He Thinks He's the Other Man
You dont get it, she whispered to me, It makes me look good! Generous!
Sure enough, the woman browsing beside us immediately started gushing over Mom. The two of them struck up a happy conversation, cooing over trays of necklaces.
I was speechless. And then I turned my head and saw him. My ex-boyfriend, as of three days ago.
It turned out the woman currently singing my mothers praises was his mom.
Sweetheart, come over here! she called out. This lovely woman is picking out a necklace for her daughter-in-law. Its got me thinking, I should start picking things out for your future wife, too.
My exLiamraised an eyebrow, his gaze flickering to me. Maam, he said, his voice dangerously smooth. If you dont mind my asking, when did your son get married?
My mother, without missing a beat, beamed. Last year.
A dry, humorless laugh escaped Liams lips. He pulled out his phone, his thumbs flying across the screen. A second later, my phone buzzed.
[Liam]: So I was the other man for a year.
1
The breakup was fresh, so to console me, Moms brilliant idea was a gold necklace.
Twenty grams, max, shed warned in the car. You even look at something bigger and Ill smack you.
Wouldnt dream of it, Mom, Id said dutifully.
With the price of gold skyrocketing, who was I to complain about weight limits?
The second we got to the counter at Nordstrom, my mom leaned in conspiratorially to the sales associate. Im looking for a necklace for my daughter-in-law. Could you show us some of your popular styles?
My face went blank. Mom nudged me, whispering from the side of her mouth.
Trust me. It makes me sound like Mother-in-Law of the Year.
And damn it, she was right. The woman who had been quietly looking at a pair of earrings immediately lit up.
Oh, that is just so thoughtful of you! And my goodness, what a beautiful daughter-in-law. I can see why you adore her.
I managed a polite, tight-lipped smile. My mother soaked up the compliment, turning to her new best friend.
Are you shopping for one of your kids today, too?
The woman sighed dramatically. Im not as lucky as you. My blockhead son is twenty-eight, been working for years, and still hasnt brought a single girl home for me to meet. She gestured vaguely at the jewelry case. Im just getting a head start. Building up a collection for my future daughter-in-law. Then her face brightened. Oh, honey! Over here!
My mom and I both followed her gaze. Standing in the entrance was a handsome man, easily six-foot-one, with a jawline that could cut glass.
I snapped my eyes away first.
Because I knew that handsome man.
His name was Liam.
My ex-boyfriend. The one who had dumped meor whom I had dumped, it was mutual and confusingseventy-two hours ago.
My mother, blissfully unaware, was already critiquing him. Oh, thats your son? Hes very handsome! So well put-together.
The woman waved a dismissive hand. What good is handsome if he cant bring home a girlfriend? Liam, get over here! This lady is buying a necklace for her daughter-in-law. I told you, Im going to start buying things for your future wife. Youd better get a move on, or all this will be for nothing!
The moment Liam walked into the department, I felt a prickling on the back of my neck. He moved with a lawyers deliberate pace, his eyes locking on me before shifting to my mother.
Maam, hello, he said, his voice a low rumble. Forgive me for asking, but when exactly did your son get married?
My mother, a professional in the art of the casual lie, answered instantly. Last year.
Which, to be fair, was true. My brother, Evan, did get married last year.
I thought I heard Liam scoff under his breath. He pulled out his phone and started typing. My own phone vibrated in my purse. It was the message from him.
[Liam]: So I was the other man for a year.
2
I met Liam at a university alumni mixer. He was three years ahead of me, a law school graduate from the same program as my brother. He was so ridiculously good-looking that my usual social anxiety went out the window.
Hi, Id said, walking right up to him. Are you in the market for a girlfriend? Because Im available.
Liams response was characteristically brief. Okay.
And just like that, I had a handsome boyfriend.
We both lived in the same city but on opposite sides of town, so with our work schedules, we were lucky if we saw each other more than once a week. Most of our relationship lived online. It felt like a long-distance relationship with a shared zip code.
And online Liam was cold. Glacial, even.
[Me]: Babe! Got off work early. Movie night?
[Liam]: Okay.
[Me]: Pick me up?
[Liam]: Sure.
That was him. He could use one word where none were necessary. He could use a period where an emoji would have been friendly. Half the time, I felt like I was dating a highly intelligent chatbot.
But for that face, I tolerated it for almost a year.
Waking up on a Saturday morning and seeing him next to me made the whole week of monosyllabic texting feel worth it. And Liam was anything but cold in bed. He knew exactly when to move, when to breathe, when to well.
But even the most handsome face can start to feel like wallpaper if the person behind it never talks to you.
So, I started pushing back.
[Me]: Liam, could you please try to use more than one word when you text me back?
[Liam]: Okay.
I laughed, a sharp, frustrated sound.
Five minutes later, two more words appeared.
[Liam]: Good night.
That was it. I was done. Let someone else date the handsome robot.
I was the one who initiated the breakup.
[Me]: Liam, I think we need to take a break. Just to cool off and think.
[Liam]: Sure.
The exact same response he gave when we started dating. He really was an AI.
I threw my phone onto my bed and went to my moms, ready for a good cry.
Mom, its over! I wailed. I got dumped by a robot!
Which is how, full circle, my mother ended up dragging me to a jewelry store.
I leaned over the counter, re-reading the message from Liam. Wow. Ten whole words, including punctuation. A new record.
So, he could form a sentence.
But hed gotten the wrong idea. Completely. Not that it mattered. He was my ex. Why should I explain a damn thing?
I blocked his number. Decisively.
Across the store, Liam stared at his phone, his brow furrowing. He tapped the screen a few more times. My phone remained silent. His face darkened for a split second. He must have gotten the delivery failure notification. Good.
3
An ex-boyfriend or a gold necklace. The choice was obvious. Ditch the man, take the gold.
I turned my full attention back to the task at hand.
Maam, you have excellent taste, the sales associate chirped. This Stargazer Locket is our bestseller. Its just over twenty-six grams.
It was beautiful. It was also over budget.
I glanced at my mom. She was smiling, a serene, pleasant expression on her face. But I could see the glint of steel in her eyes. A silent threat. Dont you dare.
I meekly put the locket down and picked up a smaller, more delicate butterfly charm.
Oh, that one is so unique! the associate said. It looks dainty, but its solid gold. Twenty-eight grams!
Good lord. I was getting worse at this, not better. I dropped the butterfly as if it were hot and shot my mom a desperate, pleading look.
My mother, a woman with an entire jewelry box full of gold, was a pro. She stepped in, her hands confidently selecting several pieces that were both stylish and, blessedly, within budget.
Liams mom was impressed. You have a wonderful eye. Those pieces are perfect for young women today.
Just as I was about to make my final choice, my phone buzzed again. A text message this time, not an iMessage. Liam had found a loophole.
[Liam]: That mother-in-law of yours is all talk. She wont even buy you a bigger necklace. Whats the point of a marriage like that?
I, a grown woman who had been living on her own for years, was being gifted a beautiful piece of jewelry by my mother, and this guy was questioning it?
[Me]: None of your business!
I hit send and then blocked his number from my phones call and text list, too. He never initiated contact, so Id completely forgotten to delete him after the breakup.
Now my phone would finally be quiet. I chose a simple, elegant chain my mom and I both loved.
As we were leaving, my mom and Liams mom were exchanging numbers, making plans to try a hot yoga class together.
I learned later that after I left, Liam walked back to the counter and, under his mothers baffled gaze, bought both the Stargazer Locket and the butterfly charm I had been looking at.
His mother hesitated. Honey that girl is married.
Doesnt matter, he said.
4
I started running into Liam everywhere. Grabbing my morning coffee at the shop next to my office, there he was. Eating lunch with colleagues at the cafe downstairs, Id see him at a table across the room. One evening, I even saw him on the subway heading home.
If he hadnt gotten off at a different stop, I would have sworn he was following me.
Didnt he own a car? Why was he taking the subway? To reduce his carbon footprint? And his office was on the other side of the city. What was he doing over here all the time?
Whatever. The private life of my ex was a book I had no desire to read.
But I never expected to run into him on a Saturday, at a drone technology expo of all places.
This time, however, he spoke to me.
Audrey, he said, and his voice was startlingly close. Can you help me out? I just put a deposit down on a drone, but my phone died before I could pay the balance. Could you cover it for me? Ill transfer the money to you the second I get home.
He looked genuinely embarrassed, a flush creeping up his neck. Id never seen him look so flustered. It was interesting. I nodded.
Liam let out a breath of relief. Great. Can you unblock me on Venmo, then? Ill send it to you when I get back.
I waved a hand dismissively. Dont worry about it. Consider it payback for that purse you bought me last year.
Liams expression didnt change. The drone is three thousand, eight hundred dollars.
You know what, Ill just unblock you right now.
As I was tapping my card, I thought I saw the corner of his mouth twitch into a smile, but when I looked back, his face was the same stoic mask as always.
After the payment went through, he just followed me, holding the giant box.
The transaction is done. Why are you still here? I asked.
He looked a little helpless. My phone is dead. I cant call an Uber.
Fine. In for a penny, in for a pound. I pulled out my phone to call him a car. But the address he gave me was completely different from his old one. This new place was less than a mile from my apartment.
I shot him a suspicious look. He cleared his throat. I switched firms. My new office is over here, so I moved.
That explained all the recent sightings.
A little while after I got home, my phone pinged. A Venmo notification from Liam for four thousand dollars.
[Liam]: The extra is for the Uber. For your records: this is a voluntary gift.
I thought about it for a whole second.
[Me]: Okay.
I hit accept. Not bad. A weekend trip to an expo and Id made a hundred and fifty-six dollars.
As I was admiring my new balance, another notification popped up. A text message from Liam with a picture attached. The photo showed a handhis hand, with long, artistic fingersarranging a container filled with perfectly cooked shrimp, calamari, and scallops in some kind of marinade.
[Liam]: Dont block me again just yet. I made a batch of my spicy garlic shrimp. Want me to bring some over?
5
Honestly, I was tempted.
Tempted by the shrimp, that is.
Liams spicy garlic shrimp was a work of art. Since the breakup, I hadnt found anything that even came close. When we were dating, he was always so busy, and my stomach can be a little sensitive, so hed only make it for me twice a month at most, just as a treat.
I hadnt had it in over a month. I was really craving it.
By the time my rational brain caught up to my salivary glands, the message was already sent.
[Me]: Sure.
He replied instantly. [Liam]: Be there soon.
I tossed my phone on the couch and started pacing by the door. What was I doing? Letting my ex-boyfriend bring me food? Did this mean I wanted to get back together?
Not really. I just really, really wanted the shrimp.
As I was spiraling, my doorbell rang.
Hes fast. I pulled the door open, but it wasnt Liam. It was my brother, Evan.
Whoa, you opened that quick. Were you expecting me?
I blinked. What are you doing here?
Evan breezed past me. Moms birthday is next month. Its the weekend, so I figured we could go pick out a present for her.
Evan and his wife, Sarah, had a very modern marriage. They spent holidays with their respective families and only appeared as a couple at major family events like birthdays. Id only seen Sarah a handful of times since their wedding a year ago, but she was great, and my parents were surprisingly cool with the whole arrangement. All that mattered was that Evan was happy.
He helped himself to a soda from my fridge. Mom said you went through a breakup. Dont worry about it, sis. Plenty of fish in the sea. Hey, theres a new guy at my firm. Total stud. What was his name oh, right! Liam! I should introduce you two sometime!
What?
Liam had transferred to my brothers law firm?
Evan frowned at my reaction. Audrey, why do you look like youve seen a ghost? You know him?
Nope. Never heard of him, I lied smoothly. Just surprised your firm is hiring.
If Evan found out Liam was the ex-boyfriend Id been crying over, there was no telling what hed do.
Yeah, this guy Liams a real shark. I heard the partners paid a fortune to poach him. Anyway, Im gonna use your bathroom. Get your shoes on, well head out. I have to get home and make dinner for Sarah tonight.
The second Evan closed the bathroom door, the doorbell rang again.
I floated over and opened it. Liam stood there, looking like hed actually put in effort. He was wearing a black button-down that fit him perfectly, and his hair was styled.
I might have stared for a second too long.
He smirked, a real, genuine smirk, and held up the container of spicy garlic shrimp.
I had just taken it from him when Evans voice boomed from behind me. Whos at the door? Its taking forever.
I jumped, slamming the door shut in Liams face.
I spun around to see Evan looking at me curiously.
I held up the shrimp. Uh food delivery!
6
Five minutes later, Evan was happily munching on Liams shrimp.
Wow, where did you order this from? Its amazing! Sarah loves this kind of stuff. I should get her some on my way home.
I forced a smile. Its a little private kitchen. Really hard to get a delivery slot.
He didnt press, just put the leftovers in my fridge. I took the opportunity to pull out my phone.
[Me]: Hey, sorry about that. Todays not a good time. The shrimp is delicious, thank you. Ill buy you dinner sometime to pay you back.
The three dots indicating Liam was typing appeared, stayed for a while, then vanished. No reply came.
Evan grabbed his keys from the bowl by the door. Come on, lets go. Its getting late.
Worried that Liam might still be lurking in the hallway, I shoved my brother aside and pressed my face against the peephole. The elevator lobby was empty. I let out a sigh of relief.
Evan stared at me, bewildered. What is wrong with you?
I coughed, trying to look casual as I slipped on my shoes. Nothing. Just have beef with a neighbor. Didnt want to run into them.
My brother scratched his head, watching me walk out. But this is a one-unit-per-floor building, he mumbled to himself. What neighbor?
We went to the nearest mall. My brother has the aesthetic sense of a rock, so the burden of choosing a gift fell entirely on me. I found two beautiful coats for my mom but couldn't decide between them after comparing the fabric and price over and over.
I turned to ask for Evans opinion, only to find him lounging on a nearby sofa, scrolling through his phone.
Infuriated, I threw my handbag at him. Evan! Could you at least pretend to care?
He just chuckled, handing the bag back to me. Relax, relax. You pick, I pay.
I shot him a glare and deliberately chose the more expensive coat.
He paid without complaint, but I wasn't about to let him cover the whole thing. It was a joint gift.
Text me the total later. Ill send you my half.
He waved me off. Dont be silly. Its my treat.
No, I said firmly. Im paying my share. My mom had just bought me a gold necklace; I could afford half a coat.
He was about to argue when he suddenly looked over my shoulder and broke into a grin.
Liam! Hey, fancy seeing you here! Doing a little shopping?
7
I never thought wed run into him here. My posture stiffened.
Evan, however, was in his element, playing host. Audrey, this is the guy I was telling you about, Liam. Liam, this is Audrey, myhold on, sorry, I have to take this. He walked a few feet away, his phone pressed to his ear.
Which left me and Liam standing in awkward silence.
Finally, he broke it. So you two are family?
Did my brother and I look that much alike? Hed figured it out instantly.
I nodded, then remembered they were colleagues.
Liam, about us could you maybe not mention it to him? I asked quietly. Evan and I were close. If he knew Liam was my ex, it could make things weird for them at work.
I was genuinely trying to be considerate of Liams professional life, but he looked personally offended. He let out a cold little scoff. Please. Im not that juvenile.
With that, he turned and walked straight into the womens clothing store I had just been in.
Juvenile? Was dating me juvenile?
His attitude pissed me off. I grabbed the shopping bag and stormed off.
When Evan finished his call, he saw me marching away. Hey, whered Liam go?
He was in a hurry to check out the new fall collection at Ann Taylor, I snapped.
My tone must have been off, because Evan looked confused. The womens section? But he doesnt have a girlfriend unless is he a cross-dresser?
In my anger, I didnt bother to correct him. I just let him drive me home in silence.
8
I thought that would be the end of my interactions with Liam, but my brother started bringing him up constantly.
[Evan]: Audrey, I think that new guy, Liam, has it out for me. Hes a criminal lawyer, but he keeps finding fault with my divorce cases. Hes being a total dick about it.
At first, I tried to smooth things over. [Me]: Maybe hes just trying to broaden his legal knowledge?
But then, one evening, Evan showed up at my apartment unannounced. He was acting paranoid, like he was being hunted.
Evan, whats wrong with you?
He slammed the door and leaned against it, checking the peephole obsessively before he finally relaxed.
Sis, something is very wrong with Liam.
I crossed my arms. And what would that be?
He dragged me to the sofa. Listen. He was looking at one of my divorce files and started making these snide remarks about how men who treat their wives badly always end up divorced. I thought he was just making conversation, so I told him how happy Sarah and I are. And he just snapped. He started tearing my case apart, pointing out every tiny flaw. My boss overheard and I was stuck at the office until midnight fixing it!
I tried to reason with him. Maybe it was just a coincidence?
Thats what I thought at first! he exclaimed. But then last week, he saw me buying that spicy shrimp for Sarah during my lunch break. I mentioned that my wife loves it, and he gets this weird look on his face and says he knows how to make it, that he could teach me. I thought he was being nice, right? So I followed his recipe. That night, Sarah almost kicked me out of the house! I tasted it laterit was disgusting. How could he even teach someone to cook something that awful?
He was on a roll now. I figured, okay, maybe hes just a bad cook who meant well. But the next day I go into work with these huge dark circles under my eyes, and hes smiling. Smiling! Audrey, this guy never smiles. Hes got the personality of a rock. He was definitely gloating!
9
Ive had Liams spicy garlic shrimp. Its incredible. And Evan isnt a bad cook. Theres no way he could have messed up the recipe that badly.
So why would he deliberately target you? I asked.
Hearing my question, Evans eyes darted around the room. I think I think he has a crush on me!
Impossible! The word flew out of my mouth before I could stop it. I knew for a fact what Liams sexual orientation was. Our year together was not celibate.
Evan shot me an annoyed look. You dont believe me? Didnt you see him shopping in the womens section? It all makes sense now. Every time I mention Sarah, he gets angry. What else could it be? He keeps asking where I live. Why does he care where I live? My cars in the shop today and he insisted on driving me home. The way he was looking at me was so creepy, like he was planning something.
He shuddered. Sarahs out of town this week on a business trip, so I had him drop me off here. He doesnt know where I actually live, see?
He might not know where your house is, Evan, but he sure as hell knows where mine is.
I was pretty sure my brother was completely misinterpreting the situation. But why was Liam targeting him? I thought about it. Could it be because I broke up with him? Was this his way of getting revenge on my family?
I tossed a blanket at my brother, who settled onto my couch, perfectly content.
Back in my bedroom, I pulled out my phone.
[Me]: Have you been targeting Evan because of me?
Liam replied almost instantly. [Liam]: I havent targeted him. Ive merely offered timely reminders.
I still felt that family should be off-limits. We needed to talk.
[Me]: Are you free for dinner tomorrow night?
His reply was simple. [Liam]: Sure.
I put my phone down, ready for sleep, when it buzzed one last time. An anonymous text from an unknown number.
[Text]: Your husband is cheating on you.
First, search for and download the MotoNovel app from Google. Then, open the app and use the code "292057" to read the entire book.
MotoNovel
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