Page 270 of Second Sets Omnibus
Seger grunts, placing his palms on his desk to stop himself from smacking the wood. Damn, too bad.
“Back to the matter at hand. Is she really sick? She hasn’t called out in all the months she’s worked here.”
Finally, they each take a deep breath. Sometimes I think they need a vacation away from each other. But being twins and all, they have a weird bond. Not to mention they share a wife.
I shudder. I hate thinking about what they do in the damn dark of their home. Stupid intrusive thoughts.
Zepp grimaces. “She and her weird boyfriend, Trevor, are having some issues. Um, she just needed some time to straighten it out. Mental health days are classed as sick days here, so we just gave her the go-ahead.” Oh good, that means there is work on my desk ready to be completed. Thankfully, I won’t have to worry about any anonymous notes landing there again.
“Well, okay then. I’ll be off to my office for now unless you need something.” Peering at both of them, they shrug. “Good. I’m out.”
“Good to have you back, my sister, from the same mister! Ha! I nailed it!” Seger’s whoops follow me as I make my way down the long hallway toward my office, which sits a little ways from theirs, giving me the much-needed privacy I crave.
Since Whispered Words is only a couple months into my program, there isn’t too much work for me to handle at the office. My sole purpose once a band is put in my hands is to mold them back into best-selling artists. But it’s nice to be back here in the peace and quiet I’ve carved out for myself. My office is my place of Zen—a place no one disturbs anymore.
As I shut my office door behind me, I dig my phone out of my purse.
Me
Hey, Kat! Just wanted to make sure you were okay. My brothers said you were feeling a little under the weather.
Listen, I am concerned about her well-being. She may not be a close friend, but I like to think Kat and I are on good terms. She may be my employee, but I like to check in on her.
Kat
Hey:/… I was just having a rough time. Trevor disappeared without saying goodbye, and I didn’t know where he went… I was worried until he came back this morning.
Jesus. Who disappears without saying goodbye? I hope he had a damn good reason.
Me
Just checking to see if he is okay.
Kat
He’s been better. His mom got sick, so he went to check on her, and his phone broke when he was there. He wasn’t able to get another one until today. I’m sorry I couldn’t make it today. There’s a stack of mail on your desk.
Me
Family comes first, Kat. I’m just glad that you’re okay, and he’s okay.
Kat
Thanks, Miss West. I appreciate you checking in. Glad you made it back safe and sound, too. It must have been terrifying having a stalker out there.
Yeah. Beyond terrifying. Having some stranger watching your every move is something no one will understand unless they’ve lived it. If I would have known it was Adrian, a man I had never actually met. Then I would have put a restraining order on him. In some cases, though. That doesn’t do shit. They walk right through those restraining orders without a second thought. Not like me. When Gloria handed me those papers I thought were from the boys, I thought why bother?
Me
Call me River. And yeah…it was. Stay safe. I’ll check in tomorrow.
Leaning back in my chair, I stare up at the ceiling reveling in the silence around me. It’s odd going from having five other people constantly making noise to just myself. Alone. Just me and my rampant thoughts.
The morning goes by in a rush. I slowly catch up on some paperwork I need to sign regarding past bands and even potential new ones. It’s odd I never saw Whispered Word’s name come across my desk. Yet, here I am as their new manager. I swear, even though my brothers knew about the past, they made this happen.
“Talk to them again. That restraining order is over,” Seger huffs from behind his desk, slowly nursing a beer he pulled out of somewhere.
“I don’t think I can,” I mutter, pinching the bridge of my nose. “They walked away. Remember? They’re the ones who signed that restraining order. Not me.”
