Page 46 of Atlas & Miles
Jeb nodded, studying my face. He was probably trying to figure out if he should offer me a tissue or stay still. I was not going to cry, dammit, but I had to get out of here soon. I was absolutely going to break down if I stayed.
Clearing my throat, I stood, smoothing my dress again. “Thanks for being straight with me.” I started to turn toward the door, but I thought of something else before I left, something I needed to know. “How long do I have?”
My question wasn’t articulate, but I must’ve gotten my point across. “We’ve managed to put together a month’s pay for you as a severance package. We anticipated this being your last day.”
My heart squeezed as I nodded, turning my face away. “Okay. I’ll use the rest of the day to finish everything up.”
I took the last few final steps to the door, but Jeb spoke again before I could open it. “I’ll have a recommendation letter ready for you by then, and I’ll include all my contact information so you can list me as a reference on future job applications.” He paused long enough that I swiveled my head to look back at him. “I wish I didn’t have to do this, Atlas. We loved having you here. I’m truly sorry.”
I just nodded again before pulling his door open and heading back to my office. Only when the door was closed behind me did I collapse into my chair and start sobbing.
What the hell did I do now?
***
After a few minutes of bawling and another minute of cleaning the mascara off my cheeks with a tissue, I’d managed to pull myself together enough to be able to close out all my projectsthe best I could and pack up the few things I’d brought into the office. My wardrobe was colorful and vibrant, but my workspace was relatively mild and sparse in comparison. I supposed that worked in my favor now.
As promised, Jeb stuck his head into my office ten minutes before four and handed me a formal letter on the company’s letterhead with a branded envelope and his business card. After telling me he’d emailed the letter and his contact information to the email address I’d used to apply all those months ago and ensuring I had everything I needed, he gave me an apologetic pat on the shoulder and left the room, no doubt to stay out of my way as I left. He’d been a great boss, and I didn’t blame him for this. Things happened—I’d owned a business that fell apart, so I understood his position.
Didn’t mean I didn’t hate it.
I took my half-full banker’s box of my office decor and accoutrements, left my keycard on the desk of my—what used to be my—office, and headed through the empty lobby and out the front door.
I blinked at the bright sunlight, heat nearly suffocating me as the sun beat down on the blacktop of the parking lot. I drew in what breath I could in the moist air and hurried to my car in my tan flats. Once I’d deposited my box of possessions, including my empty lunchbox, on the backseat, I climbed into my car—shit, was I going to have to sell this to pay my bills?—started the engine, and cranked the AC.
Then I clunked my forehead against the steering wheel and just . . . felt nothing.
I knew I wasn’t cried out. I suspected that would happen this weekend—fuck. The goddamn reunion was this weekend. Miles still hadn’t given me an answer about coming to the reunion with me as my date, but even if he wasn’t ready to come out, we couldstill go as friends. Though with this current heartbreak, I wasn’t sure if I could manage that one, too.
With a massive sigh, I dragged myself upright, shifted the car into gear, and started back home.
I’d RSVPed to most of the reunion events, so though I didn’t feel like attending now, I didn’t see that I had much of a choice. Maybe it would be a good distraction.
As I pulled into my driveway, I sat up taller, resolve washing away a bit of the pain of the loss of my job. That was what I’d do. I’d have a fabulous time this weekend and worry about my crumbling life on Monday.
Yes. That was what I’d do.
I didn’t see Miles’s truck in my driveway, so I unloaded my car and unpacked the box before texting him.Hey, my sweet boy. I know you’re not ready to come to the reunion as my date, but would you come with me as a friend? I had a shitty day, and I would love to spend time with you.
His reply was swift.I’d love that, Daddy.
Despite the raw wound, I smiled at the word. It never failed to fill me with joy.
Before I could reply, another text came in.You get fabulous, Daddy. I’ll be there in an hour. Does that work?
I smiled wider at his assumption that we’d go there together. Though he’d made no moves toward coming out, I knew he was committed to me and our relationship. He just needed a bit more time.
But as I texted back a simpleSounds good, baby,I started to wonder if time was, in fact, all he needed. We’d been together for a couple of months, and in the grand scheme of things, sure, that wasn’t a long time. But my heart told me I was all in, that I loved that man with my whole heart. Did Miles feel the same way?
Maybe losing my job had been a sign. Maybe Chase, my contact in Seattle, would have a job for me soon, and I’d move back. It would kill me to leave Miles, but if he didn’t want this long-term, maybe now was the time to let him go before we got in too deep.
Well, beforehegot in too deep. I already was.
Pushing away the dark thoughts, I put on my happy playlist to improve my mood and sang along as I showered, did my hair and makeup, and donned the beautiful yet casual silky femme suit that I’d purchased for tonight. I had a showstopper for prom tomorrow night, one I’d kept hidden from Miles so it would be a surprise.
Fifteen minutes before Miles was due to show up, my phone rang. I blinked down at it, furrowing my brow when I saw Chase’s name on the screen. Had I manifested the man’s call?
After I’d stopped my music, I tapped to answer the call and put it on speaker, my stomach tumbling for the second time today. “Hello?”
