He's The Boss

15

That evening, I leave the office early, heading to my apartment to pick up some stuff before going over to Nate's place. I texted Haley to meet me at the apartment so she could help me out, but she never replied.

Typical. That was pretty much how we started drifting apart years ago. She never got back to me after she met Maya, and although I don't blame her for it, it wasn't a nice feeling back then, feeling like she had forgotten me, like she had found something better. Someone more important than her own sister.

I struggle with my load of bags and boxes as I unlock the door and stumble into the darkness of Nate's apartment – only to stumble upon what appears to be two silhouettes lying glued together on the couch, locked in a naked pose.

"What the hell - !" I exclaim, dropping my stuff, while a scream goes up from the middle of the living room.

"C-Cait!" someone cries out shakily – is that ... Haley??

Without thinking, I reach for the light switch, smacking it on. "Oh God!" I turn away sharply, regretting that. I shield my eyes as I wait for them to put their clothes back on.

"Sorry, sorry," a male voice says hurriedly. "You weren't supposed to see that."

"Can I look now?" I ask, shaking my head to myself.

"Yes," Haley answers, embarrassed.

I lower my hand, looking at a red-faced Haley and slightly breathless James next to her. "James, what the hell are you doing here?"

"Well, I actually came over to talk to Nate."

"In case you didn't notice, that's not Nate," I say dryly, cocking my head at my sister. "And that was certainly not talking."

He can't help grinning a little. "Yeah, I know."

"Wow, you sure bounce back fast for someone who just got hit with a lawsuit, huh?"

His smile vanishes like magic at my words.

"Lawsuit?" Haley turns to him in surprise. You can practically see how quickly her view of him does a one eighty in that moment.

"Sexual harassment. In the office."

"It's not how it sounds," James tries to explain, but Haley holds up a hand and backs away from him.

She glances at me, arms moving animatedly as she tries to explain, "Look, Cait, he came over, and we had some wine, and we got to talking about things, and I don't know ... I guess I was just feeling - "

" – lonely and vulnerable. I know."

"You knew what you were doing," James says quietly, peering at her. He looks anxious to hold her in his arms, but knows better than to try right now.

"Yes, I did. And it was nice and all, but I think you should leave now."

"What – just like that?"

"Yes."

He blinks between us, looking confused. "Come on. Don't kick me out. I mean, this isn't even your place! You barely even know Nate; I'm his best friend."

"Please – "

"No, this isn't fair. You don't know what I've been through these past few days, OK? I'm not – I'm not some monster."

"James," I say in warning.

He whirls, his face red as he looks at me. Only now, it's not out of embarrassment anymore – it's from frustration. "Did it ever occur to you, Caitlin, that maybe I was lonely and vulnerable too? You know what? Just because I'm a guy doesn't mean I can't feel used too, you know."