Page 65 of Spinning Out Of Control

James

Is this some sort of kink thing? Because you know I’m happily married…

Warren

James. My office. Something heavy. Now.

James

I don’t know, man. There’s a blueberry muffin here in the locker room that’s calling my name. I think I’ll pass on whatever weird game you’re trying to play.

Warren

You realize I’m your boss, right? And I’m telling you to do something while you’re on the clock.

And before you come back with some smart-ass remark about how you’re a billionaire who doesn’t need a job and therefore doesn’t have to listen to me, remember who invested in your fledgling little startup and basically GAVE you your billions.

James

…

Technically Kira is my boss since she’s the lead instructor so…maybe get your own damn hammer.

Warren

WHY ARE YOU FIGHTING ME? IF YOU BRING ME A HAMMER RIGHT NOW THEN MAYBE KIRA WON’T CRY ANYMORE JESUS CHRIST JAMES HELP ME OUT!!!

James

Ah. So that’s what the hammer is about. You need to hit Kira over the head so she remembers she likes you. I get it.

*mutters to self* Welcome to another Pussy Posse relationship, James. Land of a thousand problems only you can fix. I’m on my way.

When I’m sure James is headed to assist me, I pull up my contact list. My Kira is not in a good place, and if she doesn’t want me to be the one to help her through, she’s going to need someone who can. So, I swallow my own sadness and place the call.

“Hello?”

“Jay, it’s Warren. Kira’s…well. It’s Warren. Something has happened.”

There’s a long pause on the other side of the phone, followed by a deep sigh.

“We saw. Keith has news alerts for the kids on his phone. We’ve tried calling her a few times, but she hasn’t answered.”

I nod, even though he can’t see me.

“She’s not in a good place, and I don’t know if she wants my help. I don’t know what to do, Jay. I love her and she’s hurting, and it’s my fault. I’ve been trying to present her with the contracts, to let her know that it’s all hers. I don’t even care if it means I piss her off and lose her. She deserves to have the company that belongs to her. But right now, I think I’m just a reminder of everything that fucker Jonathan is trying to get people to believe about her. I don’t know what to do.” My lip trembles as I speak, and by the time I finish, the tears brimming my eyes are falling down my cheeks.

“Warren, are you okay?” Jay asks, his voice smooth and calming. Gone is the man who, a few short weeks ago, wanted to rip my head off for touching his daughter.

“No. I’m not. Kira’s pain is my pain. I want to help her, but I don’t think I’m what she needs. At least not the only one she needs. Do you think…maybe if I can arrange a flight for you–”

“The closest private airstrip is in Knoxville. We can be there in twenty minutes.”

I breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that my love will be taken care of even if I’m not the one who gets to do it.

And when James comes by my office, wielding a gold-plated Global CEO Excellence award trophy–not a hammer, but it works just the same–and I pull an aged and yellow-stained notebook from the hole in the wall, I know that she’ll finally be okay.

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