I clutch my purse awkwardly and sit on a stiff couch that rests against the wall on the left of the door. A banquet table is in the middle of the room with breakfast pastries, and another table sits against the opposite wall with a toaster oven and a fridge. I consider getting a small plate with maybe a bagel and cream cheese, but a commotion nearby glues me to my seat.
“I don’t give a shit what you have to say to me.” I can barely make out the muffled words. A door open and closes, and I realize it’s Jake on the phone just around the corner of the parlor. “He didn’t do any of the work behind the scenes. You gave him the credit so of course they’re only going to praise him. The only reason that restaurant is even making any money is because all the shit I put into it.”
I try coughing to let him know I’m in the same room, but he yells over it.
“Well I’ll just be a fuck up for the rest of my life then!” He curses as he hangs up the phone, and our eyes lock when he storms into view.
My prepared speech is long forgotten as he glares at me with pure animosity.
“Lamy.” He sneers. “Emmet’s running late, but he did say it was ultimately up to me so let’s just get this over with.”
“Remy, actually.” I manage to find my voice and a bit of attitude along with it. “And I didn’t hear anything important, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“I don’t worry about shit. You’re here to beg for your job, so let’s hear it.” He leans against the breakfast table and impatiently taps his foot. I realize the last thing I want to do is beg at the feet of a man like him.
“I planned on it, you know. But after reading about you and hearing that conversation, I don’t think I’m going to beg to someone who’s not that far above me.” I stand and rest a hand on my hip.
“Excuse me?” Jake raises his eyebrows.
“You heard me, you big bully. You may have had success and money thrown at your feet, but deep down you still feel like a failure. You still feel like you have something to prove to everyone to get out of that shadow of your brother that you’re stuck in.” My mouth keeps moving without taking the time to even reflect on what I’m saying. “I’ve worked my ass off to prove that I’m not some spoiled daddy’s girl. I work eighty hour weeks while still going to school so I can prove that I rely on no one but myself. I haven’t taken a vacation in years, I gave up my dream of traveling the world and after years of sacrifice all I have to show for it is two years worth of college credits with no student loans and this job that I know like the back of my hand. So, sweetie, if you’re willing to fire me because I don’t grovel at your feet, then fine. I guess we both are just going to spend the rest of our lives proving ourselves to those who don’t believe in us.”
“You think you know me?” His cheeks are red and his eyes twitch with a snarl on his lips. I’ve struck a nerve. “You can’t spend five minutes on google and then claim you know my life.”
“But I can spend five minutes and learn that you were given a second chance after screwing up the first. I know you have a mother that doesn’t believe in you, despite the fact that you have poured every ounce of your soul into your restaurant. I know you recognize a hard worker because you are one yourself, and as difficult as it is to admit this, I know that I admire that part of you a lot more than the part of you that acts like an ass every time someone looks at you the wrong way.”
Jake stares at me with lowered eyes, his hands gripping the edge of the table behind him. “I can appreciate being put in my place if it’s by someone who knows hers.” He finally says.
It’s not until now that I realize I just fucked up my chances of keeping my job. But I hold my ground as Jake walks towards me. I grow anxious as he gets closer, until he takes a seat on the couch and pats the space next to him. Hesitantly, I sit on the very edge.
“I don’t think anyone’s ever credited me for anything.” He admits. “It’s always Emmet this or Emmet that. The golden boy.” He glances at me. “Growing up some family members even called me Emmet’s brother, like they weren’t related to me. I can’t imagine a better way to set a child up for failure.”
“But you didn’t fail.” I say and scoot closer. Our knees brush, reminding me of the dirty scene in my head, and I back away quickly. “Kennedy’s is one of the top rating restaurants in the city. And let’s be real, you’re living in a hotel like this.” I gesture at the room. “You didn’t fail at all.”