Page 74 of The Best Part of Breaking Up

An unnerving grin is plastered across Teddy’s face. I watch in horrified silence, and for a second, I think he’s actually going to agree. Then he says, “Get the fuck out.”

He offers it casually, the way someone might say ‘the bathroom’s that way’. You’d almost think he was kidding, except for the way he’s holding his rocks glass like he might launch it at someone.

“Heyyyy.” Quentin says it like a drunk frat boy, fending off a fight he started. “C’mon, man, we’re just talking…”

“No,” Teddy says. “You’re just talking. I don’t do business with guys like you. You think women are just around for your enjoyment or some shit? God, I’ve thought every one of them deserved more than me, but this dipshit?”

Suddenly, as if he preempted exactly how fucked up this is about to become, I realize Farkas has conveniently disappeared.

“Teddy,” I begin. He’s looking at me now, demanding backup.

“Heidi, you shouldn’t be working with someone like this. Dating someone like this!” He grabs his head like it’s about to explode. “God, I thought I was a moron. But this guy?!”

He motions to Quentin like he’s the plague. Honestly, I’m inclined to agree with him.

“We’re not –” I start.

“I think you misunderstood –” Quentin interjects.

“I think I understand just fine,” Teddy nods. “And I think you should go.”

Quentin is about to protest when I grab my things, snagging him by the sleeve as I head for the door.

“Yes,” I say. “I think we should.”

“Heidi,” Teddy interjects. “Are you good?”

“Yes, Teddy. I’m great. Thank you. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

We trek down the wood-paneled hallways, across the plush carpet, and out into the warmth of early evening. The sky is streaked with pink and orange. This time of day, this entire corner of the city smells like gardenia and pit barbeque. My heels crunch across the loose gravel of the parking lot.

“What the hell was that?” I demand.

“I was trying to level with him,” Quentin says. “Get him to tell us if anything Gigi said was true.”

“Yeah? How’s that working out for you?”

“Okay, obviously I didn’t know he was going to blow up on me. And if he can’t handle this, he can’t handle Mike Murdock.”

He’s almost got a point, but I’m still furious.

“You agreed to do this with integrity!” I half-shout.

“Not everyone is who you think they are, Heidi. Some men are assholes with dark ass secrets.”

“Like you?” I say.

He scoffs, but his jaw goes tight. He drags his gaze begrudgingly across the parking lot, leaving it lost somewhere in the distance.

“I can’t do this with you if you’re going to keep me in the dark,” I say. “Tell me straight up. What’s the deal with you? What am I in for?”

His silence stretches.

“You can’t do this in court,” I say.

“I won’t do this in court,” he argues. “What do you think, I’m an idiot?”

I let this hang unanswered between us.

---