Page 59 of Eye of the Hurricane
It should make me feel better. At the very least, it should be a relief that I’m not in trouble. I don’t feel relieved, though. Not really. Not when he’s right. I never would have missed that email before. Jacob should’ve been able to depend on me seeing it because, normally, I would.
And I can only think of one thing that’s changed. Me and Ares.
There’s a spiral to be had there and I know it’ll be waiting for me, but I don’t have time for it right now.
“What can we do to get ready?” Just as I ask, my phone pings in my pocket. I already know who it is, and I absolutelycannotface him right now. “Go over the new PR plan and make a list of things you’ve learned from your time interning with me.”
I try to ignore the message burning a hole in my pocket and take up every single minute I have with Jacob to prepare for our meeting.
Ares
Want to do something tonight?
Katherine
Bad day. Can’t.
Ares
Want me to come over and help you unwind?
Katherine
No. I need to focus.
Ares
Talk to me?
Katherine
Can’t. Busy.
I manageto keep my chin high the entirety of the walk to my car but the moment my butt hits the drivers seat, my body collapses against it. I slump my head against the steering wheel and attempt to will myself not to cry.
Tears sting in my eyes and I blink them away. Still, a stray few slip down the side of my face and drip down my neck.
My phone buzzes in my purse next to me and I pull it out to check it. The universe must be playing some kind of sick joke on me or something. My mom is calling me again.
I figure between being up since two in the morning, not being prepared for work, and coming to the realization that maybe I bit off more than I could chew with Ares, why not put the cherry on top?
“Hi, Momma,” I say, pulling myself together. I consider for a moment that she might catch the sniffle or defeat in my tone. Then I remember it’s my mother I’m talking to. She wouldn’t notice even if I wanted her to.
“Katherine, baby, you haven’t forgotten about the wedding, have you?” Had I forgotten it? No. Had I conveniently put it in the back of my mind until right now? Yep. I can always count on her for a little salt in the wound.
“No, I remember,” I assure her. I turn the key in the ignition and blast the AC, saving myself from the scalding air surrounding me.
“You know, I haven’t forgotten about that boyfriend you told me about. I expect to meet him before the wedding, assuming he’s still in attendance.” Her tone is filled with both expectation and snark.
“I don’t know, Momma. It’s complicated. I’ll do what I can.”
“It’s what I think, isn’t it?” For a single second, I think I’m caught in my lie.
“Huh?”
“I told you a hundred times, Katherine. You can’t be a wife and have that career. That’s what this is, isn’t it?”
“No,” I lie. Although she’s not wrong, it’s not the whole story. There’s more to it than just career or Ares. What Ares and I have is fake. Except the hookups, those are real. Very real.
