It was a relief to hear that. Even though addiction ran through our family, I’d never once considered my drinking a problem. Even all the times my family had needled me about it, I’d never thought that I’d end up buried six feet under for it. That was a chilling thought.
Yet…I wanted that drink that I’d left on the counter this morning. I missed the numbness that came with the feeling. Even after my troublesome weekend, it didn’t stop me from wanting it.
Just another taste. One more shot.
“Austin, I think we should figure out a course of action from here,” Jensen encouraged.
I slowly rose to my feet. “I think I’ll just give it a try on my own. See how it goes.”
Jensen frowned and clearly did not like that suggestion.
“You really think there’s no chance that the board will look at me for CFO?”
Jensen stared down at his screen again and sighed. “It’s not entirely out of the realm of possibility.”
“But?”
“But we have already been inundated with applications for the position.”
“Didn’t you just post it on Friday?”
Jensen nodded.
“Well, fuck,” I muttered. “Anyone good?”
“A couple,” he admitted. “I’ve seen two that I really like—David Calloway and Elizabeth Leyton.”
“David Calloway? Like, the Silicon Valley guy?” I asked with wide eyes.
“The one.”
“What the hell does he want with us?”
“A Fortune 500 would be a step up for him. He brings a lot to the table,” Jensen said.
“Shit. Where have I heard of Elizabeth Leyton before?”
Jensen laughed. “I think you slept with her sister in LA that one summer.”
“I did? That summer is a blur.”
After my dad had died, I’d gone to LA for an internship to work for a talent agency. It’d been no pay and shit work, but I’d been more interested in the process at the time and getting fucked up with every gorgeous Hollywood star who wanted an in with my agency. I’d been taking the LSAT and applying to law school at the time with the hopes of moving into the agency. Then, life had caught up with me, and I never went back.
“Anyway, Elizabeth seems to be the brains of their family. I wouldn’t count her out.”
So, basically I’m fucked.
“All right,” I said. “Well, great.”
Man, I need a drink.
“Austin, we’ll figure it out. Okay?”
“Yeah. Sure. Sounds good.”
I nodded at Jensen before disappearing out of his office. Somehow, that conversation had shifted so suddenly. I’d thought, if I took this step, like everyone wanted, things would improve, but again, it seemed as if it didn’t matter what I did. A drink sounded really, really good right now.
I hurried into my office and closed the door. I knew that I had a bottle or two hidden in my desk. Sure, I’d gotten in trouble for it before, but, fuck, who cared?
As soon as I found the bottle of whiskey, my irritation seemed to dissipate. As if my body knew exactly what was coming.
Then, I just stared at it.
I didn’t want to be my father.
Alcohol eased the pain and stopped me from feeling. I didn’t know how everyone functioned without it. And, still…I wasn’t sure I was functioning with it.
I put the bottle back and closed the drawer.
My stomach flipped. I could do this.
Just as I started up my computer to get to work for the day, my door opened. I glanced up to find Julia standing in my office.
Julia’s here? Why the fuck is she in my office after this weekend?
And then I realized that I didn’t care. Because she looked fucking hot, and her eyes were shining. I couldn’t tell if she was pissed at me or nervous, but I realized I was fine with either.
“Fine,” she spat fiercely.
I shot her an exasperated look. “What are you talking about?”
“Okay, fine. I’ll go out with you.”
“You will?” I asked in disbelief.
“Yes. Under one stipulation.”
“What’s that?”
“No alcohol.”
My eyes landed on the drawer that I’d just shut. Could I go on an entire date and not drink? Is it horrible that I even had to contemplate that?
“All right. What do you have in mind, Jules?” I asked with that same cocky grin.
“Fuck if I know,” she muttered.
“I’ll figure something out. Friday night?”
“Fine,” she said again. She seemed angry with her decision, as if she wasn’t expecting to have a good time. As if she couldn’t believe she was giving in.
“What changed your mind?”
“I really don’t know,” she said.