Iwalked into my office, ignoring the impressive view of the Dubai cityscape even though it was painted pink and yellow from the sunrise. Shutting the door, I flopped into my desk chair, and briefly cradled my head in my hands. In dire need of relief, I reached over to open the package I’d just bought downstairs and tore through the box in search of two magic pills of Advil. A hangover to start the day was fast becoming a habit I wasn’t proud of, and this morning’s was worse than usual.
But the nights had proved long, and sleep had proved difficult. That’s why last night, instead of going home to a depressingly empty apartment, I’d chosen to return to the office after having a few too many bourbons at the steakhouse next door. I hadn’t accomplished a whole lot in the way of work, except locking myself out of my computer after several bad attempts at my password, but at least I hadn’t stared at the ceiling in my bedroom all night.
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had a full night’s sleep, gone to the gym, or eaten anything remotely healthy. I hadn’t spoken with any of my friends in forever because I didn’t want to talk about the breakup. Didn’t wish to rehash the scandal.
No, thank you. I didn’t need to hear the pity in their voices or be reminded of the humiliation.
During the last couple of months, it felt as if I was in the movie Groundhog Day, waking to the same day, over and over again. Although it wasn’t the first time Vanessa and I had broken up over the years, it was definitely the only time I knew without a doubt there would be no reconciliation. I couldn’t. Not after discovering my fiancée in an upstairs bathroom at a family holiday party, down on her knees in front of my older brother and his unzipped pants. It was a scene forever etched in my mind. Like a car crash, everything had happened so quickly I could barely register the impact.
I’d immediately grabbed my things, bolted from the house, and boarded a plane from Boston to Dubai the same night. Mini bottle after mini bottle had drowned my sorrows during the flight. Of course Vanessa had called incessantly the first few days after it had happened, begging and pleading for forgiveness, but it wasn’t something I could offer. Even weeks later, I was still angry. Angry with her. And angry with my brother. Two of the most significant relationships I’d ever had wrecked in one moment.
At first, I’d been shocked and devastated, but lately I’d transitioned into a much more comfortable state of numbness. This phase had me changing my phone number to dodge my ex’s incessant calls, avoiding my family, friends, and coworkers, and drinking until I no longer felt any hurt or betrayal.
Although we were polar opposites, my older brother, Chance, had always been someone I’d looked up to and respected. Someone I’d counted on to be there for me when times got tough or our family got crazy. He’d always supported my need to do things for myself and not rely on our family’s money. Hell, he’d been the poster child for living independently. And as such, I’d idolized him as a kid.
But what did you do when the one person you always turned to was the same person who’d let you down?
You took two Advil and pretended not to care.
Now if only they had a pill to ease my ever-growing guilt when it came to Teagan. Each morning she would smile and ask me how my night was, and each day I’d barely speak a couple of words to her. My behavior was on the dickish spectrum for sure, and I was surprised she’d put up with it for as long as she had, given how she wasn’t normally one to mind her tongue.
At least my work hadn’t suffered. I’d thrown myself into it, trying to drown my heartbreak by keeping busy.
My phone buzzed with the head of my division, a man by the name of Gary Denton. “Hi, Mr. Denton, how are you?” I greeted, wincing at the sound of my own voice piercing my massive headache.
“Good, Reid, good. Wanted to call up and see if you’ve given any more consideration to the promotion opportunity in the Sydney office?”
Before my breakup with Vanessa, I wouldn’t have contemplated the move at all, since we’d planned to move to New York City, but now— Well, now a fresh start in a new country sounded like just the thing I needed. “Yes, I have. I’m going to put in for it.”
“Good. Glad to hear it. They could use someone with your experience down under. Send me an email once you’ve filled out your application. But do it soon because the job opening closes at the end of the week.”
“Will do. What do you think my chances are?”
“Good, especially when I put in a word for you.”
“It’s appreciated.” While some directors were here to make money and didn’t bother to cultivate relationships, I’d always felt strongly about genuinely getting to know people and forge connections with them.
“Take care.”
“Thanks. You too.”
I sat there for a full minute contemplating my poor life choices of late until a knock on my door had me straighten and flinch at the sound. I couldn’t keep drinking this way.
“Come in.”
Teagan peeked her face in. “I need to speak with you.”
My glance at the clock confirmed I didn’t have time. I was booked all morning. “I have a call in two minutes. Can it wait until lunch?”
Her lips pursed. “Fine. We’ll talk then.”
Dread tingled down my spine at her serious tone. “Can I ask what it concerns?”
“It concerns the removal of your head from your ass.”
