Page 96 of Thorn Evermore

An awkward silence falls over the room. This is the part where we should wish him well and to get better soon, but no one says a word.

“Uh, okay, you can finish your lunch in the breakroom. Douglas, if you’ll come back at one, we can go over a few things. I’m sure you’ll get the role.”

Douglas smiles, glancing awkwardly at me.

As we filter out of Neal’s office and head for the break room, the reality of the situation hits me. Neal won’t be here anymore. It’ll be like the old days when I could just sit in the warehouse and do inventory. I can get back to arranging displays in the store. I feel like a weight has been lifted.

“We should go out drinking tonight,” Kelly says. “Is that mean?”

Sandra chuckles. “Nope. I’m in. Ky?”

“No, sorry. I have plans.”

Sandra does a little shimmy in front of me. “Ooh la la. Kyson’s got a man.”

I laugh. “You’re silly.”

“I’m happy for you. Especially with you-know-who leaving.”

“It’s pretty awesome. I mean, not that he’s dying or whatever.”

Douglas sits across from me. “Oh shit. He is dying, isn’t he?”

“A blood clot headed to the heart? An artery blockage? Both of those can be fatal.”

“Yeah,” he says. “Are you sure about this, Kyson? You’re way more tenured than me.”

“I wouldn’t take the job for a million dollars,” I explain. “I’m happy behind the scenes. Managing shipments and inventory is enough for me. I only took the manager role so I could see everything myself first.”

“Adorable little nerd,” Sandra says, kissing my cheek.

“I want it for you, Douglas,” I continue, laughing off Sandra’s comment. “As long as you stay out of my business and let me do what I do, I can’t see it being a problem.”

Douglas nods. “There’s nothing wrong with what you do.”

“Then we’re on the same page.”

Sandra leans closer. “He’s back on the stuff, isn’t he?”

I nod. “You saw it too?”

“I swear I caught him in the bathroom once,” Manny says, picking at a piece of pepperoni, “but he told me it was allergy nose spray.”

“Explains a lot,” Sandra says. “Do you think it led to his health problems?”

“Uh, yeah. He’s young and fit. There’s no other reason for it besides genes or bad living, and his parents are alive and well. He’s even got a living grandmother.” I glance down at my cold pizza. “Maybe that’s why I can’t make myself feel bad for him. He brought it on himself.”

Sandra scoffs. “Or maybe because he’s a raging jerkface who treated you like shit.”

“That too.”

“The good news is he’s out for a while at least, and you’ve got a hunky man waiting for you. Not a bad day, if you ask me.”

“Not a bad day at all.”

After lunch, I return to my station and get back to work. Neal comes out of his office, walking over to me, but he’s hesitant. I glance up.

“Yes?”

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