Chapter 1 #2
Chase frowns, which I ignore and walk into the restaurant where we’re swiftly seated after Chase flashes his smile and name.
Our table is quickly made into a three top with an apology for their mistake.
I shake my head, sitting in the seat Chase pulled out for me.
It’s only when he moves his chair closer to mine that I realize Oliver is giving us a strange look.
I smile, then mouth I’m sorry. Oliver smiles back at me with a slight rise of his shoulders. “So, Chase, what were you hoping to get advice on? I’m not in family but in real estate law.”
“How long have you been dating?” Chase asks.
“Chase,” I chastise, “this is a professional lunch where only business matters will be discussed, nothing personal.”
“It’s okay,” Oliver says with a laugh, “it happens all the time, these little crushes.” I frown, looking from him to Chase, who’s shrugging.
“We’ve been on a few dates now, and it’s going very well.
” He winks at me, which does nothing to help my frown.
I just said I didn’t want to discuss my personal life.
“We’ll definitely be taking our relationship to the next level soon. ”
“You’re a shit boyfriend,” Chase accuses.
Then, before I can respond, Oliver chimes in, “excuse me?”
“You heard me. Luke just said he didn’t want to talk about anything personal, and then you did, anyway.” Chase answers, looking too smug for a boy who, within that very sentence, is going against what I’ve asked of him.
Oliver shakes his head with a huff of a laugh, “little boy crushes are pathetic.”
“Cheaters are pathetic,” Chase counters, then looks at me. “He’s fucking other people, and I have proof. I asked my friend to look at his social media. He’s not even trying to hide it,” I close my eyes for a second.
“You need to calm down with that fake disgust in your voice. How many people have you fucked this week?” Oliver snaps, getting way too defensive. We aren’t exclusive and not serious at all, so I have no idea why that accusation is bugging him so much.
“No one, I haven’t had sex with anyone since I started working for Luke, because when I like someone, I commit to only them,” Chase snaps back, just as defensive as Oliver.
Oliver laughs, “commit? Christ, you’re really as dumb as everyone says you are.”
“Enough!” I snap, knowing that this argument is only going to get more heated and mean. “I think we should cut this lunch short, as clearly both of you are embarrassing yourselves and not-”
“You think I’m embarrassing myself?” Oliver asks, pointing at his chest.
“You’re both creating a scene, people are staring, and our waitress has been avoiding our table,” I answer.
“You’re taking the kid’s side?” He asks. “We’re dating, and you’re sticking up for a kid that is constantly disrespecting you?”
I look around the room, “I said you both. You both need to calm down since you both are getting angry and defensive. If you’re worried that Chase won’t be reprimanded for behaving poorly and making inappropriate accusations. Don’t worry, he will be punished accordingly.”
“Ah, I see,” he says with a nod and taps the side of his head.
I furrow my brows, looking at him, then Chase, who is flushed and squirming.
I look back at Oliver, who stands up and points at us.
“You two are clearly fucking, and that’s disgusting.
” Where the hell did that come from? “I can’t believe you would bring your boy toy to lunch with me.
We’re done, and I’m not keeping my mouth shut about this.
” He storms off after yelling again that he’s not keeping quiet about this.
I slowly stand from my seat and put 20 dollars on the table as an apology for Oliver’s outburst before leaving.
We hadn’t ordered anything, so I’m not worried about that at least. I can feel Chase hot on my heels as I walk in the opposite direction of the office towards my house.
Thankful that he’s chosen to be quiet, but I would be more grateful if he went the opposite way of me.
I have no idea what just happened. There was no reason for any of that, and what?
Do I have to worry about my career now? Maybe in the morning, once Oliver’s thought over the lunch, he’ll call.
Not that I would continue seeing him, but I can’t have him going around saying I’m having an affair with Chase.
The office is lenient, as one of the other partners recently married a paralegal who was working under him.
But I’m sure it would be used as leverage if they ever wanted me out.
I use my keys to enter my modest home, then make my way straight to the kitchen.
Chugging a glass of cold water, I finish, then turn to Chase, who is looking around the room with a small smile.
He notices me staring at him, and his smile grows.
Placing my glass down, I take a step towards him, and his smile grows even larger.
“I apologize, Oliver shouldn’t have spoken to you that way, and that’s a serious accusation he made.” I say, rubbing my forehead, “I’m going to connect with him tomorrow when everything has calmed down and explain that there’s nothing going on between us.”
His face falls as he asks, “why would you do that? He cheat-”
“That is none of your business,” I chastise and remove my suit jacket to put it on one of the bar stools.
“You’re going to stay with him?” He asks, clearly upset.
“This is not a concern you need to have,” I answer, then walk into the living room, near the main door. “I’m going to work the rest of the day from here. You can continue your work at the office after you get something to eat.”
“No,” he says, and I turn around to face him, where he has his arms crossed and his foot coming down in a stomp.
I sharpen my gaze on him, “come again?”
He squirms in his spot, then gives a shrug. “No, Luke.”
I let out a controlled breath. I already have enough chaotic energy coursing through me from our earlier lunch, so I don’t feel like arguing with the boy. “It’s time to go, Mr. Graves.”
He stomps his foot, “my name isn’t Mr. Graves!” After he finishes shouting, he sits on the ground next to my coffee table.
“Yes, it is, and that is the only name I will refer to you by, since I know how to behave properly.” I snap, then reach behind me and grab the doorknob.
He flicks his eyes to the door before glaring at me. “Fuck you!” The words leave his mouth as his eyes go wide, like he’s surprised he said it.
“Pardon me?” I ask, clenching my jaw tight. I watch his Adam’s apple bob before he shrugs.