"Well… the thing is, the amount of hours I spent on the last case almost ruined my relationship. Ryan left me the morning I got the promotion before I could even tell him I had gotten it. I'd spent night after night at my desk, determined to win that case and prove myself here. I think I finally got him back, John, and I just can't lose him again, you know?" I sigh, rubbing a hand down my face.
"This case is maybe twice the size of the last one. And from the brief glance I just had, I can already tell the amount of manpower it's going to take. I guess what I'm saying here is that I'll agree to take this case, but I need to hire an assistant and a paralegal, maybe even a few interns down the road for research. I just can't work this alone," I try to keep my tone firm but friendly.
John has always been a reasonable guy. There is no way he won't understand that I need these resources to not only do the job better but for the sake of my mental health and my relationship.
I watch him shift slightly in his chair before he sighs and leans forward bracing his hands on his knees and meeting my gaze.
“I understand more than I wish I did. My wife left me fifteen years ago when I was starting this firm. I was working around the clock, and she was left at home alone more often than not. I watched her deteriorate mentally, and I did nothing to help, always trying to reach the next goal. I won’t see another colleague make the same mistakes that I did. I’ll have the posts advertised in the morning, and you can choose your own team.” Standing, he holds out his hand, and I get up to shake it, trying to swallow past the lump in my throat.
“Thank you John, for understanding, I really appreciate it.” he waves me off and heads to the door.
“Just don't forget my wedding invitation!” He grins then heads out the door back to his own office leaving me reeling as I grip the edges of my desk.
All I need to do now is explain to Ryan that while I may have a new case, I won't be working alone and I won't be making the same stupid mistakes again.
RYAN
“Awesome, Kim, I just sent you the email address for the shelter, and you can contact them, but make sure you tell Mary that Ryan and Drew sent you their way, okay?”
I barely get the chance to say bye to Drew's sister as she hangs up to secure one of Thor and Loki's siblings. So far, I've managed to convince Carter to adopt one, and now Kim. Nyx and Gavin, though, aren't playing ball with me at all, but I won't give up. Not until every one of those puppies is within puppy play date distance to Thor and Loki.
Coming to work this morning and leaving them alone was brutal. Drew promised he was only going into the office to pick up some paperwork and he would be right back to work from home. I already texted him to make sure that he did not get distracted in the office. If he doesn't reply in the next twenty minutes, I might have to just start tattooing from the garage at the house so I can be with them.
This must be how new mothers feel leaving their babies to go back to work.
The bell above the door draws my attention away from looking at the adorable pictures of my babies. Lifting my head I smile,
“Hey Ben, what brings you over this side of town?” I ask Drew’s work colleague as he heads toward me as I lean against the reception desk. We really need to hire somebody to work the desk. I have so much better things I could do than standing here, like looking at pictures of my puppies in private.
"Ryan, I'm glad you're here. I wanted to book in for a consultation. I've been thinking about getting a tattoo, but I would need it to be pretty soon, maybe in the next few days if possible. I'm about to get really busy with work again, although you probably know all about it. Drew seemed pretty excited about it this morning." My brow furrows at him in confusion, and the frown on my face has him continuing.
“Hasn’t Drew told you about the massive case we just landed? Giant pharmaceutical company, twice the work as the last case. He seemed excited, though. We know he lives for that shit. Anyway, do you think you have any free appointments in the next few days?”
I suddenly feel like I'm underwater. I'm watching his mouth move, but his words are becoming more and more muffled. Drew's got a new case, an even bigger case, and he's excited about it. Everything he's been doing recently really has been a bunch of smoke and mirrors bullshit. I should have fucking known better. Realizing Ben is now just standing there looking at me, I shake my head.
"Sorry, man, I'm fully booked out for the month, but let me talk to some of the other guys and have one of them call you if they have an appointment open up, okay?" I'm moving on autopilot as I hand him a note pad, and he writes down his information, then thanks me and leaves with a wave like he has no idea he just imploded my world.
I need to go home.
My puppies are there, alone, because if Drew is excited about this new case so much, he probably already forgot about them, just like he forgot about me.
CHAPTER 19
DREW
As promised, I didn't hang around the office after speaking with John. I took the new case file home and even played with the puppies for a while before setting up my laptop at the dining room table where I can keep the little monsters in my eyeline while they sleep. I sent Ryan a picture of them cuddled up together. It's freaking adorable, but he must be busy because he hasn't responded yet.
I’m about to make another cup of coffee when I hear the door open. I stay in the kitchen to watch as Ryan says hello to the puppies.
He kneels at their pen, and what I hear freezes my blood.
"He forgot about you, didn't he?" His voice is so small and vulnerable, and it's almost like they can read his emotions as they make a sad yelp in response.
"Don't worry, I'll never forget about you. I won't let you be lonely."
I can’t move. I can’t speak. I thought we had made progress. I thought he trusted me when I promised him it would never be like that again. Why would he think that I wouldn’t come home? Didn’t he see my text?
“What are you talking about, Ry?” He spins around, falling on his ass next to our makeshift puppy pen.
