Envy(107)

Roark grabbed him by the shoulders and brought him around. “Why would I deliberately mislead you about Hadley’s critiques?”

Todd flung his hands up and threw Roark’s off. “To get the jump on me. You can’t stand the idea of me getting—of my getting—published before you.”

“Oh, like you’d be thrilled if I sold a manuscript ahead of you.”

“I’d rather have my guts ripped out up through my throat.”

For several moments the narrow distance between them was volatile, teeming with molecules of hostility ready to spark. Todd made his hands into fists in anticipation of an attack.

To his surprise, Roark started to laugh. “You’d rather have your guts ripped out up through your throat?”

Todd tried not to smile, but he lost the battle and soon he was laughing, too. “In the heat of the moment, not to mention my inebriation, that’s all I could think of to say.”

“I don’t recommend it for your book.”

“Point taken.”

They stared at the oceanscape for several minutes, then Roark said, “I’m done for the night. Think we can make it to the car?”

Todd took satisfaction in Roark’s being the first to cave. “Fuck, man, I don’t know. I’m wasted.”

Roark threw his arm across Todd’s shoulders and helped him to his feet. They made it to the parking lot, although it took a while because they stumbled often and stopped frequently. Their drunken efforts made them weak-kneed with hilarity. Neither was in any condition to drive, but Roark got behind the wheel because he was slightly less drunk than Todd.

It was past noon the following day, as they medicated their hangovers with burgers and fries, that Todd resumed the conversation. “You know, a little rivalry could be good for us.”

Roark groaned. “Don’t start that again. I don’t consider you a rival, Todd.”

“Bullshit. Of course you do.”

“How could rivalry possibly be good for us?”

“It makes us work harder. Admit it, when you see me writing, there’s no way you can shirk off. If I’m at my keyboard, you can’t sit down and watch a ball game on TV. I’m the same. If you’re writing, I feel guilty if I’m not writing, too. If you put in seven hours a day, I’ve got to put in at least that much. That competitive edge is what drives us.”

“I’m driven by nothing except a desire to write good fiction.”

Todd waved his hands in the air. “Saint Roark. Glory and hallelujah.”

“You’re pissing me off.”

“Okay, okay, I’ll drop it.” He took a bite of his cheeseburger. “Anyway, the point’s moot. I’ll be offered megabucks for The Vanquished before you even complete your book. Then we’ll see who’s green with envy.”

“That is not going to happen.”

Todd laughed. “Oh, man, I wish you could see the malicious glint in your eye. You just won my argument for me.”





Chapter 24


“Is there any coffee?”

“Isn’t there always?”

Parker shot Mike a dark glance as he rolled his chair across the kitchen and poured himself a fresh mug from the coffeemaker. “Usually you come and ask if I’d like a refill, check and see if I need anything.”

“I didn’t want to take a chance on having my head bit off. You made it plain at breakfast that Maris and I should make ourselves scarce today, and that’s what we’re doing.”

“I’m working on a difficult passage. I didn’t want any distractions or interruptions.”

He was on his way back through the connecting door when he heard Mike mutter, “You could’ve asked us nicely.”

Parker stopped and reversed direction. “Did you say something?”

Mike threw down the dish towel he’d been using and did an about face. “I said her blouse was buttoned wrong last night when you finally saw fit to bring her in out of the rain and let me know where you were.”

“Wow! You covered several transgressions in one sentence, Mike. Shall we break it down and discuss it iniquity by iniquity? Or should I just acknowledge that you’re riled in general and get back to my work?”

“I came home after a day on the mainland to find the house wide open, lights on, nobody home. I thought you’d been abducted.”

“Did it occur to you that I could have been taken up in the Rapture and that you’d been left behind? Bet that really would’ve pissed you off.”

“You and the Rapture are irreconcilable themes. I would never pair you with a thought about it. And I soon ruled out the possibility of kidnapping. Who’d be crazy enough to want you?”

“Man! You are ticked.”

“I have a right to be. I wouldn’t have even known Maris had come back if I hadn’t noticed two sets of dishes in the sink and went out to check the guest house.”

“You’re a regular Sherlock Holmes.”

“You could have left a note telling me you were going down to the beach.”

“I could have. But I was afraid your maternal instincts would kick in and you’d follow us down there to make sure we kiddies were all right.”

“And not up to any mischief.”