“I’m over it.”
“Not sure I agree you are, but that’s not my call to make.” He sucked in a heavy breath, then let it out and stuck out his hand. “Let’s start over. I’m Jeremy.”
“Brian,” I said. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“There, was that so hard?”
Harder than he thinks, I fussed silently, but he didn’t have to know that. He’d stepped up and taken care of me when I couldn’t take care of myself and I’d shunned him. It was a crap thing to do and I wished I could go back and fix things.
“Don’t worry,” he began as he opened the door and gestured that I should go first. “I won’t tell anyone what happened.”
“Thanks,” I said, but the guilt was building. He was good at hiding it, but I saw the twinge of pain in his eye. He’d been into me, taken me home and been a complete gentleman, but I’d still rejected him. Then, I kissed him.
His hand was on the door that led back to the ballroom. “After you,” he said as he turned it, but I shook my head.
“I need some fresh air,” I lied. “And I’m beat. I’ll catch you at work tomorrow?”
He frowned and let the door fall shut. The silence was oppressive, his voice tinny and echoing in the empty service corridor. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“All right. Well, I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
He looked back once more, hesitated, then finally rushed through the door quickly as if he was afraid he’d change his mind. I took the stairs down to the first floor, and when I was in the car, I sent Laura a text.
I’m tired and I have an early meeting tomorrow. The boss is a hard-ass. I added a winking emoji and clicked send.
Whatever you want to tell yourself, Laura replied seconds later.
She knew, but it didn’t matter. There was no way Jeremy would give me another chance after the way I’d done him. And who could blame him, in his shoes, I wouldn’t either.
Good riddance, I thought, though it did nothing to curb the guilt inside me. Every man you give your heart to smashes it to bits. Jeremy wouldn’t be any different.
“Oh the lies we tell ourselves,” I muttered. Then I turned up the radio and let the upbeat music drown out my fears.
7
Jeremy
Laura looked up over the rim of her purple glasses when I walked into her office. “Hey,” she said. “It’s that time of year again.”
I contorted my face into a mock grimace as the door shut behind me and we laughed. “The dreaded annual review,” I teased as I plopped down in the chair across from her. “Anything to get away from Garret. He’s in a mood today.”
“Isn’t that every day?”
I laughed. “Right?”
“I’m surprised he recovered this quickly. After Brian gave him the business at the launch party last week I thought he’d tuck tail and run.”
Heat spread up my throat to my cheeks as I thought about that night, but I recovered quickly. “He did call in sick the next day.”
She arched an eyebrow. “You don’t think he was actually hungover?”
“There’s no way. Brian told the bartender he was cut off an hour after the party started. I saw him sulking in the corner with a can of cola before dinner was served. He wasn’t drunk.”
“I bet he wished he was. I think Brian’s the first person that’s ever intimidated him like that.”
“I guess we should keep Brian onboard then. If nothing else, then to keep Garret in line.”
She let out a heavy sigh. “I’m sorry about Garret. I know that he’s a royal pain, but he’s talented and we need him on the team.”
“I know that. I just wish he wasn’t such an ass.”
“Real talk?”
“Of course.” I leaned in.
“I think Garret is intimidated by you and the only way he knows how to deal with his feelings is to be a complete jerk every chance he gets.”
I tilted my head and shrugged one shoulder with a smirk. “Everyone has to excel at something.”
Laura choked as she took a sip of her tea, swallowing quickly and letting out an indelicate snort. “Truth. But anyways, you’re doing a fantastic job and you’re handling Garret and Brian in a professional manner despite their,” she paused, “challenges.” She hung on the word so long I turned away. Did she know? I wondered desperately, but her expression gave nothing away.
“I’ll do what I have to keep the business successful.”
“That’s why I’ve decided it’s time for a raise.” She slid a piece of paper across the table.
“Laura, you don’t have to do that,” I said when I saw the amount.
“I do. Someday, someone is going to find out about you, snatch you right out of my little indie office and put you in the big leagues. If I want to keep good people, I have to make it worth your while to put up with Garret.”
“This definitely helps,” I laughed. “I’m not sure any amount would erase the burden entirely, but,” I laughed uncomfortably, then shook my head. “Thank you.”
“Thank you for believing in my dream. Without you, Dis-chord Records would’ve never made it this far. You’re a valuable part of the team and I need you.”
She handed me a pen and I signed the evaluation, then she pushed an envelope across the scratched mahogany surface.
“What’s this?”
“I know you get direct deposit and I don’t normally print out checks, but I thought I’d give you a bonus.”
“Laura, I-”
She waved her hand to cut me off. “This latest album has propelled our company forward and it was your work that did most of that. I’m giving everyone a bonus, but I’d appreciate you keeping the amount to yourself.”
“Of course.”
“Enjoy it. You’ve earned it.”
I stood up, tucking the envelope into my inner suit pocket against my hip without opening it. My hand was on the knob when Laura stopped me.
“Can I talk to you about something that’s really none of my business?”
Brian. I closed my eyes and prepared myself before I turned around. “Sure.”
“I’m trying to keep my nose out of your affairs, but you’re like a little brother to me, and Brian is an old friend.”
“Nothing is going on between us,” I interjected, but she plowed on without stopping.
“I’m not blind, Jeremy. I you two disappear out the service door. And the way you looked when you reappeared at the party. You two have a connection and I think it’s great.”
“Then why this?”
“Brian has a rough past.”
“I gathered that when we met.”
“That’s different. His heart was shattered when his fiancé called off the wedding. Everyone who’s anyone was supposed to be there, and he’s been struggling. Now that the wedding date has passed, he’s doing a lot better. But he’s got a knack for picking the worst men.”
“Oh, goody.”