Page 114 of The One I Need
Turns out Edwin, his son, and really his whole family, had some skeletons in their closet. That’s at least what’s been uncovered so far after an anonymous call to a media contact got the ball rolling. Turns out sexual harassment wasn’t the only thing Nepotism Boy was into. And Daddy was covering up every instance. We’re talking cocaine, gambling debts, and other sexual harassment claims.
I don’t know who made that call, but I hear she’s a fucking badass.
Officially as the head of communications, I knew I needed to get out in front of Edwin being let go, especially if dirt did come out. And we did. We issued a statement that he was being let go, and we thanked him for his work leading up to the launch. It left him without a move. What was he going to do, say he was wrongfully terminated? If he played that card, my move was to spill about his idiot son.
Game. Set. Match, motherfucker.
He might have been scared of Hazel the night she fired him, but he didn’t realize he’d have to face me after. And I’m always playing chess. He’s lucky if he’s playing checkers.
“Well, good riddance to bad rubbish,” Bridget says.
“If I had a drink besides water, I’d toast you.”
“Speaking of toasting…” Bridget says, giving me a look she has given me every day for the past week.
“Really? That’s your transition today?”
She shrugs. “I’m having to get creative.”
“I appreciate the effort, but no. While I’m flattered you think I could run the London office, I’m only here to get through the launch and hire the people to make sure we’re smooth sailing going forward.”
“I know that’s what you say. But you do realize we already are, as you say, smooth sailing? You have all the right people in the right places. The launch is going to go off without a hitch, and it’s all because of you.”
“Quit buttering me up,” I say.
“Is it working?”
“Kinda. But my weakness is being courted and flattered on a consistent basis. It’s how I ended up going out with Oliver.”
She laughs. “I’ll remember that. Maybe I’ll throw in some booze and make you promise me while under the influence.”
“That’s how I ended up married.”
We share a laugh as my phone rings with Oliver’s name and his picture flashing on the screen. “That’s weird. I just talked to him. Why’s he calling so early?”
“I’ll leave you be,” Bridget says. “Tell your husband we love you and we’re going to need to discuss shared custody.”
“Ha ha,” I say, shooing her out of my office before answering. “Hey, babe. Everything okay?”
Yes, I called him babe. Yes, I hate that I’m a woman who now uses nicknames. I also secretly love it.
“Can’t a man just want to call and hear the sound of his wife’s voice?”
I kick my shoes off, already needing the relief, and it’s barely the afternoon. “He can, but usually it means something else is up.”
“Nothing is up,” he says. “I’m up and I figured I’d like to hear your voice before you’re exhausted and falling asleep.”
“I’m sorry,” I say. “I know this time zone stuff is hard, and by the time you’re free I’m on the verge of crashing.”
“You’re fine,” he says. “It’s just nice to hear you while your caffeine is still working.”
“And I have another on the way,” I say.
“Some things will never change.”
Oliver and I start chatting about everything and anything. Juliet slides into my office and drops off my sandwich, so I eat while Oliver talks to me about football things I barely understand. But it’s okay. Hearing his voice gives me comfort. It reminds me every day that I have to say no to Bridget, because this isn’t where I’m supposed to be.
Though if I’m being honest, I love this. I love being in charge. I love seeing the teams succeed. The only thing making it not perfect is that Oliver isn’t here. Plus, Hazel still wants me back in Nashville after the launch, and she’s still the boss. So I’m letting myself have fun now, but remembering this is temporary. Oliver and Tennessee are my end game.
