Playing Catch-Up Read online

  Playing Catch-Up

  Zoey Lennox

  Copyright © 2020 by Zoey Lennox

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be replicated, reproduced, or redistributed in any form without the prior written consent of the author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Edited by Alissa McGowen

  Proofread by Claire Jarrett

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Epilogue

  Afterword

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Chapter 1

  Mondays were a bitch. Scratch that; every day was a bitch in Alexis’s pathetic life. She guessed that was to be expected when she still lived at home at the ripe old age of twenty-three. To add insult to injury, she also had the pleasure of dragging herself to a mind-numbingly boring job every morning. She didn’t know how it had happened exactly, but somewhere along the line she had fallen into the lowly role of office junior. What self-respecting woman approaching her mid-twenties still worked an entry level position? A loser, that was who.

  This particular Monday, she was late to work thanks to Carol, her father’s witch of a wife. Carol had known full well Alexis had slept through her alarm but hadn’t bothered to wake her up. By the time Alexis boarded the bus bound for the centre of Wyvale in Berkshire, she was in a right old flap. Her hair was a mess and the buttons of her shirt were misaligned. She spent the fifteen-minute ride to work attempting to right herself, but feared she’d only been partly successful by the time she reached her destination.

  The admissions office was easily the ugliest building on Wyvale University’s campus. An unloved concrete relic from the sixties, the non-descript grey monstrosity spread over two stories with no apparent logic to the design. Inside the open-plan office, staff bustled about getting coffee, sorting out their workstations, or leaning against the low dividers gossiping. Alexis scoured the room for any sign of her supervisor, and gulped when she spied Nia waiting at her vacant desk with a face like thunder.

  Alexis shirked off her denim jacket and scurried over. She’d thrown it on in her rush to leave the house but, what with it being early August, the need for extra layers had long since passed. “Sorry I’m late,” she said. “Can I help you?”

  Nia wrinkled her delicate nose and pointed at a stack of folders perched on the edge of Alexis’s desk. She was wearing another of her many shift dresses today, this one navy blue and paired with a narrow patent leather belt.

  “Marty’s extended the cut-off date for new applications. I need you to process these before the end of the afternoon.”

  Dread dropped like a lead weight inside Alexis’s stomach. No way would she get through that amount of work before the end of the day—it would be the second time this week she’d need to stay late. There was no point in protesting; she was a no one in the scheme of things.

  She forced a smile. “No problem. I’ll get right on it.”

  Nia’s icy blue eyes narrowed. “Make sure there are no mistakes. You embarrassed the whole department last week when you misspelt Mr Kayotozamr’s name. We don’t accept shoddy workmanship here. If it continues, I’ll be left with no choice but to let you go.”

  With those parting words, Nia stalked back towards her corner office.

  “Process the applications yourself if they’re so bloody precious,” Alexis mumbled, then jumped when an amused voice sounded behind her.

  “Now, now, Miss Lenz. Language.”

  Alexis whipped around and punched her co-worker Sam as hard as she could in his toned bicep. He had only been working in the admissions office for a few months, but since he was the only other employee under twenty-five, they had become fast friends.

  “Shut up, loser. Don’t you have some work to be getting on with?”

  Sam laughed, and the corners of his grey-blue eyes crinkled. “Nope. Wanna skive for a bit? Sandra’s covering the front desk.”

  Alexis groaned. “I’d love to, but I’d better not.” She threw a disgruntled scowl at Nia’s retreating form. “I’ve got a ton of extra work to get through thanks to that stuck-up bitch.”

  “Too bad. Patrick’s on the prowl. I would have thought you could use an escape plan right about now.”

  Great. A run-in with Patrick was the last thing she needed.

  “You need to report that creep,” Sam said. “He’s been after you since day one. Every time I see him, he’s all over you. I don’t know why you let him intimidate you.”

  Alexis’s hackles rose. “He doesn’t intimidate me. There’s just nothing I can report him for yet.”

  Sam’s blond eyebrows quirked. “Really? How about the groping? Or the blatant sexual comments?”

  Alexis huffed. “He’s a sly bastard. I can’t prove anything has happened. If I file a complaint, it’ll be his word against mine, and you know who’s going to come out on top. He’s at least three or four places above me in the chain of command here, and he’s dating my supervisor, for Christ’s sake.”

  “You’d think Nia would do something, wouldn’t you? Patrick doesn’t exactly hide his infatuation with you.”

  “She does do something,” Alexis grumbled. “She makes sure she dumps the most menial tasks on me, and that I get passed over for promotion.”

  “Bitch,” Sam muttered.

  “Cow,” Alexis added with a ghost of a grin. “With any luck I won’t have to put up with it for much longer. I just applied for a job in the university post office. I don’t know if I’ll get it, but it could be my ticket out of here.”

  Sam’s face fell. “You shouldn’t have to leave, Lex. There must be a way to deter that parasite without resigning.” He pursed his lips and scratched his chin. “I know,” he said, his face brightening. “Why don’t you tell him you’re gay? He’ll soon back off once he realises there’s no chance you’ll fall for him.”

  “You think?”

  “I know.”

  Alexis stared at her feet. It was the perfect solution to her problem, so why was she so hesitant? Maybe because if she pretended she was a lesbian, she’d have to face up to the fact that she really might be one.

  When Sam’s face grew tense, Alexis closed her eyes in defeat. She knew that look. Patrick was incoming.

  “Go and find somewhere to hide out,” Sam hissed. “I’ll try and buy you some time.”

  Alexis squeezed his shoulder in thanks and headed for the break room. When a few anxious moments passed and Patrick didn’t appear, she let out a breath.

  Coffee. That was what she needed. She filled a chipped mug then sat on one of the rickety chairs dotted around the faded Formica table and looked out of the dust-ridden window into the busy street. The sky had darkened since she’d entered the building and rain now hammered down, hitting the pavement in relentless sheets.

  “Alexis, there you are!”

  A soft groan pas
sed between Alexis’s lips as her nemesis filled the doorway. So much for evading him.

  Tall, tanned, and questionably handsome, Patrick was sex on legs if you happened to listen to the other women on staff. Not to Alexis, though. To her, he was just a highly annoying prat who was constantly pestering her for something she was unwilling to give.

  “Patrick,” she said coolly, getting to her feet. Hiding out in the break room suddenly didn’t seem like such a good idea. She felt like a caged animal about to be pounced upon.

  Patrick sauntered over and leaned in close, invading her personal space. “You’re looking exquisite today as always. Is that a new perfume you’re wearing?”

  Alexis ignored him and pulled her long wavy hair back into a messy bun using the elastic band around her wrist. “What do you want, Patrick? I’ve got a shed load of work to get through this morning. Can’t this wait?”

  Patrick chuckled. “Ooh, feeling feisty, are we? I was only going to ask if you wanted to get lunch together. There’s this new Italian restaurant close by. I thought we could spend the hour getting better acquainted.”

  “No thanks. Why don’t you take Nia? She is your girlfriend, after all.”

  Patrick stared at her as if calculating his next move. “Look.” He moved impossibly closer. “I know you’re probably feeling a little awkward right now, but you really don’t need to worry. Nia and I have an open relationship. She’s fine with any arrangement we might come to.”

  “Arrangement?” Alexis was so tired of this shit. She didn’t even like men. “You do know I’m a lesbian, right?”

  There. She’d said it. Maybe Sam’s idea would work and the asshole would finally back off.

  A lazy smile stretched across Patrick’s face. “Well that certainly opens a few more doors. Maybe we could bring Nia into the equation. I’m sure she’d be up for some fun if we asked her nicely.”

  “No way.” Alexis held up her hand. “Not going to happen. I’m not interested in you and never will be, so you can wipe any thoughts of a threesome from your dirty little mind.”

  “Oh, stop being so overly dramatic.” Patrick laughed. “I was only propositioning you. If it’s not your thing, it’s not your thing. There’s no need to get your knickers in a twist about it.”

  “I mean it, Patrick.” Alexis edged out from where he had her pinned against the wall. “If you don’t back off, I’m going to take this to management. I don’t want to, but if you force my hand I will.”

  The smile on Patrick’s face morphed into a cruel smirk. “You’re delusional. Do you really think anyone will believe a low-life like you? Anything I say will be backed up by Nia. You don’t stand a chance, you little slut.”

  Alexis’s heart sank. He was right. Hadn’t she just been telling Sam that going to the top with a complaint would be pointless? She should have kept her mouth shut.

  “Fucking dyke,” Patrick hissed. “You’re nothing but a filthy cock tease. What you need is a real man to get you back on track. You’d better watch out or one day someone’s going to give it to you.”

  “Is that a threat, Patrick?” An eerily calm voice sounded from the doorway. Alexis had never seen her saviour before. A little taller than average, with an enviable mass of golden curls, the woman appeared to be in her late twenties.

  “Madeline,” Patrick stuttered, turning to face the door. “I don’t know what you think is going on here, but it’s not how it looks. We were just having a conversation that led to a little misunderstanding. Right, Alexis?”

  With two sets of eyes regarding her, Alexis faltered.

  “I know exactly what’s going on here,” Madeline said. “I’ve been unfortunate enough to have been listening in on most of your conversation and you’ve crossed a line, Patrick.”

  Patrick tried to spout off some drivel about eavesdropping, but Madeline quickly cut him off.

  “It’s not eavesdropping when you don’t have to strain your ears.” She turned her attention to Alexis. “Are you okay?”

  Alexis shook her head. She just wanted to get back to the safety of her desk.

  “I think it best you keep your distance from now on,” Madeline warned Patrick. “I may be new here, but I know inappropriate behaviour when I see it. Come on,” she said, motioning towards Alexis. “Let’s go.”

  “Yes,” Alexis murmured, moving to join her.

  “Oh, and Patrick?” Madeline called over her shoulder as she gently nudged Alexis out of the break room. “Don’t think this is the end of this little situation. There are going to be repercussions.”

  “Thank you for saving me,” Alexis said once they were safely out of earshot and heading down the corridor. “I knew Patrick was a womaniser, but I didn’t think he’d flip like that.”

  She was beyond embarrassed. Her questionable sexuality was something she’d guarded for a long time, and now she’d blurted it out for all to hear—and then needed rescuing because of it.

  Madeline gave her a friendly grin and stuck out her hand. “I’m glad to have helped. I’m Maddie, by the way. The new finance manager. I don’t think we’ve been introduced yet.”

  “Alexis.” She shook Maddie’s hand, taking a moment to admire the sizable engagement ring. “That was my fault. I overslept this morning and was dodging my supervisor.”

  Probably not wise to reveal her shortcomings to this newcomer, but her worries were alleviated when a grin spread across Maddie’s face.

  “You sound like my kind of girl. I can tell we’ll be great friends already.”

  As they returned to Alexis’s desk, Maddie placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “I assume you’re going to report this incident to HR?”

  Not a chance. The fallout from such a damning accusation would be sure to put her centre stage and might also jeopardise her job.

  She bit her lip. “I don’t know.”

  “There’s nothing to worry about,” Maddie said. “You’re the one who’s been wronged here. How about we go to HR together? I’ll make a complaint, too. Back you up.”

  Alexis looked away. “Can we hold off for a few days? I’m still a bit shaken up.”

  “Of course.” Maddie’s features softened. “I didn’t mean to pressure you. Let me know when you’ve decided what you want to do, and we’ll make a plan of action.”

  Chapter 2

  That Friday, Alexis was out of work on time for once and revelling in the novelty of having a few extra hours to herself.

  “Hey, Lex,” Sam said as they exited the building together. “Any plans?”

  “Nah, just some fast food and a movie.”

  As they came to a stop at Sam’s beat-up Peugeot, Alexis spied some music equipment piled onto the back seat. “You playing a gig?”

  “Yeah, we’re playing at the Swann Inn. Can I tempt you to come with the promise of a drink?”

  Argh. She hated being put on the spot. Especially when Sam gave her those hopeful puppy-dog eyes.

  She tilted her head, pretending to think it over. “Maybe.”

  Best not to commit one way or the other in these situations.

  Sam sighed and got into his car. “I’ll take that as a no, then. You know, one of these days I’m going to drag you to one of my gigs. You can’t sit at home every night on your own. Eventually you’re going to have to get out in the world and start living.”

  Alexis waved him off. Shaking his head, Sam fired up the engine and pulled out of the car park. It didn’t take long for his blue Peugeot to slowly disappear.

  Sticking to her usual routine, Alexis stopped off in town on the way home to grab some dinner. She hit her favourite supermarket and made a beeline for the ready meal section in a bid to find something that might tickle her taste buds. There was a lot on offer for single losers like herself, and she eventually settled on a beef bourguignon as she was feeling extravagant.

  “Alexis?”

  Alexis jumped at the sound of her name. Maddie stood across the aisle holding a basket full of goodies. She was wearing the sa
me grey skirt suit she had worn at work and a pair of modest heels that showed off her shapely calves.

  “Oh, hi.” Alexis hastily shoved her meal for one back into the freezer. No need to reveal how pathetic she really was.

  Maddie’s megawatt smile dimmed. “Staying in tonight, huh?”

  “Yep.” Alexis let out a tight laugh. “Just me and a movie.” She motioned towards Maddie’s overflowing basket. “It looks like at least one of us will be having a good time.”

  “We’re having some friends around for dinner. It’s my job to stock up on wine and buy a dessert. Would you like to join us? Chris just called to say we’re one down, so you’d be doing us a huge favour.”

  Uneasiness flooded Alexis at the unexpected offer. She liked Maddie but wouldn’t exactly call her a friend yet. The last thing she wanted to do was show up at Maddie’s place and have things turn awkward fast.

  As if sensing her unease, Maddie gallantly offered her an out. “I completely understand if you can’t make it. I’m sure you’ve got your movie night all planned out.”

  Maddie’s kindness broke through Alexis’s reserve. This was a prime opportunity to heed Sam’s advice and widen her social circle. Heaven knows she could use a few more friends.

  “No, I’d love to join you if it’s not too much bother. That cheesecake you’ve got looks amazing.”

  Maddie gave Alexis a triumphant smile and shook her basket in the air. “Fantastic. Let me go and pay for this and then we’ll head back to my place.”