15. Graham
Imuch prefer closing shifts than opening ones. There’s a lot to do and put away, but it’s routine—soothing in a way—as I move from task to task, prepping for the next day.
“I thought you weren’t into Eric?”
I roll my eyes where Callie can’t see and finish storing the cleaning supplies. “I never said that.”
“I asked you?—”
“You asked if I was infatuated with him, and I said no,” I interrupt. “That wasn’t a lie, not really. What we have is between Eric and me, not you.”
“Did you know he’s seeing someone else?” she sneers. “That guy he was with the day you just waltzed in and planted one on him like you weren’t in fucking public? He kissed him and was holding his hand and all that shit right before you showed up.”
I shrug. “Well, they’ve been together like a dozen years, I would hope they act like a couple.”
Her jaw drops. “So you’re okay with being a side piece? Or are you fucking both of them?”
“Neither. Not that I need to explain it to you, but I’m with Eric and he’s with Vincent.” And Sawyer, not that I’d tell her that. “What we do is none of your goddamn business, and I don’t appreciate you asking all these questions.”
“Getting on your back isn’t how you get ahead?—”
“That’s enough.”
Spinning, I find Eric standing on the other side of the counter. He took the bell down the other day, saying he was going to have it replaced with something else, but it hasn’t arrived yet so neither of us heard him come in. The look on his face shows he heard a good portion of the conversation.
“Eric—” Callie goes to say, and he shakes his head.
“I didn’t want to get rid of anyone,” he says quietly. “I don’t want to upset lives and the way the business is run, but I won’t tolerate someone causing chaos in the ranks.”
“I’m not the one?—”
“I wasn’t finished,” he says, interrupting her again. “As Graham told you, what happens between us is just that—between us. Graham didn’t do anything unsavory, and neither did I. You don’t have to believe us, but we also don’t have to explain ourselves to you. I think this week will be your last here.”
“You can’t do that!”
“I can. You can’t treat my employees however you want. You may disapprove of us—that’s fine, you’re allowed to have your opinion—but I won’t tolerate any form of bullying. Graham told you all he was willing to. Trying to force more out of him is uncalled for.”
“Fine,” she spits. “If you’d rather fuck your employees instead of running the business, count me out.” She pushes past me and heads to the back for her things.
Eric holds out a hand, and I round the corner into his arms without hesitation. “You okay?”
“Fine. Nothing she said matters to me, it never did. Just annoying, you know?”
“I understand.” He places a kiss to the top of my head. “Ready to go home?”
“Absolutely.”