Page 62 of Game Change

“Okay, you’re free to do that. When you’re less angry, I’d like to talk to you about—”

“If you have anything to say to me, you put it in a work email. The only thing we will ever talk about is work, and I’d appreciate it if we could have a paper trail.”

“That’s ridiculous. All of this over a twenty-three-year-old who talks too much? I’ve already talked to him. I gave him a warning.”

“Great. You gave him a slap on the wrist. That will teach him. You, Heath, your uncle, and your warning can go to hell.” She grabs her laptop, puts it in her bag, and walks to the door. She stops when she has her hand on the knob. “I regret the day I ever laid eyes on you.”

“Brynne, can you—”

She opens the door and slams it behind her, leaving me alone in her office and stunned by the turn of events. How the hell did everything go to hell so quickly? I haven’t been here a full hour yet, and all the progress I made with Brynne walked right out the door along with her.

Then I remember it’s all because of Heath and his big mouth.

The office door opens, and the source of my irritation walks in. “She walked out of here like the place was on fire. You should have seen the way she looked at me. Ice Princess has a big ice pole up her ass.” He cackles. “Coffee?” he asks, shoving a mug in my face.

“I think you should go home for the rest of the day,” I say. “Your behavior is out of control, and I’m too angry right now to deal with you.” I walk past him and slam the door behind me. Everything about today is fucked up. I went from almost getting her back to having it blown to hell all in a matter of minutes. All through no fault of my own.

Only, it’s all my fault for listening to Heath and not thinking critically as any sane adult would do. I’m certain she hasn’t quit because she just bought that house and is having extensive and expensive work done to it. I also know she owns the condo I visited on Saturday. She’s strapped for cash; otherwise, she would tell my uncle and me where to go.

Chapter 32

Brynne

They say time heals, but the two days I’ve been out of the office do nothing to diminish my anger. I refused to work from home for the last two days. I didn’t even bother to request time off. I just stayed home, stewed, and worked on my business plan because there is no way I will work here for the rest of my life like I intended. For the rest of the time I’m here, I won’t give them one hundred percent. I will coast; if they want to fire me, let them.

Perhaps that was Milton’s plan all along. Maybe he wants me gone and wants to pass this business on to his nephew. It’s his right, but I refuse to be stepped on in the meantime.

The only thing that kept me sane this week was talking to Raven and Amira, especially Raven, who I have plans with tonight. Unfortunately, Amira is stuck with her mother and sister, but I’m spending the weekend with Raven.

As soon as I leave this shitty office on this Friday night, I’m out of here, and we’re going to weather the incoming snowstorm at Raven’s place. We’re going to watch movies and binge a series on Netflix. There will be no discussion of work or men, even though she ran into her ex-husband and boyfriend again this week.

It’s barely noon now, and my stomach growls. The only time I saw Colin was this morning when I stepped off the elevator. I don’t know if he’s called my phone because I blocked him again. I haven’t read or responded to any of his emails. He was talking to someone in the hallway, and I walked in the opposite direction, even though that was the roundabout way of getting to my office.

I didn’t see his little twerp of an assistant, but I did hear his annoying voice. There was an email in my inbox about a staff meeting this morning, and I skipped it. I will no longer be attending meetings. The worst-case scenario is I get fired. I can always sell my condo and move into one of the units in my new house. Fuck this shit, and fuck anyone named Kincaid.

There’s a timid knock on my door, and Ernestine walks in, holding a brown paper bag. “I got your salad,” she says. “With a side of fries.” She puts it on my desk. “Things have been calm,” she whispers. “That little pencil neck was sent home on Tuesday and didn’t come back until yesterday. Before he went home, he gave me some lame ass apology, but he hasn’t stirred any shit today. He didn’t even say a word at the meeting earlier.”

I roll my eyes. Big whoop. He got a slap on the wrist and almost two days off with pay. It sounds like he got rewarded.

“I’m only concerned about you, Ernie. Don’t do anything that will make you lose this promotion. Let that little jerk stir all the shit he wants. You don’t have the same protection as him.” And I still don’t understand why. Yes, this has always been a nice place to work. Few people have been terminated here, but it does happen. The Milton I’ve known all these years would not think twice about letting go of an assistant who has done nothing but cause drama.

Maybe he’s sicker than I thought. I figured he must be ill when he called Colin, but maybe it’s worse. Who knows? He didn’t share it with me, so I’m not going to speculate. I will treat this job like what it is. It’s a job. Nothing more. Nothing less.

“I’ve been good,” she says. “I wanted to break that broomstick over his head, but I’m over it.”

“Good, now get out of here,” I say. I turn around and look at the gray skies. They are predicting a snowstorm will start late tonight, but Ernestine gets nervous at the thought of driving in the snow. “Have a good weekend.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice. I’ll see you Monday.” She waves and leaves my office. Once she’s gone, I close my blinds and sit back down.

As much as I needed the two days off to calm down, I’m now behind on a project, and I still need to finish the door schedule for the subdivision.

After eating my salad and fries, I sigh and get to work.

I rub my eyes with the balls of my hands and blink the stars away. My stomach growls, which takes me by surprise. I didn’t realize I was hungry until now. I sip my water, which is now lukewarm.

“Gross,” I say as I throw it in the trash.

I stand and stretch. I don’t remember the last time I stood up. I was so engrossed in work that I didn’t realize it is after six o’clock.

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