Page 24 of Over My Dead Boss
Sienna: I also packed that leather jacket you think makes you look so badass. Should I have put in some condoms? You were already talking about kids, so that seemed unnecessary.
Olivia: I am plotting my revenge as we speak.
Sienna: I hope it comes in a rugged, yet beautiful package with a good sense of humor and a heart of gold that is physically incapable of cheating.
I throw my phone onto the bed, take off my sweaty clothes, and head for the shower. Time to cool off in more ways than one. She’ll have to pay for this. The freezing water helps me to calm down a little and after perusing my clothing options for a bit, I find a few outfits that don’t make me look like I am going on a date or to a charity gala. Phoenix, after me pestering him for a bit, spends most of the day out in the sun writing and I continue the work on my own novel at his desk, until, some time in the early evening, he retreats to his bedroom and I hear the shower go off. A few minutes later, he returns, dressed in all black and my eyes get caught up on the way his shirt fights against his biceps.
“I require yourassistancein a bit,” he says and lets his hand glide through his wet hair.
“Assistance! Yes, that is what I am here for!” I get excited at the prospect of actually doing something to help our… well, his book along. “What can I do to you?”
Phoenix looks at me spinning in his office chair, and ever so slightly raises his left eyebrow.
“FOR YOU. What can I dofor you, Mr. Cyrus?”
“First of all, stop calling me by my last name and don’t call me ‘kid’ or ‘son’. Ever.” He sighs and walks over to the front door. “Married people ought to address each other properly.”
I have to hold back a giggle before I can reply, “Yes, dear.”
“I need you to drive me to town in a bit. I am meeting Liz. You’ve met her.”
It’s Saturday, of course. He’s meeting Liz today. They’re going on a date.
My heart sinks to my stomach and I hate that it would do that to me. Betrayed by my own biology. Trying to maintain my composure, I nod politely and fake my cheerfulness. “Of course, just say the word and I’ll take you.”
Glad I am seated, I watch as he puts on a baseball cap and checks himself in the mirror by the door, then takes it off again.He looks displeasingly pleasant either way, but it’s a crime to cover up those luscious curls.“On,” I say, and wanna pinch myself for being the way I am. “Looks good on you.”
“Alright,” Phoenix answers and puts it back on. “I’ll just say goodbye to Dog and we can go.”
Irrationally disappointed, I go and sit in the driver's seat, wait for Phoenix to come, and think about driving off before he gets here. Instead, I observe through the rearview mirror as my new old boss, dressed in a dark leather jacket, joins me in the car. He looks good, of course he does, and I hate it. Not saying a word, I drive all the way to town when my conscience gets the better of me. I reach over and take the baseball cap from his head.
“Changed my mind. You look better without. She’ll like it better this way,” I say reluctantly and throw the cap on the dashboard.
Phoenix makes a weird grunt in response and guides me a little further down the road and into a parking lot where I already see his date, with her perfect hair, waiting for him. He tells me to park the car in a spot nearby and opens the passenger door. “Come on,” he says and looks at me.
I stare back, not sure what to say.
“What are you waiting for? You can’t stay in here the entire time.”
My head flinches back slightly. “I am not coming on your date!”
14
That left eyebrow of his does its thing again, as if a fish hook is attached to it, and I dislike it almost as much as I hate its perfect shape. “Don’t make me drag you out of here, Olivia,” his low and steady voice trembles through the car and gives me goosebumps.
This is the first time that he actually called me by my first name and it makes me want to do whatever he tells me to.
If only he would ask me to run him over with his car.
“Just go, Phoenix, and have a nice evening. I’ll be here when you need me.”
He walks around the car, opens my door, and leans over my body to unbuckle my seatbelt. I audibly draw air through my nose and when I notice what I’m doing, quickly hold my breath, hoping he hasn’t noticed himself. His hand grabs mine, leads me out of the car, and pushes me in Liz’s direction. She looks, once again, absolutely stunning, and now I wish I would have gone for one of the sluttier options that Sienna had sent me. We greet each other awkwardly and I notice her hoodie, which features a big logo of the local High School football team— the Spartans.
“I brought Olivia along,” Phoenix says when they hug. “She’s never been to a game. I hope that’s alright.”
Liz is as polite as she is beautiful and tries to make me feel comfortable, clearly noticing that I am not. We walk into the stadium and sit down on the bleachers close to the 50 yard line. The teams are warming up while the cheerleading squad is performing their routine and a rather large crowd is chatting away. Mostly parents and family, I assume, but even some of the local college kids must have found their way here tonight. The smell of hot dogs and beer is wafting through the air and a light breeze makes the hair on my arms stand up. Phoenix waves towards one guy on the field who, upon seeing him, jogs our way. The player with the number ten jumps into Phoenix’s arms and then waves towards us.
“That’s Ryan, my son,” Liz explains to me.
