HuskyFan1988:You helped me, so let me give you some advice. Us guys spend most of our lives convinced women are goddesses and we’re not worthy. A woman who swears, breaks coffee mugs, and can laugh off an embarrassing stain? You can probably do no wrong in his book. Be honest. Tell him you screwed up and give him anotherchance.
Score two for me. Unfortunately, I failed at the honesty part.Miserably.
Without the promise of West as my companion in the alien-laden game land, the evening drags on. This morning’s cowardice leaves a bad taste in my mouth—or perhaps that’s the rubbery noodles and pasty cheese from my over-nuked lasagna. My eyes burn the longer I work, and a little after ten, I yield to the growing heaviness of my lids and trudge to thebedroom.
After some yoga stretching to alleviate the tightness in my hip, I curl under the blankets with a book—an old science fiction paperback with weathered pages and a cracked spine that’s seen better days. Two chapters in, my buzzing phone pulls me from the vortex of deepspace.
You weren’t online tonight. Talk to me, Cam. It was just coffee. Not a marriageproposal.
I can’t. Not now. Not when the memory of his hands on me is still so vivid. My attempts to return to my book fail miserably as his words echo.“Fuck, Cam. I’vegotyou.”
No one “gets me.” I can “get myself,” thank youverymuch.
4
Cam
Sunday morning dawnsclear and warm, and the outdoor deck at Ray’s buzzes with conversation. I drop into a chair across from Lucas. We have a standing brunch date once a month—open to the whole company, though Lucas and I are the onlyconstants.
The clatter of silverware overshadows the conversations around us as it seems half of Seattle decided to dine outside this morning. Lucas slumps in his seat. “I ordered you theusual.”
Maybe a bloody mary will smooth away the regrets that haunted me all night. Otherwise, this is going to be a long brunch. “Luc, I’ve got a…” My jaw drops. “Holyshit.”
Royce weaves between the tables, a dour expression etched onhisface.
“Haven’t seen you at one of these in a while, Rol—Royce.”
“I’m tired of the two of you riding my ass on Monday mornings. This should earn me at least a year’s peace.” Royce opens his menu with a snap. “You give me shit, and I’m outofhere.”
Lucas and I exchange glances, and I shrug. For two weeks, I’ve waited for Royce to get over his latest dark mood, but Mr. Prickly appears to be here to stay. “Fairenough.”
Royce doesn’t look up from his menu, and the thick paper crumples in his grip as the server arrives to take hisorder.
Well, this is awkward.Lucas and I stare at one another, and we both shrug at thesametime.
Royce doesn’t seem to notice the tension as he pulls out his phone. Whatever’s on the screen is a hell of a lot more interesting than anything at the table, and I clench my jaw so hard my teeth hurt. Only the drink delivery saves me from cracking amolar.
“Hooah.” We toast, and I almost choke from the spice. “All right. Hand over my ‘no heat’mary,Luc.”
Lucas shudders and passes me his glass. “How do you drink them like this? That’s straight tomatojuice.”
“Wimp, remember?” I point to myself and smile, then glance at Royce. He’s staring out over the glittering waters of Elliot Bay, his phone still in his hand, oblivious to our exchange. “Earth to Royce. Come in, Lieutenant.” He barely acknowledges me, and I snap. “Dammit, Royce. What the hell is up with you?” A little old lady with snow-white hair shushes me from the next table, and I lower my voice. “Everyone in the office has noticed. You’re coming in late, leaving early, and you never say more than two or three words to anyone unless you’re riding their asses for something. Take that stick out of your ass and talktome.”
Lucas sucks down his bloody mary and motions for another. I’m tempted to do the same, but I’m worried. Despite Royce’s determination to keep me at arm’s length since I got blown up, serving together forged a bond that can’t be broken. I’ve let him push me away for too long, and every time, he tears another chunk from my armor.Nomore.
“You’re on thin ice, Cam.” Royce twists his napkin, and the edge to his voice should warn me away, but after my awful weekend, I’m in the mood for afight.
“You built a damn fine company. One we’re all proud to be a part of. But if you’re not careful, you’re going to lose everything. Orion said you laid into him on Tuesday because he didn’t refill the coffee pot. And Abbie caught you kicking the vending machine. You know that shit triggers her. I love you, Royce. But you’ve been an asshole for twoweeks.”
Royce stares down at his hands, the napkin shredded on the table in front of him. For a moment, I think I see his fingers tremble. “Iknow.”
“Are you going to talk to me?” I lean closer, reaching forhishand.
He yanks his arm away. Digging in his pocket, he pulls out his wallet. The twenty floats onto the table as he stands and glowers downatme.
“I got us a contract with ZoomWare.” As I gasp, he gives me a curt nod. “Exactly. I’m making you lead. But they won’t sign until the Coana job’s done and Phillip LaCosta is happy. You want to know why I’m pissed off? Stressed out all the time? Because if we fuck up Coana, this company’s through. You have no idea how hard it is to have everyone’s future in my hands. I don’t come to these meetups because I spend all my time trying to keep the firm afloat. Give me a break and do your damn job.” And with that, he turns on his heel and strides away, nearly bowling over the server withourfood.
Lucas takes a long pull on his second drink, and I join him. “I knew he had a client meeting on Thursday, butZoomWare?”
