“I’m going to be out of town this upcoming week,” says Zach.

I’m lying next to him in his bed. He lives in a penthouse apartment on Lake Shore Drive, and as I lay here, I can see Lake Michigan out his window. I feel like a rich princess in this bed. But now I’m worried. Right after the bar incident, he was out-of-town for a week, and now he’ll be gone again.

“You have to leave again? I don’t get to see much of you in this new relationship of ours.”

Zach looks at me in a serious way. His eye is almost completely healed, but he did have to greet clients with it not looking so good. Looking at me now, he would seem even more serious if he didn’t have messy blond hair that hangs over his face like a surfer dude. He’s this big corporate executive with surfer’s hair. Don’t get me wrong I love it. It’s just strange to me.

“Honey, you need to understand that the work I do requires me to travel quite a bit,” he says. “We’ll spend time together next weekend. Besides, you’ll have more time to study this way.”

Zach is right. Our relationship could totally overshadow my schoolwork if I let it. It’s important to be organized, but it’s easy not to be when there’s a new guy.

“Yeah, you’re right.” I kiss him on the lips. “I better go. I have to get to work soon.”

“Do you want me to drive you?”

“No. As much as I love riding in your fancy car, I’ll get to work on my own this morning.”

“Okay,” he says. “Off you go to work.”

I give him another kiss, smile, and head to his massive bathroom. He bought me all these bath oils, washes and lotions from this expensive Parisian company. I’ve never had stuff like this before. I didn’t date Zach because of his money, but the perks sure are nice.

* * *

It’s midweek. Zach isn’t here, but I wish he were. Today is my day off, and I’d love to see him tonight. I’ve got all day to study. The night would have been so much more fun with him in it.

Maybe I’ll call one of my girlfriends, and we can see a movie or something. I need a break from the books. In the meantime, I need to get out of here and get something to eat. My refrigerator is bare. I haven’t been grocery shopping in two weeks. I’ve just been grabbing stuff as I go. I know it’s not good for me to do that, but sometimes I get lazy.

* * *

Now I’m on the L to the location of my favorite Mexican restaurant. I’m like a pregnant woman right now with my craving for Mexican food. This place is better than all the other ones I’ve been to. So, I’m going out of my way to get there.

Wait? Is that Zach I see through the window? I thought he was out-of-town? And who is that woman he’s with?

Oh, my God. Now they’re kissing! What the fuck? I’m taking a picture before this train pulls off. He doesn’t know I saw him. I don’t even know what to say right now. I’m shocked and super pissed. I’m not even sad, at least not right now. I’m just really, really pissed. Mark my words, Zach and I are done. We just started dating, and already he’s fooling around on me? Fuck him!

* * *

The incident happened on Wednesday, and now it’s Friday. My cell is ringing. It’s Zach.

“Hello?” I say.

“Hey, babe. I’m back in town. You didn’t respond to my last two texts. Did you get them?”

“Hmm . . . no, I guess I didn’t.”

“Oh well, that’s okay. How are you?”

“I’m fine. How was California?”

“Oh, you know. It’s just business. Anyway, I got an attorney to sue that guy in the bar. One of the things we’ll need is a statement from you on what you saw.”

“I won’t do it, Zach.”

“What do you mean you won’t do it? I need your statement as part of the evidence.”

“Who was that girl on your arm I saw on Wednesday?”

There’s a long pause. “What girl?” Zach finally says.

“I got on the L to go to that Mexican restaurant I like. It’s the girl you were walking down the street with. That girl. I thought you were out of the town?”

“I was out-of-town, and I don’t know who you mean.”

“You do know who I mean, Zach. I took a pic of you two. Okay? Do you want me to send it to you? Our relationship is brand new, but you’re already fooling around on me?”

“How do you know it was me?”

“I just told you, Zach. I took a picture. I’m fucking sending it to you. Hold on . . . there, it’s sent. There’re you and the blonde. At least she’s got the same hair color as you.”

“All right, all right. You got me. She’s . . . she’s an old girlfriend. We were just seeing each other for the last time.”

“Oh, really? Well, surely you remember the last time I was in your bed. That was the last time you’ll see me.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, that’s so.”

“Fine. But I still need a statement from you for my lawyer.”

“Forget it, Zach. I’m not doing it.”

“You’ll be sorry if you mess with me, Callie. I mean it.”

“Are you threatening me?”

“Just write the damn statement.”

I hang up the phone. I’m so mad I now wish that Korbin guy had really taken care of Zach, like put him in the hospital or something. I know it’s not right for me to think that, but I’m so pissed right now. Why should I help him with this case? I won’t.

* * *

You won’t believe what I’m holding in my hand. Zach got his lawyer to force me to go to court. That means I have to see Zach again. Fine, I’ll testify for him, and then I never want to see him again. Never.