The Indie – Summer
THE INDIE
SUMMER
“Sinclair Street Deserves to Be Beat?” “Adrian Sinclair Should Go Fuck Himself?” “Adrian Sinclair Is a Vicious Asshole?”
I tossed my notepad across the room.
Without Michael and Kelly here to help, my ideas were going nowhere.
Where the hell is Jenny?
I stood up and saw Harriet pacing near the front window.
“Harriet?” I asked. “I didn’t even see you come in. Why aren’t you helping me come up with new slogans for our new Mr. A.S.S. banner, Harriet?”
“I am helping,” she said. “I totally am.”
“No, you’re not.” I moved in front of her. “You’ve barely made eye contact with me, and you’re just mumbling every few seconds.”
“I’m so sorry!” She finally faced me, revealing a set of red and puffy eyes. “Please don’t hate me.”
“How could I ever hate you, Harriet?”
She let out a deep sigh and pulled out her phone. Tapping her screen a few times, she held it in front of my face.
“Mr. Sinclair sent me a job offer last month, and I’ve been mulling it over for a while, but the offer expires tomorrow, so…”
She didn’t finish her sentence, and I glanced at the screen to see the salary number.
$150,000.00
“It’s triple what I’m making working for you—with more benefits, and I…” She wiped her cheeks. “I can’t afford to pass it up, you know?”
“Yeah.” I swallowed a lump in my throat and returned the phone. “I understand.”
“I mean, even you have a small job working for him, so…”
“I really understand, Harriet.” I feigned a smile. “You don’t have to apologize.”
“I got you a farewell gift, okay?” she said. “I’m going to run home and grab it, and um—just like Kelly and Michael, hold on to my last check.”
I didn’t protest.
I could use every dime.
Instead, I watched her walk away.
This time, no tears threatened to fall.
I was too numb.
Pulling out my phone, I called Jenny, but she suddenly burst through the front door.
“Oh my gosh! Oh my goshhhh!” She squealed. “Squeeee! Squeeee!”
“Please tell me you won the lottery,” I said, shutting the door. “That’s the only justification for those screams.”
“I didn’t, but I got close!” She jumped up and down. “Yours truly just won a two-week luxury cruise!”
“Really?”
“Yasssss!” She squealed again. “Boarding is next week, so say you’re coming with me or I’m asking someone else.”
“Huh?” I crossed my arms. “What type of contest gives you the prize this fast?”
“Uh, who cares when I won?” She shrugged. “Are you coming?”
“I would really love to, but…”
“Yay or nay, Summer?” She jumped on a couch. “I have to start packing tonight.”
“I can’t afford to take two weeks off.”
“You’re your own boss, Summer,” she said. “A vacation might do you some good.”
“Yeah, but not with Adrian Sinclair breathing down my neck.”
“Has that actually happened?” She smiled. “Did I miss a much-deserved hate-fuck?”
“We’re not having sex.”
“You’ve kissed him and let him finger you.” She shrugged. “Why not just go there at this point?”
“I was just making a metaphor, Jenny.”
“So, there’s still a chance you might fuck him?”
“Can we please stay on topic?”
“Fine.” She groaned. “You’re not coming on this cruise with me?”
“No, but—”
“Okay, bye!” She rushed to the door. “I’m inviting Danielle, and we are going to bombard your phone with pictures that make you wish you’d said yes!”
I was left in Slow Burn all alone.