Chapter 25-2

That was low and she felt it land on him, an almost physical sensation of striking him with her words.  "Okay, Lex.  I'll see you tonight, then." "Fine.  Be ready by seven, and I'll swing by and pick you up on the way to the dinner." "Dinner?"  He cocked his head at her, the hair falling low over his eyes.  "Babe, tonight is the showcase." "No, that's next week."  Lex whipped out her phone and swiped up the calendar.  "We have the company dinner tonight." She showed him the dates on the screen, and he said, "I'm sorry that's what Violet wrote in your diary, but it's wrong.  My showcase is tonight." "Are you fucking kidding me?"  Lex was tempted to hurl her phone across the room.  "Otis, this is the biggest event of the year for our firm.  I have to be there - and it's a given that my partner will be by my side, supporting me!" "It's just a dinner, Lexi!  We go to them all them time!  This is my career, my big shot to make an impact on the Sydney music scene.  JJ booked this event weeks ago, there's gonna be big names in the room, and I want you there.  And I thought you'd want to be there too." "It's just another gig.  Nobody will notice if I'm not there.  However, if you don't rock up to my event, everyone will notice." "I can't believe you, Lexi."  Otis folded his arms over his chest and narrowed his stare.  "I gave up the biggest opportunity of my life to stay and be with you." "I never asked you to do that!  I told you to go!" "Yeah, well, maybe the person I stayed for isn't who I thought she was." He brushed past her, and seething with unjustified fury, she followed him.  "What the hell is that supposed to mean?" "I stayed because I thought you loved me." "I do love you!"  She screamed the words in a very unloving fashion.  "You have no idea how much I love you!" Otis fired back.  "Then prove it.  Come with me tonight.  Actually be there for me for once, the way I'm always there for you whenever you say jump." I've already proved it!  It's just you don't realise it.  "I can't do that, Otis.  I have to be at the dinner." His jaw thrust forward, the light stubble glinting.  "So, that's it then?  You're choosing work over me?" "Work pays the bills - what the hell do you contribute?" "Oh, sorry, sorry," he said with sarcasm, "You're choosing money over me." "Oh, forget this," she replied, heading for the front door.  "You want to act like a child?  Fine.  I'm going to go to work and be the adult." And she left, managing to make it into the Merc and half-way to the office before she began to dry-retch with guilty sobs. *** "How are you doing, sweetie?"  Liesl dropped into the seat next to Lex, a half-glass of pink champagne in her hand. "Fine."  Lex gazed around the ballroom dejectedly.  Everywhere she looked, people were drinking and dancing, pissing it up on the company dime.  The speeches were done, and now they could all let loose.  Hell, even Wilson and Marlene were having a boogie. Liesl patted her arm.  "You know, you've still got time.  Why don't you run over to see the end of Otis' gig?  I'll cover for you." "I don't think I'd be welcome there right now, but thanks, Liesl."  Over coffee last week, Lex had ended up telling Liesl everything, from the pregnancy test to the abortion, hell, even about screwing Otis on her couch in the office.  Liesl wasn't a warm and fuzzy girlfriend, but she did her best to understand and console, and having at least one other person know helped.  "Is that where JJ is tonight?" The older woman's face pinkened.  "Oh, actually, we broke up.  I've been seeing someone else."  She lowered her voice.  "Someone younger." "Well, I hope that works out for you better than it is for me."  Dropping her chin into her hand, Lex sighed. "It is, actually.  He's younger, but he's very dominant.  I like that in a man, you know, when they just throw you down and tie you up..."  Liesl squirmed happily in her seat. "That's clearly not your first glass tonight," said Lex drily. "Oh, lighten up, Carson!"  Liesl finished her drink and stood unsteadily.  "I'm going for another; you want one?" "No, thank you."  Feeling utterly alone, Lex waited until Liesl was out of sight, then she slipped away.  At the back of the ballroom was a staircase leading out to the hotel gardens and pool, and Lex escaped into the fresh air of the night.