Page 63 of Rich and Bossy

He smirks. “What are you gonna do? Run me over?”

“I might, just like Jackson in the Rose Bowl.” That was a low blow. He probably didn’t think I knew about it. Dad and I watched the game together, how he tried to run for the game-winning touchdown and got tackled, his leg bent back at an angle it’s not supposed to bend, shattering his NFL career and all his dreams along with it. I shouldn’t have said it. It was wrong and I stooped to his level.

His eyes narrow, nostrils flared. At least now he’s as angry as I am.

He glares for a long time, breathing heavily, then takes one deep breath. “Feel better now?”

I shake my head. “No. Not even close.”

“I came here to see you. I accidentally walked in on that.”

“Whatever. I don’t believe you. Get that through your thick skull, Paxton. There’snothingyou can say to change my mind.” I want out of here. I don’t want to see him. I don’t want to hear him. If I do, I know he’ll change my mind.

I already know I’m going to get hurt, no matter what happens. Because I do like him. I like him way more than I should, and it makes this hurt twice as bad as it should.

He takes a step toward me and shrugs. “It’s true.”

This time, I’m the one who takes a deep breath. “Please, get out of my way.”

“No, not until you believe me.”

“It’s bad enough you force us all into that meeting. Now you’re forcing me here against my will. Typical. You and your company are both bullies. You bully people into submission, and if one little person steps out of line you crush them until you get your way.”

“Is that what you really think of me?”

I nod, furiously. “Absolutely.”

“I’m sorry about the presentation. I’ll look into it.”

He still doesn’t get it. “Paxton, I don’t give a damn about that presentation. I expected that. It’s the bare minimum I expected.”

“But I didn’t. That’s what I’m trying to tell you.”

I throw my arms up. “Why do you even care what I think? Why does it matter whether or not I believe you?” With my hands on my hips, I glare at him. “Maybe ifyoudidn’t do that you should be more worried about who did.”

“Can you just listen to me? Jesus, you’re so high strung.”

“No, you can say that because you sit there all comfortable! Get out of my way.”

He steps right in my path when I try to charge past him again, and this time I run right into his chest, then immediately back up before he can grab me or something.

I shake my head, still trembling with anger and hurt, but the worst of it is happening inside. My stomach is in knots, every nerve in my body sizzling. I want to run. I have to get away from him. I can’t stand being this angry with him while he’s standing there, staring at me. I want to believe he cares, and that’s stupid. It’s just stupid.

Which is exactly why I need to hate him now. I’ve got to get him out of my heart. He had no business being there in the first place.

He’s still pretending to be surprised, piecing together what I have to say. “Why won’t you believe me?”

“You’re the big shot. Why don’t you tell me? You’re supposed to be smart. Figure it out, idiot. I don’t know what’s worse, if you did do this or you didn’t know about it.”

When he winces, I know I’ve struck a nerve.

“You care so much about the things I told you were happening, that you didn’t know this was going on?”

“I said I’m sorry. What more do you want from me? I said I’d look into it. You sit there pouting like a kid not getting their way. Like I can snap my fingers and make it all better.”

“I’m sorry.” I widen my eyes, hands clasped over my chest. My parents have always hated it when I go over the top with my sarcasm, but now I see it was all in preparation for this situation. This man. “Did I hurt your feelings by telling you the truth? Which is it, Briggs? Did you know, or do you just not have a damn clue someone else is running your business for you?” I look away. “Straight into the ground.”

“I would hardly call this being run into the ground.”

---