Page 28 of The Top of Admiration
I had to do something for Cam. I was sworn to secrecy, but he had helped me anonymously, so I concluded that I’d do the same thing. Art was too identifiable as being from me, so that was off the table. It had to be something he would never trace back to me. Then, an idea struck! He’d been complaining about his fourth step having a broken board. Surely it wouldn’t be too hard to fix. A bit of YouTube and some timber and the job would be done. I’d visit Damon at the lumberyard and ask for some wood for a project. I’d “borrowed” heaps of stuff from his yard for art, so he’d assume it was a sculpture or something.
Of course, that wouldn’t be an adequate thank-you, so I’d find other small ways to make his life easier. We were becoming closer, not close exactly, but when I saw him at Damon’s, I stayed to make conversation. Previously, I’d been polite but not overly warm. I was dreading seeing him again, not because I didn’t want to, but because now that I knew he was my heroic donor, I was worried I’d blurt something out or somehow blow his “secret” with Jules and Seamus out of the water. Maybe I could just avoid him for a while and not pop in when his car was outside. That also meant I’d have to hide in my room when he came around to our house to visit Lucy. Ugh, this was a mess. Too many secrets. Seamus knew that I knew, which meant Jules would soon know too. But Cam didn’t know that I knew, and I didn’t know if Damon knew that Cam was the donor, or that Cordy knew, but she would soon know, which meant Damonwould know. And they would know that I knew, but that Cam didn’t know. Too many people knew but knew that others didn’t know but knew that others knew. I think. This was exhausting.
I’d have to wait until night or when he wasn’t home. I knew he was heading out of two for two days, so the step would have to wait until then. But for now? I would head to O’Malley’s, where I knew he went for a few drinks after work on Fridays.
I walked into the bar at five, knowing he wouldn’t be there until about six. I felt jittery and ridiculous in my own skin and explained to the bartender in a whisper. “Could you… give this to Cam, the guy from the app thingy company when he gets here? Just put it there and don’t say who it’s from.” I pushed a folded note and the cash, including a generous tip, across the counter. “And, um, something neat. Not too sweet.”
The bartender, who had obviously seen a lot of odd requests, raised an eyebrow but obliged. “You want it anonymous?”
“Very much so.” I tried to sound nonchalant and probably failed. “Thank you.”
The note had taken ages to write. In the end, I opted for something simple.
This is just for you. Because I want you to know that someone out there is thinking of you x
I smiled. That would do nicely. It wasn’t romantic and it didn’t identify me. Given my borderline standoffish behavior to him and my bizarre airport performance, he had no reason to suspect me. In his mind, I had no idea that he was my anonymous donor. Seamus certainly wouldn’t tell him about the seven minutes of hell at his office.
Chapter 23: Cam W — The cougar’s husband
I will stop your mouth
Much Ado About Nothing, William Shakespeare
I was ridiculously tired, but Marcus convinced me to go out for our usual crew drinks. O’Malley’s was a Friday tradition, and I usually enjoyed winding down with my colleagues after a hard week. I hadn’t expected a small wooden coaster to be pushed my way or for a glass to appear as if conjured. I read the note. For a second, I was amused and touched and a little bit curious. I looked around the bar, only to see Marcia the Cougar winking at me from four seats up. Great. I’d fended this woman off so many times, surprised she hadn’t been barred from the venue for the drama she frequently caused. Her obscenely long eyelashes fluttered at me, and she licked the edge of her glass and winked again.
I had always been polite, but it was time for this to end. I was tired, and sick of her ruining our Friday tradition. She’d actually flashed Marcus last week in the parking lot. It was amusing but also very sad. Her huge husband always came to fetch her in the end, often throwing her over his shoulder while throwing apologetic looks at the crowd.
“Marcia, I appreciate the drink, but I can’t accept it. I’ve made it very clear that I’m not interested. You’re an attractive woman but—”
“What the fuck do you mean she’s attractive? You bought this asshole a drink?” A deep voice rumbled from behind me. Thehusband. The very large husband. For a man in his 50s, he was stacked.
I put up my hands in a placating motion. “No, I’m sure this is all a misunderstanding.”
Years of anger and frustration showed on his face. He glared from Marcia to me and back again. Marcia stood, speaking shrilly. “See, Howie? Men still find me attractive. Cam here has wanted me for months!”
I turned to explain to Howie, who surely knew what his wife was like, but before I could utter a word, I found myself on my backside on the floor.
“Fucking hell, back off!” Marcus stood in front of me, chesting up to the angry Howie. What the fuck just happened? I touched my face. Ouch. There was blood on my fingers.
Security, and Euan O’Malley himself, grabbed Howie and his wife and led them to the door. If that didn’t result in a lifetime ban, nothing would. The bartender brought me some ice for my face. I sat in a stool, stunned, while Marcus and my colleagues debriefed with each other.
What on earth just happened? Marcia bought me a drink and somehow I get punched, even though I was just making it clear I wasn’t interested? I texted Damon to cancel our plans later that night. I just wanted to go home. Maybe veg out to an action movie.
Me: Can’t do tonight. Some dickhead just punched me at O’Malley’s because his wife bought me a drink.
Damon: Shit! Hitting on women, huh? You okay? Need to go to hospital?
Me: I don’t think so. Might just send a pic to Juliet and ask her what she thinks.
It was handy having a nurse in my contacts. I sent her a photo, damn certain that I didn’t need stitches and that nothing was broken, but Marcus was in my ear demanding to take me somewhere. The bartender buzzed about furtively, almost guiltily. Probably worried I’d sue or something.
Jules responded almost immediately.
Juliet: Looks fine. Heads bleed a lot, but it really depends on how you feel. No need for stitches but always best to get checked for head injuries. Do you feel dizzy? Vision okay? I’d recommend getting seen to.
Of course she’d recommend that. She was a nurse. I’d taken blows to the head before, but they were always accidents in play fights or sports. I’d be fine. But what a shitty way to end the week.
Chapter 24 Miranda — Steps to redemption
