Ex with Benefits (Sequel to Roommates with Benefits) [NEW VERSION]

3. The weight of betrayal

TARA

The clock on the wall ticked loudly in the otherwise silent office, each passing second amplifying my anxiety. I sat rigidly in my chair, my fingers tapping nervously against the polished surface of my boss' desk. I would never admit this out loud, but as much as I liked being a research assistant for a documentary production company, my employer was a total jerk.

I didn't even think he had it out for me. He just hated Aaron. My ex told me they were classmates in high school and they were always competing with each other. Or rather, Jeff thought he was competing; Aaron didn't care. He didn't even know Jeff worked here until I told him.

Aaron had a brilliant career, he became a prominent filmmaker, won awards. Jeff became the director of production for a small documentary production company in Boston. I got this job because Aaron pulled some strings, so by extension I became Jeff's favorite target.

This time I deserved the grilling, though. I was supposed to deliver my research three days ago so the writer could draft a script, but I failed. Failure seems to have become my most loyal companion.

I failed my career, I failed my family, I failed myself.

If Granny was here, she'd be sorely disappointed in me. Her marriage was so perfect that it remained the same even after her husband passed. I couldn't even keep my husband happy enough to remain loyal.

The door swung open with a force that made me jump in my seat. Jeff barged in, his demeanor cold and unforgiving as always. His thinning hair was combed over in a futile attempt to cover his balding scalp, and his pockmarked skin told tales of long-past acne battles. He was 39, just like Aaron, yet he looked 50.

His eyes, small and calculating, bore into mine, sharp and accusatory, as he settled into his chair behind the imposing desk. The fact that his office was hardly big enough for his giant desk said a lot about his ego.

I could see why he hated Aaron so much. Even physically, they looked extremely different. Remaining single all these years had done wonders for my ex, he looked more handsome than ever. The same couldn't be said for his self-proclaimed nemesis.

"So," Jeff Galloway started, his brown eyes so small, I could hardly see them behind his thin glasses, yet I felt them drill a hole into me, "what's your excuse today?"

"I'm sorry, J-uh ... Mr. Galloway," I corrected myself just in time - literally anyone in this place was allowed to call him Jeff, but I didn't have such privileges. "I know I was supposed to deliver the project 3 days ago and I already had an extension for today, but-"

"Let me guess," he cut me off with a bored look on his face, "your kid needed braces? Your teen criminal needed to be bailed out?"

I gritted my teeth and bit my tongue to avoid answering. I'd been working for him for about 2 years now, which had included many different family-related emergencies. I would understand if they'd impacted my ability to do my job, but I'd done overtime to be sure to deliver my projects in time and I'd always made it. Until today.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "No, Mr. Galloway. My kids are fine, thanks for asking." I sassed, well aware that my sarcasm would fly right over his head.

The reason he didn't make it like Aaron did in their field wasn't because my ex was handsome, a smooth talker, as he called him, and had connections. It was simply that Jeff wasn't good at his job and he wasn't the finest apple out there.

I lowered my voice as I spoke: "I just had some personal issues."

Mr. Galloway leaned back in his chair, his sneer deepening as he scoffed: "Of course you did," he said condescendingly. "With you, there's always drama. Typical." His words dripped with disdain. Not for me, or not just me, but for women in general. Yeah, he was one of those.