“Pressure? I’m not under pressure. I’m just trying to get through each day in the best way I can.”
“And you think over-doing it is the best way?” he snaps, which isn’t like him at all.
“Are you all right, Chris?”
“Not really. To be blunt, you’re making mistakes and you’ve been a bit cranky with the staff.”
I take a breath and let his words absorb in my brain for a few moments. I suppose I am tired and I have over-ordered on material once or twice, but I hope to God I haven’t upset anyone. “I’m doing my best here, Chris, and I’m sorry if you feel I’ve let you down, but Scott built this business from scratch. A business that you bought into, so now more than ever, it’s important we make it as successful as possible. Do you want to lose your livelihood completely?”
He braces himself against the desk. “No, I don’t, which is why I think it might be better if you took some time out for yourself.”
It takes a second to digest what he just said. “You don’t want me around?”
A sigh leaves his mouth and he calmly starts again. “It’s not that. I’m worried about your mental health. All this stress and worry can’t be good for you, and what baffles me the most is how the business is doing better than ever, but it still isn’t enough for you. I’m sorry, Angie, but I think you need some time to take stock of what is important in your life.”
“Okay, then.” I look around the office and spot a brown box by the copier. I storm towards it, huffing and puffing, then bring it back to throw in the contents from my desk. My blood is boiling. How dare he do this to me? I work my arse off for this place. I’ve built it up and doubled our business in recent years, and this is the thanks I get. Well, he can shove it.
“Look, Angie, I’m not asking you to leave completely. Just take a break.”
I stop what I’m doing and glare in his direction. “Actually, I’ll collect my stuff another time. I’ve got to get out of here.” Picking up my bag, I push past him. “I need some air.”
I leave the office, gasping for breath. Almost stumbling down the path, a sob escapes my mouth. At the back of the building two women stare and point at me. Am I making a scene?
As I get to my car, I scramble in my bag for the keys, but everything falls to the pavement. I don’t move at first. Instead, I stare at the loose tampons, receipts, an old packet of chewing gum, and loads of other crap that means nothing. It’s not until I crouch down to retrieve it all, that the keys fall out of my pocket. They were there all along.
A gentle deep voice says, “Let me help you.”
My heart skips a beat, and my stomach flutters. I look up and straight into his familiar hazel eyes as if he’s here to save me.Tommy. Thank God.He gathers the contents of my bag while I watch in a daze, then he holds out his hand with a half-smile across his lips. I accept his help as tears spill from my eyes and I choke out a sob that’s so loud it burns the back of my throat.
“It’s okay, Angie. Steady breaths.” Finally, he takes me in his arms. It feels good to have his support and to feel him close. It’s strange, but just the slight smell of his beard oil sparks a reassurance I haven’t felt in a while. Then realisation hits me like a bullet. I’ve missed him.
Tommy glances over his shoulder. “Who are those women?”
I follow his line of sight and spot the women that were staring at me earlier. Now they’re excitedly tapping on theirphones. It all falls into place. They’re here for him. “I don’t know, but I’m guessing they know who you are.” I sniff.
His chest expands against my cheek. He’s here to protect me. At least, that’s how it feels. “Hmm. We should get out of here,” he says, looking around.
Then I notice the women have increased in numbers and more arrive from the surrounding offices. “I think someone might have told them there’s a rock star in town. How long have you been waiting out here?” I pull back, and with blurred vision, I look up at him.
“A little while. I didn’t know if I should disturb you at work or not.”
“Oh my God, it is him. It’s Tommy Graham,” a voice cries out. His gathering fan club tentatively moves forward, but Tommy isn’t paying them any attention. Instead, he signals to the car behind me. “Don’t worry, babe. We can be out of here in no time.”
A black Audi SUV appears beside us. “I’ll get someone to collect your car later, okay?”
I don’t have time to answer because Tommy bundles me into the back of the car. By the time we’ve slammed the door, at least eight women are screaming and calling his name while banging on the windows.
We’re sped away while he cradles me in his arms. I haven’t stopped crying since he found me, and despite being safe in his hold, the tears come thick and fast.
“Hey, you’re safe now, Angie. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
I huff out a teary sob and the driver hands over a box of tissues. “Thanks, man.” Tommy takes them, passing one to me. “Here, dry your eyes.”
“Thank you.” I choke on my words.
“What’s going on, Angie? Why are you so upset?”
He probably wishes he hadn’t asked as every detail of my crappy day comes spilling from my mouth. “Have you ever felt like a complete failure?” He doesn’t answer, he just listens. “Of course you haven’t. You’re so in control. You have everything together, but me? I’m in the process of buggering up my only source of income, I’ve let my beautiful little boy down, and I just can’t get anything right at the moment.”
