Page 42 of Just Like You
I wanted to addshut the fuck upas a response right there, but yeah. I might have been me, but I did have some kind of ability to control my mouth.
“Loved the photos with Gina from the other day. Even the online broadsheets covered the event.”
“Wasn’t much to cover,” I shot out, and she laughed out loud before trying to compose herself. She’d at least got my subtle innuendo and found it funny. A win in my book.
“If I could pull off a dress like that? I would love to wear one. But unfortunately, not all of us are built like Gina DeSanto.”
“Nope.” I liked leaving things unsaid. Suited me.
“She’s very smart.”
“Yup.”
“And in your defence? I have always admired that about you. That you protect her at all costs. You could easily have swanned in here every morning, spilling the gossip about your celebrity girlfriend and the people you know, but you don’t. Admirable. I just wanted to tell you because you’re not all bad, Kieron. Despite the temper tantrums and the fact that you still need to apologise to Taneesha?You’re not a bad person. You’re a decent guy somewhere deep down. Remember that, okay?”
“Fuck off, Faye.” I motioned for her to get the hell out of my office, and she just rolled her eyes. Yeah. The girl had guts, and despite my many attempts to intimidate her? Never went down very well. Instead, she’d pull shit like this. Appeal to my better nature and make me feel like crap. Small. Pissed off.
I hated it. Hated everything. Including her.Go away, Faye.
“Go see Juliet before she gets pissy with me for not telling you. And I will give you a top tip. One-time offer. Taneesha really likes the Caramel Frappés downstairs. Go grab her one, and say sorry. Job done. I won’t tell you again because Taneesha is writing a grievance report as we speak. I am not going to stop her, and in fact, I will co-sign it if you don’t man the fuck up and start behaving like a decent human being.”
Fuck me.
I must have grimaced badly because she just nodded and pissed off out the door, leaving me with a blank stare and my stomach heaving.
I needed to go home. I needed to talk to Julian. My phone was still quiet, and the blank screen not showing all my imaginary messages was simply…embarrassing. I wasn’t like this. Should have known better. I just… Fuck.Shit.
I gathered myself up and stomped down the corridor, finding Juliet’s office door open, as expected.
Juliet. My boss. Stern and strong, her red hair swept up in an immaculate bun at the nape of her neck, lips painted her trademark red. Also? She was one of the few people who gave me peace. Weird, but true.
“Close the door, Kieron,” she demanded, standing up and leaving her chair to walk round and sit herself down opposite me on her visitor’s chairs. We did this because it worked. Also, she’d told me over and over again. Her and I didn’t work unless we let go of the work shite. Instead, we’d sit down and just talk. Human to human.
“How are you?” she said softly. “You look stressed, and I have no clue what is stressing you out. Apart from that, you lie and make up excuses, and that Maura is at the end of her rope with you.”
She gave me pause to think. Decide if I would respond or not before she continued. I just sat there. Breathed slowly. Nothing to say.
“Where were you this week?”
“I had to go see if something was worth my while.”
“Cryptic. I like it. But not good enough for me this time.”
“I went to the Maldives. Because I met someone and it’s…” I couldn’t continue because my throat was swelling up and that? Was bad. I wasn’t going to sit in my boss’s office and cry. Because that was so not me.
“You met someone,” she stated, like this was the first point on the agenda.
“You didn’t ask to see me to discuss my private life,” I said flatly. Not interested in this.
“No, I didn’t. But you offered up the information. I’m just accepting the bait.”
“Jules.” I rolled my eyes as she huffed.
“Kieron, don’t do this. I know you and you know me. Fucking trust me for once. You met someone. Talk to me.”
“No.”
“You never ever talk about anyone. Not even Gina, and you know I love Gina to death, but yes. This is important to you, so talk.”
