Page 114 of Puck Me Secretly

I gritted my teeth. “What about him?”

“Your Dad insisted on bringing him onto the team. Baxter wanted the dude he beat up.”

“Joseph Flanynk?”

“Is that his name?”

“Then what happened.”

I waited with impatience while Calder lit up a joint. He inhaled. “You happened.”

“Excuse me?”

“School ended. Your dad had you lined up to work with Katrina in media, beneath some web designer but then he sideswiped Baxter without warning by announcing in a general meeting you’d be taking over as the new assistant GM.”

I almost felt lightheaded. “Are you telling me this year I was supposed to be in media working with a web designer?”

“Yup. But you got Baxter’s promotion and then to add insult to injury, your dad gave Max a contract but kept Baxter out of the loop.”

“Holy shit.”

Calder blew smoke towards me. “Pieces fittingtogether more?”

“How did I not know this?”

“Your father told Baxter that if he ever told you about this, he’d fire Baxter.”

“What?!”

“So, Baxter hates you and your lover.”

Well, I knew that. I just never knew why. “That makes sense.”

“Katrina is getting sick of his bullshit.”

“Baxter’s?”

“Yup, but she doesn’t want to make it official with me.”

“Why not?”

“She said I’m a bad risk.”

My mind raced. Baxter was supposed to take over as assistant GM and he lost his chance over a fight with Dad about Max? That explained why the guy was such a complete dick and why he hated Max so much. It didn’t explain why Dad seemed intent on acting like Max was always on his shit list.

“Do you think I’m a bad risk?”

I glanced over at Calder. “Yes. Totally.”

His eyes opened wide. “Why?”

“Calder!”

He sat up straight. “Tell me.”

“You’re an unemployed guy who still lives with his parents and you have one, possibly two substance abuse issues.”

“Bullshit.”

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