Chapter 18
He had no idea what he was going to do about his job. He’d left the office early and not returned, which he never did. If he considered his father his boss, it wouldn’t matter. If he considered Tony his boss, it absolutely would matter. A lot. He figured the problem had something to do with the fact that he didn’t act like the owner’s son. He wanted to impress them, to come in and do the job like anyone coming in at entry level.
And look how they fucked him over.
So on Thursday morning, he strode in at five minutes until eight and sat behind the desk with a fancy coffee and a danish. He left his door open and took his time flipping on the computer and getting started on work. He silently dared anyone to say anything, especially Tony. He was debating calling his dad and having a nice long chat about the whole situation. In fact, he would do just that after he finished eating his breakfast.
“Healy.”
Ah, the dulcet tones of his superior barking his name. “Yep.”
“Where the hell is my coffee and bagel?”
“I didn’t get them.” Davis shimmied the mouse until he located the cursor on the screen and clicked on a file.
“Why the hell not?” Tony stood with crossed arms and a scowl on his face.
“Because,sir, I am not your personal assistant. Go back to sending Joan to fetch your coffee. I’m done.”
“You’re done? What the fuck does that mean? Get your ass out there and do your job.” Yes, a heavy temper was evident in that tone, that stance.
“Iamdoing my job. I’m kicking ass doing what I was hired to do. I’ve brought in more money than you have since I began in this division, did you know that?” Davis stood, pressing his palms to his desk. “Whose name is on the doors, the letterhead, and every completed file we send out of here?”
Tony clenched his jaw. “Healy International.”
Davis threw his hands in the air. “What a coincidence! That’smyname. I wanted to impress you by working hard, but it appears that all I did was exacerbate your nasty side. Get the hell out of my office and don’t even think about crossing me again, orIwill haveyoufired.”
His mouth opened and closed several times, but no sound came out. Davis waited. Finally, Tony stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
“Yeah, that felt damn good,” Davis said out loud. He sat and went back to work.
He discovered his days flowed more smoothly once he stood up for himself. Tony gave him a wide berth, only communicating via the interoffice email. Davis no longer stayed so late or arrived at sunrise. He remained productive, bringing in sale after sale and knowing he was finally making a difference.
The bonus was, he had more time to bang Luna every weekend and some nights in between.
Luther Dixon was officially fired, not that he’d shown his face at the school after their altercation. Davis knew Luna worried that there would be police involved, maybe even assault charges filed. The thing she didn’t seem to realize was that Luther was about to do something to hurt her, and Davis had every right to defend her. That, and he could post bail within ten minutes if he was arrested, and nothing would ever come of it. He thought it was sweet she worried though.
They were closing in on Thanksgiving, and everyone was coming to dinner at his place for a change. He wasn’t cooking—hardly knew how—but the six of them were going to potluck it. He looked forward to it that year because he finally had everything he’d ever wanted. He had plenty for which to be thankful. He spent the time after work picking up food and more dishes, finding things he thought Luna would appreciate having in the apartment. He was going to ask her to move in, to forget about their relationship being a secret. It wasn’t really a secret, anyway. Their friends knew, the school knew. Basically, everyone except for the general public, who wouldn’t care, and his parents.
It occurred to him in a sort of slow mental clearing that his parents were about the only people that didn’t know they were dating. He suddenly didn’t think that was so much a coincidence as it was intentional.
He tried to put it out of his mind, but it stuck in his craw until it festered. He didn’t enjoy arguments, didn’t want to start one with her. But what was her hangup with his parents? Would she continue making excuses for the rest of their lives? Why she couldn’t go home with him, or meet them for dinner, or whatever? He’d have to say something, even if he didn’t relish the idea of fighting with her. He needed to know what the problem was.
Of course, five other people showing up at his house hindered that idea. He wouldn’t do that to her or them. He pushed it to the back of his mind while he set the table. He’d had his maid service come in the day before since he wasn’t a masochist, but he wanted to add a few touches to the dining room. He had a crap ton of bread in the oven, as well as a store bought pie on the counter. He was looking forward to Alex bringing her Italian favorites, and Reagan had made a few sides. Luna insisted on making a ham, since no one cared if there was turkey, and she would be there soon.
He had a few more minutes to himself before the doorman buzzed him from downstairs. It wasn’t Luna, but Grant and Alex. He had them ushered upstairs and went to open the door and wait for them.
“Hi, you two,” he said as they stepped off the elevator.
Since Grant had his hands full of whatever food Alex brought, Davis took advantage. He pulled Alex in for a tight hug and kissed her square on the mouth.
“Get your hands off my woman, Healy.”
Davis chuckled as he let her go, and she laughed in return. “What are you going to do about it?”
“Set these dishes down and toss you off the balcony.”
Davis took one off the top and tucked it next to the stove. “That’s not any way to treat a friend.”
