“We’ve decided you are a liability and therefore have removed you from the firm. Our lawyers have informed us that it’s in our best interest to do so, as well as our clients’ and the other members of the firm who haven’t acted as you. They needn’t pay for your sins.”
“I understand. I made a mistake, and I’m ready to pay the price.”
He peered over his steel-rimmed glasses. “Are you now? Do you think this is like when you were ten years old and broke something and tried to lie about it? Or your drunken behavior when you went out at night? We’ve learned to look the other way because you managed to perform at the firm. Barely. But now your behavior has negatively impacted the firm to the point where we’re facing a multimillion-dollar lawsuit. And that I won’t tolerate.”
“I’m sure it can be settled out of court.” I attempted a reassuring smile. “The firm has insurance to cover it, after all.”
“You stupid fool.” I stiffened at the dark anger in his voice. “We could overlook a lot—your rants and your strolling in whenever you wanted to, because you always managed to keep it together and buckle down when you needed to go to court and represent the client. But what you did with that associate? Kissing him, then threatening his job? What the fuck were you thinking? Kissing a man?” His eyes darted everywhere but at me. “Since when are you into that? You’ve always gone with women.”
I swallowed hard. “I apologize. It was a stupid mistake, and I regret it every day.”
“Regret that it happened, or regret that you got caught? Either way, you’re now a liability we can no longer afford. As of today, you’re gone.”
Stunned, I dug my nails into the armrest of the chair, afraid I might fall over. “What? You’re firing me?”
He stared at me steadily. “Yes.”
“But I’m your son. I’m—”
“A joke.” He sneered at me. “A drunk, foolish queer.” He took his glasses off and tossed them on the desk. “You’re my legacy? I don’t think so. I’d rather have no child at all than one I’m ashamed to look at. It’s a pity I can’t force you to change your name, but I can be damn sure you don’t benefit from it.”
“That’s the only thing that matters to you, isn’t it? Money.” But I already knew the answer.
“You’ve cost us a fortune in missed court appointments and fucked-up client accounts because of your shoddy work. Now you could cost us millions in settlements. Do you know how many people have come forward to file complaints about you?”
My stomach bottomed out. “I’m sorry.”
He laughed in my face. “Sorry.That’s priceless. Now get out before I call security. We’re done. You’re done. And that apartment is no longer yours. Find another place.”
My vision blurred, and I almost threw up. “What’re you talking about? That’s where I live.”
“Not anymore. And I hope you saved your money, because the gravy train from us ends today as well.”
“You didn’t have any savings?”
I wiped my cheeks with the heel of my hand, surprised to find them wet. Cort held out his hand and I went to sit by his side.
“Very little. Whenever we’d go out, I was always the one throwing the money around on bottle service, women, drugs…whatever we wanted. It wasn’t unusual to spend a few thousand dollars a night at a club. And we went out four or five times a week.”
Cort let out a low whistle. “Yeah, I know, butdamn.”
“I didn’t think about the future. I didn’t have to because it was always there. My safety net. It allowed me the freedom to do what I wanted. Keeping myself medicated with enough alcohol and occasional drugs to sail through life numb.” I laid my head on his shoulder, and he rubbed my back in small circles. “Neither one of us won the prize in the parent lottery, did we?”
“Nope.” He kissed the top of my head. “But we already knew that.”
“I don’t miss them, not at all. Know why?”
“Why, baby?”
I liked when he called me that. I’d never been anyone’s baby or sweetheart. Or love. No one ever really wanted me for who I was because I didn’t know that person. I was ghost Harlan drifting through life, my reality invisible yet hungry to eat me up alive.
“You can’t miss something you never had. Yeah, I was the poster child for the poor little rich boy. And I took every advantage I could squeeze out of it to be a miserable human.”
“But it’s different now, right? You’re different.”
I drew circles on his chest, and I liked the way his muscles flexed and quivered under my touch. “I’d like to think so. But if I’m being honest, I don’t know.”
He drew back to stare at me, his brow puckered in confusion. “How can you say that? You’ve gone through rehab and haven’t had a drink in over a month.” He cocked his head. “You haven’t? That’s not what this is about, right?”
