Page 19 of Big Bad Bully
Billy takes the empty glass from my hand and replaces it with a crystal champagne flute filled with something bubbly–prosecco, Madi said. I’ve never had prosecco. It looks like champagne.
Like when he held my jacket and opened the door for me at La Résistance, I find his attentiveness at odds with the dickish personality. Also a bit disconcerting.
Like, I don’t want to enjoy being the object of his attention, but I do.
He sweeps a hand in the living room’s direction like a proper host. “Let’s talk.”
I trail behind Madi and Brick, maddeningly aware of Billy at my back. Brick sits in a large armchair and pulls Madi onto his lap.
That familiar wave of sadness hits me again–grief over my changed relationship with Madi. I was excited to come here tonight and see her sooner than next Thursday. But even though we’re in the same room now, she’s very much wrapped up with Brick.
For the four hundred and fiftieth time, I mentally kick myself for not being happy for her. For not getting over myself. For feeling so abandoned.
I drop onto the sofa beside them and suck down half of the bubbly drink Billy handed me. It’s nice–light and refreshing. I drain the glass and set it on the gleaming chrome coffee table.
Billy does not sit down yet. He seems to be considering the three of us. “Aubrey says it looks like a prison guard decorated my apartment.”
The alcohol must be going to my head because it takes me a second to note how odd it is that Billy would offer that up as a conversation starter.
Madi laughs. “Right?” She catches my eye, and I’m relieved at the familiar camaraderie. The reassurance that we still share similar beliefs and values despite the drastic changes in her financial and social status. That we still have common ground. “It’s completely devoid of color.” Madi glances at Billy. “You need art in this place. You should buy one of Aubrey’s paintings.”
“I’m not sure an Occupy Wall Street mural works with my vibe.”
Billy’s tone is dry, but it starts a curl of pleasure in my belly to hear that he knows about my work. I shouldn’t care–I don’t need his recognition. But there’s no denying the hum of warmth inside me.
“Speaking of your murals–you have to tell me what the deal is with the Sentience mural,” Madi says.
“Oh, right.” I glance over my shoulder at Billy, who, for some unknown reason, is still standing. I guess he likes to be the master of his domain. “I, uh–let’s talk when we go out next week. I’ll give you the whole scoop.”
“You’re painting a mural for Sentience?” Billy’s voice carries disbelief.
Again, I’m just a teensy bit flattered that he seems to know me–or think he knows me–well enough to comprehend that the job is out of character for me.
I wave a dismissive hand. “I finished it.”
“For Sentience.”
“They pay well.”
Billy suddenly man-sprawls on the sofa beside me. It’s a nice leather couch, so it doesn’t dip too much, but his large presence registers in every cell of my body. He leans back with one ankle crossed over his knee, his arms stretching out on the back of the couch in each direction, one behind my shoulders. “How well?”
Jeez. I didn’t expect the sudden interest. I might have underestimated Billy. I considered him a self-centered prick. But here he is, sniffing into my business like he can smell my deceit. That actually takes a level of empathy and human understanding.
Maybe that’s how he got to the top in Brick’s company. He is a self-centered prick who is savvy enough to manipulate those around him. That’s my new working theory.
“Twenty grand.” Obviously, I’m not doing it for the money. Madi knows that. It seems Billy knows that, too, but I’m not about to tell him what I’m really up to over there. It’s none of his business, and he wouldn’t understand.
“Thought you didn’t care about money.” It’s a jab, but I feel him watching me, like he really wants to figure out the puzzle.
Damn.
This could be a problem.
“I needed to pay off my student loans,” I toss out, which is not a lie.
Brick’s fingers trace down Madi’s thighs, and she squirms in his lap. They probably won’t last another five minutes before they disappear to fuck again.
“Fifty grand,” Billy blurts.
