Page 22 of Secretary Crush
She’s wearing her tight black leather miniskirt, and her heels have some kind of ties on them that crisscross up her legs. Her red tank top is backless, and her bleach-blond hair looks stringy as it hangs around her gaunt face. She has dark circles under her normally brilliant blue eyes. Now they’re bloodshot and glassy. Her once soft ivory skin is broken out in big red bumps, some of them broken open and scabbed over. I don’t know what drugs she’s been dabbling with lately, but it’s taken a once beautiful woman and eaten her until nearly nothing is left. Seeing her like this hurts a spot deep in my heart.
“Jo, what are you doing back here?” I ask, turning to face her fully now.
She shrugs. “Thought I hadn’t stopped by in a while. I was just wondering what you were up to, that’s all.”
I press my lips together and slide my hands into my pockets. “That’s all?” I ask, tilting my head to examine her. “You’re not here because you’re strung out again and need help getting cleaned up? You’re not here looking for me to save you…yet again? You’re not here looking for any handout I’m stupid enough to give you?”
She offers up a smile as she crosses her arms over her chest. “Don’t act like you’re not happy to see me, Hudson. We both know you can’t resist me.” She wets her lips and looks me up and down. “We’ve had some good times over the years. Good? Dirty,” she corrects.
“That’s over, Jo. I’ve moved on. I’m done.” I turn my back on her and start pouring the creamer and sugar into my coffee. I stir it slowly, praying she’s gone when I turn back around. But I’ve never been a lucky man. When I turn around, she’s still there, just like I knew she would be.
“I think you should leave, Jo. There’s nothing left for you here. You ruined that the last time you took off.”
“There’s nothing for me here? If it wasn’t for me, you wouldn’t even have this place,” she reminds me, as she often does.
“No, if it wasn’t for your father, I wouldn’t have this place. I’ve done right by you. I’ve taken you back time and time again. I’ve gotten you off the streets. I’ve gotten you cleaned up. I’ve given you a job when you needed it. And every time, you just walked away like I didn’t mean shit to you.”
She starts walking closer to me, and I step back, not wanting her to touch me. She stops just a foot in front of me, and she drops her arms to her sides as she takes a deep breath and makes her chest poke out as far as it possibly can. “I just need a little help, Hudson. I know I’ve made mistakes.” She lets out a bitter-sounding chuckle. “Hell, I am nothing but one giant mistake. I’ve been stupid enough to make the same bad choices over and over again.” She shakes her head. “But I’m not going to do that anymore. I’ve learned my lesson. I know now that you’re the one I’m supposed to be with. You’re the only one who’s ever cared for me, protected me. Loved me. And I’ve treated you so badly over the years. I’ve taken you for granted, and I’ve used you. I’m sorry for all of it. Daddy was right about you. You are a good guy, and I was too blind to see that before now. Please, Hudson. Don’t turn me away. Please, give me one last chance. Help me. You know you’re the only one who can.”
15
ELLA
Ican’t wipe the smile off my face as I go into my apartment to change for work. I’m back in the bedroom, pulling on some clean clothes when I hear a knock on the front door. It immediately opens. “El, it’s Zoe. Is it okay if I come in?”
“Yeah, I’m just in the bedroom changing. What’s up?”
“Oh, I just heard you come in. Thought I’d slip over and be nosy. Who’s the guy?” she asks from the other room.
I giggle as I walk out with my shoes in my hand. “Who said anything about a guy?”
“Well, I just saw him drive off on a motorcycle, so…”
I can’t hold back my laughter. “That’s my boss, actually. Is it bad that I think I’ve fallen in love with him?”
Her eyes stretch wide, and her mouth drops open. “Excuse me? Your boss?”
I nod. “His name is Hudson. We’ve kind of been messing around for a while now.” I sit on the couch to pull my shoes on, and she flops down beside me as a squeal escapes. “This is amazing! I’m so happy for you.”
I smile over at her. “Thanks, but it’s really too soon to be celebrating. I mean, who knows if this will work out or not.”
“It’s never too early to celebrate being happy, El.”
“I guess you’re right,” I say as I finish tying my shoes.
“Anyway, I gotta get to work before I’m late. We’ll catch up later?”
“Sure, dinner at my place? Gage has been pulling some overtime. He’s in panic mode about money now that we’re expecting this little bundle,” she says, rubbing her rounding belly.
“Sounds good,” I agree.
She gives me a smile and a wave before walking out the door and leaving me alone.
I go to the bathroom and freshen up my deodorant and perfume for the day. I pull my hair up into a high ponytail and add just my normal touch of makeup. When I’m happy with my appearance, I turn and gather my things to get to work.
I’m pulling into the parking lot at nine on the dot. I don’t know why, but my stomach drops when I see all the guys staring toward the office. They’re all in their stations, but none of them are working. Instead, they’re all watching whatever is going on the other side of the glass.
I walk in through the open bay door and look in the direction of the office. There, I see Hudson. He’s not alone, though. No, there’s a blonde with him. She’s standing too close to him to be a customer, and the pit in my stomach opens wider. I come to a stop beside Tony.
