She Furnished His Place, I Furnished My Exit

Jeff Baxter came out, dressed and ready to go.

"Let's go, Max. Megan says she's done getting her hair done, and she's waiting for us at the front gate of the complex. She texted you. Did you see?"

He sent Megan a voice message while he put his shoes on. "We're heading down now, Megan."

Today was Jeff's birthday, and we were going out to dinner that evening.

As usual, he drove. Megan opened the passenger door and got right in. "It's still so hot, even this late."

Jeff couldn't take his eyes off her. "The perm makes you look even classier. It looks amazing on you."

Megan swatted him, her ears turning red. "Oh, stop it."

She handed Jeff the drink in her hand and buckled her seatbelt. "New shop just opened. Buy one, get one free."

"Thanks, Meg!"

Megan scolded him for being cheeky. "Tsk... Show some respect. I'm your senior!"

They laughed and bickered without glancing back at me once, as if there wasn't a third person in the car at all.

Two years ago, I'd been in a car accident while driving, and there were still steel pins in my right leg.

Megan didn't feel comfortable with me driving again, so Jeff eagerly volunteered to take over as driver, picking Megan up and dropping her off at work every day.

She'd gotten used to riding shotgun. Even when the three of us went out together, she wouldn't sit in the back with me.

I'd brought it up once, and she'd snapped back at me, angry and contemptuous, "Max, I never thought you'd be this petty. You actually care about something like this? Quit acting like some jealous woman, okay?"

Just as Megan stuck the straw in and was about to take a sip, Jeff spoke up. "Hey, Megan, isn't your period coming up? Maybe skip the cold drink."

Megan thought about it and agreed. "You're right. You're so thoughtful. Whoever ends up being your girlfriend is going to be so lucky."

Jeff gave her a long, meaningful look, then just smiled and said nothing.

But I'd reminded her that very morning. I'd even tucked pads and painkillers into her bag for her.

"...Max! Max!"

Jeff calling my name snapped me back.

"What are you thinking about? You're miles away. Megan's been calling you over and over. She wants to give you her drink."

Megan looked angry.

I reached out and took the drink.

"Max, what happened to your hand? I wanted to ask you back upstairs." He'd noticed the Band-Aid on my hand and sounded concerned.

I pulled my hand back, the corner of my mouth curling in self-mockery. "Happened while I was putting a chair together. After all, I don't deserve to sit in a chair that costs hundreds of dollars."

Megan's eyes met mine in the rearview mirror.

"Max," she warned me, angry. "It's Jeff's birthday."

My throat felt tight.

Jeff looked at Megan, then at me. "I'm sorry, Max. I didn't know you had your eye on that chair. When we get back tonight, I'll bring it over to you."

Megan shot me an exasperated glare. "Ignore him. Who knows what he's flipping out about now."

Condensation from the cup dampened my palm, and a sudden wave of nausea churned in my stomach.

"Pull over!"