by T. K. Rapp
“Man, don’t cock block.”
“I want nothing to do with your cock, so put it away.”
“But Cayenne is sending me all sorts of pictures. Check this out.” He leans over to try to show me something, but I wave him off.
“Look at these questions and tell me how you would answer them.” I show him the printout and continue to look at them myself.
“What does this one mean?” he asks.
I look over and in my distraction, I’m faced with what I assume is supposed to be a sexy pose. In the crappy club lighting, I didn’t notice before until seeing this picture, but she’s a little too bleached and fake for me, but my brother is clearly into it.
“Can we finish this stuff? I’d like to get home at a decent time.” I give him a warning look, and he finally stuffs the device into his pocket.
“You’re the boss.”
Chapter 14
“Hattie, I’m going to take an early lunch. I’ll be at The Tavern if Cavette calls.” She nods, and I leave her there to handle the office in my absence.
For the last three days, I have waited to hear something from Cavette. I answered his questions, sent them back, and thought I gave damn good information. Yet, here I am on Friday afternoon, and I’m pissed we haven’t heard anything one way or the other.
The restaurant isn’t too busy when I arrive, and I head for a table near the window so I can read over some new documents from Rialyn. The waitress takes my order and leaves me to the mess I have strewn across the table. There is a steady stream of people coming in and out, some are taking their order to go, but the tables are filling up fast. A few minutes later, the waitress brings my sandwich out, and I set the papers aside.
The turkey club I ordered is calling my name but when I lift the sandwich to take a bite, I notice Faith walking in.
It was bound to happen sometime.
I divert my eyes so she doesn’t see me. We haven’t had any exchanges since our email banter a few days ago. The small place has filled up in the last fifteen minutes so she won’t be here long.
It’s funny how you can hear one voice over all the others, even when you don’t want to.
“I’m meeting someone. Oh, there he is,” I hear her tell the hostess.
I am so engrossed with my papers I didn’t notice anyone from Rock Solid, or more specifically Brad, when I walked in, but then again, he’s probably at the Chicago office.
“Thank you,” I hear her say, more closely now. I look up to see her with a raised brow, staring right at me.
Chewing my first bite, I wipe my mouth and wait until I’ve swallowed before acknowledging her. “Faith.”
“Well, would you mind moving your papers?”
What? I can’t help but gawk at her because clearly this woman is insane. I haven’t talked to her since last weekend, and to my knowledge, I have nothing scheduled with her.
“Trey. Papers?” she repeats with her eyes still fixed on me.
“What about them?”
“Can you move them so I can join you?”
“Join me?”
She turns to the hostess who is as confused by the exchange as I am and smiles. “He must have forgotten we were meeting.” The hostess looks at me, and I shrug before she walks off. Faith doesn’t bother to wait for me to move anything. She takes a seat in one of the empty chairs and stares at me.
“I have no appointments today,” I say to her before taking another bite of my food.
“I know.”
“What’s your deal?” I ask through the food in my mouth.
“Have you seen how crowded it is in here? I don’t want to wait for a table.”
“How is it a week ago, I’ve never seen you before, and now it seems I run into you everywhere I go?”
“I guess you’re lucky,” she smirks before resuming a straight face. “Look, I moved here a few weeks ago, and I only go to places that are close to where I live. I haven’t quite figured the city out, okay? It’s not like I’m thrilled to see you either.”
“Faith. I don’t like you. You don’t like me. We’re not friends, so why would you want to sit with me?”
I’ll give her credit. She doesn’t seem the least bit offended by my statement, but she also doesn’t look ashamed at her brazen interruption. “I don’t have to like you to sit at a table and eat. And how about this, we don’t have to talk. I need a place to sit, and you happen to have an open seat.”
The papers are still where I left them, but I pick them up and set them on the empty chair next to me, allowing her some space. The waitress returns and takes her order before leaving us to our silent standoff. Neither of us is eager to break the silence and neither of us attempts eye contact with the other either. There is a comfort in what should be awkwardness, me finishing up my lunch and looking over papers, and her checking email and eating her lunch. It’s as if it’s something we’ve always done.
This goes on for at least twenty minutes, which would be odd to watch, but it’s strange because it doesn’t feel that way.
I glance up at her, and she drops her eyes to the device in front of her, causing me to release a small laugh. “I wasn’t looking at you,” she protests, keeping her eyes trained on the phone in her hands.
“If you say so,” I mutter with a smug grin.
She huffs in frustration and drops her elbows onto the tabletop. “Fine, I was, but not because I was checking you out. Have you heard anything yet?” The uncertainty in her question is unmistakable.
“I haven’t checked in with the office since this morning.” I try not to let my relief show since she hasn’t heard anything either. That’s a good sign.
“What’s taking him so long? I expected the call for the win on Tuesday.”
I lift my head and raise a brow, questioning her words. She comes off so cool and confident, but I’m not sure she realized her momentary lapse. When she doesn’t say anything else, I drop my head back to the paper and laugh. I could really have fun with this.
“Maybe you’re not as good as everyone says you are.” I still don’t look at her, but I can feel her boring a hole into me.
“I’m the best Rock Solid has,” she declares.
I shrug my shoulders and keep my eyes locked on the papers in my hand. I stopped reading them soon after she sat down, but they provide a good buffer and she doesn’t seem to notice.
“I thought Brad was the best?”
“Maybe eons ago when you were there, but I’ve outsold in one year what it took him two to do.”
I move my finger to my mouth and think before pointing at her to make a point. “And yet, you’re still a PR manager?”
I know I’m being an asshole, but if she can dish it, she can take it. And boy can she dish it.
“I’ve only been there a year.”
“And when did they make him a junior partner?” I toy with her a little longer until she doesn’t answer. “Oh that’s right, I was there when it happened. It was his first year. So maybe you’re not as good as you thought?”
“Are you still pissed they passed you up for him? I mean, you screwed up, do you really think they’d promote you over Brad? Especially after what you did to him?”
The laugh that erupts is unintentional, but I realize this is the story that’s been spread.
“I’ll let you in on a little secret I think your boyfriend has failed to share with you. I quit. Not because they overlooked me - in fact, they begged me to take the position, most likely to keep me quiet. I left because he screwed over a client we were working on together, and I found out about it. When I tried to fix it with management, he flame sprayed me until I showed proof it was him. Ultimately, they liked the way he operated.” I pin her to her seat with my stare, never breaking to drive my point home. “It was unethical, and I quit. I’ve never regretted my decision. So whatever it is I’ve supposedly done to him is ridiculous. I’d watch my back if I were you, because he’d have no problem throwing his grandmother under the bus to save h
is own ass.”
When I finish, she’s looking at me with wide eyes, and I know she’s been told a very skewed account of my time with Rock Solid, or more specifically my interaction with Brad.
“That’s not the way I heard it,” she says thoughtfully. “But I guess there are two sides to every story.”
“As entertaining as this has been—” I organize the papers and place them in my bag. “I have to get back to work. I’d say it was nice seeing you, but I’m sure you wouldn’t believe me anyway.”
She grabs my arm as I walk away, stopping me in my tracks. Strange that my arm would go a little heavy from the gesture, but it does. My eyes meet hers, and there’s something in them I can’t quite figure out. She drops her hand and clears her throat before looking away. “I’m sorry I interrupted your lunch.”
“I didn’t mind.”
She has no idea how little I mind.
* * *
The office is normally a place of solace for me, but Faith got me spun up with her rendition of why it is I’m no longer a part of Rock Solid. I’ve never once regretted leaving, and after today, I remember why. Jett is sitting behind my desk when I walk into the office, talking on the phone. He laughs and says a few things before turning to me. “He just walked in, one second.”
He puts the call on hold and passes me as he leaves the office. “Cal is on hold.”
There’s no time to gripe at him or do anything at all, because this is the call I’ve been waiting for all day. I grab the files and pull his information up on my screen, in case he as any other questions. Exhaling a breath, I lift the phone to my ear.
“Cal, good to hear from you. How’s it going?”
“Woke up this morning, so not too bad. Everything good there?”
“Yes, sir; can’t complain. And I wanted to thank you again for last weekend. It was great to be outside.”
“Maybe we can do it again sometime. I always have new products to try out before I decide to carry them in store. I’ll need my marketing go-to to know what we’re selling.”
The silence on the line is only a flash, but in that flash, I realize what he’s saying. “Thank you, Cal. I look forward to working with you. My marketing team has some great stuff to share with you already and the public relations group -”
“Hold on. One second, son,” he interrupts with light laughter at my eagerness.
He pauses for a moment to ensure he has my attention. “You got the job. The marketing for Cavette is yours. But I decided to contract Rock Solid to handle the public relations part. Faith has some great ideas, and I felt it only fair to get two great individuals and create one stellar team for my company.”
I’m glad the man can’t see my frustration at the moment. My free hand is furiously rubbing my forehead as I piece together what he’s told me. I didn’t get the job? Or rather, the entire thing? I didn’t realize he was considering dividing the work.
“Sir?”
“I need you and Faith to work together. You put the marketing plan together, and she will handle the public relations side of things. This isn’t going to be a problem, is it?” He phrases it as a question, but it’s anything but.
“Of course not. I’m a little stunned, that’s all. Have you already talked to Ms. Young?”
“About twenty minutes ago. She said that she looks forward to working with you.”
That’s a lie, I almost say out loud.
“Sounds great. I’ll have Trevor contact her this afternoon to sort out the details.” I try to keep a neutral tone so he doesn’t hear my irritation at this turn of events.
“Is that your assistant I was talking a minute ago?”
“No, that was my brother, Jett. Trevor is head of the marketing department here.”
“Actually, I’d prefer if you handle this personally.”
It’s a request - a condition that he is laying down in front of me. I have the Cavette job, but I have to handle it.
I have to work with Faith.
“Absolutely.”
“Great,” he nearly shouts over the line. “Send the contracts over and I’ll have them back to you this afternoon.”
“I’ll have Hattie send them over now.”
“Sounds great, I’ll be looking for them. And Trey -” he pauses, “be sure to contact Faith to set up a meeting so you two are on the same page.”
With the receiver securely in the holster, I lean back in my chair and turn to the window behind me. Sonofa-
“So?” Jett asks, walking into the office. He stands feet from my desk and waits for my response.
“We need to get the marketing contracts over to Cave before close of business.”
He walks over grinning, but seeing my appearance, he drops it. “This is a good thing, right? You wanted this.”
“No, I wanted the whole thing. We won the marketing, but Faith won the PR portion of the job.”
“Maybe Doubt is the wrong name for her.”
“Get out.” I point to the door, dismissing my brother and anything else that may come out of his mouth. “I have some phone calls to make.” First one being to Faith.
He backs out of the office with a laugh, as if he can read my mind. I’d only let my brother get away with giving me crap like he does. He closes the door, leaving me in silence. I pull up her business card and flip it around, mulling over how best to approach it. I’m sure she’s as disappointed as I am.
Here goes nothing.
I push a button on the office phone and wait for the dial tone to sound before I punch the numbers to call her. The phone rings three times and I wait for her voicemail to answer so I can leave a message, but decide to call later. I’m about to hang up when I hear Faith’s voice as she answers her phone.
“It’s Trey Miller. I wanted to call and offer my congratulations on the win.”
“Thanks, and same to you,” she offers, nicer than I expected. “I would have preferred to have the whole thing, but I guess part is better than nothing.”
I stifle a laugh, impressed by her candidness. “Same here, but I guess in the meantime, we’re going to have to work together. And here I was thinking after lunch I’d be done with you.”
“Agreed, but obviously Cal has other ideas.”
“I have a teleconference with him next week to go over some things. Why don’t we schedule something after that so I can update you on everything? When are you able to meet?”
“I’d like to be in on that call, if you don’t mind.”
I think it over for a moment, but I don’t like the idea of my competition knowing my business strategies. “That’s not necessary. I’ll be presenting our marketing plan, so will Thursday work for you?”
A small huff sounds through the line. “I suppose you don’t give me much choice.” I can’t help but wonder what’s changed between lunch and this phone call. For a shark, she sure doesn’t bite. I expected a full-on battle for her to be a part of the meeting, but she concedes defeat rather quick.
Too quick.
“I’ll be in touch soon,” I say before I hang up the phone.
My cell phone is resting on the edge of my desk when a text comes through.
Jett: So we’re celebrating. Right?
Me: Can’t. Have a date.
Jett: Tomorrow
I roll my eyes because I know he won’t let up until I agree.
Me: Tomorrow
Chapter 15
Kayla called me the other day to give me hell about my social life, or lack thereof, as she likes to say. I don’t know why she cares so much about me dating, but she was unwavering. I told her I would call Vivian, a blast from the past, to see what she was up to, but I never got around to it. Not to mention, we didn’t end on the best terms.
All of this means I was lying when I told Jett I had plans tonight. The way I figure, he’ll never know, because he’ll be long gone by the time I get home anyway. Those nights when I would come home to an empty apartment are long gone. So far gone, I'm not sure what it’s
like to live in silence anymore.
Evidence that my brother lives here is all over the place. There are clothes in random piles I assume are for laundry. I hope he realizes I’m not doing that shit for him. I slam the door shut behind me a little harder than I need to and toss my keys on the counter next to his takeout boxes from two nights ago and the beer bottles he can’t seem to walk the two feet to toss in the trash.
“Are you kidding me?” I ask out loud. Jett looks up from what has become his spot on the couch and nods before returning his attention to his phone call.
Busted.
“Shit, I’m just worried for him. It’s gonna fall off if he doesn’t do something with it soon.” He grunts, and I laugh, listening to his end of the conversation. The other person must be talking because Jett is actually quiet for a beat.
I grab a beer from the fridge and sit down on a chair at the counter and thumb through the emails on my laptop. “I’m not in his room. Who the hell knows what he does?”
This time, I look at the back of his head and wait to hear what else he has to say, because I think he might be talking about me.
“All I know is, he’s walking around here like a moody bitch. You should take care of that.” I hop out of my chair and grab the phone from his hand. “Hey, Kayla’s on the phone.” I slap the back of his head before walking away and shut the door to my room behind me.
“What exactly are you and my brother talking about?”
“You and your knack for lying these days. You told us you had a date, yet here you are. Home. Besides, he’s worried about you and your junk. Says you haven’t seen anyone since the last girl you dated. So I take it that means he doesn’t know about the girl from the bar.”
“Em and I didn’t date, and no, he doesn’t know about Faith,” I argue, though I know it’s useless.
“Faith? You found out her name?”
“Yeah, interesting turn of events - she’s the competition.”
“So who won?”
“We both did. The old man split the work between the two of us.”
“That’s unorthodox.” She laughs. “So, why didn’t you go out tonight?”