Hatefully Yours

by Callahan, Kelli

  “Yes, I should get to the meeting.” I took a step to the side, and Fulton matched it. “I don’t want to be late.”

  “I have to say; this is a very interesting development.” He tilted his head. “Trenton went from wanting to fire you to putting his entire career on the line for you so fast that I still don’t understand how you two managed to make up.”

  Oh fuck. Does Fulton know something?

  “His—career?” My heart started pounding hard in my chest.

  “Yes.” Fulton smirked. “If you blow this presentation tomorrow, he’ll be down on the first floor—they might even give him a mop and tell him to start cleaning the break rooms.”

  “These are my ideas…” I took a step back in surprise. “I’m the one that convinced Mr. Remington to go forward with the campaign.”

  “Right, but Mr. Remington didn’t want you to give the presentation. Trenton is the one who insisted on having you do it—hopefully not to his detriment. Mr. Remington made it very clear that the rest of his career depends on how well you do.” Fulton dropped his arms and walked past me.

  What? Oh my god!

  I felt sick to my stomach. I had to find a bathroom just so I could find somewhere to take a quick breather. I couldn’t believe that Trent was putting that much on me—although, technically, he hadn’t. He didn’t tell me that his entire career depending on the success of the presentation. I assumed he wasn’t going to get a promotion if we bombed it, but I didn’t think it would be a total setback for him. Fulton made it sound like it was going to be the end of the line for him at Remington Global. That was a lot more pressure than I needed, and I assumed Fulton knew that. If his intentions were to rattle me, then they certainly worked.

  I need to get it together. If I can’t even present this to Mr. Remington, how will I present it to a room full of strangers when everything is at stake?

  I turned on the water and let some of it pour into my hand. I would have loved to splash some on my face, but my makeup couldn’t take that kind of abuse. I settled for a quick sip and stared at myself in the mirror for a couple of seconds. I felt like I was seconds from a full-blown panic attack, but I had to steady my nerves. A quick glance at my watch told me that I didn’t have much time before I was supposed to be in Mr. Remington’s office. I balled my fists to stop my hands from shaking and left the bathroom.

  I can do this. I’ve gone over this presentation a million times.

  “Brooke, welcome!” Mr. Remington smiled when I stepped into his office. “I got your email and have the presentation loaded.”

  “Thank you.” I forced a smile and nodded.

  I made eye contact with Trent, and he instantly realized something was wrong, but there was no way for him to ask what the problem was—not in front of Mr. Remington—not when I was about to go through my presentation with the CEO of our company. It was a damn good thing that I could do the presentation in my sleep after practicing it so many times with Trent because I didn’t have the ability to think. I just followed the outline on autopilot and moved through it as quickly as possible. I kept expecting a question from Mr. Remington, but he didn’t ask a single one. The last slide clicked, and I tried to remain stoic as I waited for him to say something—anything really, even if he decided that Trent should immediately take over and give the presentation to the people from Xavier Wholesale.

  “I’m impressed.” Mr. Remington nodded. “Trent, I think you were right to have Brooke give this presentation.”

  “I told you.” Trent smiled, but I could see a look of concern in his eyes because he had heard my presentation enough to know I rushed through it.

  “I look forward to tomorrow. I believe the CEO of Xavier Wholesale will be as excited about this campaign as I am.” Mr. Remington leaned back in his chair.

  “Should we go over it again?” Trent glanced at his boss. “Just to make sure you don’t have any questions?”

  “No, I’m good.” Mr. Remington waved him off. “I’ve actually got another meeting in about ten minutes, so I’m glad you nailed it on the first try.”

  Trent and I left Mr. Remington’s office, and I still couldn’t catch my breath. It felt trapped in my throat. We hadn’t even made it through the worst presentation yet—the one that was going to truly matter. It might have even been better if I screwed up in front of Mr. Remington because Trent would have taken over. I didn’t want the weight of his entire career on my shoulders. I wouldn’t have wanted that, even if I still hated him. Trent didn’t say anything until we got to the elevators, but as soon as the doors closed, he pulled me in for a hug.

  “What happened? You were so confident when I left you downstairs.” He rubbed my back as he spoke.

  “You didn’t tell me that your entire career could be over if I messed up this presentation!” I practically screamed my response and felt tears trying to form in my eyes.

  “What?” He seemed confused.

  “Are you denying it?” I pulled back from his embrace.

  “No, I just—I didn’t tell you that because I didn’t want you to get nervous.” He narrowed his eyes. “How did you even find out?”

  “Fulton!” I trembled and shook my head. “But that doesn’t matter!”

  “He shouldn’t have said anything.” Trent’s face clouded over with anger. “It wasn’t his place.”

  “Well he did, and now I’m terrified.” I looked away from Trent and walked towards the conference room as soon as the doors opened.

  “Don’t be terrified…” Trent caught up with me and grabbed my hand—luckily, our aisle blocked the view of the people on the other side of The Great Divide. “You did fine today. You’ll do fine tomorrow.”

  “Mr. Remington didn’t ask me a single question, and you know I rushed through my presentation.” I shook my head. “If I do that tomorrow—or what if someone does ask me a question, and I freeze up.”

  “Let’s just call it a day and go back to my place.” He squeezed my hand. “I’ll make you forget all about that presentation until tomorrow—I’ll even do a little groveling to make up for not telling you about this…”

  “No.” I pulled my hand away. “I think we both need to get plenty of rest tonight.”

  “Okay.” He sighed. “Maybe you’re right.”

  I did want to spend the night in Trent’s arms, but I knew what would happen if I want back to his apartment. I needed time to mentally prepare myself for something that had more at stake than I ever realized. I didn’t want him to hold me and tell me that everything was going to be okay because it wasn’t. I understood why he chose to keep the implications to himself—it was obviously a good decision based on the way I reacted when I found out. It would have been a hell of a lot less nerve-racking to give the presentation without a cloud of doom hanging over my head for one tiny little mistake or a question I wasn’t prepared to answer.

  Sleeping in my own bed is a much better option tonight.

  * * *

  “You’re home!” Jessica walked out of the kitchen as soon as I opened the door to my apartment. “I was beginning to think you didn’t live here anymore.”

  “I was gone for one night.” I rolled my eyes and shook my head.

  “Right, so—details?” Her eyes flickered with excitement. “Did you call one of the guys you met at the bar? I know you didn’t go out with that asshole from work again.”

  “No.” I walked into the living room and sat down. “It was someone else…”

  “Then I need all the details.” She hurried to the living room and sat down across from me.

  “Probably the last guy you would expect.” I looked up at her.

  “Trent?” Her head snapped back. “Tell me you didn’t—with your boss?”

  “He wasn’t always my boss…” I shook my head and sighed.

  “Yeah, but he was awful to you.” Her face reflected concern.

  “We were able to move past that.” I nodded. “It’s hard to explain.”

  “Then you need a
drink.” She leaned forward. “Let me make you something.”

  “I don’t know.” I leaned my head against the chair. “My big presentation is tomorrow. I just need to get some rest.”

  “So just have one.” She shrugged.

  “Okay, fine.” I nodded and suddenly realized that there were several new photographs hanging over the television. “Hey, did Hannah really print out pictures from her sister’s wedding and hang them up in here?”

  “I wasn’t home when she did that.” Jessica laughed. “I guess she thought hitting like on Facebook meant we wanted them in our living room.”

  “Weird…” I shook my head and chuckled under my breath. “Are you making dinner tonight? I assume you aren’t working since you’re still here…”

  “No…” There was a hint of hesitation in her voice. “I actually have a date tonight.”

  “Really?” I sat up immediately. “You met someone new?”

  “I did.” She walked into the living room and handed me a glass of something that was red with a slightly sweet smell. “He seems pretty nice—I think he works downtown somewhere.”

  “His name isn’t Fulton by any chance, is it?” I raised an eyebrow.

  “Nah, his name is Miguel.” She smiled. “Trust me; I’d remember the name Fulton—especially after you told me what a disaster that date was.”

  “Good.” I took a sip of my drink. “Wow, that’s really good.”

  “It doesn’t have much alcohol.” She sat down across from me again. “Just enough to take the edge off…”

  That’s exactly what I need right now.

  I talked with Jessica for almost an hour before she had to leave for her date. Hannah showed up as Jessica was leaving, so I offered to make dinner just to try and distract myself from the chaos in my head. Hannah was bubbling with news about her boyfriend, how awesome things were, and although I really didn’t have must interest, it was better than having to carry the conversation. I excused myself, so I could retreat to my room once we were done eating. I didn’t want to dwell on the presentation, but I still felt like I needed to go over it a few times before I went to bed.

  It doesn’t hurt to be too prepared—especially after what I found out today.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Trent

  I hated to go home alone after sharing my bed with Brooke the previous night. The smell of her perfume was still on my couch—the scent of our passion was still on the sheets in my bed—and I wanted more than just the memories of what we did. I understood why she got so freaked out when Fulton told her how much was riding on the presentation. It was precisely why I didn’t go into that much detail with her. She didn’t need the added pressure. As much as I valued the things that I had, I was willing to risk everything on her. I believed she was ready, and if Fulton was already campaigning for Mel to be the chosen one from the group of new hires, Brooke needed something major to stand out.

  I wonder how many decisions he’s made because someone had a nice ass instead of actual talent…

  For years, I convinced myself that I worked for what I got, but seeing Fulton in a different light was causing me to look at my own accomplishments under a new level of scrutiny. I couldn’t honestly say whether or not I would have gotten the opportunities that came my way if Fulton didn’t think I was a bastard like him. He obviously didn’t think it was a big deal to tell me about his torrid history with the interns at Remington Global—not that I could have done anything about it if I wanted to. He was immune to someone like me while he sat on top of the ivory tower, but if he was going to sit in Mr. Remington’s seat one day, then I didn’t know if I even wanted to be there to see it happen.

  Everyone else on the top floor seems content with letting him fill the ranks with his allies. I don’t know if they even want to sit at the head of the table. Fulton has made it no secret that he does…

  There was too much going on in my head to go to bed at a reasonable hour. I knew I would toss and turn, even if I was exhausted. I looked over the presentation several times, wrote down a few notes that I might not remember in the morning, and sipped whiskey until I was finally ready for bed. Even then, I didn’t rest peacefully. I kept thinking about Brooke and worried that she was going to stress out too much over the presentation. I wished I could hold her and tell her that everything was going to be okay—that I wouldn’t be upset if something did happen. I wanted her more than anything else. The material things I surrounded myself with didn’t matter. I was a fool for ever thinking that they did.

  If I say that to her now, she’ll think I’m lying to make her feel better. We just need to make it through this presentation, and then we can focus on building our new life together.

  * * *

  I made it through the night with a few hours of sleep and got to the office early enough to find a parking spot close to the door. I looked around for Brooke’s car but didn’t see it among the few that were parked nearby. I stopped in the cafeteria to get some coffee, went to my office, and read emails until it was almost time for her to arrive. I glanced out my window to make sure that I didn’t miss her, and when I saw an empty desk, I began to get a little worried. I didn’t think she would just blow off the presentation, but the thought did cross my mind when she was less than five minutes from being actually tardy. I was just about to text her when the elevator doors opened, and she stepped off with a lot of other people that worked on our floor.

  “Good morning.” I met her in the aisle. “I was starting to get worried.”

  “Did you think I was going to stand you up?” She shook her head. “I just got a slow start this morning—unlike you, Mr. park-by-the-door.”

  “I had trouble sleeping.” I looked down and sighed. “Do you want to go over the presentation one more time before we meet with the people from Xavier Wholesale?”

  “I think it’s going to be best if I just let it everything marinate.” She put down her bag and sipped her coffee. “I stared at that thing last night until I fell asleep. There’s literally nothing that reviewing it is going to accomplish except give me more anxiety.”

  “Okay.” I nodded. “I really don’t think you should be anxious about this. Forget what Fulton said. You worked really hard on this presentation, and you’re going to kill it when you get in there. I believe in you.”

  “I wish I could believe in myself with that kind of certainty.” She flashed a weak smile. “I don’t feel like I’ve lost my confidence, I just don’t like knowing that so much is hanging on every word I say.”

  “We’ve prepared to death. We’ve burned through every question that they could possibly ask. Mr. Remington was satisfied with the one you rushed through yesterday. If anything, you’re over-prepared at this point.” I shrugged.

  “You don’t think Fulton will be there, do you?” She raised her eyebrows in concern. “Surely he wouldn’t sabotage my presentation.”

  “Now you’re just thinking crazy.” I shook my head quickly. “I don’t know if he’ll be in the room or not, but there’s no way in hell he’s going to sabotage something that Mr. Remington is invested in. He’s an asshole, but he’s not an idiot.”

  “An asshole that might be our boss one day.” She sighed.

  “Nothing says we have to stay here.” I reached out and took her hand. “There are plenty of companies in New York. By the time he’s running Remington Global, we’ll have enough experience to choose where we want to work.”

  “Does that mean you would actually consider leaving if he was in charge?” She blinked in surprise.

  “I don’t honestly know.” I shrugged. “I feel like I’m finally seeing how poor some of his decision making is, which does make me question what this company will look like if he’s in charge—then again, Mr. Remington may live to be a hundred.”

  “That wouldn’t surprise me.” She laughed—finally, some hint of humor instead of turmoil.

  Brooke and I talked for a few more minutes before I returned to my office, and she sat d
own to get things ready for the presentation. I didn’t feel like there was anything else I could do to ease her anxiety. I was so scared that I considered a whiskey-lunch when I stood up in front of a room to do my first big presentation. My career hung in the balance that day too, but that was a lot easier than being responsible for someone else’s future. I fueled up on coffee and stared at the clock as the minute ticked down.

  “Hey, Brooke. Can you come in here for a minute?” I peeked out my door and motioned to her.

  “Is everything okay?” She walked into my office.

  “Yeah, I just have something to give you.” I pushed my door closed.

  “What?” She looked at me in confusion.

  “This…” I pulled her close and immediately kissed her before she realized what I was going to do.

  “Well that got my blood pumping.” She smiled as soon as our lips parted. “That was way too risky! What if someone had walked around the corner…”

  “I really don’t care.” I hugged her. “Just walk into that room and be yourself. You’re going to be fine.”

  “Thank you.” She laid her head on my shoulder and sighed. “I needed that.”

  “After this presentation is over, we’re going to get a drink to celebrate your success.” I leaned back and nodded. “You got this.”

  “Let me get my things. We don’t want to be late.” Brooke glanced at the clock.

  “Not yet.” I held onto her hand. “I want to hear you say it—you got this.”

  “I got this.” She smiled, and a tiny laugh followed her words. “I’m gonna be fine—everything is okay.”

  “There, that’s better. I hope you believe it.” I narrowed my eyes.

  “You’re not going to let go of me unless I say that I do…” She nodded quickly. “I feel better. Seriously, I’m telling you the truth.”

  “Okay, good.” I let go of her. “Let’s go show those people from Xavier Wholesale what their next campaign is going to look like.”

  In a couple of hours, all of this stress will feel like it was a waste of time.