Room 452

by T. L. Quinn

  I cringe and make a mocking face at the phone. “Bring your A-game.” I say back into the empty room in a whiny baby voice. “Fuck off.”

  Me: Well it can’t get any worse than whatever method you’ve been trying for the past year. Maybe you should stay away from this sale. They don’t seem interested in you.

  I smile satisfied with myself as I grab my bag and head out to my car. My phone dings again as I get in.

  FuckFace: Don’t worry. Now that you’ll be there I have a new method.

  Me: What’s that supposed to mean?

  I pull up to the McCormick’s corporate office thirty minutes later. I look around but don’t see Sawyer’s car yet. I check my phone again, but he still didn’t respond. I’m starting to get nervous about whatever he is planning on doing.

  Me: I’m here. Going to head in. Please don’t do anything stupid.

  I walk up to the building that looks like it is entirely made of glass. My heels click on the marble floor as I walk up to the reception desk. I smile at the receptionist. “Hi, I have an appointment with Roger Elway.”

  She smiles. “Sure, right this way. You can wait in the conference room. I’ll let him know you are here.”

  I sit down in the room with a wall of windows and a huge conference room table. I open my laptop to have any details ready that might come up during the meeting. The door pushes open and in walks a pretty blonde girl.

  I smile at her, but I blink a couple of times trying to figure out where I know her from. She starts talking. “Would you like a coffee or anythin-.” She stops mid-word. “Oh my God! It’s you!”

  I let out a nervous chuckle still trying to wrack my brain of how I know her. Luckily she continues. “Oh I’m so glad I could talk to you before Sawyer gets here.”

  “Sawyer?” I ask confused, but then suddenly it all clicks into place. This is the same girl from the resort. I open my eyes wide when I realize. “Oh yes! It’s so good to see you again.” I lie.

  She bounces up and down as she sits down. “I just wanted to tell you that I think your guys’ story is so romantic.”

  I try to give her a smile without cringing. “Oh, well you know Sawyer.”

  She sighs dreamily like she’s thinking about him. “Yes. When at first he wouldn’t return my calls, I was pissed as fuck, but then when I ran into him at that coffee shop, and he told me all about how he couldn’t bring himself to be with someone else when he was still so in love with you. Oh boy, it just melted my heart. I’m so glad you gave him a second chance! The man looked truly devastated.”

  I feel like my face is going to break with how fake my smile is. “Yes, well the heart wants the heart wants I guess.” I try to change the subject. “I didn’t realize you worked here.”

  She smiles just as bubbly as ever. “Oh yes. Roger is my step-daddy. I handle his administrative tasks.”

  My face drops. Oh for fuck’s sake. As if on cue, Sawyer walks in. She grins at him so big I swear her face will break. “I’ll give you guys a minute while I go grab Roger. I just wanted to come say hello first.” She gets up and leaves the room.

  The moment the door is closed, I stand from my chair and march over to him. “Are you fucking kidding me?” I open my eyes wide. “Is this the reason we didn’t get the account sooner? Because you couldn’t fucking keep it in your pants?”

  He ignores me completely. “What are you wearing?”

  I glance down at myself out of instinct. Then I glare back up at him. “Sawyer!”

  He continues to ignore me and steps closer to me. “This is a sales call. You’re not a fucking lawyer.” He actually reaches forward and undoes the top button on my blouse before I can stop him.

  “What the fuck!” I shout under my breath so the people outside don’t hear me.

  He still doesn’t respond. “They are hardly going to believe you’re the love of my life looking like that.”

  “Fuck you!” I whisper-shout back.

  It doesn’t deter him as he reaches up and yanks on my hair tie. I try to stop him, but it’s too late as my hair tumbles down from the up-do I put it up in this morning.

  “I will murder you.” I glare back at him.

  The door opens, and he leans down to my ear as his hand presses against my back. “Smile darling.”

  I put on my best fake smile even though I’m burning with rage on the inside. This motherfucker put me in this situation on purpose. Roger walks closer and shakes Sawyer’s hand. “Sawyer, so good to see you again.”

  Then he turns and looks at me. “And you must be Blake.”

  “Yes.” I smile as I shake his hand. “It’s so nice to meet you.”

  He motions for us to sit while he walks over to the other side of the table. “To be honest, I didn’t expect it when I heard Sawyer had a girlfriend.”

  “Fiance.” Sawyer interjects.

  I open my eyes wide and stare back at him. I kick my foot against his ankle, but he just turns and smiles at me like he’s in love or some bullshit.

  Roger leans back surprised. “Wow! Congratulations! I’d love to hear that story.”

  I reach over and grab Sawyer’s hand and link my fingers with his. “Yes honey, please do tell.” I challenge him.

  Sawyer pulls our hands under the table but doesn’t let go. He runs his thumb up and down my finger and laughs. “Well, I guess what they say is true. When you know, you just know.”

  I give my best fake smile, and he continues. “She of course said no the first couple of times, but I eventually wore her down.”

  Roger busts out laughing, and I know enough about sales to keep this rapport going. I mostly keep my mouth shut while Sawyer does most of the talking. I interject here and there with more technical questions about our products or services, but honestly we could probably be selling this guy the dirt outside his office and he’d eat it up. Fucking Christ, it’s a whole new world watching Sawyer work his magic. No wonder he’s the best in the business.

  We end the meeting with them purchasing a trial basis. I’m confident though that Sawyer will make it a permanent sale after the month trial, which that sale alone would beat last quarter’s sales as long as the rest of the team does close to average. Regardless though, I’m still fucking pissed that he threw me into this drama.

  The moment we walk out of the building I put distance between the two of us, and I walk as fast as possible back to my car. Sawyer doesn’t seem to get the hint as he follows behind me. “Woah, what’s the rush? We made a great team back there.”

  I whip around so fast that I slam right into his chest. I step back and glare at him. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

  He pauses. “Okay...I can see you’re upset.”

  “Upset!” I yell. “What the hell was that?”

  He acts all nonchalant about it. “What’s the big deal? We made the sale didn’t we?”

  I place my hand on my hip. “Even if I was okay with this whole situation, which I’m not. Like I’d ever date you.”

  He cuts me off. “Marry.” He winks.

  I pinch my lips into a thin line. “Even if I was okay with that, you didn’t think it’d be a good idea to give me a heads up?”

  He laughs. “Why would I do that? You just told me that you wouldn’t be okay with it.”

  “Exactly!” I scream and throw my hands up in frustration.

  I turn back around to finish walking to my car. Sawyer’s voice sounds annoyed behind me. “Hey, I’m just giving you what you wanted. You want to break last quarter’s sales without me, be my guest.”

  I turn back around again. “You really like people relying on you, huh?”

  He bites his lip between his teeth as he looks me up and down. “I’d love for you to rely on me.”

  I make a disgusted sound and turn back around. “I’m heading back into the office to put together the leads for the guys. Please don’t bother me unless it’s absolutely necessary.”

  He calls out after me. “It’s a good thing daddy didn’t put yo
u in charge or I’d actually have to listen to that!”

  I shoot my arm in the air and flip him the bird. I can just tell he has a dumb satisfied smirk on his face without even turning around. Oh well, like I said, this was a huge win today, so I shouldn’t have to do anymore pretend relationship sales calls with Sawyer. Although God knows how many scornful women he’s left hanging at all these different accounts. Let’s hope he is able to keep the peace with them until at least the quarter is over. I can do damage control once I don’t have to deal with him on a daily basis.

  Chapter 6

  The next couple of weeks don’t get any better. Sawyer never leaves me alone. He is always bothering me about useless crap. I know he’s only doing it because he can right now while we are supposed “partners” in managing the team. I can’t use Todd to distract me since he took a leave of absence the second day back. Some kind of family emergency in another state. He didn’t give me too many details, but he said he’d be gone for at least three weeks.

  The worst part about these past couple weeks is that Sawyer always somehow convinces me that I have to be on a sales call, and at every one I am completely unnecessary. He flirts excessively at every appointment, sometimes with more than one woman.

  I can’t help but obsess over whether or not he’s slept with any of these women before. He probably has with all of them. It shouldn’t bother me. It doesn’t bother me. It’s just annoying. I hate the way they look at him. It’s like he makes them feel like they are the most special girl in the world.

  I know that’s the real reason it’s bugging me because he does the same thing with me, but worse, I let him. I let him make me feel like I’m important. The whole game from the resort. It makes you feel like all the other girls are just for fun, but that your game is somehow more important to him. It’s not though. They are all just games, and I’ve been playing his for too long.

  No more though. The only way I’m going to stop though is to stop with all the bickering with him. I have to put all the shit he pulled before we hired him behind me. We have to move forward together as professionals. I can put my personal differences aside. At least while I have to work directly with him.

  My dad called me this morning and asked me to meet him in his office. I walk in and sit down across from him. “Hey sweetie.” He says to me.

  “Hey, what’s up?” I respond.

  He smiles at me. “I wanted to touch base about the team and see how everything was going.”

  “Good. Great actually. We are on track to beat last quarter’s numbers.” I say confidently

  He smirks at me. “Yes, I know. I heard about McCormicks.” Then his smile drops. “The thing is, the overall numbers have been great, but there have been a few guys struggling this past month.”

  I go to open my mouth, but my dad continues. “It’s perfectly understandable. There’s new leadership and processes have changed, which is why I think you guys should do a team building exercise.”

  “Team building?” I ask as I raise an eyebrow in question.

  “Yes.” My dad says as he leans back in his chair. “I think you all should go up to the cabin this weekend. The team still needs to get to know you better before they will fully trust you.”

  “This weekend? Isn’t that kind of short notice?” I ask.

  My dad laughs. “I’m sure most of them will be able to make it. We both know none of them have lives. Plus everyone loves the cabin.”

  I laugh, but agree with him. “Can we leave Sawyer at home?”

  My dad rolls his eyes. “I think that would defeat the main purpose of this trip.”

  I let out a sigh. “So what? You want me to be friends with Sawyer now?”

  My dad laughs. “God no. That bastard can rot in hell. He doesn’t even deserve to be breathing the same air as you.”

  I throw my head back and laugh. “Uhm thanks? I think. So what exactly is the point then?”

  He chuckles. “It’ll be good for the team to get to know you more. You and Sawyer can figure out a professional rhythm.”

  I groan. “Do I have to? I was hoping I could move on from him shortly.”

  My dad smiles. “It’ll be good practice for the future. We often have to work with people that we loathe.”

  I groan again. “Fine. Have you told any of the guys yet?”

  He grins back. “Nope. I wanted to give you the opportunity so you’d have a one up on Sawyer.”

  I laugh. “Way to go dad!” I stand from my chair. “I better get to it. Did you need anything else?”

  “No. That was all. See you later.” He says.

  I walk out with a little more pep in my step than before. My dad was right. This will be good news for the team, and I get to deliver it. Suck that Sawyer.

  The cabin is located in a remote, woodsy area. The only thing nearby is a small town with a couple restaurants and one bar. No one usually leaves the cabin though. It has a fully stocked bar with all the mixers you can think of, tons of gaming tables, pool, air hockey, you name it, an entertainment room with a projector movie screen, and a full set of video game TVs set up next to each other so more than one person can play.

  The most extravagant thing though is the heated pool out back. Even when it’s snowing and below zero, the pool remains at a nice 90 degrees. There’s just something so magical about being in a remote wooded area with the snow falling down and floating around in the water.

  I’m heading back to my desk, but I stop by Erin’s desk. “Hey, my team is going to the cabin this weekend, so can’t do drinks this Friday.” We usually do drinks after work on Friday if we don’t have any other plans.

  She whistles. “Ooo fancy. What’s that all about?”

  I shrug. “My dad thinks we need to do a team building trip since we lost Bob. Get the guys used to all the new processes.” I sit down on the edge of the desk. “Best part though is that I get to tell everyone about it. My dad told me first.”

  Erin’s eyes open wide at something behind me, and I whip around to see what she’s looking at. I’m greeted with Sawyer’s smug face. I look down to his hands as he pulls out of his phone.

  I narrow my eyes at him. “Don’t you fucking dare.”

  He turns on his heel and starts texting on his phone. I jump up from the desk and chase after him. “Sawyer!” I shout as I run in front of him.

  I try to reach for his phone, but he continues to text above my head. Damn you short arms. I try to jump up, but I don’t even come close. “Sawyer! For Christ’s sake. Can you not let me have this one win? I already have to suffer through you being there all weekend.”

  He laughs. “You don’t need a win. You already think so highly of yourself.”

  I step back and open my mouth at him. “I do not!”

  He just raises a questioning eyebrow, so I continue. “I don’t think highly of myself. I just think lowly of you.”

  He smirks as he brings his phone back down. “Whatever you say B.”

  We both glance down to his phone when it starts dinging with responses. He must’ve hit send on a group text. I make a soft screaming noise in the back of my throat. “Bastard.”

  Then I stomp away from him back toward my desk. He follows behind. “So are you going to actually give me the details of what’s going on this weekend?”

  I let out a sarcastic laugh without turning around. “Ha! No, I think I’ll leave giving the details to the guys up to you since you were so determined to let them know what’s going on.”

  I hear the smirk in his voice. “C’mon Blake. Can’t we all just get along?”

  I take a big breath, trying to remember what my dad told me about dealing with people you don’t like for the sake of business. I turn around and face him. “Sure. I will send out an itinerary today. Now, if you could leave, I’d like to see as little of you as possible if I have to spend the whole weekend with you.”

  He bops me on the nose like I’m a little girl. “See, we make a great team.” Then he turns and walks away, l
eaving me to deal with sending all the flight details over to the guys. Asshole.

  Chapter 7

  I took an earlier flight than the rest of the team just to make sure the cabin was all in order when we got there, so imagine my surprise when I walked into the cabin and found Sawyer standing in the kitchen already pouring himself a drink.

  “What the fuck are you doing here?” I grumble as I set my bags down in the entryway.

  He smirks as he takes a sip of his drink. “I saw you scheduled an earlier flight, so I figured I should join you. You know, since we’re co-captains of this team and all.”

  I roll my eyes. “This wasn’t some stunt to one up you. I just wanted to make sure the cabin was all set before everyone got here.” I smirk back at him. “So since you’re here, I’ll let you check everything out.”

  He sets his glass down and leans forward on his hands on the counter. “Sure. How about I start with the hot tub? I just need a test subject, preferably in a tiny bikini.”

  I roll my eyes and walk past him. “I’m going to my room.”

  I shut the door on my bedroom so I can have a moment to myself. The rest of the team should be here in about five hours, so I just have to avoid Sawyer for a little while longer. The room is beautiful. I always forget how nice this place is.

  The log cabin walls make it feel so cozy with the big bed with a bunch of floofy pillows. The large window gives you a view of the forest with snowflakes falling all around. There’s so much snow right now that you can’t even see the ground anywhere, but the cabin is nice and toasty. I even have my own fireplace in this room. About half of the rooms have them. If there were ever the perfect place to cozy up with a good book, this would be it.

  I decide to take a shower to freshen up after the long flight. By the time I’m done getting ready again, it’s been an hour since I’ve arrived. Well, now I only have to kill four more before people start arriving. I blow out a breath. Maybe I should take a tip from Sawyer and go pour myself a drink.

  I get up and walk out toward the kitchen. I hear Sawyer talking on the phone. “Yeah, fuck I just checked.” He is pacing back and forth. “Fuck man. That blows.” He takes a few more steps, listening to whoever is on the other side of the call.