Chapter 5: Tipping Points

After I sent the message, Madison didn’t reply for a long time.

I stared at my phone, refreshing the screen, the house silent except for Emily’s soft snoring and the L train rumbling in the distance. Jealousy twisted in my stomach.

Just as I was about to sneak into the office to call her, Madison finally replied.

I tiptoed past Emily, closing the door behind me before reading her message.

[Sorry, just showered. Didn’t see my phone.]

[He’s the guy from my blind date last week. He’s into me, so he picked me up after work. Why?]

I pictured her, towel wrapped around her head, texting without a care.

My pulse spiked. I typed back:

[You went on a blind date?]

[Yeah, my family set it up. He seems decent, so I figured I’d get to know him.]

She left it at that, casual as ever.

The air in the office felt thick. I hated how powerless I was, how I couldn’t object without exposing my own hypocrisy. She had all the leverage.

Trying to sound calm, I texted: [So what do you think of him?]

She disappeared again, and I paced the room, gnawing my lip, checking the time, my mind spinning with images of her with someone else.

Finally, she replied:

[Sorry, just took a call.]

[You mean what I think of him? At first, nothing. But today, he brought me a Coach bag. He seems decent, so I’m thinking of getting to know him better.]

[Mike, it’s late. I’m going to bed. You should rest too. Good night.]

Coach bag. The detail stung. She was moving on, and wanted me to know it.

A heavy ache settled in my chest, and I rubbed at it, feeling exposed and ridiculous.

Was the call from him?

Images flashed through my mind, and I couldn’t take it. I went to the office and called her directly.