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I couldn’t believe this was how I was being treated. Like some bimbo with nothing better to do than sleep around the office. Fuck that and fuck them. I glared up at Nathan. “Are you really just going to stand there?”
I found nothing of comfort in Nathan’s eyes, just indifference. “Don, I know we’re all having a good time, but watch your mouth. You don’t want another lawsuit.”
Don tilted his head back and laughed. “Touché. Let me buy you one last drink, Nathan. The good whiskey isn’t on the open bar tab.” He grabbed Nathan’s arm, and to my horror, Nathan let him lead him away without even a glance back in my direction.
A sense of revulsion surged within me. The realization that I had allowed that man to touch me, only to have him stand idly by while derogatory remarks were made about me, was truly nauseating.
“You don’t look so good,” Hannah said, lips pouting. “Maybe you should head home.”
“Fuck off, Hannah,” I muttered, pushing past her.
I weaved through the drunken crowd, heading straight for the elevator. I loosened my grip on Nathan’s keys that I still held. During that interaction, I had gripped them so tightly an indentation had formed on my hand. My ears rang as the elevator doors closed on the party, enveloping me in a welcome silence. Without the crowd, I could almost hear how rapidly my heart pounded against my chest. Hot tears welled in my eyes, and I didn’t even try to stop them from escaping.
As soon as I stepped into the parking garage I shivered, realizing only then that I had forgotten my coat at coat check.
Shit. Guess I won’t be seeing that jacket again. I’d rather die than go back into that party.
I rubbed my hands up and down on my arms, already shaking from the cold. When I got to Nathan’s car, I paced in front of it, half wondering why the hell I came out here.
Had I expected him to race after me?
Yes.
Had I expected him to get on his knees, begging for my forgiveness?
Yes.
As the minutes ticked by, my heart still raced with adrenaline. I couldn’t believe they said those things to me—in a professional setting, no less. A wave of disdain washed over me, not only for them, but also for myself. A hint of shame pierced through my anger and frustration. I wiped away the tears that now flowed freely.
How had I ended up here? Publicly disgraced by a guy who wasn't even my boyfriend, waiting by his car like a version of myself I never wanted to become. Numbness took over as I attempted to push aside the emotional wreckage. This wasn't right. This wasn't the relationship I had envisioned. The one I had sworn I would find after the last guy treated me like crap. The stark reality of the situation began to set in.
Nathan put his work first. My feelings were inconsequential by comparison. All he did back there was think about himself and how he could best distance himself from me as quickly as possible. He could have chosen to stand up for me and told Don to go to hell. His comment was completely out of line, after all. Considering all I had done for this integration, it was the least he could do even if weweren’tsleeping together. Instead, he stood by and let it happen.
I picked up my phone. First, I called a cab, then I pulled up my work email. I furiously typed out a message before scheduling it to be sent at eight a.m. tomorrow.
To whom it may concern,
Please consider this my letter of resignation, effective immediately. I will leave my badge on my desk. You can deactivate all my accounts and email as soon as you receive this.
Best,
Charlie
I dropped my phone in my bag before tossing the keys at Nathan’s car. They landed right outside by the passenger door.
Hopefully, nobody steals it.
But secretly, I wouldn’t mind the karma.
Walking out the exit door and to the front of the building, I waited for my taxi.
I knocked again,jumping from side to side trying to stay warm. Forgetting my coat really had been a mistake.
Lila swung open the door, eyes wide when she took me in.
“Charlie? What the hell?”
“Can I come in?”
