“Just spit it out. Are you firing me?”
He sighs again. “Cooper complained, you know. I’ve had to bend over backwards, promising that threats like that will never, and I mean never, happen again. And that we’re giving him a discount. I don’t like him any more than you do, but really? Threatening to break his face?”
“Did he mention what he said about Claire? Right in front of her? I’ll win his fucking case, but he can show at least a little bit of goddamn respect.” I stare into my father’s eyes, refusing to back down about what happened with Cooper. “She’s your employee, and about to be your stepdaughter, remember? Or,—I’m sorry—did I miss the meeting about how it’s okay to crack blowjob jokes about the women who work here?”
Dad has the decency to wince. “I didn’t write you up, did I? I know how much you hate the idea of this wedding, so I appreciate you taking an interest in Claire, but there’s been some talk and I need to ask. Is there something going on between you two?” He arches an eyebrow at me.
“Oh yeah, a lot of really hot and heavy... overtime. She’s my new stepsister, and I’m treating her as such.” My fists clench involuntarily, and I force myself to relax them. He doesn’t know anything, and even if he did, we’re grown adults and we can handle our own fucked up shit.
“That’s not what I hear. I hope it isn’t necessary to remind you that I’m getting married in a couple of weeks and this isn’t a girl you can toss aside and forget about.”
“No, Dad. I know that all too fucking well.” If I didn’t forget her in four months of no contact, I’m sure as hell not going to forget her now. Life would be easier if I could. “Don’t expect me to be over to give you and Annette a housewarming present though.”
“She’s not that bad, you know. Annette, I mean. You could at least give her a chance.” His voice is unusually gentle. “We’re getting married either way. As much as you frustrate me, you’re my son. I want you to be happy for us. Hell, I want you to be happy, but you’re not making it easy on yourself.”
Right. “I know I don’t live there anymore, but excuse me if I’m being a little sensitive about some woman coming into Mom’s house and taking over like she already owns the place.” My words sound whiney even to me, but he just doesn’t seem to get it. “Don’t you care about Mom at all? Letting Annette just piss all over her memory?”
“Jesus Christ, son. It’s not like that at all. You don’t think I miss your mother?” He shakes his head at me sadly. “Caitlyn was the love of my life. It killed me to watch her go like that. Watching her waste away was... If I could’ve taken her place, I would’ve. Maybe you would have been happier if I had.” His gaze captures mine, and this time it’s my turn to wince. “But it doesn’t work that way. She’s gone, and there’s nothing—nothing—I can do to bring her back. I never thought I’d meet someone new, but life goes on. Annette’s a wonderful woman if you’ll just talk to her. Get to know her. Is it so hard to be happy for me?”
I look away from his beseeching gaze. There’s a tightness in my eyes I don’t want him to see. That’s for me and me alone. If he’s looking for my blessing so he can stop feeling guilty, he’s going to have a long wait. “So, am I fired, or can I go back to my desk now?”
Dad draws a deep breath and releases it slowly. “You’re not fired. But we can’t keep doing this. Got it? Any more fights, any more scuffles with clients, anything, and you’re out of here. I’ll hate losing you, but I’ve got a business to run. You’ll always be my son, but I can’t guarantee that you’ll always be my employee. Do you understand me?”
I run my tongue along the inside of my teeth, forcing back a smartass reply. Sometimes even I have a little willpower. “Yeah. Loud and clear.” Forcing a calm I’m not feeling, I leave the room quietly and close the door behind me.
It takes several moments before the tightness in my chest eases up. When I’m composed, I stride back to my office.
Claire should be in by now, and as much as I’d love to take my frustration out on her, fucking her angrily against the glass wall of her office or making her day a brand new type of living hell are probably both on Dad’s list of unprofessional behaviors.
And anyway, one of those is probably a bad idea. I’m just not sure which one yet.
Claire
“Do you see this?” I spread the pages out on Declan’s desk, pointing at each highlight as I list off offenses. “Look. Cooper’s not even paying his required insurances. Unemployment. Disability. Worker’s comp. No wonder everyone gets fired. If they were laid off, the authorities would wise up.” I look right into his eyes not caring that this isn’t good for our case. Some things are too important to ignore. “There’s stuff here that they haven’t even put in the lawsuit.”