Jeremiah
I slide open my desk drawer and take out a small pill bottle.
When Coach Reggie recommended me to spar against one of the new younger fighters, I thought it was a great opportunity–at the time. It was my sad attempt to get my mind off Chase, but man, am I feeling bruised now.
I pop an Ibuprofen in my mouth and swallow it dry, the bitterness scraping down my throat.
Whatever. I welcome the discomfort.
Fucking Karaoke.
Chase basically challenged me to show him how badly I want this job. Challenging me? Like I have something to prove to him?
I look at the papers scattered on my desk.
It’s not like he’s wrong. Heather said the same thing to me. Clearly, I’m not…acclimating as well as I should be. I’m stuck in this office ninety percent of the day. It’s as though the shy, high school version of me is creeping himself back to the surface.
I clench my jaw. That’s not me anymore.
I glance out the glass walls that surround my office and see all the employees walking around, flipping through papers, saying hello, and chatting casually. It honestly seems like a really warm and friendly place to be.
Maybe I should–
A buzzing noise erupts from my phone. I look down to see “Roy Blackwood” on the screen. Stress pulses through my veins once more.
I fix my hair and straighten up my posture, before swiping the screen to answer the call.
“Dad.”
“Jeremiah? Can you hear me?” he asks. I hear some wind turbulence wherever he is. It’s currently 10 am on a Monday, so I can only assume he’s out on the golf course already with his business associates.
His Monday mornings on the golf course aren’t leisure; they’re networking events in disguise.
Roy Blackwood is a multi-millionaire Venture Capitalist. Probably one of the richest in this entire country.
There’s always something with him. By the time they reach the next hole, a deal will already be halfway closed. Always work, no play.
Truthfully, I have no idea why he’s stepping away to talk to me during his morning game. I can only assume it’s for the hope that I’ll tell him something good enough to boast about to his associates, rivals, and occasional friends.
My father is what they call an opportunist, and he stops at nothing for me to follow suit. In fact, all he has ever wanted is for me to join him. But, to his disappointment, I have steered a different path. As a fucking COO.
“Yes, I can hear you,” I answer.
“Good. I looked at the Q3 projections your secretary sent over. Not bad. But not impressive.”
I grip the Ferrero Rocher on my desk. The shiny wrapping paper feels sharp in my hand. Of course, he’d go behind my back and contact Bailey. I’m not even surprised.
“Well, we’re still stabilizing. Growth takes time.”
He lets out a low chuckle. I can hear the condescending tone through the phone. “Stabilizing is what people say when they don’t have a plan. You think your app's competition is waiting for stability? No, they’re making moves.”
I lean back in my chair and pinch the bridge of my nose. “I’m not new at this, dad. I—I just started. I need time—”
“Time? You think success waits for anyone? You need to go after what you want, Jeremiah. Your last name isn’t going to do everything for you.”
My jaw clenches. His last name might’ve gotten me high ranking positions before but this? This was all me.
“You told me this was going to be it. You spent so much time gallivanting around and this was going to be the company you were going to take seriously. Do you actually want this—or was it all just talk?”
Chase’s words repeat in my head from earlier. ‘How badly do you want this, Jeremiah?’
I look up from my desk, my eyes falling on Chase at his desk. He looks actually focused for once, zoned in on his computer screen.
“Yeah, I want it,” I mutter into the phone. “I’ll get it done.”
“Good. Don’t disappoint me,” he says plainly.
The call ends, but the weight in my chest stays exactly where he left it.
I look down at the Ferrero Rochet in my hand. Somehow, I must’ve unwrapped it mid-call, my fingers moving on autopilot. I glance up. Chase is still typing, completely focused.
They all want to prove to them how much I want this? I’ll show them.
I bite into the chocolate—hard.
***
Chase hasn’t bothered with sticking around for a “morning meeting” since our last heated exchange.
Truthfully, I’m not too sure how to feel about that. Other than him dropping off my breakfast, he hasn’t said more than “good morning” to me.
It’s almost like he’s calling my bluff. Seeing if I’ll bite at his challenge of showing him how much this job means to me.
I know how important getting to know the office is, especially a job like this. But, I’ve just been… preoccupied.
I shake off that feeling though. I need to make a move. Investors will be here soon and I need to know more than the four walls of my office. How can I sell this company when I barely know anything about it?
I step out of my office, immediately feeling eyes on me. As though I know it’s him, I try and shove down the feeling to look over at his desk.
Leisurely, I stroll around to everyone’s office space. I make eye contact with a few people and we exchange pleasantries.
As I continue, I start warming up and asking questions. It’s not so bad when I get the motion going.
I meet a few coworkers, and they’re all surprisingly nice.
One thing stands out as I talk to everyone: for a lot of them, WingMate is their favorite place to work. Their first time feeling seen and heard. Included. It’s clear that Heather has built something different—something that actually values the people in it.
Huh. I guess that’s pretty special.
I keep making my rounds, mostly just saying hi and asking how everyone’s day is going. I lock eyes with Heather who is sitting at her desk in her office. She gives me the biggest smile when she sees me making my way around.
I’m not watching where I’m going so it’s no surprise when I bump into Todd.
“Oh, hey. Sorry about that.” I chuckle lightly, stepping back.
“Wow, strange seeing you out and about. I was beginning to wonder when you’d come out of your hiding place.” He laughs, nudging me on the shoulder with his free hand, a binder clasped in the other.
“Well, I thought I’d peruse around the office. See what everyone is up to.”
“Peruse away, my friend. And hey, if you need a perusing partner, I’ll be here to guide the way. We can peruse together.”
I squint. “Todd?”
“Yes, boss?”
I blink slowly. “You’re saying peruse, a lot.”
Todd throws his head back in a deep, loud laugh, slamming his hand on my shoulder. “Oh, look at me go. I get so nervous sometimes and then all of a sudden my mouth just starts flapping away.”
“No, it’s okay. Reminds me of someone else I know.” I smirk, trying my hardest not to glance in Chase’s direction.
“And who would that be?” As though he heard me, Chase walks up behind us. The sight of him shocks my whole nervous system and before I know it, something catches in my throat. I immediately start coughing.
Damn.
“You okay there, boss?” Todd asks, patting me on the back.
“You good?” Chase asks, glancing between Todd and I.
“Yeah. I’m fine.” I wave him off. “Did you need something?”
Chase narrows his hazel eyes at me. “Not really. Just saw you walking around saying hello to everyone and couldn’t help but notice that you missed my desk.” He shrugs, stuffing his hands in his pockets.
I lick my bottom lip, feeling the fresh cut reopening. “Well, I talk to you every morning, Chase. Thought I’d spend some time getting to know some of the others.”
I see Chase's jaw tighten, spurring on a sense of satisfaction inside of me that I can’t explain.
“Well, you’ve already met Todd, yet you’re taking a moment to say hi to him.” Chase crosses his arms across his chest.
“I thought this is what you wanted, Rutherford? For me to show you.”
“You know what you’re doing.” Chase bites back, stepping forward.
I tilt my head. “Oh yeah? And what am I doing? Tell me.” I taunt.
“Uh—guys?”
Todd’s voice cuts through the tension like a knife.
Chase and I jerk our attention away from each other. I hadn't even realized how locked in we were.
Todd glances between us, brow furrowed. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing.” Chase and I say in unison.
I look at Chase who looks back at me. I don’t know what the hell is going on but he brings out every side of me that I’ve been trying so hard to stuff down. And he does it so effortlessly.
“I’ve got to go,” I say, squashing those thoughts down. I begin marching back to my office. It’s safe there. I don’t run into my past or my present in there.
“See you tonight, Blackwood,” Chase calls out. I can hear the smirk in his voice from here.
He’s playing a mean game. But this time, I’m the one who’s going to win.