Page 61 of Boss On Notice
I’m sure she’s making a great point but at the moment my emotions won’t let me absorb what she’s saying.
“Have you eaten dinner?” she asks, rubbing my ankle soothingly.
I shake my head. “But I can’t go out.”
“I’ll cook something for us. You have food in the fridge, don’t you?”
I nod. Of course, I have food in the fridge. “Do you want to see the video?”
Xena throws both her hands up. “No, I do not.” She shakes her finger at me. “I don’t want you berating yourself about this anymore either. You fucked up. Move on. That’s what Herald would say to you, right?”
Herald’s my dad.
“Yes.”
Still pointing at me, she says, “Don’t forget. If Uncle Herald had wallowed in self-pity, he wouldn’t be running today.” And on that note, she strolls out of my bedroom and on her way to the kitchen to make us something to eat.
When I’m alone again, I flop back down on the bed. I knew it was wise to take her call. She’s right. I screwed up. If Orion truly loved me, he would forgive me, not fire me. So, I find that last grain of oomph sparking inside and get on my feet. After a few deep breaths, I head into the kitchen to help Xena cook.
* * *
It has beenfour whole days of not hearing a word from Orion. I’m perusing through Lonnie Blaine’s audition message board.
“Oh my God,” I say, reading the details of an audition for his latest musical. For the three days that I have not been going to work, I’ve exercised a lot. I also did a workout with Sarah and Tab. They both assured me that I have still got it. And Lonnie is producing a new musical titledFemme Fatale.
Without another pause, I tap the button to put my name on the list. Fear grips me after I complete the action. But then something else takes over me. Orion is the only reason why I have easy access to Lonnie’s list. I’ll probably receive special notice by him because of Orion too.
I scramble around my apartment until I find my cell phone, and then I send him a text:Hey. What happened with Herc? Did he accept your AI software?
I set my phone down on top of the table that I have next to the door to catch my keys and other items. I do not expect him to answer me soon if he even answers at all. But before I’m able to turn my back on my device, it dings.
I inhale sharply, deeply when I see that I have a responding message from Orion reading:Turned it down.
I gasp. No wonder Orion had been extra angry at me. I knew it—Hercules shattered his self-esteem. Then another idea drops into my head and I type:How about Max Grove?
That’ll show Hercules.
I wait and wait, but a few minutes go by and there’s no response from Orion. Maybe I insulted him, so I type:Or not.
He’s back with:Good idea. I’ll look into it. How are you?
I stare at the last part of his message. How am I? Trying not to miss him like crazy. I type:Fine. And you?
He answers:Fine.
What do I say next? Should I apologize now? But I’ve already apologized. I can do it again.
Instead, I type:I’m going to audition for Lonnie’s new show tomorrow.
I wait, and wait, and wait. He doesn’t respond, and I’m okay with that.
* * *
On Monday morning,I’m up at the crack of dawn. Auditions start at 7:00 a.m. I scarf down two protein bars and coffee left in the carafe from the previous day and head out. I don’t want to be late. Because last night it hit me, if I can’t have Orion, then I can at least make something out of this opportunity he gifted to me. I plan on dancing my ass off today.
* * *
ORION LORD
