshole.I need to break up with him, as soon as possible.I should’ve broken up with him weeks ago.
I’m still thinking about how I’ll break up with Joel when I reach my apartment.The stupid door to the building is unlocked again, and I breathe curses while I go inside and slam it closed behind me.
As I head up the stairs, a familiar voice reaches my ears—Tommy’s here.Can this night get any worse?I pause and listen.He’s not talking to me; it sounds like he’s on the phone.And even though it’s just after midnight, he’s not troubling himself to be quiet.He doesn’t care about whether my neighbors are sleeping or not.
I know my brother is an inconsiderate asshole sometimes, but I’d thought that was mostly limited to how he treats me.
I don’t want to see him.It’s been a shitty week, and the gala is in two days, and I just want to sit and mope.I have my own shit to deal with.I don’t need Tommy’s, too.
Sighing, I trudge up the first flight of stairs.Movement down the second-floor hall catches my eye.It’s Mrs.Dali, wearing her dressing gown and standing in her doorway, and waving at me.
Worried there’s some kind of emergency, I pick up my pace and go to her.“Is everything okay?”
