Ice for His Ego: A Novelette Read online

  Ice for His Ego: A Novelette

  By Taren Elle

  Copyright 2018 Taren Elle

  Smashwords Edition

  Smashwords Edition, License Notes

  Thank you for downloading this ebook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.

  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons living or deceased is purely coincidental. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and situations are the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously.

  This book contains mature themes and is intended for adult audiences.

  Cover by Taren Elle

  Photo by Wesley Tingey on Unsplash

  Photo by Becca Tapert on Unsplash

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  Many thanks to everyone who helped and motivated me to finally get this book published. This has been a long time coming and I am so grateful to have this wonderful opportunity to expose my writing to the world. Thank you to all of my friends and family who provided me with so much feedback. You are all a shining light in my authorial beginnings and I love you all.

  To Vernon Jackson—this one is for you. You are dearly missed.

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  Roxanna looked down at the time on her computer and sighed. A half an hour left. It was always the last hour that ticked by so slowly, especially when she was struggling with ideas for the company blog. She was ready to leave. Roxy was tired of looking at the computer screen. On any other day, she would’ve pulled out her notebook and flipped through the numerous pages of ideas she’d written down, or clippings of the latest fashions she’d pasted on the pages. Unfortunately, today she’d left her notebook on her desk at home. She needed some inspiration ASAP. She’d gone online and looked at some pictures to get some inspiration, but nothing, and at this point after working on it all day, she was probably just shooting herself in the foot. It also didn’t help that all she could think about was getting home and packing for her vacation. Her day was filled with all types of anxiety.

  “Ugh, I can’t take it anymore,” Roxy groaned. Her head dropped to her oak desk with a thud. In an instant, the pen holding the bun together at the top of her head clattered to the floor and her long wavy dark brown hair tumbled around her like a curtain. That was when her cell phone vibrated. She pushed the papers scattered around on her desk searching for her iPhone. Pulling it from beneath a pile of her co-worker’s articles, she looked at the illuminated screen and smiled at her boyfriend’s name. Baron, her savior. He always had great timing.

  “Hey babe, how’s work?”

  She typed back, “Such a drag. I’ve been trying to write this blog post all day but I left my notebook at home.”

  “That’s what happens when u rush 2 work.”

  Sometimes Baron could be so rude. “I was late because of you!”

  “’Cause I was givin’ it 2 u? You weren’t complaining then.”

  Roxy threw back her head and a peal of laughter burst from her chest. She looked up, and her secretary Monica was staring at her from her desk. Glass walls separated all of the offices; there was no privacy at all. She waved a hand at Monica and shook her head, still chuckling.

  Roxy replied, “Goodbye. I’m done with you for the day.”

  “We’ll c about that when you get home. By the way, what’s 4 dinner?”

  Roxy started texting Baron back and glanced up only to see Monica holding up a sheet of paper. She squinted. The sign read, “Finish the post!”

  Roxy rolled her eyes and sighed. Monica wasn’t going to let her leave until she finished it. She set her phone on her desk, snatched a piece of scratch paper, and wrote, “I’m stuck. HELP!”

  Roxy’s phone rumbled on her desk again.

  “Chinese sound good?”

  She deleted her incomplete text as she rolled her eyes and typed, “Chinese sounds good.”

  “Meet u at home. Don’t work 2 hard. LOL.”

  He knew she wasn’t working at all…jerk.

  “I’ll be at the gym 4 another hr or so. Late client.”

  “Tell her, your woman said you can’t stay long.”

  “Assuming my client is a woman? Jealous, babe?”

  Roxy shook her head at Baron’s teasing. After dating for a little over three years, he at 29 and she at 28, his teasing was a constant. She pushed her hair away from her face, bunched it at the top of her head and typed, “Not at all. Just reminding you who you belong to.”

  “Mmm, I luv it when ur possessive.”

  “I know you do. See you when you get home. Love you.”

  “Luv u 2, babe.”

  Roxy looked up from her phone and Monica was standing in her doorway.

  “Okay, I know you’re going on vacation, but today is not the day to slack off. Tell Baron to stop distracting you.”

  Monica leaned one arm against the threshold and propped her hand on her narrow waist. Her brown eyes were bright, shining through her red-rimmed glasses, and her caramel skin was radiant. She tipped her head to the side, her long dark ponytail falling with it.

  Monica reminded her of her best friend Felicity, and Roxy wouldn’t trade either one of them for the world. Her bright personality was the only thing keeping her sane in her chaotic office. Fashion design was not for the faint of heart. The office was always going-going. Having to keep track of blogs and columns, constantly thinking of new ideas for the magazine, making sure everyone was on top of their deadlines, and keeping an eye on the slackers was exhausting. The irony of her complaint did not go unnoticed since today Roxy was the slacker. That was until she took a look at Monica’s black and white polka dot dress—no notebook needed. She could feel the inspiration.

  “Thank you, Monica! Your dress is a lifesaver!”

  Roxy spun in her chair to her computer and clickity clacked away at her keyboard.

  “Really, my dress was what helped you?” Monica scoffed. “Unbelievable.”

  Roxy ran through that half an hour in no time. After she sent the post to her editor for approval, she tidied her office and was just about to leave when Monica stepped into the doorway.

  “Enjoy your vacation! Don’t break a leg!” How the girl could come in at nine in the morning and still be at one-hundred percent at six in the afternoon was amazing.

  “Very funny. Now I’ll be thinking about all the ways I can injure myself skiing. Why are you still here?” Roxy started buttoning her black and white houndstooth pea coat. “You’re usually gone before me.” “I wanted to see you off. I don’t know what I’m going to do without you here.”

  “You’ll do fine. I gave you everything you need.

  Roxy stepped out of her office and closed the door behind her. “Keep an eye on Jared’s work. He’s been slow to turn in pieces for his column. I’ve had to constantly remind him about his deadline. Just keep on him.”

  “Uh oh.” Monica went to her desk and grabbed a post-it and scribbled—probably making a note for herself.

  Roxy leaned against her desk where she stuck the green post-it with the others strewn about her desk. “He can’t afford any more last-minute submissions. I’m tired of my boss breathing down my neck.”

  “Will do, boss lady.”

  “Thanks. See you in two weeks. You have my number. Call me if the building is bu
rning down.”

  Monica chuckled and Roxy winked at her before she pressed the button for the elevator and stepped in.

  ***

  It was just a fifteen-minute walk from her office on 24th to the Chelsea loft that Roxy shared with Baron on 22nd.Even with the late January weather, the city was still bustling around her. Apparently, no one cared that it was freezing. Cars filled the streets, every other one being a yellow cab, and every other one blaring their horn. People filled the sidewalks going here and there, chattering away animatedly, and visiting local shops and boutiques. The nightlife was pulsing with energy.

  As she continued down the street, she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. It was Felicity.

  “Hey, Fe. What’s up?”

  “Are you slaving away or can I steal you for the evening?” That was Felicity’s way of asking if she was working.

  “That depends, what are you stealing me away for?”

  “Oh, you know, just a little shopping.”

  Even though Roxy was tired and she really wanted to start packing, when Felicity said shopping, all of that went out the window. Baron was going to be home late anyway.

  “I’m just leaving the office. Where are you?”

  “I’m on 25th and 6th.”

  “Okay, stay where you are. I’ll grab a cab and come get you.”

  ***

  “Right here,” Roxy leaned in next to the cab driver. “We’re going to grab her and then head to INA on 18th.

  As the cab slowed to a stop, Roxy pushed open the door and gave a catcall, “Get in here sexy mama.”

  Felicity’s attention turned towards the cab. Her white skin as luminescent as always, against her bright red lips. Felicity’s long, wavy blond hair bounced around her shoulders as she jogged over to the open door. Giving her only seconds to settle into the cab, the driver sped away from the curb. Felicity set her Coach bag on her lap and turned to Roxy, the mascara on her lashes and the coal lining her eyes made her blue eyes pop through the lenses of her glasses.

  Felicity reached in for a hug. “I missed you.”

  Just before Roxy leaned over and embraced her friend, she noticed the cab driver’s eyes flick up to the rear-view mirror. “I missed you, too. And I love these yellow pants.”

  Felicity was one for bold fashion statements, with her being model and all. People couldn’t keep their eyes off of her, especially the men.

  “I never see you.” Felicity mock wiped a tear from beneath her glasses, and just as quickly snapped her head up and glared daggers her way. “I’m still mad at you, Roxanna!”

  Whoa, now she was Roxanna.

  Roxy groaned and dropped her head back onto the headrest. “What are you mad at me for now?”

  Felicity continued, “Between work and Baron, you’ve really been neglecting me, and I don’t appreciate it. You know, you dedicate most of your time to him and it’s really not fair. I could understand if the relationship was fresh but it’s been a little over a year now. Can there be some equality, please? Just yesterday, you told me about your winter vacation, which I might add, you’re leaving for tomorrow. What if you’d had a skiing accident and died. I’d have never known. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy to finally see you, but you really do suck.” Felicity crossed her arms over her chest.

  When Felicity was upset, she could really go all day. And what was with everyone and the skiing accidents today? But, Felicity did have a point. She was spending a lot of time with Baron, and she hadn’t thought about how it affected the people around her.

  Her mom and dad called all the time to tell her how much they missed her, and how they’d wish she and Baron would come over for dinner sometime. But it’d only been a few months since his own parents were killed in a private plane crash in Europe, and she wasn’t sure if he was ready to be in that family setting just yet. It also didn’t help, that a couple of weeks from the night of his parent’s deaths, she repeatedly found him lying on the floor of their shared loft, wasted out of his mind. There was one night, in particular, she remembered when Baron had sobbed uncontrollably, and it showed how much the pain was really eating away at him.

  She’d hefted him onto their couch, sat down next to him, and lifted his head onto her lap. Within seconds, Baron had confessed how alone he felt, and that he needed her to be there because he couldn’t survive the pain alone. Roxy wasn’t used to seeing him like that, and it disturbed her to no end. Baron had always been strong and independent. But that night, he was the complete opposite of everything she knew him to be. He was weak from the pain and vulnerable from the loss.

  Roxy didn’t know if he remembered anything he’d said that night—or any of those consecutive nights—and if he did, he didn’t show it, and she was damn sure wasn’t going to bring it up. But, after that night, she’d unknowingly become his crutch. And her friends and family were making it quite clear that they were aware of the fact and not in favor of it.

  “I’m sorry, Fe,” Roxy sighed. “I’ll make it up to you. Shopping spree on me?”

  Shopping sprees were frequent occurrences considering how many times she and Felicity were upset with one another. Neither one of them could stay mad at one another for too long.

  Felicity tilted her head and looked at Roxy over the rim of her glasses. “Oh, I don’t think you’re prepared for this shopping spree.”

  Roxy rolled her eyes. “I’m never prepared for any of your shopping sprees.”

  Chapter Two

  Baron opened the door to his loft. It was dark which meant Roxy wasn’t home yet. He flipped the lights on, and moved down the narrow hallway and into the living room, his sneakers thudding against the wood floor. He flipped another switch and light illuminated the large living area, bouncing off the white walls. He dropped his gym bag at the corner of the hallway and set his keys and the bag of Chinese food on the black marble that topped the kitchen island.

  The loft was spacious. The large kitchen alcove was decked with stainless steel appliances, red lacquered contemporary cabinetry, and black marble countertops. The entire opposite side of the loft was the original red brick of the building and its large windows. On the left of the loft was an office and personal gym and to the left was the master bedroom.

  Baron grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and made his way to the bedroom. Downing the water, he briefly glanced at his watch. It was a little after 9:00, hopefully, Roxy would be home soon. He couldn’t stand the silence when he was home alone. He was absently going for the play button on his sound system when he noticed a picture frame face down on the shelf.

  Baron set the picture back up and his insides cringed. It was a photo of his parents on the beach when he and Roxy traveled to the Hamptons with them. His mom’s brown eyes smiled back at him, and his father—whom Roxy always said was an older version of him—winked back at the camera, his arm wrapped tightly around his mom. Baron had never seen two people so in love. Damn, he missed them so much.

  The day he received the call about the crash was a complete blackout. He remembered answering the phone, a woman talking to him, and then waking up that night next to Roxy. He’d blocked out the majority of the memorial service. The fact that there weren’t even bodies to bury was what destroyed him the most.

  Several times throughout the first couple of weeks, Baron ended his nights with a drink in his hand and a blackout. He started his mornings in bed with Roxy next to him and a glass of water and an Advil on the nightstand behind him. Baron owed a lot to her. Who knew where he would’ve been if she hadn’t been by his side.

  It took a couple months, but he was finally feeling like himself again. No more alcohol; no more blackouts. And, just last month, he’d finished up with his lawyer concerning all legal matters. His parents had written a will early on, so there was no confusion about what went where and who got what. To tell the truth, Baron really didn’t give a shit. It was a fucked-up hand that fate had dealt his parents. And it would take him a long time to truly accept that they were gone
, but for the moment, he was in a good place.

  Baron ran his fingers over the top of the weathered, light blue wooden frame and smiled. He straightened the frame and then pressed play on the sound system. The organ intro to Avenged Sevenfold’s Critical Acclaim chimed through its speakers and began filling the large space as Baron increased the volume.

  ***

  Roxy lifted her arm and glanced down at her watch…9:30. A couple of hours had gone by. She completely lost track of time. She could get lost for days going from shop to shop, and then back to the ones she’d already been to because she couldn’t stop thinking about the one thing she didn’t get. And Felicity was no help, always encouraging her to buy what she liked. Some friend she was.

  Roxy struggled out of the cab with her bags and paid the driver.

  “Keep the change,” she said.

  The driver nodded and sped off. Roxy looked down at the number of bags in her hand. Baron was going to have a conniption. He was always telling her how she didn’t need any more clothes because she was beginning to take over the little closet space that he had. So, what? You only live once.

  Roxy shuffled through the doorway of the building, briefly greeting another tenant, before stepping into the elevator. The doors pinged open when she reached the top floor. She shuffled her shopping bags around and dug into her bag for her keys as she approached her door. When she got the keys in the lock and the door open, a blast of heavy metal assaulted her ears. She squeezed through the threshold and kicked the door closed with her foot. After fighting the bags to lock the door, she shuffled down the narrow hallway.