Page 153 of On Merit Alone
“Thanks,” is all Ira offered.
“It’s amazing what you’ve done since your injury. Others can stand to learn from you,” he went on. “You didn’t let that little old knee get you down. I’m a huge fan of your hard work.”
“Thanks,” Ira said again. His eyes narrowed so low that, for a second, I thought that was all he was going to sayagain. Which would be a pointed display of rudeness, and very unlike Ira. But then he finally said, “You must be a huge fan of Mer too. Nobody works harder than her out there.”
Rob couldn’t quite hide the disdain on his face and he grunted. “Yeah, well. Some have to work harder than others to keep up, I suppose.”
“Mer’s on her way to all the best of categories,” Ira went on. “Best in the league, top scorer of all time, most game wins, most points in a single game, MVP… she’s a shoo-in for the hall of fame already, and her career has barely just begun. Can’t be mad at that.”
God bless him for trying to use the positive spin I’d taught him in this fucked up situation. He was so perfect. Our company, however, was not. It was clear he didn't see it our way.
“No,” Rob said. “I suppose you can’t.”
“Then why are you?” he asked.
“Ira!” I hissed. I grabbed his arm and tried to pull him away, but he wouldn’t budge. “I’m sorry, Rob, I don’t think he meant anything by that?—”
“No, Merit,” Ira said, his voice hard, but his demeanor still calm as he looked at the man in front of him. “I mean every word that comes out of my mouth. I want to know why every word out ofhisis against you.”
Before us, Rob was sputtering, taking a step back in defense. He looked from me to Ira to me again, his scowl growing deep. “Oh, for god’s sake. You’re screwing him, aren’t you?”
Ira advanced immediately. On instinct, I moved between them, putting myself face-to-face with Ira, my hands on his shoulders.
“Hey,” I hissed. “That’s my GM. Myboss,remember? You’re way out of line.”
Fire lit his eyes. He looked as if I wasn’t in front of him right now, he would be on top of Rob, tearing him apart. Without removing his eyes from the man behind us, he growled, “Not my GM.”
“No, but this is not the Stone Age. This is your place of work too. Don’t go throwing what you have away for something as trivial as my feelings.”
This brought his eyes down to me, his expression weighed down with questions and disbelief. “Your feelings mean everything, Six.You do. And he is the one who is way out of line. You understand that?”
“We can talk about this later,” I said, my eyes traveling sideways to an eavesdropping Rob.
Ira’s jaw set, his face working into a mixture of a scowl and a pout and I felt my heart ache in satisfaction and in fear that he was willing to fight for me without thinking of the consequences. But I couldn’t let him do that.
Turning back to my GM, I smiled weakly, not feeling the diplomatic approach even though I knew I should try. “If that’s all for tonight, Rob, I think we’re going to call it. If you still have rising concerns about… all that we discussed, I think we should meet together with Ryan and figure this out.”
Rob scoffed, his hand finding his pockets. “Not much I can do about you now. You weaseled your way into a real superstar’s bed. I’m going to be crucified if I break you two up.”
I took in a sharp breath, finally taking the man in front of me in. I barely controlled a sneer.
“You were going to trade me?” I swallowed hard. “Regardless of how well I did, you were going to get rid of me for someone peppier?”
Rob ignored the words, though, staring up at the two of us in disgust. He shook his head. “Your panties must be made of gold to convince King to?—”
“I’m going to bury him,” I heard Ira say from behind me, and again he was charging. I tried to stand before him again, but he gently set me aside and continued on his way. In front of us, Rob backed away, stumbling.
“Ira!” I called, stern and serious. I never imagined ever having to yell at him, but he was being irrational and crazy. My tone was enough to slow him as he glanced over his shoulder at me. So I kept my voice hard and commanding as I said, “Locker room,now.”
He considered ignoring me, his shoulders already turning as he moved to continue toward Rob.
I damn near growled. “Right now, I.”
He paused, standing still for a few beats before he cursed and started back toward his locker room. He had to pass Rob to get there, and I held my breath as he slowed his gait and leaned down to say something that had Rob’s face souring before bumping his shoulder hard and continuing on his way.
Silence fell over us in the hall. Rob watched me in hatred and disgust while I tried to sift through all that had just transpired. Finally, I could only bring myself to say the first thing that came to mind. No politics, no niceties, nothing to tint the blatant uncurling this encounter had just done.
“You should leave, Rob,” I said.
