Page 58 of One Wild Omega

“He sure did. That was when he was trying to force Quinn into marrying him.” Bellamy shook his head. “I guess he got his hooks into another alpha as quickly as he could.”

“I feel sorry for the old guy. No one deserves to be married to Upchuck.”

Bellamy chuckled. “Why do you call him that?”

“Because his mere presence makes you want to vomit,” Tanner said before grinning. “I know it’s stupid and childish, but thatmanis stupid and childish, so I believe it fits.”

Bellamy let out a bark of laughter. “That’s terrible. Butsotrue.” He trembled slightly. “Just being around him gives me a weird vibe. I wish we’d been able to find proof he’d been behind that shit that went down last year.”

Almost all of Bellamy’s clients had suddenly fired him all in a matter of a day. They all knew Charles was behind it, but there had been no way to prove it, especially with those clients remaining mum.

“Fate will come back and bite him in the ass one day.” Tanner smiled down at a sleeping Carter. “I just hope I’m there to witness it.”

Chapter Thirteen

A week later…

Fitz sat across the desk from one of the company bigwigs, trying to keep his shit together during the first of two interviews to come. He relaxed in the chair as much as he could without looking blasé. Kept a serious look on his face—but nottooserious. Considering the fact he wasn’t sure he wanted the job or not, he was taking the process all too seriously. Worrying over every comment he made. Every slip. Every show of nervousness.

He knew it was an incredible opportunity, but he still wasn’t sure which way he needed to go. Simply going through the interview process was good for him, even if he didn’t get it. That’s what he told himself. If he knew what to expect for the next round, all the better.

It also didn’t help that the man across the desk was the antithesis of him. Rich. Powerful. Well-educated. Suave. Porter Campbell had grown up with everything. Every opportunity. This was the exact type of man Fitz normally shunned.

And here he was, begging that man for a leg up.

Begging might be too-strong a descriptor, but wasn’t that basically what a job interview was? Imploring someone to hire you for a position you wanted. Only, he wasn’t even sure he wanted it.

“I’ve reviewed your body of work since coming to work with us, and I’m impressed. But I’ve been impressed by others, too.” The man leaned back in his chair. “So tell me, Mr. Walker—why do you think you’re the right man for the job?”

Fitz thought about his answer a moment. He’d considered that answer for days, knowing the question would come. Unable to say the flowery sentiments he’d made up beforehand, he went ahead and opted for the truth. “Honestly, I don’t know if I am the right man for the job.”

Porter’s brow rose. He sat back in his chair and looked Fitz over. “Then why are we here?”

“Because my boss… my mentor… said he felt I was ready. I know there are others who have been here longer. They have more experience than I do. And honestly, I’m not even sure if I want to leave my family and friends behind. Yet at the same time, I realize the position would be one hell of an opportunity for me to grow and advance in the company… and if you all decide you think I’m the best man for the job, then I’ll have to make a decision if it’s where I want to go.”

The corner of Porter’s lips tipped up slightly. “I appreciate your honesty. Bold as it is.”

“Well… I don’t know if that’s a pro or a con in my favor. I tend to tell it like I see it. I don’t kiss ass. I’m just not built that way.”

Porter smiled slightly before looking over his file. “You’re from the Southside, I see.”

Fitz sat up straighter. “I am.”

Porter grinned. “My father was born and raised on the Southside. He says it made him the man he is today.” Porter eyed him. “You remind me a lot of him.”

“Hopefully that’s a good thing,” Fitz said.

“We’ll see,” Porter said cryptically before grinning. “He’ll be your final interview… he’s retired now, of course, but still on the board of directors. He likes to interview all our prospective senior architects.”

A southie? Sitting on the board of directors? Fitz smiled, suddenly realizing his chances might be better than he realized. He worked to hide a smile.

But then if he got the job…

He’dhaveto leave.

That smile began to fade.It’s time to come to terms. It’s time to say goodbye and truly move on.

He passed through the rest of the interview, giving rote answers and feeling like the walls were closing in on him. As soon as it was over, Fitz bypassed his office and walked outside for some fresh air. His stare went to the table he and Bellamy would often have lunch before the omega had opened his own design firm. How he missed those days. Having someone to talk to… someone he could tell anything to…

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