Page 35 of Broken Headboards
Chapter Fourteen
Austin
“Well,well, well, look who the cat dragged in,” I stand up to greet Taylor, who’s being ushered into my office by Miranda.
“There he is! The reigning champ,” Taylor says and we give each other a quick hug. Well, one of those chest bumps, jabs on the back-type hugs. We’re not the emotional, touchy-feely type of guys, if you haven’t figured that out yet, baby. So, this is as close as we’ll get to emotional expression.
“What brings you here?” I ask, buttoning my suit jacket as I walk over to my desk chair.
“Thought I’d congratulate you on your last win. That was a tough call,” he settles himself in the one of the leather chairs across from me. It’s one of the first chairs I’ve ever made, and I made it with my dad. It’s sentimental, sure, but it also motivates me to get my ass up and working. I need to keep proving to him that I’m worthy of my position in the family company.
Even though I know I’ve proven my worth ten times over.
“Thanks, you didn’t have to come all the way out here to tell me that, though. Did you?” I lean back and clasps my hands together.
“I was in the area anyway. So, how do you feel about the competition? And Tess?” He raises his eyebrows in a cheesy, suggestive way. For having such a powerful position at Draper Pierce, he acts like such a fucking man-child sometimes.
It’s no wonder he can’t figure out what the fuck to do with Ashley.
“Trust me, losing to Tess in the first round pissed me the fuck off. She’s been a minor annoyance here and there but now that I’m back on top, I see no more diversions in my way,” I boast. “I got this competition by the balls, Taylor.”
“You’re a cocky motherfucker, aren’t you?” He laughs. “But that’s all? With Tess, I mean.” He presses his lips together and leans in closer to my desk.
“I mean, she’s fucking hot. Is that what you want me to say? By no means is she a distraction. I’ll be winning this competition with that fine ass of hers waving around at me or not.”
“Well, jeez. Don’t get your panties in a twist, lovebird,” he chides. “I was just asking. I know you got this, but just be careful. She’s a tricky minx, and she’s damn good at what she does.”
“What do you mean, Taylor?” I ask.
“Oh, nothing. Calm your tits. All I’m saying is she’s good, so you might have more competition than you think.”
“Ok, ok. Fine. Thanks for the pep talk, pal,” I say, annoyance lining my tone. He’s my best friend and all but I’m getting irritated just by thinking about Tess beating me.
I hear his phone buzz and he slides it out of his pants pocket, doing a double-take when he sees the screen.
“Shit,” he mumbles under his breath. He shakes his head and re-directs his attention to me. “Right, so I figured while I’m here I’d remind you about the next round.” He plops his phone on the desk between us and it vibrates again.
I roll my eyes, hard. “You don’t have to check up on me, Taylor. I’m fine. I know it’s in five days from now,” I lean my elbows on the desk.
“Yeah, good. It’s also going to be dedicated to dining room sets.”
“Ok, that can be done easily,” I say with every strain of confidence in me. Dining room sets are fucking pieces of a cake. I can make them in my sleep.
“Mr. Randall!” Miranda shouts from the other side of the door and then bursts through it, dramatically.
“What?” I push my chair back, surprised by her sudden change in demeanor.
Miranda never acts like this. She’s always so cool, calm, and collected. That’s one of the reasons why I hired her. I need someone to balance out my hot-blooded temper, especially when shit hits the fan.
Which I have a feeling might be happening right now.
“Our main supplier just quit!” she says, frantically breathing and clasping her chest.
Taylor’s face jerks back and forth between us, but I ignore his reaction.
“What do you mean?” I grip the arms rest, needing to ease the sudden ball of anxiety forming in my chest.
“Arnold from A&S Woodworking and Leather just called,” she takes a deep breath in. “They said they’re out.”
