Mixed Signals by Diane Barnes Read Free Book Online Page A

my Accord running, he asks, “If this happens again, would you know what to do?”
    â€œYes,” I say out loud. Call Triple A , I say to myself. “Thank you for the lesson.”
    â€œOne thing I’ve learned through the years is you’re better off learning how to do things yourself because most people will let you down.” The look he gives me and the change in his inflection tell me he’s not talking about my dead battery. He reaches up for his Dunkin’ Donuts cup and takes a sip. “Good thing I like iced coffee,” he says.
    * * *
    When I arrive at work, Renee is talking to Ben in his cube. The radio plays softly in the background. As I walk by them, their voices drop to a whisper, but they don’t look at me. It’s good that they’re sitting together. It will make it easier to tell them my news. I go to my desk to drop off my belongings. When I join them, I fold my hands behind my back so that they won’t notice the missing ring. Neither of them looks at me though. Renee stares down at the gray carpet. Ben turns away from me, reaches for the radio on the windowsill, and fumbles with its volume. A voice blasts from the speaker. Ben hits the power button to silence it. My brain takes a few seconds to process that the voice is Nico’s.
    â€œWhy is Nico on the air?” I ask.
    Renee taps the toe of her boot against the wall. Ben shifts uncomfortably in his chair.
    â€œWhat’s going on?”
    They look at each other but not at me.
    â€œPut the radio back on,” I instruct.
    â€œNot a good idea,” Renee says.
    â€œYou’re better off not hearing what they’re saying,” Ben adds.
    Well, now I’m totally curious. What could Branigan, Smyth, and Nico be talking about that has my colleagues so worked up? I reach around Ben for the power switch.
    â€œShe didn’t see it coming,” Smyth says.
    â€œTom Brady got sacked and then you sack your fiancée,” Branigan says.
    My knees buckle. I grab hold of the edge of Ben’s desk to steady myself.
    A laugh I recognize as Nico’s. “It wasn’t exactly like that.”
    On the radio they’re talking about how I got dumped. I won’t be able to show my face in Boston, in the entire state of Massachusetts. Damn, the show’s streamed all over the world on the Internet.
    â€œBut you did call off the wedding, and you’re single now, correct?” Smyth asks.
    â€œTrue,” Nico responds.
    Ben and Renee both stare at me. I look back at them, pretending I have nothing to be embarrassed about. Somewhere in the building, the HVAC system roars to life.
    Branigan asks, “Are you sure she knows the wedding’s off, because I saw her over the weekend, and she’s still wearing the rock.”
    Renee and Ben both look at my bare finger.
    â€œShe knows,” Nico says.
    â€œSo, Nico’s feeling a little sad,” Branigan says.
    â€œA lot sad,” Nico clarifies.
    Branigan ignores him. “What he needs is to get back on the bike, so we’re going to have a contest. Ladies, if you’re single and want a date with our producer, send us an email with your picture. And I can’t stress this enough, we won’t consider applicants who don’t send photos.”
    A metallic taste fills my mouth.
    â€œClothing is optional in these shots,” Branigan says.
    â€œThe less clothing, the better,” says Smyth.
    I’m going to be sick, right here in Ben’s cube. My eyes roam the small space, looking for his garbage can.
    â€œAnd Nico has high standards,” Smyth says. “His ex, Jillian, is a good-looking girl. What would you say she is, a seven? An eight?”
    â€œAn eight when she puts in some effort,” Branigan answers.
    Puts in some effort? What does that mean?
    â€œI don’t think you can do better, Nico. Why did you dump her?” Smyth asks.
    Yeah, Nico, why did you dump me? And for