Page 53 of Playing the Game
“Does she know you’re moving?”
Mel sips her wine and sits beside me. “Yeah. I don’t think she cares. She made a comment about turning my room into a home office so she doesn’t have to stay late at work anymore.”
“It sounds like she’s not going to have any issue with you moving out on her.”
“Nope. Not in the slightest.” Mel places her glass down. “Enough about that. How are you holding up?”
“As good as I can be. I’m worried sick about Jami, and feel terrible about hurting Hunter.”
“Both men will be okay in the end. It’s you I’m concerned about.”
“Why me? I’m the one who’s the cause of all this mess.”
She tucks her legs underneath her. “I’m talking about losing your job.”
“You warned me and I wouldn’t listen.” My core tightens,and I pick up my wine. I take a long drink as I try to keep my tears at bay.
She cuts in and steals my attention. “To be clear, I hope you know I never wanted that to happen.”
I put my wine down. “I know you didn’t. It’s nobody’s fault but my own, so I don’t hold anyone responsible.”
“Why didn’t you tell me about it when it happened? It wasn’t cool hearing it from the rumor mill.”
“Mel, I couldn’t bring myself to talk about it. I’m embarrassed beyond measure.” I fake a laugh. “It’s less concerning to me that those I don’t really care about are privy to this information than the fact that you, someone I hold dear, know about it.”
“Uh, that’s crazy talk right there. I’m your best friend, and you can always talk to me about your issues. Hiding shit from me is as bad as you going MIA.” She pretends to glare at me. “That’s not an idea I’m putting in your head, so don’t even think about it.”
“I couldn’t even if I wanted to. Jami needs me, and I can’t stand the thought of not being there for him.”
“What does he think about you getting fired?”
I push off the couch and walk over to her sliding glass door, hiding my face from her. “He doesn’t know.”
“Oh, Dori. Why haven’t you told him? It’s like you never learn.”
I wrap my arms around my waist. “He doesn’t need the added stress of my current situation to think about. All he should be focused on is getting better.”
She does something behind my back, causing me to turn. Her head is back against the top of her couch. She’s shaking it with her arm over her eyes while groaning as if I’ve physically hurt her.
“Why are you doing that, Mel?”
She lifts her head and finds my gaze. “I’m just amazed at how you get yourself into these binds.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means it’s going to be a thousand times harder to tell Jami once you finally feel ready to explain. You know how he’s going to react.”
“He’ll understand why I didn’t tell him.”
“If you say so.” She grabs her drink. “Have you talked to Hunter since that day?”
I mosey back to the couch and sit. “I saw him briefly. He said he was going to get the board to overturn their decision.”
“Do you think that could happen?”
I pick up my glass and take a sip. After a moment, I place it back on the table.
My stomach twists. “Possibly, but I’m not holding my breath.”
