Author's Note:
This is a stand-alone story that is part of a larger series about the titular character, Nellie. Each story that follows can be read on its own or together, in any particular order, though they will be posted in chronological order. The stories may fall under different categories, but all will tell tales of Nellie's various adventures.
In this adventure, Nellie has a weekend visitor, but things go sideways when a friend shows up unexpectedly and discovers something Nellie would much rather keep secret. This story follows the events of Nellie & The Dragon Tattoo.
**
"You can't be serious. He was
married
the whole time?"
Sydney sighed and downed the rest of her drink. "Apparently. It would explain why Shaun and Darryl never called you again or anything. They'd eventually have let it slip that Greg was a complete dirtbag."
My jaw twitched as I struggled to contain my anger at the three men we'd met months earlier. I'd slept with both Shaun and Darryl while Sydney took Greg home. He'd spent the night and then called the next day, and they'd been casually seeing each other for several months. When she asked me to go for a drink with her that night, I'd had no idea it was because she'd found out not only was he cheating, but that
she
was the other woman.
"What a fucking asshole," I grumbled.
"I know."
"We should tell his wife."
"Already on it."
I raised my eyebrows and Sydney looked up, grinning mischievously at me.
"He thought he was smart by giving me a fake name, butβ"
"Wait, what?! His name wasn't Greg?"
"No, it was Greg, but his last name was Murphy, not Barry. So when I saw the picture of him with his wife, he was all smug thinking he could just ghost me. Like, he really thought I was a complete moron." Sydney took a sip from her empty glass, forgetting she'd already finished it, and waved at the bartender to bring her another.
A slow grin was spreading across my face. "And then...?"
"Well, I'd like to say I did some tedious searching through social media and newspaper articles and what have you, but all I did was google Shaun and Darryl. Once I found them on Facebook, I checked their friends lists and voila. Greg Murphy. His wife's name is Marla and they have two kids."
I cringed. "Yuck. A complete fucking asshole."
Sydney nodded. "I feel kind of bad."
"Why would you?" The bartender put another drink in front of her and she paid before I continued. "You didn't know he was married. He's the one who was a complete dirtbag. It's not like you actively tried to seduce him or something."
She nodded but didn't seem convinced. "Well, anyway, I found his Facebook and then tracked down which detachment he works out of, plus the real estate company his wife works at, plus the school both his kids go to."
"So what's next?"
She shrugged. "I haven't decided yet. I could just call her and tell her, I guess. I mean, I have enough selfies with him to prove I'm not lying about it."
"That's so unsatisfying though."
"I know." She sighed. "But I also can't get too creative. He's a detective, don't forget. And obviously has people like Shaun and Darryl on his side."
"Hmm." I swirled my beer, staring at it as I thought. "It's too bad he knows that you know. You could have set up an elaborate event where his wife walked in."
"Right? I reacted too quickly. Although she might have killed me, who knows. Anyway, I need to decide soon. He's got a new job so they're moving soon."
"Where's he moving to?"
"Montreal."
"Syd." I put my beer down on the top of the bar, staring at her.
She looked at me blankly. "What?"
I rolled my eyes. "You've
been
there with me. Where does my dad live?"
She started smiling as the realization dawned on her.
"Where do I know at least one lawyer, albeit a corporate lawyer, but one who might have connections?"
"You think J.P. would help?"
I laughed. "Vengeance on a dirtbag cheater? This is right up his alley. He'd be ecstatic. I mean, shit, all we'd have to do is like... arrange a day to be in Montreal, run into Greg with his family somewhere, cause a huge scene andβ"
"βand wouldn't your dad lose his mind if you ended up causing a huge scene?"
I fell silent, twisting my beer bottle again. "Good point."
Sydney grimaced. "Sorry."
"Okay, okay. Second idea. We get J.P. to seduce Marla Murphy."
Sydney burst out laughing. "I don't think she's his type."
"I'll just promise him anal again. I'm sure he would help us."
"I think it would be more likely for you to seduce Greg."
I shook my head. "Not a chance. One, I have standards."
"You do not."
"I have
some