Page 20 of Studious
I roll my eyes, but secretly I’m glad. She could’ve been very judgmental about me being gay, since she was raised pretty conservatively. But she isn’t, at all. It’s like she knew that was who I was all along and accepted me. She never tried to tell me to be something I’m not. And while she can be a little manipulative, it’s only in this way—wanting to see me happy.
Iamhappy… right?
“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.”
“When am I going to see you next, mijo?”
“Want me to come by this weekend?” I pause. “Friday is happy hour at the office. What about Saturday afternoon? Will that work? I could help you install that new bookshelf.”
I can hear the smile in her voice. “That would be wonderful. I’ll make your favorite.”
“Al pastor?”
“Claro que sí.”
“Yum. I can’t wait. Thanks. But I’m not bringing anyone with me.”
“Whatever you say,” she says.
We exchange affectionate goodbyes, and I think about how weird my life is. I’m winning big cases, driving a flashy car, fucking a different hot man every week—if not more often. And apparently now aiming for views on Ad/VICE. This is exactly the life I imagined when I was dumped on prom night and vowed to live my best life as revenge.
But sometimes I just want my cat and my mom.
* * *
There’s a knock on my door, and I glance up to see our new bookkeeper. He looks nervous.
“Um, hey,” he says. “I’m Alden.”
“I know,” I say, smiling. “We met the other day. How’s your first week been so far?”
His cheeks flush for some reason. “Umm—” he starts, but then the intercom buzzes. It’s Shelby.
“Hang on?” I ask Alden, and he nods. “Go ahead,” I say to Shelby.
“Mr. Villaseñor…” Shelby can be so proper, but it’s all an act. “There’s someone here to see you. Earl Gorges.”
Earl? I don’t know an Earl.
Unless it’s the dude from the other night?Fuck. No.
Alden frowns. Guess I said that out loud—or maybe my expression spoke for me. “What’s wrong?” he asks.
“Hang on.” I grimace and put Shelby on mute. “I think this visitor might be here for the wrong reason.” Alden justifiably looks confused, since that’s not any real explanation. I continue, “I think it’s some guy I hooked up with, but I don’t want to see him again.”
“Oh.” He turns to look down the hall, then whispers, “Do you want me to go shoo him away?”
I almost laugh, because it’s precious, him wanting to… defend me? “Nah, I can take care of my own messes.”I think.“Shelby,” I say, unmuting the intercom, “it’s okay to send him down.”
Alden’s wearing a dubious expression, and I don’t blame him. Who has their hookups follow them to the office?
A moment later, Earl barges in, carrying a Vons grocery bag that appears to have a belt in it. I let out a sigh of relief. For a moment, I’d thought he might be bringing me flowers or something equally mushy and romantic. No, thanks.
He gives Alden only a passing glance, which pisses me off. Alden’s a person. This guy should show some respect. We’ll ignore my hypocrisy, since I couldn’t even remember Earl’s name while we were actually in bed. But he focuses on me and says, “You left this.” He holds out the plastic bag.
I accept it and set it down on my desk, then cock my head. “How did you know where to find me? I never told you my last name.”
“You’re a legend. Everyone knows who you are.”
