I can hear Aiden getting out of his seat, and I’m already scrubbing my hand over my face. No job is worth this, I was already dreading coming into the office, and dealing with Zach is the last thing I want to do.
“Zach, that’s enough. If you have a problem with our relationship you can bring it up with me,” Aiden says. His tone is calm, but I can sense his anger bubbling up under the surface.
Zach spins on his heel to look at Aiden. “What a great way to treat your best friend by fucking his bastard daughter.”
That’s it.
Fuck the high road and fuck this douchebag I somehow share DNA with. I’ve never gotten physical with someone, but I shove him, which shocks him, his eyes widening as he looks at me.
“I get it, you’re mad at your dad, at the world. But you’re not going to talk to him like that, and I’m not going to let you talk about me anymore either.”
He rolls his eyes, and I glance at Aiden who looks like he’s barely holding on.
“I’m mad that you’re here. I want the office to go back to normal, back to when you didn’t exist,” Zach says.
Aiden takes a step behind me, and I can feel his body heat and I know that I need to settle this.
“Fine, then I quit.”
“What?” Aiden says behind me. I know I told him I needed time to figure this out, but dealing with Zach and some of the other people in this office isn’t fucking worth it. I know Aiden has my back, and I’ll just have to get over my fears and my pride. I know I won’t be out on my ass. I’ll figure it out.
“Great, and you can transfer your shares,” Zach says with a condescending look on his face.
“You mean when I sell my shares to Aiden, making him the majority shareholder. Fantastic idea.” Zach glares at me, and I feel Aiden’s hand on my hip.
“You… you can’t do that.”
“You have no one but yourself to blame, Zach. You’ve been nothing but a dick to me since the moment I got here. You talk about how Collin would feel about Aiden dating me, but just think of how disgusted he would be with how you’ve treated me. If anyone doesn’t deserve a handout, it’s your spiteful ass.”
“This company is supposed to be mine. The fucking company is called Kemper’s for Christ’s sake.”
“Zach, you should go home before you make things worse for yourself,” Aiden says, trying to be pragmatic and far kinder than he should be.
“The company was supposed to be mine,” Zach says petulantly.
“If it weren’t for me, there would be no Kemper’s Sport Supply, so if you still want a job, and for me not to make your life a living Hell, please get the fuck out,” Aiden says. I look around the office, and everyone tries to duck their head, like they aren’t snooping. I don’t blame them, obviously the drama is interesting, I just wish I wasn’t at the center of it.
Zach looks at me and takes a deep breath. “Will you reconsider selling your shares?”
Aiden gives me a light squeeze, I guess telling me not to poke the bear. I roll my eyes and sigh. “I’ll consider it.” When truly I won’t. I will only sell in a way that makes sure Aiden is still the majority shareholder because he deserves it and Zach made an enemy of the wrong girl. I’m so tired of being walked over by people who are supposed to be my family. I’m not letting it stand any longer.
Zach and Aiden share a look, and my half-brother leaves the building. Everyone sits down at their desk, and Aiden directs me into his office.
“You don’t have to quit,” he says.
“It felt good to, and being around him isn’t worth it.”
“You also don’t have to sell your shares,” he says, sitting at his desk, and I stand in front of him.
“It’s kind of perfect though. This way I have the money to start up my own company and keep the cottage.”
He scrubs his chin. “Are you sure about this, Jessa? I think you should think about it a little more.”
“Which part?”
“Your shares. I don’t think you realize what you’re giving up there. Will you please let me have my lawyer go over your options with you. If it’s about the cottage, you could rent it out or just let me give you the startup money you need.”
“I’ll think about it, and I’ll talk to your lawyer.”
