Page 13 of Reconciling With the Rival

“What do you do again?” Grant asks me, and Oliver simply says nothing as he hands me a bottle of red wine.Thank fuck.

“Thank you,” I say as I take a long sip from the bottle, silently hoping I’ll wake up from this nightmare soon. “Everything wasfineuntil I got called into my boss’ office. I’ll admit, I was slightly nervous; I thought she was going to fire me or something.”

“Did she have a reason to fire you?” Hads asks.

“No, but you never know in this economy. Anyways, she calls me in, and when I get to her office, a guy is sitting in the chair across from her desk. She tells me he was just hired, and I was picked for him to shadow me for thirty days while he learns the ropes. I was fine with that because I had trained other people before. But then, he turned around.” I stop to take a long sip of wine, not wanting his stupid fucking name to be the taste on my lips.

“That was a terrible cutoff point! Just tell us who it was!” I know as soon as Paige hears this, she’s going to go feral or something. She has been shipping me and Leo together ever since she found out we hated each other. The Halloween party her senior year didn't help matters either, especially since Leo couldn't keep his fucking mouth shut.

“I’m on the edge of my seat,” Oliver says in the most monotone voice ever, and Paige smacks him. “Ow, what the fuck? I was being serious!”

“Shh! Let her tell it!” Amelia snaps at Oliver.

“It was Leo—pain in my ass—Zimmerman. He’s going to be fucking working with me, at my dream job, the one place I love. He’s going to ruineverything!”

“Oh my God.” Hads grabs my hand. Out of all the people in this room, she gets it. During my senior year, the two of us were in a similar situation. The only difference is, Hads ended up in love with Grant. I want to throw up just thinking about being near Leo for the rest of my life. I can hear Amelia laughing, and even though I missed her, I didn't miss her love of poking fun at everyone’s misery. I see Grant and Paige lock eyes, probably already mentally designing the t-shirts they’re going to make.Fuck.I love my friends, but they just don't get it.

“Is Leo the British guy? Alissa’s brother?” Oliver asks me.

“Yes. Seeing him around my apartment when he comes over to visit Alissa will be bad enough, but now, I’m going to have to interact with him five days a week! This is my worst nightmare.”

“But wait, why were you working on a Sunday?” Grant asks.

“Our company has a major deadline soon, so a few of us worked overtime to get shit done. But now, I have to quit!” I take a sip and suddenly wish this was tequila. “Do you guys have anything stronger? Wine is not cutting it right now.”

“Tequila, I’m guessing?” Oliver asks as he gets up.

“I knew I liked you.” We trade, and he hands me a huge bottle of tequila he just opened. I love how they keep our favorite drinks here; I know the two of them don't like tequila. Oliver doesn't drink, and Paige is more of a vodka girl when she does—which is a rare occurrence.

“Ells, you don't have to quit. Just avoid him—or fuck him, whichever works best to make him less annoying,” Grant says. I’ve never been one for violence, but I could punch him for saying that.

“I’m only going to say this once, but I’mnevergoing to get naked with that man.”Again.“I’m avoiding him at all costs.”

“Don't you have to train him?” Amelia asks.

“Fuck!” I need this alcohol to kick in so I can forget about this until I have to actually deal with it on Tuesday.

“Ells, look on the bright side. You twohaveto be professional at work, so how annoying can he be?” Paige smiles at me. I love her optimism, but I could barely stomach a short conversation with him at the office earlier.

I sigh heavily. “I’m not actually going to quit, but I hate this so much. Since I worked today, I took tomorrow off. Are you good if I crash on your couch tonight? I need to get insanely hammered to try and forget I’ll be working with the fucker for an undetermined amount of time.”

“Ells, you can crash in the spare room with me. They have a pullout couch, but I don't mind sharing the bed. It’ll be like old times.” Amelia smiles at me.

“I can blow up the air mattress if you two want to stay over too!” Paige’s eyes light up, looking at Hads, at the thought of us all having a sleepover again.

“I’m only agreeing to that if you sleep on it with me, P.”

“Of course I can! A birthday sleepover! This is the best day of my life!” I see Oliver smile an actual smile before Paige leansover and kisses him. My heart lurches for some reason, so to combat it, I take another sip of tequila.Much better.

“Does this mean I’m rooming with Oliver tonight? What’s a little light cuddling between two almost-brothers?” Grant smiles at him.

“You're on the couch tonight, pretty boy. Don't worry. It’s memory foam, so your back will be fine.” Oliver slaps him on the shoulder.

“Okay, now that sleeping arrangements are all set for tonight, can we get to the movies? I want to get them over with as soon as possible,” Hads asks.

“I’m pressing play, Hads,” Oliver tells his sister.

“Not fast enough, Oliver!” she quips while sipping her wine glass.

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