Page 23 of Bleed for You
“You won’t disappoint them, and no matter what happens, we’ll be there for you.” If their parents turned their backs on Cat, Craig would be there to support her every step of the way.
“Let’s change the subject. You and Flint. How is he being with you? Still an idiot?”
“What do you think?” Craig shook his head. “He’s been accessing my work remotely. HR knows about it, and I know they need to wait until they have enough evidence, but I’m tired of dealing with his shit. It’s every day. Every single day of him trying to find the smallest fault that he can use to berate me over. I’m not the only one he does this to, but I’m so fed up.” Craig messed with the cutlery on the table. “I might drop some hints to Simpson and see if they feel like picking up on them. Anything has to be better than what I’m putting up with. Surely HR has enough evidence by now?”
“Simpson prefers to work with you, so maybe they will. And neither of us knows how much evidence HR needs, plus Flint is related to the owner, so whatever evidence they have will have tobe rock solid. Have they ever mentioned you working for them directly?”
Craig pulled a face. “I’m not entirely sure. Maybe?” He shrugged. “A year or so ago, but I was happy where I was then. It was before Flint was promoted and we had a manager who knew how to do the job. Since Flint took over, the department’s been going downhill. More of us are considering leaving.” And that didn’t surprise Craig in the least. Who wanted to stay with a company who didn’t appreciate you? He knew some wouldn’t have the option to move and had to deal with it, but for him, he might have a chance to leave and go somewhere else.
“Surely that would show the bosses that something’s wrong if you all leave?”
“Flint’s related to one of the bosses, so more than likely not. HR or leaving are the only options and like I said HR is doing what they can, but it takes time. I’ll do what you said.” Craig leaned back in his chair. “I’ll let it be known I’m looking to leave and see if I get any offers.” The waitress appeared at the side of their table and Craig said, “Two sparkling waters, please.”
“Are you ready to order food?”
“Can we have another five minutes?” Cat asked. The waitress nodded and left their table. “You might get more money if you go to Simpson.”
“There is that too. A few more dollars in my pocket would be nice.”
“More than a few, I’d say. You’re in demand, Craig. Use it to your advantage. Besides, little bump will need lots of things when he or she arrives.”
Craig laughed as he shook his head at Cat. “I knew there was a reason.” Picking up the menu, he asked, “what do you think your stomach can handle?” He scanned the salads and asked, “Can you handle dressings?”
“A light dressing is about the most I can handle.”
“They have a couple to choose from. Chicken?”
“A couple of pieces.” She put her menu down and picked up her water, taking a sip. “This is a nice place, isn’t it?”
“It is. I’ve been here a few times with Jinx.” Craig sipped his own water as he looked around the pale cream walls and pictures of locations in Italy. “We like the atmosphere in here and the staff are always lovely.” Craig paused, then asked, “Has he been in touch?”
“No, but I knew he wouldn’t. He said as much when I told him about the pregnancy, and is either of us surprised? I can handle this on my own if I need to, and it would be easier without him. We both know how much of a child he is.”
“You know how I feel about him.” Craig hadn’t liked her ex at all and had told her because he felt the ex was using her.
“He was exactly as you said he would be, and I wished I’d seen it sooner, but lesson learned.” Cat shrugged and leaned back in her chair. “How is Jinx? Is he working?” Craig winced, a look Cat noticed. “Is everything okay between you two?”
“Yeah. I think. Sometimes our relationship is as perfect as it can be, then other times I feel like he keeps me at arm’s length. Like right now, something just doesn’t feel right, but he’s told me everything is fine, and I have to take him at his word or that would mean I don’t trust him. I need to trust him because of the nature of our relationship.” He looked at Cat, who nodded. “I don’t know. Something feels off, but in a couple of days, he’ll be back to normal. Or I could be seeing a lot of nothing and making something out of it.”
“What does your gut say?”
“That’s it, Cat. I don’t know.” Craig fiddled with his glass, watching the bubbles move. “Maybe I am reading too much into it. I want us to live together and because he’s not ready, I’m coming up with stupid thoughts that he doesn’t want me or he’s doing something nefarious.” Craig chuckled softly. “I’ve alwayshad an active imagination, as you know. Remember the monster under my bed who I named Bertie?”
Cat giggled. “I sure do. It annoyed our parents that you spent so much time talking to him.”
The waitress came back, and they placed their orders. “Is Jinx still into his glam rock?”
Craig rolled his eyes. “You know he is. He will never give that up. He loves the long hair, and makeup and thrashing guitars. Do you know how many times I’ve listened to Def Leppard’s Animal? I hear it in my sleep.” Cat burst out laughing and Craig pouted. “Thanks.”
“What about your music? I know you’re a huge Lady Gaga fan.”
Craig arched an eyebrow. “I played one track, and he almost fainted. Even Bad Romance didn’t help.”
Laughing again, Cat grinned. “What do you have in common?”
“The classics.” Craig smiled at that. They’d enjoyed a number of evenings going through the various classics, normally with a couple of beers, and snuggled up on the sofa. “It’s nice.”
“I should know all of this,” Cat murmured, her smile disappearing.
