“No, that’s not what happened.” He shakes his head and goes back to cooking.
“Yes, yes, it is. And then you came inside and announced to me that she was hot and was giving you a boner. That made me feel weird. I didn’t like it.”
“That’s totally not what happened. I just went outside, and we had a conversation. That’s all.” I feel dismissed, and breakfast is ready.
I’m distracted by his fascinating meal of eggs benedict with a curdled hollandaise creation that’s strangely delicious.
A little later, I’m at my computer when my phone buzzes. It’s the property management company calling, and my stomach lurches. I have a feeling I know what’s coming, and I reluctantly answer.
“This is Trinity, the property manager for this building,” the woman on the other end says, her tone sharp. “We’ve received some complaints about things happening in your apartment.” My stomach sinks further.
“Oh really? Like what?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady as my heart thumps in my chest.
“Well, it was reported that someone was howling at the moon like a wolf from your balcony at about three in the morning.”
I blink, confused. “I’m sorry, but I was here all night, and I didn’t hear anyone doing that.” It’s true, but as the words come out of my mouth, I can’t help but think it sounds like something Timmy would do, given his obsession with wolves and other creatures. It’s possible he did it once I’d fallen asleep, but I would have thought a loud wolf howl would have woken me up.
And despite me seeing his interaction with my neighbor, I feel defensive of Timmy. I’m sick of being picked on at this place. I feellike the concierges are used as some weird 24/7 babysitters to make sure adults make no noise at all across the building.
“Well, that’s not all,” she adds, her voice stiff with disapproval. “Your, uh… male guest… conducted himself in a lewd manner toward one of your neighbors, who is one of our employees.” She sounds pissed and defensive right back at me.
My stomach lurches, my heart racing faster. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry,” I stammer, mortified. “I’ll make sure that never happens again.”
I think of all the employees I’ve protected in my previous HR roles, and how it feels to have to deal with a situation like this. And now a guest in my apartment—my fiancé—is who the complaint is about. How ironic and awful.
I hang up the phone, my cheeks flaming, and I look at Timmy, whose relaxed demeanor shifts the moment he sees my face.
“Who was that?” He looks concerned. “What did they say? You look upset.”
“The property manager,” I say, folding my arms. “They said you stood on the balcony and howled at the moon like a wolf at three in the morning.”
“What?” he scoffs. “No I didn’t! That’s so stupid. Man, they’re really coming after us.”
“Well, I told them you didn’t, because I don’t remember hearing you do that.”
He nods, seemingly satisfied that I came to his defense. “Good. It must have been someone else.”
I frown. “They also said you behaved in a lewd way.”
Timmy’s expression darkens instantly. “What? That’s bullshit! I didn’t do anything like that. I did not act in alewd way!”
“Well, you did go out there naked and tell her you were.” I gesture in the direction of the apartment next door.
“No I didn’t!” He shakes his head, adamant.
“Well, youwerenaked out on the balcony,” I remind him carefully. “And you did say you were naked—loudly. I mentioned it right before breakfast, remember?”
“That’s not what happened!” he snaps. His face suddenly contorts with rage, his voice rising. “Don’t twist things around. I said hello, and told her to have a nice night. That’s it.”
I furrow my brow. “Yeah… you did…” I say. “And then you loudly said looking at her gave you a boner. We had a little argument about it.”
“That’s not what happened!” he says. “No! No! No! Don’t rewrite history.” He shakes his head with vigor, his mouth twisted in a scowl. “That’snotwhat happened. There’s no way she could have seen my penis, and I didn’t talk about it at all. I just said hello and I hope she’s having a nice night.”
I shake my head, the memory clear in my mind. I don’t know why he’s so adamantly denying the truth. “No, Timmy. I was right there. You said you were naked. And you said… you said she gave you a boner. I remember, because your comment upset me, and we had an argument about it.”
His eyes blaze with fury, his breath quickening. “No! No, I didn’t! Stop saying that!” His voice turns sharp. “You’re remembering it wrong.”
I flinch away, my body curling inside itself, the intensity of his anger hitting me like a wave.