flight attendant Bryant.
I sat in the open chair and felt like I weighed a thousand pounds. Bryant made a face at me. “Rough day?”
“Yeah,” was all I said. I pulled out my drooping bun and ran my fingers through my hair before pulling it back in a simple ponytail. I felt Silas watching me, so I gave him a reassuring smile to let him know I was okay.
“What’s going on?” Holly asked, eyeing me.
When I looked up, everyone was watching. I guess I wasn’t good at hiding my feelings, so I may as well spill.
“I broke things off with Shawn while he figures things out.”
Everyone nodded except Beth.
“Why?” she asked. “You should have just given him an ultimatum.”
“No.” I shook my head.
“Ultimatums are harsh, don’t you think?” Bryant asked. “And sometimes they backfire.”
“They force men to act,” Beth explained. “Most men are happy to have their cake and eat it too if a woman doesn’t put her foot down.”
“Have you ever given an ultimatum?” Bryant asked her.
Beth gave her best impish smile. “Hell no. I’m not a saint like Harlow. I don’t want a relationship.”
“That’s right, ho.” Bryant grinned and fist-bumped her.
“I think he’ll deal with it when he gets back home,” I said. “Next week.”
“You’re doing the right thing,” Silas told me. “He’s being wishy-washy.”
I wanted to get the attention off me. “Aren’t you off tomorrow?” I asked Silas. “Why didn’t you fly home?”
His eyes widened a fraction in a look of panic and he brought a large hand up to stroke his head. “Um, I was just running kind of late, so I’ll grab the first flight out in the morning.”
The entire table stared at him in disbelief. First of all, he was a horrible liar. His inflection turned super weird and unnatural. Silas was never late and always tried to get home to Jacquie as soon as possible.
“Okay,” Bryant said, “And the real reason?”
Silas rubbed his face. My stomach twisted wondering what was wrong.
“Oh, my God,” Beth blurted, her eyes lively. “Are you guys fighting?”
“Beth,” I whispered, but she ignored me.
Silas let his hands fall to the table and exhaled. I felt nervous for him.
“Every couple has their disagreements.” Silas pressed his lips together as if he regretted speaking.
“Does this have anything to do with her most recent post?” Lee asked.
Silas’s entire demeanor changed, going stiff, his eyes darting over. “What are you doing looking at her posts?” Holly and I exchanged a fascinated glance. My fingers itched to pull up her profile.
“Dude,” Lee laughed. “I follow her.”
Silas shook his head, looking at his friend like he’d lost his mind.
“What?” Lee smiled unapologetically. “It’s very entertaining.”
“What did the post say?” Beth asked. We were all leaning forward.
“Nothing,” Silas snapped, but Lee was like a dog with the end of a pull toy, and he wasn’t letting go.
“It’s a picture of her wrists with these black cuffs.” Silas brought a hand to his forehead as Lee went on. “And the caption said something like Anyone else like to get smacked around sometimes?”
Oohs and titters rose up around the table, but I watched Silas’s jaw tick in silence.
“That’s enough,” Silas warned.
“And then in the comments someone said she was lucky that her husband was so adventurous, and she was like, I wish! He won’t play…with a sadface.”
Bryant mouthed “WOW” and Holly choked back a snort at his dramatics.
“What the fuck, Lee?” Silas said, somehow managing to keep his voice steady. “Unfollow her and get a life.” Lee just laughed.
“Holy shit,” Beth laughed gleefully while Bryant leaned forward, his face lit up.
“Are we talking domination?” Bryant asked. “As in chaps and leather masks?”
Silas gave him a droll look and crossed his arms.
“No,” Beth said. “I think she’s got that humiliation fetish. She wants to be smacked and choked and called a dirty whore.”
The three of them laughed together while Silas sat stone-faced, and Holly and I were as still and quiet as statues. I felt awful for him, and yet fascinated. I’d often wondered about Silas in the bedroom, but this was wrong. Silas stared down at the table. He looked tense and ready to bolt.
“Leave him alone, guys,” I said, trying to sound light. When our eyes met, I felt a rush of gratefulness from him.
“We’re all friends here,” Bryant said. “We’re just fucking with him. It’s funny to get insight into Mr. Private.”
“I take it you’re not into the slapping and name-calling?” Beth asked.
I didn’t expect Silas to respond, but he gave a tight, “No.”
“Oh, come on,” Beth