Chapter 44
Brynne
I’m not going to care. I’m not going to talk about it. It’s nobody’s business, but I wish we didn’t work together. Even more so, I wish he wasn’t my boss, but the situation is what it is, and there is no point in wishful thinking.
I don’t know how he did it, but six pairs of flat shoes were waiting for me when I woke up this morning. There were also three pairs of Crocs, and I told him it would be a cold day in hell before I put those things on my feet. I was reluctant to wear the flats, but I slid one on, and they were comfortable and cute. Not to mention so thoughtful.
When we crossed the street this morning, he had his arm wrapped around mine. He only did that after I told him in no uncertain terms would he carry me to work.
When the elevator doors opened, all eyes were on us, and we walked in together. He refused to let go of my arm and escorted me to my office. After helping me with my coat and pulling my chair out, he left and returned with coffee and my favorite muffin.
I haven’t left my office in hours, and Ernestine won’t be here until after lunch. I’d stay in here all day if my bladder wasn’t full. I rotate my ankle and only feel minimum pain. I hobble to the door, and when I open it and stick my head out, I don’t see or hear anyone. I manage to get to the bathroom without incident. There’s not a soul in there, so I do my business and wash my hands. The place is still quiet until I collide with Clover, the receptionist.
“Oh, Brynne,” she says. “I was just looking for you. Your brother is here.” Her voice goes up when she says brother, and so do her eyebrows. “I never knew you had a brother.”
“I don’t. Where is he?” I ask.
“In the small conference room.”
I nod at her and head in that direction. My ankle is sore, so I’m slow. There are heavy footsteps behind me until the person passes me, turns, and blocks my path.
“What, Heath?” I ask.
He’s looking down at me with his arms crossed. “Does my uncle know there’s a man here looking for you?” he whispers.
“Excuse me?” I wonder how hard it would be to wrap my hands around his neck and squeeze it. Annoying little twerp. “Can you get out of my way?” I try to go around him, but he blocks me again.
“You’re not about to hurt my uncle. Not on my watch.”
“You have two seconds to get the hell out of my way before I kick you in your bony little shins.” And I mean it, too. I stand straighter, daring him to say another word.
“Hmph,” is all he says before he walks away. “And my shins are normal size.”
After a deep breath, I continue to the small conference room. Oliver’s sitting there, sipping the coffee Clover probably got him. He has a shiny bald spot in the middle of his head. His face doesn’t look much better. He has bald patches in his beard, and he’s wearing an oversized, bulky coat that’s seen better days.
“What?” I snap, forgoing any pleasantries. I don’t bother to sit down since I won’t be here long.
He stands and smiles, but I don’t return it. He reaches for my hand, but I pull away. The resentment I have for him comes to the surface. There was no smile for me the day he threw me out of the only house I ever lived in.
“How are you?” he asks. He sits back down, but I remain standing.
“I’m well, Oliver. I’m also working. Why aren’t you?” I gesture at him.
“I’m doing some freelancing while I look for something permanent.” I haven’t been around Oliver much for most of my adult life, so I can’t speak to his work ethic, but his father was always on him for being lazy. For looking for a shortcut instead of doing the work. It makes sense, considering he stole my art for his college application. “Listen,” he says. He rubs the back of his head, and I hold my breath and wait. “Is there any way you can give me a loan? Maybe about twenty thousand—”
“Oliver, that’s not going to happen. Do you not realize that I just bought a house? The one you destroyed that had to be gutted and remodeled completely.”
He has the nerve to huff and roll his eyes. “That house was a piece of shit when I got it,” he says. “And why are you always throwing old shit in my face? You think it’s easy for me to come here and hold my hand out to you?”
The house was far from a piece of shit. It was old and constantly needed work, but Mom and Isaiah always maintained it. The house was fine until Oliver got his greedy hands on it.
“Then why the hell are you here? Get the fuck out.” I head for the door, but he gets to it first and blocks it.
“I know you have the money,” he says. “You got money when your mother died, and I got nothing.” If he had hit me, it would have had less impact.
“And you got an entire house and your father’s life insurance when he died. Even though you were too selfish to care for him, I got nothing. You barely visited.”
He looks away, and I think I see shame or regret for the first time in years. “I couldn’t see him like that, and I convinced myself he would beat it.”
“So, you’re not only selfish but weak? And I’m supposed to what? Bail you out after you ended up with everything, and I got nothing. And that money I inherited when my mother died? Most of it went to the care of your father when he got sick. And for the record, Oliver, I’m not giving you a dime. Move and get the hell out of my office and never return.”
He doesn’t move, and for the first time, I’m nervous. He’s not a large man, but he’s bigger than I am. Besides that, I’ve never been in a fight in my life. I don’t think I could fight a woman, never mind a grown man.
“I don’t have anywhere to go,” he says.
“Aren’t you at your mother’s?” I already know the answer to that. His mother was never interested in him. He was a nuisance to her. He’d go to her house every few months, only for a few hours. In all the years we were a family, I can count on one hand how many times he spent the night at his mother’s house.
“That’s not working out.”
If I cared, I’d ask why, but I can guess. She doesn’t want him there and has given him a deadline to move out.
“I’m sorry to hear that, but I can’t help you.”
“All of this over a damn house, Brynne? Our parents would be ashamed of you for treating me this way.”
My head rolls back at his audacity, but I let out a loud laugh. “And how do you think they would feel about what you did?” He has the decency to look away. “At least I never put you out like you did to me. And let’s get one thing straight. I’m not responsible for your circumstances. You are. Now, get the hell out of my way.” At the least, I can kick him in the shin and stick my finger in his eye, but the door is shoved open, and Colin barges in.
Heath is right behind him, and I know he’s the one who told Colin about my guest, but for once, I’m thankful to him.
“What the hell is going on here?” Colin asks. He looks over me. “Are you okay?” When I nod, he says to Oliver, “Security is on its way. You can leave now, or they can toss you out.”
“I knew it looked suspicious, Uncle Paddy,” Heath says. He stands there with a smug look on his face. He acts as if he caught me doing something wrong.
Oliver raises his hands and takes a step back. “I’m only here to talk to my sister," he says.
"Sister?" Heath asks. “You two don’t look alike, and I’m not buying that.” He gestures at me and Oliver and scoffs.
“Why don’t you shut up?” I say to Heath.
“Are you sure you’re okay, Honeybee?” Colin asks, and I nod again. I inch closer and take his hand in mine. If we were alone, I’d kiss him.
“You’re fucking your boss?” Oliver asks. He looks from me to Colin and shakes his head. “Go figure. So much for you walking around thinking you’re better than everybody all the time. And here you are throwing pussy to your boss.”
“You shut your filthy mouth.” To my shock, those words come from Heath, who is now towering over Oliver. I’m too stunned by his crass words to speak, but Colin pushes Heath away, grabs Oliver by the lapels of his coat, and physically pushes him out of the conference room. Oliver loses his balance and falls on his ass.
Two security guards come down the hall, followed by Clover, who is looking around wild-eyed. Oliver stands and walks away without another word.
A few employees are standing in the hallway watching. For once, Heath is quiet. Colin takes my hand and leads me to his office, and I drop myself on the couch when the door closes.
“Whatever credibility or respect I had here has left the building,” I mutter. I throw my head back and close my eyes.
It’s a good thing I already have an exit plan.
He sits next to me and puts a hand on my lap. “Did he hurt you?”
“Only with words,” I admit. I tell Colin why Oliver came and the things he said about the house. “I’m not giving him a dime.”
“I’m going to tell security and Clover that he’s not allowed back in the building."
I rest my head on his shoulder and reluctantly admit that having someone take care of things for me is nice. I was going to do the same thing, but now I don’t have to.
“Thank you,” I say. “How about we get out of here? Let me treat you to lunch.” I stand and wince when my ankle starts to throb. He stands, too, and I lean into him for support. “And yes, I can walk. I just want to get out of the office for a bit. Maybe by the time we get back, everyone will forget.” I know that’s not likely. It’s more probable that word will spread and everyone will learn about what happened.
“Yes, to lunch, but I buy your meals, not the other way around.” I roll my eyes, but I know that it was a long shot when I offered to buy him lunch. “We can go to my place too.”
“If we do that, we’ll get in bed. I want to eat and talk. In case you missed it, it’s the twenty-first century, and I can buy you lunch occasionally.” I’d love a strong drink, but that’s not something you say to your boss. He nods and gets my coat and purse. He returns moments later with Heath behind him. I don’t bother to look at him. He’s the biggest gossip in the office. He’s probably told everyone what happened by now.
“Can I go to lunch with you guys, Uncle Paddy?” he asks.
“No,” is all Colin says.
“Well, bring me back something. You know what I like,” he yells behind us.