Effie sidled up to the bar, feeling naked without Zander by her side. The night had gone better than she’d ever dreamed, like the most perfect date, ever. She felt hopelessly over the moon with Zander.
But who am I kidding? I’m his purchase. Worse, his friend Dante thinks we’re a couple in love. And, Zander’s quickly being swept into his old life tonight. In less than two months I’ll be his summer fling while he sails away with Raj, Logan, and Dante, and a new girl by his side—a girl not paid for. While I shuffle away broken-hearted. Shit, shit, and triple shit.
A middle-aged bartender with a gold hoop in his ear and some sort of tribal tattoo peeking out from his crisp white shirt-sleeve hurried toward her. “What will it be, miss?”
“I’ll have a glass of Cabernet, water, and a pale ale, please,” she said.
The guy raked her with his eyes before nodding and swiftly disappearing.
Guys of every age had been ogling her all night. She far preferred living under her rock of science, physiology, and study. But, she loved seeing Zander so happy. She figured she could “take one for the team,” if that’s what it took for Zander to be happy. He deserved to be with a wonderful woman. Too bad it can’t be me. Her chest rose and fell in a long sigh.
“Well, well, well. If it isn’t Zander’s whore.”
Effie stiffened at the venomous female voice behind her. It had to be Trisha Banks. Every time she’d caught sight of Trisha tonight, she’d been burning holes in Effie’s face with her demonic glare or making goo-goo eyes at Zander. Effie had been too enthralled with Zander to pay it much attention.
“I see the ugly duckling is being transformed into a swan,” Trisha said. “Isn’t it a wonder what money can buy?”
Effie’s cheeks burned. She pressed her fingers into the gleaming wood of the bar, hoping the bartender would come her way. But, no, he’d been distracted with a line of customers at the other end of the bar.
“But money can’t account for taste,” Trisha said. “You’ve either got it, or you don’t. And you don’t.” She pressed close enough to Effie’s back to make her recoil.
“You sure clean up nicely, for a gold-digger,” Trisha said close to Effie’s ear, smelling of cigarettes and expensive perfume. She extended her artfully manicured hand onto the bar next to Effie.
Effie glanced at the gold and emerald rings on Trisha’s fingers. Hurry up, hurry up, hurry up, she silently pleaded with the bartender. Her hands balled into fists, pressing against the solid wood. She rolled her perfectly lipsticked lips between her teeth, ignoring Trisha.
The bartender snagged a wine glass and a beer mug. He sloshed wine into the glass. Then, he angled the mug underneath the ale tap, filling it with light-golden liquid.
“What, are you deaf? That would be a hoot. The guy with the stump gets the girl with no hearing.” Trisha let out a wicked-sounding laugh.
The bartender scurried toward Effie. He placed her drinks in front of her, nodded, and hustled away.
Effie picked up the wine and beer. She started to call, “You forgot my water,” but decided he wouldn’t hear her. She wanted to dash across the room and find Zander, but Trisha blocked her exit.
She trapped Effie on the right with her arm.
And some beefy guy with thinning hair waddled up to Effie’s left. He leaned across the bar and slurred, “Bartender, I need another drink.”
Effie began to panic. Her dress felt too tight, strangling her breathing. Her hands trembled. Her knees started to give way. She feared dropping the drinks and stumbling through the crowd, becoming the laughing stock of the party.
Trisha hissed into her ear, “So, what’s the going rate for sleeping with a cripple?”
Something snapped inside Effie. People could taunt her all they wanted—sure, it hurt, but she expected it. But, someone belittling Zander urged her into action. Clutching her wine glass in one hand, and the ale in another, she whirled around and threw the wine in Trisha’s face, Then, she dumped the ale over her head.
Trisha shrieked.
The crowd around them silenced.
Trisha’s mouth dropped open in utter disbelief. Her hair hung in limp strands around her face. She sputtered like a steam engine and then lunged for Effie, grabbing a handful of her hair.
Effie cried out, trying to free herself from Trisha’s grip.
A few camera flashes went off from a mobile phone or seven.
Oh, great. I’ll be on some tabloid in the morning. Effie suddenly felt faint. Zander’s going to kill me.
Zander appeared out of the sea of stunned onlookers. He yanked Trisha’s hands behind her back, restraining her. Then, he focused on Effie and said, “Are you okay?”
Effie nodded, somewhat heartened by his concern.
Bryant barreled through the crowd. “What’s going on here?” he yelled. “What’s the meaning of this, King?”
Effie shook with rage. She pointed at Trisha. “Your bitch girlfriend called me every vile thing she could think of.”
“Who are you calling a bitch?” Trisha screamed in Effie’s direction.
“You.” Effie waved her shaking hand at Trisha. She turned back to Bryant who stood with a red face and eyes intent on killing her.
He made no move in Trisha’s direction, however.
Effie continued. “But then she insulted Zander.” She whirled to face Trisha. “You don’t get to insult Zander, Ms. Banks, no matter how big of a supermodel you are.” She glanced at Zander, hoping he didn’t think her foolish.
His eyes grew wide.
Oh, no. Zander thinks I’m stupid.
She stepped backward.
Trisha wriggled in Zander’s grasp, unable to free her hands. She worked her mouth around and spit a wad of phlegm in Effie’s direction. It landed on Effie’s dress.
“Oh, that’s classy,” Dante said, coming up behind Zander.
Trisha writhed, still struggling to get free. “Get your filthy crippled hand off of me, Zander.”
She shook her head, sending droplets of beer and wine in every direction.
Zander arched his neck and tried to keep from getting sprayed, but several drops splatted against his cheek.
“Trisha,” Bryant said, in a low, menacing voice. “This party is supposed to be a fundraiser, not a free-for-all.”
“How can it be anything if Zander and his whore are getting all the attention?” Trisha wailed.
Bryant stared at Effie. Then, he glared at Zander. His attention slid to the crowd. His inner wheels seemed to be rolling.
Effie didn’t like the look on his face, especially when a cold smile appeared, making him look like the Joker.
“Tell you what,” he said, stroking his jaw. “How about a little competition to settle things?”
“What kind of competition?” Zander asked.
“Let go of my girlfriend and I’ll tell you.” Bryant fixed an icy stare on Zander.
“Don’t try anything,” Zander hissed in Trisha’s ear. He released her arms and she wrenched herself away.
“You, of all people, can’t tell me what to do,” she said, whirling to face him.
Bryant pulled her toward him, tugging on her upper arm. “Trisha. Cool it. Now.” He turned to the crowd. “Who’s up for a bet?”
“I’m in,” a male called from the back of the room. “Will it be these two, naked, in a pit of mud?”
Several people laughed, draining the tension from the room.
“Not exactly,” Bryant said. He grinned, stalking in a circle. “We’re going to see how well these two ladies do on a rock wall, in a climbing competition. What do you say?”
“Will they be naked?” the same male in the back called.
More people laughed.
“That’s up to them,” Bryant said, clearly enjoying the attention. “The winner will donate her money toward our climbing competition. Let’s say your bet doubles on the winner.” He grinned.
“No fucking way am I going to allow this,” Zander asked.
“What? Think she’ll lose?” Bryant said, smirking. “You can take the few dollars people bet on your horse and do whatever you like.”
“My money’s on Zander’s girl, then. I won’t lose as much,” someone said.
A few people laughed.
Effie shrank inside. She didn’t like being ogled at a party, and the thought of climbing with a bunch of onlookers sounded revolting. I’ll probably fall, hanging from the rope like a spider.
“Trisha doesn’t climb,” Zander said. “She’s worried about breaking a nail.” He smirked at her.
A look of utter superiority flashed across Trisha’s face. She pushed a few wet strands of hair out of her face. “I never climbed with you, Zander. You were too busy to show me how it’s done, too busy being a superstar on the wall.”
“I was not,” Zander said. His expression turned into wounded fury like he’d been punched in the stomach by his best friend. His hands coiled into fists.
“You were, too. I tried to get you to take me to Rock Nirvana. ‘I have to train, Trish,’ you always told me. ‘There’s a big competition coming up, Trish,’ you’d say. And, you never made time for me. Well, guess what? Bryant shows me everything. He cares.”
Zander’s face fell as if Trisha’s words were true.
“Don’t let her get to you, man,” Dante said, putting his hand on Zander’s upper arm.
Effie, standing opposite Zander, cringed. Dante’s right. Don’t take the bait, Zander.
Zander, mouth agape, stared at Trisha.
Trisha flashed her supermodel smile at him as if she’d won.
The heat pouring from her eyes let Effie know the truth: Trisha still wanted Zander. All her bluster about him being a cripple probably served to cover up her true feelings.
The intensity flowing from Zander told a different story. It spoke to the depth of love he once shared, and might still share, for Trisha.
Effie groaned inside. I never stood a chance.
“We’re going to do The Ascent at Rock Nirvana,” Bryant said. “That’s the hardest climb there, for those who don’t know. It will be a timed ascent. Trisha knows that wall inside and out.
Oh, no, not The Ascent. Effie’s heart sank.
Trisha straightened. She threw up her hands like a boxer about to enter the arena. “Who’s in? Your money’s best placed on me.”
People started calling out huge sums.
Bryant snapped at a nearby waiter, “Get someone to document this, now.”
Effie caught Zander staring at her. She didn’t want him to look at her. She wanted to shrink from the room and disappear, never laying eyes on him again.
“Don’t do it,” he mouthed. “Please. I’m begging you.”
“I have to,” she said, her heart crumbling. Tears stung her eyes. “For you.” He’d done so much for her already. Who cared it he had other girlfriends?
“Okay, everyone. Make your way to Rock Nirvana. Where’s Logan?” Bryant said, clearly relishing the attention. “Logan?”
“I’m in the back,” Logan called. “The Rock’s closed. It’s 11pm.”
“Make some calls. I’ll rent the whole space at a premium. This competition is on.” Bryant grinned, triumphant.
That’s when Effie escaped.