Damaged Read online

  “Dammit, not today.” She pushed the button again, but the satisfying ping she sought remained elusive.

  The cleaning crew constantly knocked her power strip out of the plug in the wall. When she bent over to reconnect the cord the small memory clip fell from her silk shirt pocket and landed somewhere in the darkness beneath her desk.

  “Shit.”

  Groping along the floor with her hand she felt nothing. She squatted to get a better look and saw the bright orange clip at the far back corner under the desk. Her arm stretched as far as possible before she realized she’d have to crawl below the desk in her fancy outfit. She’d donned her best skirt, blouse, and pumps in honor of the website launch. Something soft brushed across her hand and she screamed.

  “Bailey?”

  “Oh my God, a spider! Kill it!”

  Parker squatted next to her in front of the desk and swatted the spider with the stack of mail in his hand. “All better?”

  When she’d chosen her attire that morning she hadn’t intended to seduce her boss, but it happened. Squatting in her heels, knees parted, skirt bunched up around her hips—garters and stockings on full display. Parker’s eyes fixated on her thighs, but she made no attempt to get up. His gaze burned with restrained passion. Desire curled low in her belly.

  “Why are you down here on the floor?” His hand slowly skimmed from her shin to the top of her thigh.

  “Computer … is … unplugged.” Her voice was breathy.

  When he leaned over to plug in the power strip his muscles bulged inside the cotton Henley shirt he wore. She lingered too long and he caught her ogling him. He stood first and then offered his palm to her as he smirked. If her kidneys didn’t kill her that sexy smirk would. He grasped her hand in his and turned it palm up to deposit the memory clip. He closed her fist around it. “I’ll be counting the minutes until nine o’clock.”

  Once he was gone she sighed and sagged in her chair. She was finding it difficult to breathe. Yes, shortness of breath was definitely setting in. She inhaled deeply, held the air for three seconds, and slowly exhaled. She repeated the sequence until her head was no longer spinning.

  “Jesus, he’s going to be the death of me.” Actually she’d much prefer to be killed by his cock than by her failed kidneys.

  “Here lies Bailey Rose Jones, her kidneys got the best of her at the tender age of twenty- four.”

  “Ugh.”

  “Here lies Bailey Rose Jones, who died from complications of extreme copulation.”

  “So much better.”

  “Morning. What’s so much better?”

  “Julian!” She yelped. “The … um … the … Corbel font is working out much better than Ubuntu.”

  “Good to hear it. I don’t know what any of that means, but I’m glad you’re happy with it.”

  He handed her a vanilla latte just as he did every morning. He was very sweet, and for the millionth time she thought he would make someone a wonderful long-term boyfriend. “Thank you, Julian.”

  “Mmm, it’s good.” She took another sip. “Hey, this might be weird, but my sister is my biggest fan and she really wants to be at the website launch. I actually enlisted her to write and proof a lot of the product descriptions and the About Us section. She’s an English professor so I feel good about the final copy.”

  “You should invite her to the launch.”

  “Oh, good. I was hoping you’d say that. I’ll just text her to come on in. She’s actually sitting out in the car.”

  Bailey took another sip of coffee and moaned appreciatively at its warm stimulating properties.

  As she texted Julian looked around expectantly. “So is your sister older or younger than you?”

  “Four years older.”

  “Are you two close?”

  “We are. I mean we live together so we’re constantly together. Before I moved here from New York we didn’t get to see each other much so I guess we’re kind of making up for lost time as they say.”

  “Sometimes I can take it for granted that my family is so close.”

  Julian took a seat against the wall—apparently he intended to stay a while. Bailey proceeded to turn on her computer while he thumbed through his phone. Maura breezed in and set her attaché case on top of the desk. “The elastic in this thong is shot and it’s driving me bananas.” Before Bailey could form words Maura had her skirt hiked up and her electric pink thong in her hand. “Shitty Z-Mart panties—it’s a commando kind of day.”

  Bailey felt her jaw unhinge as she stared at her sister. “What’s your problem?”

  Bailey pointed toward the wall and Maura turned. Julian stood and then walked toward Maura with a look of sheer delight on his face.

  “Julian David.” He extended his hand.

  Maura was speechless and Bailey thought it was the first time she’d ever witnessed it. With the thong still in her hand she extended her arm. “Christ.” She quickly shoved the bright panties into her bag.

  “Maura.” They shook hands. “It’s nice to finally meet Bailey’s boss, though I’d intended to make a far more favorable first impression.”

  Julian smiled exposing dazzling white teeth. “The impression you’ve made is quite favorable. In fact, I do the same thing when the elastic is shot in my underwear.”

  Maura blushed and smiled shyly. Julian kept hold of her hand and gazed at her with fire in his eyes. Maura’s beauty could be breathtaking. A beautiful combination of sun-kissed skin, chestnut hair with golden highlights, hazel eyes, and a light spray of freckles across the bridge of her nose gave her an ethereal quality. She customarily wore only lip gloss and her long hair fell in natural waves, giving her a fresh appearance. Bailey used to call her glow-bug when they were little because her skin glowed like it was lit from within.

  She’d had been obsessed with skin lately, especially since hers had become dry and pale. Bailey opened her email and read.

  “So Bailey tells me you’re a professor.”

  “Yes … I … well for right now … I actually just started. I mean it’s my first semester. I’m a recent graduate myself.”

  Bailey smiled. Maura’s inability to spit out a coherent utterance meant she was into Julian. And what woman wouldn’t be? Well Bailey hadn’t been, but that was only because she knew Julian wanted a serious commitment and she only wanted the best, most aggressive sex of her life. A wish that had been granted in spades.

  “Should I be calling you Dr. Jones?”

  “Dr. Douglas.”

  “Oh, you’re married?” Julian’s gaze drilled Maura.

  “No, not anymore. I just kept my name because of my publications and degrees. I wish I were a Jones. I am a Jones, but I wish I had my name back.” Maura bit down on her bottom lip. “Well I guess that’s quite enough about me.”

  Bailey deleted another junk email. Maura nervously chuckled. Jeez, this guy really had her off her game. Usually she was pretty smooth.

  “Not nearly enough. How about lunch later?”

  Bailey shot a glance at Julian as he intently stared at Maura, waiting for an answer.

  “I can’t today.”

  “Maura, just go.” Bailey said.

  “But it’s Tuesday, Bails.”

  Bailey gave her a stern look. “Go, Maura.”

  Maura turned to Julian. “My class is over at one.”

  “I’ll meet you in front of the building by the big oak tree and the pink azaleas.”

  Maura smiled. “Sounds great.”

  He took Maura’s hand in his. “Ladies, I’ll see you in the conference room at nine.”

  Maura watched his retreating back, or maybe she was watching his backside. It was hard for Bailey to know since Maura’s back was to her.

  “Holy freaking five o’clock shadow. Bails, you’ve been holding out on me.” Maura fanned her face with her hand.

  “How am I holding out on you? That’s the guy I went out with that time. Remember? Instead of having sex with me he fed me and took me to a m
ovie. Total gentleman, but I get the sense he wants a relationship.”

  “That’s the guy?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Jesus Bailey, I can’t go out with him.”

  “Why not?”

  “Not if he wants a relationship.” Maura shook her head. “I’ve already got one guy I’m trying to shake.”

  “Alan’s an asshole.”

  “Alan’s the reason we’ve got a roof over our heads and you’ve got …” Maura frowned.

  “Maura, I don’t want you worrying about me anymore. I’ve got this job now and full medical. You’ve got a job too. Alan shouldn’t be the reason—we didn’t want him to be the reason. He tricked you. We can pay our own rent now and I can help pay for utilities and groceries. Tell Alan to fuck off.”

  “It’s not as easy as that, Bailey.” Maura’s lips pursed.

  “I know you keep saying that, but all we need to do is obtain a concealed handgun license and buy a gun. If he comes in, bang! He’s dead.” Bailey used her index finger and thumb to illustrate her words.

  “Hmm, since it’s his house we live in I’m not sure how that’d play out in court.”

  “He hurt you, Maura. And he continues to do so. Now that we have the financial means we should move out. I believe I’ve suggested that a time or two already.”

  “What do you want me to say, Bails? It’s complicated. I’ve left before and you know that didn’t go so well. I’ve got to approach this delicately.”

  “We can go to the cops.”

  Maura huffed as she sat in the chair across from the desk. “Do you honestly think I haven’t gone to the cops? I’ve tried that. It does more harm than good. His influence is far-reaching. I didn’t know it was his house when I rented it and I didn’t know the money we “inherited” was straight from his bank account. You know he devised it to look like long lost money from the Jones estate.”

  “I don’t know, but—” Maura held up her hand, scolding with a silent gesture.”

  “Do you think that won’t happen again? He likes to play games. I’m convinced he’s watching my every move just so he can checkmate my king. I’m not so dumb, Bails. I’ve had much more experience at this than you. I’ve tried everything to get away from him. I have succeeded in diminishing his presence. I try to focus on that when I get down.”

  She was right, of course. Bailey suddenly felt immature. “I’m sorry, Maura. You deserve so much better than what you got with Alan. I love you.” Bailey’s eyes swam with unshed tears. She sometimes forgot how hard things had been for Maura.

  “Bails, you know my eyes get puffy when I cry. Stop it.”

  “Okay.” Bailey smiled. “How about we go to the conference room and get set up?”

  “Great. What can I do?”

  “Grab that laptop.” Bailey pointed to the computer atop the credenza.

  “Nice furniture in this place.”

  “I picked it out. They told me to order whatever I wanted.”

  “Must be nice. At the college they told me to take a couple of chairs from the student lounge to add to the pre-millennial furniture that was in my office. I had to disinfect the chairs to get rid of the musty smell.”

  “Eww.” Bailey wrinkled her nose.

  As they walked to the conference room Bailey thought about her upcoming lunchtime dialysis. She hadn’t thought to pack a lunch so she’d need to grab something to take with her or risk passing out.

  “I meant to tell you, you look exceptionally nice today.” Maura said.

  “Thanks. Do you remember this outfit?”

  “You wore that skirt to NYU graduation.” Now, that same skirt fit Bailey so loosely she’d had to pin it so that it wouldn’t fall down to her ankles.

  “I did. And do you remember that night?” Their high-heeled shoes competed for staccatos on the tiled hallway.

  “No. I think it’s because we got roaring drunk.”

  “We did. And you said you would never drink another Long Island iced tea.”

  “Oh God, I threw up so hard some of it came out of my nose.” Bailey snorted. She opened the door to the conference room and flicked on the lights.

  “Hey, did you pack a lunch?”

  “I did, egg salad. Do you want it?”

  “Yeah, that’d be great.” Bailey connected the overhead projector to her computer and clacked away on the keyboard. Maura sat next to her at the large table.

  Maura squeezed her elbow. “You’re too thin. You need to start drinking those milkshakes with the weight gain powder again.”

  “Ugh. I can’t drink that.”

  “I know you don’t like it, but when you were taking in those extra calories your weight remained steady.”

  “Can we just for one day not discuss my weight, or the change in my pallor, or the dark circles under my eyes? Please. I want to focus on this job. I know I look like shit. I just wish everybody would stop pointing it out.”

  Maura’s face contorted into a frown. “Just let me be sick, Maura. I’m never going to get better—”

  “Parker’s here.” Maura interjected.

  “Jesus, not again.” Bailey turned to see him. He stood in the doorway, staring.

  “Are you ill?”

  “No … I uh … I’ve just got allergies.”

  His eyes narrowed. “Allergies, huh?”

  “Yep.”

  “Two tablespoons of local honey per day will level out those allergies. I’ve got some I’ll bring you.”

  “I don’t like honey.”

  “It’s two tablespoons. Surely you can tolerate it for the sake of your health.”

  Bailey stood. “I don’t want your stinking honey. I just want everybody to leave me alone.” She ran from the room and down the corridor. Her chest was tightening. She pushed with her fist between her breasts, but she could not catch her breath. She ran out the door and through the parking lot, until she could run no longer. A huge storage shed blocked her path and muddy crawfish fields stretched beyond that. She removed her dressy black pumps and leaned against the shed in a small spot of shade.

  She wheezed and coughed, inhaling deep to pull much-needed air into her lungs. When she was eighteen she’d decided she would earn her degree by age twenty-two and then she would get married and start having children. Two would be ideal, but three or four would be lovely. She’d wanted a huge family. Lots of kids and puppies and kittens, and dirty fingerprints all over her stainless steel appliances. She could live with the knowledge that she’d never have that. In website design she’d found something she loved and could focus on until her time ran out and she no longer existed. The only problem was no one would let her focus on anything but her demise. She couldn’t fight her body and everyone around her too.

  “Bailey.”

  Her hands cupped her mouth. Oh, God. Had she just thrown a bitch fit in front of her boss?

  He regarded her with narrowed eyes and a furrowed brow. He must be really mad. “I’m sorry. I just needed to get some air.”

  “It’s a great spot for that.” They looked out across the fields as a boat passed. “Have you ever ridden on an airboat?”

  “No.”

  “Would you like to?”

  “I would love to.”

  “How about you launch the website and then we pack a lunch and head out in one?”

  She wanted so badly to just say yes, but she couldn’t. “It’s Tuesday. I have a prior commitment.” Looking down she felt the tightness in her brow as she fought to hold back her disappointment. “I wish I could go.”

  “Wednesday then.”

  She looked up and smiled. “Really?”

  “Sure.”

  “Oh, wow. That’s great. And did you mention a picnic?”

  “Lunch yeah, if you’d like.”

  “Oh, I would. May I pack the basket?”

  He chuckled. “Okay.”

  “Is there anything you don’t like?”

  “No, I’ll eat anything.”

  “I’ve got a
wonderful idea.” She was so excited she could hardly keep her secret.

  Chapter 5

  Parker was copiously impressed with Bailey’s website launch. To ensure the site had a successful launch she’d put foot to the pavement. He’d had no idea that kind of personal relationship existed within the tech world. She’d explained that David Seafood had some hugely devoted long-standing customers and that she’d had them follow, like, and complete their testimony on the company’s new website. To that end, they now had over four hundred five-star reviews and they’d only just launched.

  This morning at the launch she’d spoken about promotional merchandise to extend the reach of their advertising and had suggested an online store where clients could purchase hats, shirts, tumblers, and umbrellas. He’d given her the go-ahead and she’d been so cute in her excitement, tapping her heeled feet on the floor. A squeal had escaped her lips before she’d placed her hands over her mouth.

  Then she’d suffered a dizzy spell. Her sister had jumped into action, scolding her for not taking better care of herself and then made her pound a half gallon of some homemade lemon water. He’d asked Maura if Bailey was diabetic. She had denied his allegations and attributed Bailey’s dizzy spells to lack of sleep and food. That hadn’t made sense to him. He’d seen her eat lots. Something was off with her and they hadn’t wanted to entrust him with the knowledge of whatever it was that troubled her. Some days she looked bright and fresh and sometimes her body appeared weak and frail. When he’d overheard the conversation she’d had with her sister his suspicions had been confirmed.

  Bailey was an enigma and he wanted to know more. He thought about the personnel files and the information they contained, but he didn’t want to be that guy. More than once he’d thought about following her out of the office on Tuesday or Thursday just to see where she went, but he’d rather have her tell him because she wanted to, because she trusted him. The whole Bailey situation was driving him mad and consuming much of his thoughts.

  Around four o’clock Parker’s hand was beginning to cramp so he stood and closed the checkbook. With his father retired from the business, Parker had visions of bringing David Seafood into the twenty-first century. A soft knock at his office window pulled his thoughts from payroll. He waved Bailey in and she perched on the edge of the chair across from his desk. The circles under her eyes were deep and dark and her lips were gray.