Page 91 of Here to Stay
“I don’t think she wants to hear from me.”
I ended the call before she could ask again. I knew she’d just keep calling until I told her what had happened. I went to the voicemail messages from the exiles. There was one from Tariq and a text from Dani.
Dani: Dude Tariq just called saying José put out the bat signal. Are you all right?
I thought they would be texting me to tell me I was an asshole for doing what I did. I never expected them to actually be worried aboutmyfeelings. It was Julia who needed support, not me.
Rocco: I’ve been better. Do you know how Julia’s doing?
I knew I was pushing it, but I couldn’t help myself. I held my breath as I saw the three dots jumping on the screen.
Dani: Not good from what José said, man. What happened?
I didn’t know where to begin. What could I even say? That I was a coward. That she was too good for me and I’d just end up dragging her into my family bullshit.
Just as I was about to reply, the Twins rushed into my office, their faces thunderous.
Muffy was the first one to speak. “Will what you did end up costing you your job?” Her voice was tense but her eyes were full of concern.
I tried to smile, but I knew it was probably not working very well. “It needed to be said.”
They both shook their heads and Mitzy kept looking over her shoulder.
“They voted in favor of the IPO.”
My vision blurred and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I’d put my job on the line and lost Julia for nothing.
“Well, then I guess they were happy with the report. What will happen with the foundation?”
Mitzy shook her head, her face grim. “We’ll fight for the programs.” The relief was so intense at her words I felt light-headed. “It’s going to be nasty, and I have no idea what the future of Sturm’s is, but we will never forget what you tried to do. We know how much that cost you.”
“You don’t have to thank me.”
Muffy moved closer then and put her hand over my fisted one resting on the desk. “Yes we do. Don’t think we don’t know the pressure you’ve been under.” Just as she said that, Phil sauntered into the office. He stood behind the twins, without even looking at them. That shark smile in full force.
“I just spoke with your boss. We won’t be needing you moving forward, Mr. Quinn. Please be out of this office by the end of the day.” He turned on his heel and left without another word.
I stood up and started getting my shit in order while Mitzy and Muffy glared at Phil’s back.
“You don’t need to rush out of here, Rocco.” Muffy’s voice was urgent and frustrated.
Mitzy just shook her head.
I lifted a shoulder, gathering the few things that were mine. “I don’t have much here. I’ll be done in a few minutes.” I took the security card out of my pocket and placed it on the desk. The sad thing was, I really didn’t have much. Just a few folders and my laptop. That was all I would walk away from here with. It felt wrong, when I’d found so much in this building.
I looked up and tried to give the twins a genuine smile. “Thanks for everything, and I’m sorry I couldn’t do more.”
“This was never on you. That was all my brother with his childish vendetta and that greedy asshole Phil.”
Mitzy’s worried eyes landed on me again. “Will you be all right, Rocco?”
Just as she said that, I saw an email notification flash on my phone screen.
It was from Davidson and Partners and the subject had two words. “Termination Notice.”
I picked it up and shoved it in my pocket without opening it. As I made my way around the desk, I gave each of them a warm, one-armed hug.
“I’ll be fine.”
