Chapter 3 #2
For a moment, as Connor looked at Nate, he didn’t see the handsome young man with dark hair that grew in tight ringlets, bearing an easy smile and a clear kindness in his brown eyes.
No. Connor just saw Devore. Dark hair streaked a distinguished silver, an easy smile that reached right into the crows feet at the corners of his grey eyes, his hand warm as it came to rest at Connor’s lower back-
Connor’s lip curled.
“You think you could do that?” He asked, doubtful.
“I think I could help - I mean, I don’t want to make any false promises, but I know a referral from me would go a long way to helping you, right? And I can talk you up. Give you visibility internally.”
Nate drummed his fingers against his coffee cup, Connor watching wordlessly.
“Look. I know how to make people look good. That’s what I did in my last–in my internship. I advocated for a lot of start-ups that probably wouldn’t have been funded. Gave them a positive spin.”
“And you think that’s what I need? A positive spin?” Connor asked cooly.
“It wouldn’t hurt, right?”
No, it likely wouldn’t.
“You would do that?” Connor asked, crossing his arms over his chest. Still doubtful.
“Of course I would. Fair’s fair.” Nate even smiled like that’s supposed to settle the matter.
Taking the offer that stood right before him, that was tempting. Not that it was hard to tempt Connor, knowing he’d be a fool to say no.
But he also knew he’d be a fool to think, for even a second, that Nate might uphold his end of the bargain. Why should he? Nate had everything to gain from this arrangement between them.
Nothing to lose.
Not unless Connor wanted him to lose, in which case - he was quite vulnerable, wasn’t he?
“We know where too many bodies are buried,” was what Junie had said. But they never documented the bodies. They never took note of them.
Not until Connor did, realizing that if he just documented enough, then it would become insurance. He could do it again if that’s what it came down to.
Connor smiled. It was genuine - not a mask, not an act. Nate only beams at him in turn as he takes his hand and shakes it.
“Fair’s fair,” Connor repeated.
The rest of the day passed by without much incident. There were two more meetings that Connor prepares Nate for, carefully coaching him through talking points, key strategies he needs to hammer, and words he should avoid at all costs.
For what it was worth, Nate was a sharp student. He listened. He didn’t question Connor.
The last two meetings passed without issue, but by the time 5 PM hit, weariness weighed like lead in Connor's bones.
He shouldn't have felt so tired. While this was past quitting time for even the most earnest executive, it wasn’t any later than his usual end time.
That Nate had stayed so late was surprising in and of itself, but Connor wasn't going to be the one to tell him that.
This was the most quiet Nate had been all day, trying to make his own post-meeting summary for their final investor introduction meeting.
“I know yours will be more comprehensive, right? But I know I’ll remember it better if I write this down right now,” Nate told him by way of explanation.
“Do whatever you need to do,” Connor said evenly, meaning it. If Nate learned on his own, then that just meant less work for him, right?
He’d take that.
With a sigh, Connor closed his laptop and stored it gingerly in the top drawer of his new desk. Strange, he thought, having one when he never had before. He felt out of place sitting here, the space entirely bare.
Nate had suggested he text their Office Supplies department to ask for a couple monitors, maybe an external keyboard or a mouse.
“Anything you want. I’ll sign off on it.”
Connor only bit the inside of his cheek, pretending to consider.
“Maybe. I’m fine as I am now.”
“If you say so.”
It was the most they said to each other during the last hour of the day.
Connor had never been the most talkative, so this was fine for him.
But he could tell Nate wanted to talk, looking up at him from across the suite, frowning behind the bookcase that separated them.
But he’d pretend to be absorbed into his work whenever Connor caught him looking, quickly ducking his gaze back down at his computer.
The flash of irritation in his chest felt bitter, hot, and acrid, a bit like metal cooking in the summer heat.
“I’m heading out in a couple minutes,” Connor announced, deciding he’d had enough. “Do you need anything before I go?”
“Huh? Oh, no, I’m fine,” Nate said a bit too quickly, but Connor didn’t care enough to ask twice as he gathered his things.
He never brought much with him into the office, only a small side bag just large enough for his keys, phone, and wallet - maybe an iPad if it was going to be a heavy notetaking day.
He grabbed his bag out from where he normally stashed it, a non-descript storage cupboard, just next to a ream of printer paper.
Taking up as little space as possible. That was Connor.
He slipped the leather strap over his shoulder and bid Nate a quick “Good night,” as he headed towards the door.
“Uh, wait,” Nate called after him.
Connor grit his teeth, fighting back the urge to break his mask of professionalism as he glanced back at Nate over his shoulder.
“Hm?”
“What I said to you, when I first came in today, I didn’t realize–uh, I didn’t–uh know you were–it wasn’t appropriate, and I’m sorry.”
And this time, Connor genuinely wasn’t following. He turned fully to look at Nate, frowning.
“What are you talking about?” He asked.
“When I was…” Nate’s voice trailed off as he broke eye contact, looking down at his desk.
Whatever he was talking about, he was genuinely embarrassed.
Strange, this dynamic between them.
“It’s fine. Really. Don’t worry about it,” Connor said, expression softening.
Whatever Nate was talking about, it didn’t stand out for him. At least, not now. Not when he’d been stuck under fluorescent lights for the last twelve hours.
But his reassurance seemed to be enough to have Nate relaxing, unclenching his jaw.
“Okay. Have a good night, Connor.”
“You too.”
And Connor headed home, home to his tiny apartment, home to unwind as best he could before he needed to be awake, active, and ready to take on whatever tomorrow held for him.