Page 24 of Collision

I type up a carefully worded email to my boss, letting them know we’ve found a major issue with one of the scoring programs and asking who I need to speak with to ensure the issue doesn’t become more widespread. Naturally, his response is to call immediately to find out what’s going on.

I end up spending the rest of the day talking to everyone and their brother about this issue. No one agrees on how best to go about fixing it, nor do they agree on the best way to share the news with the appropriate teams. I’ve never understood the bureaucracy involved with running a company this size. I’d set a meeting up with everyone involved, let them know their scoring programs may not be scoring their data accurately, and have them pause what they’re doing until the issue is resolved. Done.

But no. We’re going to send Paul in to dig through the program to find out if the issue is with RetLab itself or our database. It’s all supposed to be some huge secret, and everyone else is expected to work as if it’s business as usual.

It’s not my place to make those decisions, but I can’t say I understand their choices. They’re probably trying to keep panic at a minimum, which I get to a certain extent, but I’d rather work as a team to find the issue than keep up the secrecy.

I struggle through the last meeting of the day and am very grateful this is not how I spend a typical day. I can’t imagine having to people that much all the time. It’s a no from me, thanks.

I’m supposed to play soccer with my family tonight, but I’m tempted to cancel. I don’t have the energy to spar with them like we usually do. At the same time, they wouldn’t force me to do more than what I’m up for. It’s my favorite thing about them. I never feel like I have to be anything other than myself. And I always feel reenergized after I hang out with them.

I take my phone off Do Not Disturb and scroll through my notifications. Every one of them pales in comparison to the string of texts I got from Sam today.

Sam

Did you know Tucker likes to eat his pancakes with peanut butter instead of syrup? The guy is a weirdo.

Okay, don’t tell him I told you, but I tried the combo after he left, and it’s fucking delicious. He’s still a weirdo, though.

I can’t stop imagining the way you looked straddling me and stroking your cock.

And can I just say how uncomfortable it is to have a raging hard-on while on shift? I can’t do a damn thing about it, and it’s pissing me off.

I told him I usually put my phone on DND while I work because it pulls my focus when it buzzes. I’m glad he still texted me about his day, despite knowing I was not likely to respond. I type out a message to him to let him know I’m reachable again.

Me

I’ve had the same thoughts running through my head today, too. Talk about distracting. Thank God I work from home. I’m finally done for the day, though. How’s your shift going?

I smile when he responds right away.

Sam

It’s been good. Did a lot of cleaning and inventory today, and we’re trying to decide what we’re going to use our fundraiser money on first. Since we raised more than we expected, there are a couple of different options to choose from.

How was your day?

Me

It was a shitshow. One of my techs found a major issue, and when I brought it to my boss, it blew up into a whole day’s worth of meetings and planning how to fix it. I’m exhausted from all the talking.

Sam

Want me to make you some lasagna?

Me

Ha! Only if you bring a fire extinguisher with you.

Sam

*Gasping GIF*

I take offense to that! I’ve made lasagna a million times and have only burned it once. Because YOU distracted me.

Me

*I* distracted you?? You’re the one who mauled me the second I came in the door.

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