Numbly I move to the front seat and sit silently as Michael starts the car to take me home.
I won't cry, I won't cry, I won't cry. I silently repeat the mantra to keep the tears away. I care about him so much, why is he being so mean??
Michael sighs and lowers his forehead to the steering wheel for a long moment. Finally, he sits back up and looks at me, contrite.
"I'm sorry, Taryn. That was shitty of me. It's okay, don't cry."
Well jeez, he has to go and say that and that's all it takes for the dam to burst. I start shaking with silent sobs and he laughs softly and pulls me over across the consul for a warm embrace.
"Shhh, baby, it's okay. I'm just under a lot of pressure, you know? I could lose my job over this. And don't forget, if we get found out it will affect you too. We both have so much to lose."
I pull back slightly, wiping my tears. "I love you, Michael! I won't breathe a word, I promise!"
He holds my face between his two palms and kisses me. This time a good kiss, caressing my teeth with his tongue.
"Love you too. Let's get you home."
He throws the car into gear and holds my hand as we pull back onto the road. I'm so in love I could burst!
◆◆◆
I'm so happy because of Michael it's hard to keep the smile off my face. Even at work with Manny giving me the cold shoulder I'm singing and humming my way through my shift.
I stand in the back of the kitchen wearing my ill-fitting apron and plastic gloves while I roll burritos for a party we're catering. My feet won't keep still and I'm doing a silly little dance while I sing Beyoncé under my breath.
Suddenly I can feel Manny behind me. His petulance has its own physical presence, I swear.
"What the hell kind of burrito is that?"
I glance up at him over my shoulder then look down at my current burrito. "What? What's wrong with it?"
He makes an impatient sound and nudges me out of the way. "You're doing it all wrong, Bishop! Jesus, did you pay attention when I showed you?"
"Yes, I paid attention!" I snap back. He's been a complete ass after kissing me. As usual the boy makes zero sense. "I'm doing it exactly the way you taught me."
His brown eyes are cold as he stares down at me. "No, you're not. You're not wrapping them snug enough. If someone tries to eat this all the stuff will fall out. "
I shrug. "Well they can just eat it with a fork then!"
Manny grits his teeth. "Wrap. It. The. Way. I. Showed. You!"
I grit my teeth right back. "O. Kay!"
He regards me silently for a moment then grips my elbow. "Office, now!"
I watch him stalk off to the office and slowly peel my gloves off. Fine. He can fire me. Why am I even here? I don't need this job. I have Michael and right now that's all I want.
Manny is waiting for me in the office, holding his phone.
"Have you seen this?"
I look from him to his phone. "A cell phone? Yeah, I have!"
He ignores my attempt at snarky humor. "Have you seen what Patrick and Jason are saying about you online?"
My smile fades and I feel my gut lurch. "What do you mean? What are they saying?"
Silently Manny hands me his phone and I scan the screen. A flashy graphic reading "Jay/Pat Sensations" blinks up at me. They have a blog as well as a YouTube channel now. I scroll down and there's a hideous photo of me. I don't even remember having it taken. It must have been at a party because there are other people around and I'm with some guy I don't recognize at first. Then it hits me, the party at Jasons, when I got plastered and the basketball player I was trying to make out with. We're kissing and he has his hand on my thigh.
"Read it."
I glance up at Manny and is face is unreadable.
Taking a sharp breath, I see the headline, "Slut at Work." I put my hand to my mouth and read the post.
"This is my ex, whoring around while we were still dating. Taryn Bishop slept with all my friends and plenty of enemies because she's a whore bitch slut who'll do anything you want her to do. Thank God I dumped her fat ass!"
"Oh my God!" I blink the tears back and want to puke. Manny is just standing there, staring at me and I wait for his assault.
"I thought you should know that's going around, everyone at school is talking about it and you, behind your back."
I shove Manny's phone back at him. "You are so cruel..."
"Me?" He sounds genuinely surprised. "I didn't make that web site. I just wanted you to know about it!"
"Yes, because you get some kind of sick kick out of seeing me unhappy! You're no better than they are. I'm quitting!"
I try to leave but Manny grabs me by the wrists, his face slightly panicked.
"No! You can't quit, I... we need you here. For the business."
"You and your stupid burritos!" I start crying and Manny pulls me against his chest. I squirm in his embrace weakly. "No!"
He holds me tighter and I can't escape. "Yes. Just shut up, Bishop and let me hold you."
I sniffle and stop struggling. We don't say anything for several minutes, he just keeps his arms firmly around me and I cry into his white tee shirt.
Finally, I'm spent and he lets me go and hands me some tissues.
"Alright now?" He cocks his head to look down at me.
I nod, blowing my nose. "Thanks, Manny."
"Don't mention it. Listen. I know all that shit on the blog is crap. Patrick is just trying to get revenge on you.
