Page 48 of The Protection Agreement

He talked about calling Smith but ever since I saw the tattoo on Smith’s neck, I try to avoid him. I asked him not to, since he’s certain he can stay with me till close. We were still at the desk when Tricia came over to remind us of the larger company meeting.

We all made our way towards the large conference room. Just as I was taking my seat, I see him walk in. Eric, my fucking ex, is here. Just how in God’s name is he, of all people, here in the same company that I randomly got a job at in Chicago. He didn’t see me, so I stayed close to Tricia and Alan. Ice had to sneak out again. I feel bad for him but I’m safe here and I can avoid Eric myself. I try to listen to what Julian and the VP of Finance are saying but I’m barely comprehending anything they are saying. Doesn’t help that Tricia keeps asking about Ice.

“I think he has food poisoning,” I whisper to her.

“That sucks,” she whispers back.

“I agree but we are heading straight home from here,” I whisper.

“Good, keep me posted about him.” Julian and the Finance guy finish talking, everyone claps and people start to ask questions. Once they are done, they all quietly file out. I text Ice about leaving with the group and he tells me to wait, that he’s on his way. I tell Tricia to leave, that I’m right behind her. I’m alone in the room when Eric walks in like he owns the place. He still looks like the same weak and selfish bastard he always was, making me wonder what my younger self saw in a guy like him.

“I thought that was you, this is a nice surprise.” He chuckles.

“Speak for yourself,” I retort.

“Come on, we can be amicable.” He tries to sound like we can be friends. After what he did, I will not.

“Stay the fuck away from me,” I angrily state, pointless to be anything but angry at him. I attempt to walk away from him and he grabs me, pushing my back to the wall and moving closer. Nausea rises inside me at his closeness.

“Come on now Lexi,” he says, trying to grab my ass and leaning into my neck.

“Get away from me,” I sneer.

“We used to be good together; we can try again,” he says. Just how do some idiotic men think. My mind rages with that question but I’m not about to find out how stupid he can be. Though I’m wearing a tight red dress, no thanks to Emily. I manage to knee him in the balls. He cries out, taking steps back. He tries to get close again, I elbow his jaw and he screams out.

“Fuck!! Lexi!”

“I’m no longer that girl you used to boss around. Stay the fuck away from me or I’ll tell my bodyguard to break your fucking bones,” I growl at him and leave the room. I text Ice that I’m heading back to my desk. At my desk, I’m raging inside. I can’t believe the first time I’m seeing Eric in years, this is the nonsense he tries. He doesn’t have the decency to be polite and just go away. I remain quiet and try to focus on work. Chicago brought me Dr Pierre; I should’ve known it would also bring garbage like Eric as well. Nothing calms my raging mind. I must’ve been so stupid to have dated that asshole. Our drive is quiet, Ice is sick and I’m not in the mood to talk either. Soon as we walked into the unit, I go for the hard liquor. It burns inside, but I keep drinking. Ice tries to take it from me. I threaten to stab him and he leaves me alone to keep drowning in alcohol.

Chapter thirty

Bruce

It’s been a long day. I open the door and find Jola dancing, no shoes on and hollering to the song playing on YouTube. She’s still in her work clothes, a shape hugging red dress, swaying her hips and ass as best as possible in the form fitting dress. Her lip-sync is awful, and her voice pitch sounds like a metal scratch on wood. Ice is in the kitchen watching her as she stars a terrible one woman show. A show that only loved ones would watch, even they would cringe at bad performance.

Closing the door quietly, to not alert our star, I move closer to Ice. “What’s going on?” I whisper.

“I don’t know, but she was quiet on our car ride home, and started drinking the moment we got home. She started this show a few minutes ago.”

“You didn’t think to stop her?” I asks through clenched teeth.

“I tried, and she attacked me, and I thought it was best to let her be.”

“Did something happen at work?” This is unusual.

“Nothing that I’m aware off.” He shrugs.

“How much drink did she have?” I look her way; she’s clearly a mess.

“It’s safe to say she’s drunk right now and will likely pay for it tomorrow,” he mocks.

“Fuck you, Ice. You should have stopped her,” I sneer at him.

“And have her stab me when I’m not looking, like she threatened? I thought it was best to let her pay for that with an ass kicking hangover,” he chuckles, like her hangover is some kind of payback to her threats. She tries to match the high pitch of the song and fails spectacularly. Ice fucking rolls in laughter.

“Get the fuck out,” I bark at him. He leaves, laughing. I move closer to her and get to her in time before she downs the next glass of drink she’d just picked up. She sees me and smiles while tugging for the glass.

“You’re back?” she slurs.