Chapter 28
~
Oren
I came over to June and Madison’s apartment the moment I heard about the disastrous non-interview. She’d been so upset over the phone that I had to see for myself that she was alright. Or at least, I wanted to be there to be able to comfort her
When she saw me, she broke down all over again.
I took her into my arms, trying my best to comfort her, though it was far from my strong suit.
I was a fixer, someone who turned to analytics to make decisions that would alleviate the burden.
But for just once, I wished for Lucas’s optimism or Ronan’s silver tongue.
I wished I knew exactly the right words to say to June, to take away the pain she was feeling.
But how was I supposed to do that when I knew just how bone-deep the torment ran when one was faced with losing everything they’d worked hard for?
As much as I longed for it, there was no magic button to build that would fix this mess.
And the thought of that simmered a rage inside of me that I tried my best to control.
When June had finally calmed down a bit, I moved her to the couch. She still laid in my arms and I stroked her back, my chin resting on the top of her head. Her body shuddered with residual sobs.
“This is all my fault,” she said bitterly, her voice raw with tears. “I did this to myself.”
“What are you talking about, sweetheart?” I asked gently. “How is this your fault? You didn’t even get the chance to prove yourself to them.”
“Ronan didn’t tell you?” She pulled back enough to look at me.
Those pretty green eyes were even more striking through the glassiness of her tears.
Her lip trembled. “William Johnson found out about us. I don’t know the details but I’m sure that’s why they canceled my interview.
They probably wouldn’t want someone like me working for a company like Muller & Co. ”
What? My thoughts started racing and I tried to get them in line, tried to figure out an immediate plan of action as the swell of rage I was suppressing only intensified.
June’s face crumpled and her shoulders began to heave.
She was trying not to weep again. “The worst part is that it’s not just about me who fucked up my own life, Oren.
I fucked yours up too. And Lucas’s and Ronan’s.
It’s only a matter of time before the consequences of my stupidity reaches you guys too. ”
I let go of her, knowing that if I stayed in this apartment and watched her cry any longer, I might end up making a far more reckless decision than the one I was going to settle on.
But it was the combination of seeing June this upset and of having someone as weaselly as William Johnson be the cause of her suffering that propelled me off the coach.
I cupped her face, giving her chin a gentle but firm squeeze. “Stop talking crazy. None of that is going to happen.”
“But—” she began.
“I promise. Trust me,” I told her.
June settled upon hearing that. After everything we’d been through and everything we shared, all I needed was for her to put her faith in me once more. She looked confused but didn’t question it.
“I do trust you,” she whispered back.
I offered her a tight-lipped smile before turning around and leaving. I’d be back soon enough, right after I fixed this mess at the source. And this time, I didn’t plan on leaving anything up to chance.
*
I knew that the son of bitch would still be in his office at this time.
The rage I felt burnt white-hot, seemingly blurring everything else around me until the only thing I could focus on was getting to where I needed to be.
When I got there, I banged a fist on the door.
It left no room to doubt my intent or mood.
William opened the door almost immediately, a shocked expression on his face when he saw it was me. But sure enough, surprise transformed into distaste. His lip curled.
“Oren. What brings you to my office?” he said.
“Did you sabotage June Price’s interview with Muller & Co.?” I asked bluntly. I wasn’t screaming or even particularly riled up. All of the anger I’d bottled up came to a rolling boil, deceptively patient.
He made a sound of irritation. “I hardly think it’s your place to ask such questions.”
I took a step closer to him and this time, his face slacked in fear.
“I asked a very simple question. Were you responsible for her application being rejected?” I repeated.
“Let’s discuss this inside, shall we?” he said through gritted teeth, stepping aside to let me in. “Have a seat.”
I remained standing.
William sighed, then moved back around to sit at his desk.
He steepled his hands together that was supposed to project a sense of authority but only succeeded in making him look like an impostor.
“Oren, Muller & Co. is a prestigious firm. You know this. Their standards for employee conduct are exceptionally high, their performance standards even more so.”
“And that’s precisely the problem,” I said.
I sounded eerily calm even to my own ears, perhaps especially so knowing what was brewing beneath the surface.
“June is one of the most talented and intelligent students we have in this department. Her body of work is the definition of exceptional, and that was something you admitted yourself after meeting her. Why the change of heart?”
He fixed me with a look dripping in condescension. “Do you really want me to elaborate on what I’ve discovered? As though you aren’t distinctively aware of any character flaws that might plague our young, ambitious student?”
I ground my jaw. “Careful.”
“So it would seem that you do know what I’m referring to.” William clapped his hands once. “Well, I think that settles it, then. You’re a smart enough man to know a losing bet when you see one.”
I wanted nothing more in that moment than to slam his smug, gloating face right into his filthy desk. But violence wasn’t going to get June another shot at her interview, nor was it going to ensure William’s silence.
I had to play this well and make sure that I covered all my bases.
Something that sounded almost like a laugh left my throat. “Interesting choice of words you used there. A losing bet, huh? That’s something I’m sure you know all too well about.”
The victorious expression melted off his face. He cleared his throat, tugging at his tie as though that was going to help him in this situation. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Really?” I asked, putting both of my hands flat on his desk. I lowered my head, leaning towards him. “That’s interesting because there’s been rumors floating around for a while now that someone in this room doesn’t know how to hedge his bets. And I’m not a gambling man.”
William’s face turned pale.
“See, I know that an industry like ours doesn’t particularly like rumors that hint at a blemished character. I think pissing away one’s life savings is a rather glaring offense,” I added, not taking my eyes off of his grimacing face.
“What do you want,” he spat the question like a statement.
“I want you to make a call to whoever you decided to gossip with at Muller & Co., and I want you to apologize for the lapse in cognitive function you experienced and have them reschedule an interview with June. This time, one where the recruitment panel is in attendance to ensure that everything stays fair this time,” I demanded.
William looked like he’d rather chew off his own arm, but we both knew that he didn’t have a choice. His eyes were shooting daggers at me though.
“Fine,” he ground out. “She’ll have her interview back on schedule by the end of the week.”
“Lovely,” I said, tapping the desk before turning around to leave.
“I don’t believe this girl is truly worth all this effort, you know.”
I turned my head back to see William glaring at me. My fist clenched and unclenched, but I didn’t think he was worth that effort. I just laughed.
“You are the last man on Earth who I expect to know anything about value. Let’s make sure this is our last meeting on the topic, yeah?” I said. I slammed the door shut behind me so hard that it rattled the hinges.
*
William must’ve been truly scared straight because it wasn’t even hours later when June found me walking around on campus grounds. From the way her face was beaming, I could already tell that it was good news.
“Oren! They called me and arranged another interview!” Her eyes were shining and it was only the presence of the other students roaming about that kept me from lifting her up and spinning her around.
I thought back to the day we spoke on the field, right after her rowing practice. She’d been so uncertain of herself back then, eager for so much but too scared to take the jump. And now she stood tall, ready to claim whatever it was that she wanted.
“That’s amazing, June,” I told her, trying my best to slip on a mask of pleasant surprise. “I knew they’d come to their senses eventually.”
She raised an eyebrow at me. “You did, huh? Are you sure you didn’t have anything to do with this?”
“Of course not,” I said. But the glare of suspicion wore me down in pathetic timing. “Okay, fine. I may have had something to do with it. But rest assured, it had nothing to do with favoritism. I genuinely think you deserve the shot.”
“I knew it.” She reached out and hesitated before touching my elbow.
It was the only bit of physical affection we could afford right now.
Her touch lingered a second longer than what might’ve been deemed appropriate before she withdrew it.
A playful smile danced on her lips. “Though I’m sure favoritism had a little something to do with it. ”
“No,” I said. I didn’t have to prepare for my next words. This is a bet I would’ve taken if it was nothing more than a shot in the dark. “I did what anyone would do for the woman they love.”