by C. C. Brown
I shook my head and grabbed a wine glass from the cupboard and poured it full. After taking a long sip I murmured, "There's nothing to spill, except for the fact that Damian hates Jason, so in turn, he's making my life damn near miserable." I watched as Chelsea's face fixed into a scowl.
"Even when you aren't with him you're miserable," she said. "Time to throw the garbage out, Cara."
"Um, fuck that," Mila quickly responded. "This isn't Jason's fault and you know it, Chelsea.
"Well he sure as hell isn't making her life any better. Before she slowly started letting him back in, things seemed to be on the upswing. Now she comes home every day like a bitch that needs to get laid. I have to live with her. I don't appreciate this."
"We all know how you feel about Jason, Chelsea, but let's be real, this is not his fault. Besides, he would gladly lay Cara if she'd let him."
"Gross. I think I just lost my appetite," Chelsea replied, before faking a gag.
"What the fuck ever. You can hate Jason all you want, but the fact of the matter is, he loves her, and that's what should matter,"
"I'm right here, you guys. Damn. This is just adding to my stress level!" I shouted, sick and tired of hearing them debate my love life right in front of me. "Your stupid love square is driving me crazy. I don't even care to listen to anything else pertaining to it."
"Sorry, Cara," Chelsea mumbled.
"Yeah. Our bad," Mila threw in.
I sneered at both of them and then chugged down the rest of my wine.
"Dinner's in ten minutes." Ryan added.
I didn't answer anyone. I simply placed my wine glass down on the counter and stomped up the stairs.
Because I was starving after having skipped lunch, I tossed aside the plans for a bath and instead opted for a shower. I stayed in the shower until I felt my skin beginning to burn from the heat of the water. After throwing on some shorts and a tank top, I wrapped my hair in my towel and marched back down stairs. Leaving my hair wrapped in a towel, I marched back downstairs where I could hear the jovial dinner conversations at the kitchen table. I sat down and made myself a plate, but didn't partake in the exchange. Instead, I ate as much as I could, while silently fuming from the day I'd had, the argument over me that had taken place right in front of me, and the fact that I had a luncheon the next day that I certainly didn't want to participate in. It was becoming apparent that the easy going and carefree life that I thought I had, was slowly fading away from me.
The next day, I was finally going back to SDSM. It felt like ages since I had been in the office, and in a weird sort of way, I missed it. Working with Damian so closely was starting to grate my nerves, so I was looking forward to being in my office, even if it was only for part of the day.
Strolling into the office building Friday morning, I took in the sight of every employee wearing some sort of teal as was instructed. The Tide team colors were teal, black, and white and we were told to wear the color scheme for the luncheon. I walked by Sunny's desk, not even stopping to look in her direction as I did so. The same leggy blonde, who often made remarks, was standing at her desk, and as I passed by, they chuckled. I lightly shook my head, but didn't break my stride. I had been dealing with enough bullshit in the last few days and I didn't want to deal with anymore, just when I could finally see a light at the end of the tunnel.
When I stepped off the elevator on the fifth floor, I walked by Amanda who was busy on what looked like a stressful phone call. I smiled and waved, which she half-heartedly returned, and made my way into my office. I closed the door behind me and leaned up against it, breathing a sigh of relief at the thought of having at least a couple of hours to myself. I still hadn't located my cell phone, and after work today, it was the number one thing on my to-do list.
Amanda knocked on the door and walked in. She looked flustered, which wasn't a look I was accustomed to seeing. She took a seat on the chair in front of me, sighing heavily, stirring me from my computer screen.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
"Not really," she answered, "Damian is turning into an ass."
"What do you mean?"
She stopped and eyed me for a minute.
"Has anything happened between you two?"
"No!" I yelled, "Nothing has happened between us. He's wanted it to, but nothing has happened."
She ran her hands over her pixie cut hair. My breathing was beginning to pick up as I felt my blood begin to boil.
"Amanda, tell me what is going on?"
She sighed. "I didn't think anything had happened, but…"
My eyes bulged as she stopped and swallowed.
"William and Damian were speaking this morning and talk of you came up. Damian was saying that the photo shoot went well, but then I heard him say that your date the other night at The Wine Cellar didn't go too well."
My mouth dropped. I couldn't believe that Damian was using his set-up the other day as a date.
"He said you're confused on what you want and that, while you are a good employee, he feels that your love life might hinder your ability to perform all of your duties."
I swallowed hard, unsure of what had become of this conversation.
"What did William say?"
"He was a bit skeptical about it, but Damian was very insistent that you might not be the right person for this project."
"What did you say?" I asked, hoping Amanda would have stepped up for me.
"I wasn't in the room. I heard them speaking through the door. When Damian was leaving, I hurried away to my desk. I don't think William is convinced, but he did mentally store it away. I could see it on his face as he walked Damian out of the office."
I slumped back in my seat. I felt like the wind had been knocked out of me. Was I about to lose my job because Damian hated Jason, and in turn, was taking things out on me? Was my reluctance to move any closer to him part of this? I sat there with a million thoughts running through my mind. Amanda began cooing light sympathies towards me, trying to make me feel better.
Amanda finally excused herself from my office and smiled sympathetically at me. I thanked her for giving me the heads up and then turned to my computer, pondering how I would make it through the upcoming luncheon. When Amanda walked out, I immediately picked up my phone and called Chelsea. She didn't answer, so I left her a message, asking her to meet me afterwards. I dialed Mila and got her on the first ring. I was so thankful. I needed my girls more than anything at the moment.
I went into Amanda's tale with Mila, who was beyond pissed. She said that I should just quit my job, but not before laying into Damian and exposing him for the creep that he most certainly was.
"I can't do that, Mila. As long as William is still in my corner, I have my job," I reminded her.
"Yeah, but Damian is the owner. If he threatens to pull his team, you're on the chopping block."
"I know. But seriously, I need my job. I guess I'll just have to suck up the bullshit around here."
Just then, there was a knock on the door. When I looked up, my breath caught. Damian was standing in the door way with his quintessential smug grin on his face. My eyes shot open in surprise, but rage quickly filled me. He strolled into my office as if nothing was even wrong.
"Ready for the luncheon, Cara?" he asked, in a smooth voice deceitful enough to make a naïve person believe he was a good guy.
"Give me a minute," I harshly responded, startling him.
I ended my conversation with Mila and made plans to meet up with her after the luncheon. I was in serious need of some girl time, away from the nonsense of work. Damian stood and waited for me at the doorway and as I walked out, he placed his hand on the small of my back. I squirmed and looked up to him, I saw him give a wicked smile to Amanda with a sly wink of the eye. She lightly smiled back, but didn't give any more expression or say anything as we strolled by.
William came walking out of his office and asked to speak to me alone for a second. My heart sank as I was sure that I would be receiving my wa
lking papers.
He shut the door behind him as I turned to face him. My face flushed beet red, afraid of whatever was about to come out of his mouth.
"How is work going for you, Cara?" William asked. His stoic face gave nothing away, and that worried me a bit.
"It's going okay, I guess."
"How is your working relationship with Damian?"
I stopped for a minute and wondered if I should go ahead and tell him what had been going on or if I should just let it go.
"It's going,"
William eyed me suspiciously for a second.
"Well, I don't think I have to remind you that this is a very important client of ours and that you need to be the most phenomenal employee in order to keep Mr. Rossi happy. He's a bit concerned about your personal life getting in the way of work. Let me remind you that you need to put work first and foremost."
Before I could say anything, Damian knocked on the door and opened it, looking in and locking his wolfish greenish-grey eyes with mine. I composed the anger boiling inside of me and fixed my clothing while walking out of the office. I looked over to Amanda who was shaking her head but not saying anything. William and Damian stepped out, patting one another on the back and framing me as we walked over to the elevators. My breath was beginning to hitch as we stepped inside. It was just me, alone with the two of them, and I had an uneasy feeling settling into my stomach.
Chapter 15
My stomach contracted the entire way up to the boardroom that had been transformed into a lunch space. William and Damian continued on with their friendly chatter, almost as if I wasn't even in their presence. I was sickened by the fact that Damian could be so callous and conniving, yet smile in my face and pretend to be the awesome guy that he portrayed himself to be in front of everyone else. Thoughts of turning and giving him a high five to the face crossed my mind on more than one occasion, but I quickly remembered that actions have consequences, so I tucked my sinister thoughts away and tried my best to rein in my frustrations.
When we finally walked into the boardroom, the players, a few media heads, and some of the SDSM employees, stood and greeted us with a round of applause. It surprisingly calmed my frazzled nerves, and I took a seat near the head of the table. Unfortunately, Damian sat down right next to me.
I watched him fiddle with his phone, smirking, as text messages came in. My own phone was sorely missed, as I felt like my life was tied to it. I kept thinking about Jason and Chase, my parents, and anyone else who I had the unfortunate inability to speak to since it went missing. When a plate of food was placed in front of me, I dove in. Dinner had been scarce the night before after such a nauseating work day spent with Damian. He didn't say much to me over the course of lunch, surprising me and making me happy all at the same time.
William stood and spoke to the room, thanking everyone for their tireless effort to get The Tide off the ground. He thanked Damian for being such an open and charismatic owner, making his own work life that much easier. I wanted to gag at the words, but I smiled and lightly clapped, hoping no one saw my despondent demeanor, as I sat listening to utter bullshit. William thanked me for my hard work, but it was limited to a sentence, then he went back to praising Damian and all of his thoughtfulness. I wanted nothing more than for this luncheon to be over with.
A few of the players stood and spoke. I got more recognition from them than I did from my own boss. I actually smiled as they spoke, because their speeches weren't full of Damian Rossi, ass kissing rhetoric. They spoke about their love for the game, the opportunity they had been given, and the countless hours spent by those of us behind the scenes making their dreams a reality. Their speeches were what I needed to hear, and, if for only a half hour, it was the best part of this torturous event.
As soon as we were excused, I high tailed it back up to my office and grabbed my belongings. William made the luncheon the end of our work day for that Friday. Luckily for me, that meant I could spend more time with Mila after work.
When I stepped off the elevator and onto the lobby floor, Sunny was standing by her desk with her arms folded over her chest. I tried to breeze right by, but she called my name, and startled me, so I turned to face her.
"Cara, most females in your position don't last long with William. And sleeping with The Tide owner, trying to wriggle your way into him, is no way to keep your job."
My eyebrows scrunched at the brazenness of her words.
"Excuse me?" I asked with great offense.
"I'm just saying that, word travels, Cara. You'll want to watch yourself."
She swiftly moved behind her desk and answered the ringing phone. I wanted to unleash a multitude of epithets at her, but she was now effectively ignoring me, so I turned and fumed as I stalked out of the office. When I made my way to my car, I watched Damian stroll over, further eroding what little good mood I had left. I tossed my bag onto the passenger seat and took off my heels, throwing them onto the backseat. My only goal was to leave without having another nonsensical conversation that would only make me want to cause Damian bodily harm. Unfortunately, as I sat down, he held on to the car door, leaning down as his once enticing eyes locked with mine.
"You're sure in a hurry. Are you okay?" he asked, sounding overly condescending.
"Are you really asking me that? My boss is wondering if I can handle my job thanks to you and your assertions that my personal life is hindering my efforts."
He laughed a sinister laugh and threw his head back. When he stopped, he stood straight up and his eyes locked with mine once again.
"Maybe he's seeing it in your work ethic. You did show up late for a work function. How do you know he didn't come asking me for my opinion to back up his own?"
The smile that sliced his lips infuriated me and I stood to come within inches of his face.
"You are incredible," I hissed.
"Oh, I know I am," he retorted, reaching out and grabbing my hand.
A few seconds later, I heard the familiar roar of the Raptor, and I turned to find Jason pulling up. His eyes locked on the two of us, standing so close to one another. I watched fire flame through him as he jumped out of the truck and rushed over to Damian and me. Damian removed his hand from mine and an annoyingly large smile filled his face as Jason stepped up next to me.
"What the fuck is goin' on here?" Jason asked, staring holes into Damian. I watched as his face filled with wrath. It was the very same wrath that I saw whenever he encountered his brother.
"What the fuck do you think, Bradley? This is another Stacey all over again. You just can't seem to find a chick that's willing to have you without also tasting me."
Jason pushed him back and I watched as his hands bunched into white knuckled fists. His breathing picked up, his normally tanned skin was now shading red, and I watched as his breathing picked up.
"Don't ever fuckin' compare her to Stacey. I'll rip your fuckin' face off."
Damian ran his hand over his head and laughed.
"Must be so hard to know that you're never going to be good enough for any girl," I watched him pull what looked to be my cell phone out of his jacket pocket. "When you called last night and I answered, she was in my shower, dude, hanging onto my dick. Check those messages too. You'll learn just how important you really are to her."
Jason's jaw clenched and in an instant, both of his hands gripped Damian's shirt. Their faces were nearly touching as Jason breathed hard; trying to keep himself from doing any further damage.
"She did say you were an ex-boyfriend, so I'm not really sure why you're so mad about it all," Damian was trying desperately to egg Jason on.
"You achin' to get ya pretty little ass whooped, Rossi. Keep running that fuckin' mouth."
I heard William's voice just as Jason finished threatening Damian.
"What is going on over here?" William asked, eyeing Jason and the hold he had on Damian.
"Just a friendly misunderstanding, Will. Cara's ex-boyfriend was just apologizing for his mindless
outburst."
William turned to me with a look of consternation on his face. I felt my heart rate spike as my hands began to sweat.
"You have a damn snake here," Jason growled.
"Let me tell you something. You don't come here and accost any employee. Best thing for you to do is to get in your car and drive away from here before you have assault charges tacked on to your ass." William looked like he was ready to fight. "Cara, I'll need to see you in my office Monday morning."
Damian straightened his collar and grinned at Jason and me.
"Thanks, Will. I'm okay, though. Nothing too serious."
William dusted Damian off and then Damian casually walked away and got into his car.
"Don't bring this bullshit to our place of business, Cara." He stopped and then looked over to Jason, who was still fuming. "Monday."
I watched him get into his car and drive off.
Jason ran his hands through his shaggy brown hair and yelled out, "Fuck!"
I swallowed the lump in my throat and turned to Jason, upset that he had come to my place of work and completely showed his ass.
"What got into you? Why are you here?"
"Why am I here? I call you all day yesterday and get no answer. When I finally do, Damian, Pencil Dick Rossi, answers your phone."
"You don't seriously believe his ridiculous ass story, do you?"
Jason ran his hand over his face but didn't say anything. Now it was my turn to fume.
"You are a douchebag, Jason. We aren't together because of your shit. And yet, you stand here in front of me and tell me that you believe I would just sleep with the fucking creep that I have to work with. Where is your trust in me?"
"I never said I believe him…"
"You never said you didn't, either."
We stood staring into one another's eyes, flames of rage and passion searing us both. Our connection was alive and well, but I didn't want to feel the familiar tug to want to be in Jason's arms. Rather than give in to the feeling, I stepped away from him, breaking our invasive stares.