Page 2 of Never To Suffer

“Whatever. Get your coffee. I need to go, or I’ll be late for my interview.” She gives me a peck on the cheek. Even that feels cold. We’re still together out of spite more than anything else. “Stop it, babe. Stick to your day job.” She stops and juts out a hip. “How do I look?”

“Hot,” I groan. “It’s only Rory. I’m not sure why you’re going all out on looks, since she’s basically already hired you.”

“I want to look, you know, professional.” I give her another look and bite back a laugh. Since when do professionals for an accounting firm wear short skirts and display mega cleavage? She crosses her arms and growls. “It’s a decent job, Dani, and until I find another PA spot, or your lazy ass dickhead boyfriend gets an actual job, we need it.”

My fingers flex as if I have retractable claws that are ready to come out.

“Oh, don’t get all defensive. I don’t mean it about Xander. I mean, I do, but I don’t.” She tries to play with my hair, but I pull away. “Fine. But think about what I said, okay? You don’t need him in your?—”

“Okay, wonderful. I’ll see you at the bar after rehearsal tonight!” The fake smile hurts my face, but that’s what she wants. The second she turns her back; I flip her off and stick out my tongue before I head to the counter for my coffee. My phone chirps while I’m racing to the vacant corner table beforesomeone grabs it. Even in my chunky platform boots, I get to the table and slip into the seat seconds before another woman.

Finally, something goes right this morning.

Before I get to the messages on my phone, I set up my office for the day. I hang up my lime green and orange puffy coat on the back of my chair, position my laptop to avoid a glare, and check to see if I should add another hole to my hot pink fishnets. Once I’m finally settled and get that first sip of coffee, I start my day.

I’m not surprised the messages are all from my boyfriend, Xander.

Xanadu

Hey, did you see this? You gotta do this! Seriously, I’ll fucking rob a bank or whatever so you can enter!

[IMAGE ATTACHED]

The flyer about the battle of the bands competition loads on my screen and this time my smile refuses to hide. The differences between my boyfriend and my girlfriend could fill a novel longer than Stephen King’s IT. But Xander and I have been together since high school, and I love the little shit.

Don’t say shit like that, the g men will put you on a list!

And yeah. I saw it this morning and sent it to the band.

Xanadu

Oh, you think I’m not already ON a list? I’m probably on hundreds of lists at this point!

Most of them are subscription lists for porn sites, but whatever! What did the band say?

I haven’t checked.

Do you really think it’s a good idea to sign up? It’s so much money.

Xanadu

No. No, it's a terrible idea. YES, I THINK IT’S A GOOD IDEA!

I’ll pick up some side work to help you raise the money.

Tell Connor to send me the breakdown once he has it done, cause I know that math loving fucker is crunching numbers right now.

You know, Connor’s kind of hot. Hotter than Megan.

He’s seeing someone. Sorry.

My phone rings and I tuck it between my ear and shoulder.

“What did I do wrong?”Xander asks before I can answer.

“What? Nothing.” I check the calendar and respond to anything marked as urgent from Sam, my boss. “Why?”

“Because you didn’t give me shit for saying we should bang Connor. Also,should you enter?Where’s this negative bullshit coming from? Wait, don’t tell me. Megan?”

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