Page 58 of Stick to the Plan
She’d still been yelling after me as I’d headed back to the lobby. The hotel had been full for the conference, so I’d had to find another hotel further away. Then I hadn’t even gotten to fully enjoy the conference because Joe from legal began blowing up my phone as soon as I got it replaced. Then the media got word, and the stocks took a dive. Even Duncan had called me in Las Vegas asking me to fly back to Florida.
That’s why I’m now rushing back to Brianna’s at eleven at night, three days early. It took an encounter with a surly ticket agent and three flights, but I finally made it back. Tomorrow, I would be stuck in a conference room with a team of lawyers and executives, but tonight I just wanted to hold my girl.
Pulling into Brianna’s driveway, the darkness surprises me. There isn’t a single light on in the house. I’d texted her my updated itinerary. Maybe she went to bed already, it is rather late. I fight back the disappointment that she didn’t wait for me. I guess she didn’t miss me as much as I missed her.
Why didn’t she leave the front light on, though? That’s not like her.
I approach the door, carefully picking my way across the dark walkway after almost falling into a bush. Cursing under my breath, I dig out my keys from my bag and try to unlock the door, but it won’t budge. I lean back, confused, eyebrows knitted. Trying the lock a second time doesn’t make a difference.
Am I that tired that I’m at the wrong house? Arching backwards, I check the house number. Nope, this is the right place.
As I think, the quiet of the house hits me. Riley would have been barking at the door by now. Tromping back over the walkway, I peek in the garage. Strange, her car isn’t there. Guess that explains the lack of barking. Maybe she’s at Pop? Or a girls’ night at Nic’s apartment?
On a Thursday though? Did Brianna just not get my message?
Deciding to try the front door one more time, I pull out my cell phone and activate the flashlight feature. Last thing I need is to roll an ankleon this damn walkway. This time, I easily see the white envelope taped to the front door with my name on it. Opening it, a white key card falls into my hand.
Hey Asshole - As Brianna is no longer employed at C.A.E., you have no reason to stay here. Room 1266 has been booked for you at the address below. Do not attempt to contact Brianna again - your number is blocked. Thought you were different.
N
What the hell happened while I was gone? How did everything get so fucked up in only three days?
Did I scare her away when I said I loved her? Was she just looking for a good time and I was the only one catching feelings? If Brianna didn’t have feelings for me, why was Nic calling me an asshole, though?
I try calling Brianna for the hundredth time. No clue why. Maybe I’m hoping this is just a bad joke? The call goes straight to voice-mail like every other time I’d tried her over the past few days.
As much as I don’t want to admit it, nothing is getting solved today. I’ll just corner her at the office tomorrow. Wait a minute…I double check the note. ‘No longer employed at C.A.E.’ What does that mean? Brianna is the most dedicated employee I’ve ever met. None of this makes any sense.
Shoulders stooped and chest tight, I head back to my car with the note and key card. I need a shower and some sleep. Tomorrow I’ll get to the bottom of this mess.
Where are you, Brianna?
Chapter thirty-nine
Pissing Contest
Colin
Itoss and turn most of the night, worrying about Brianna and trying to think of a logical explanation for her cutting me off so completely. It’s just after lunch now, and I haven’t accomplished a goddamn thing. I’m no closer to saving my product or finding my girl. Despite being in the same room as Stan for hours, ten other men surround us, leaving me no opportunity to question him.
The only positive in the past twenty-four hours has been finding the few belongings I’d left at Brianna’s safely if haphazardly packed up and waiting in my hotel room. Also, the lawyers feel they have enough evidence proving our designs are original to stop the competing patent. They also have evidence of sabotage.
We just aren’t sure who the fuck is responsible.
Everyone keeps talking in circles in the war room. My skin is crawling and my head is pounding from listening to so many voices yelling over each other for hours on end. I am so grateful for our lunch break that I practically sprint to the men’s room to calm down. A flushsomewhere behind me breaks my concentration. I shake the last thoughts from my mind as I turn on the water to wash my hands and attempt to not look like I am having a breakdown in the jacks.
Brown eyes meet mine in the mirror. Fuck me, not this maggot again.
“Well, well. If it isn’t big time McLeary. Would have thought you’d be long gone by now.” Chris swaggers from the stall and washes his hands. The entire time, his weaselly eyes hold mine in the mirror.
I clench my jaw to keep quiet - God only knows what I’ll say to the maggot. What is that breathing technique Brianna always does to calm down? Package breathing? That’s not it. Box breathing!
“First,” Chris says, “you lose the edge on your world changing device. Got scooped by some nothing startup. That’s got to hurt. You came all the way out here just to make sure this project is a success. How’s that going for you? You hiding out here in the states because you can’t go home?”
My teeth squeak from the force of grinding them. Come on, Colin. Brianna wouldn’t lose her temper, and she wouldn’t want me to. Come on. BREATHE, dammit. In through the nose…two, three, four. Out, through the mouth… Slowly my jaw loosens until I am no longer in danger of cracking a tooth. I’m still pissed, but the red haze over my vision is fading a bit.
A smug smile spreads on Chris’s face. “Seriously, why are you still here? Even theIce Queenabandoned you.”
