by J. P. Comeau
I listened to my sister laugh at me, and I rolled my eyes.
“I’m glad my pain is amusing to you,” I murmured.
“Oh, come on, Roxy. Clint’s a nice guy.”
“I know he’s a nice guy. He’s just a shitty boss.”
“Hey, at least he’s a shitty, hot boss.”
I nodded. “Yes, but he’s my boss, Kelly. I’m not even stupid enough to try and think about something like that, much less go through with it.”
“Do my ears deceive me? Is the infamous man-handler Roxy Crown really throwing in the towel with someone like her boss?”
I scoffed. “I’m hardly throwing in the towel. I just know when the war is worth it and when it isn’t. And this war certainly isn’t worth it.”
“Does Dad know about your job yet?”
I sighed. “I haven’t spoken with him since Fashion Week last fall in New York City. You?”
She paused. “You haven’t spoken to Dad in five months?”
“Girl, we’ve talked. Don’t be weird. We just haven’t talked talked.”
“So, he doesn’t know about the job yet.”
“No.”
“So, you think he’s going to get upset when you do talk.”
I sighed. “After one of his daughter’s starts her own fashion line? I’m pretty sure he won’t be proud of the fact that his other daughter works as a receptionist.”
“You know damn good and well, Dad would be elated at the fact that you’re working.”
“Oh, yeah. Just like he’s thrilled that you have your name plastered all over billboards advertising your boots with your rich husband on your arm.”
“Roxy, please.”
I clicked my tongue. “I know, I know. I swear, I’m not envious. I’m just…”
I didn’t know how to tell my sister that I felt small in her presence. Like we were kids again, with Mom always asking her to help put dinner together or Dad always asking her to come outside and kick a ball around. It had always been her over me when we were growing up. Always. And while that never bothered me because it gave me time to sneak around and do some wonderful things, I was at a point in my life where I wished I had worked harder to be the apple of my parent’s eye.
“Roxy?”
I cleared my throat. “Look, I have to get back to work. See you this weekend?”
“You know I love you, right?”
I nodded. “I know, Kelly. I love you, too.”
“And so do Mom and Dad.”
“I know that.”
“So, talk to them. Tell them. Update them on your life.”
“Gotta go. Lots to do!”
Then, I hung up my cell phone and tossed it back in my purse.
“You also shouldn't be talking on the--.”
“Oh, my god!”
I jumped up from my chair and shrieked as my hand fell against my heart. I spun around and saw Clint standing behind me, staring down at me from his perched peak. The man towered over me easily. And whenever he looked down his nose at me, I always wondered what he was thinking. What he was judging me on next.
“No personal calls on company time,” he said.
I drew in a sobering breath. “Yes. Of course. My apologies, Clint.”
“Clint?”
I shook my head. “Mr. Hearthstone.”
He nodded. “Do you have those files for me?”
“Files?”
He blinked. “The files I needed you to pull from the back room. It was the first thing on your list?”
The company phone started ringing again. “That thing has been ringing off the hook ever since I got in. I haven’t even had a chance to look at the list, much less do anything on it.”
The phone kept ringing. “But, you’ve had time to take a personal call to speak with your sister?”
I settled my hand on the phone. “Fifteen minutes, and I’ll go pull them. Okay?”
His eyes fell to the phone. “You gonna answer that?”
I resisted the urge to smack him. “SEAL Securities, how may I direct your call?”
And when I couldn't understand the man, yet again, on the other end of the line? I held it out for Clint.
“It’s for you. I’m going to go pull those folders.”
I didn’t care if I pissed him off, and I didn’t care if he was upset with me. I had been swamped with work since I sat my ass in that chair, and I needed a break. I plucked the sticky-note list from the front of my computer and made my way into the back room, ready to pull these files my grumpy-ass boss needed.
And it took me way longer than fifteen minutes to find everything.
I carried them to the elevator and made my way up to the top floor. I mean, the building was only four stories high. But, still, his office was on the top floor, and I needed to get these folders onto his desk as quickly as I could. The elevator doors opened, and I rushed down the hallway, ignoring the navy-colored walls with the white trim and crown molding that I ended up convincing Clint to use in his remodeling efforts. There was still a lot missing, though, like pictures on the walls, or chairs for people to wait in, or a nice little side table with an array of exotic flowers protruding from the top. All of it clashed with his brown door, though.
For the life of me, I couldn't convince him to switch it out for a nice white door. Maybe with a silver handle, to add another muted accent color into the mix.
A nice silver would open up a plethora of--.
“Are those my files?”
Clint’s voice ripped me from my thoughts, and I found him standing in his doorway.
“Uh, yes. All seven of them.”
He palmed his hair. “There were supposed to be eight.”
“The list only had seven names on it.”
“The Calgary folder is one folder, not two.”
I shook my head. “I checked and double-checked. All of these names only had one--.”
He held his hand out. “That’s fine. Just give them to me. I’m behind an hour in my work because I needed these first thing this morning.”
I walked over and dropped them into his arms.
“I’m sorry for the delay. It's just been a--.”
“You can leave early for the day as well.”
I blinked. “What?”
“You can leave early. It’s Friday, and you didn’t take an early day last week. Take it today.”
“But, what about the rest of the list?”
He held out his free hand. “I’ll take care of it. It’ll get done faster that way, anyway.”
I wanted to throat punch him until he coughed up blood. I jammed my hand into my pocket to pull out the list and slapped it against his palm. But, once our hands connected, I felt a jolt of something rush up my arm. It stood the hairs on the nape of my neck on end and forced my eyes down Clint’s body.
While the man was a resounding jerk-off as a boss, he sure as hell was hot.
His arms, teeming with muscles. His shoulders, broad and strong. His suits, screaming for help as his muscles press against the seams, begging to be set free. His long legs made me shiver in my boots, and his piercing, stoic gaze made me wonder if I could ever make the man smile. I’d seen Clint smile once when he was incredibly drunk.
And his smile softened his eyes.
While also showcasing his chiseled jawline.
“Is there anything else you need?” Clint asked.
I blinked. “I should be asking you that question.”
“I’m good, thanks. You enjoy the rest of your day.”
I nodded mindlessly. “Yeah. You, too.”
He walked back into his office and closed the door, leaving me standing in the carpeted hallway. Alone. I turned my back and started walking towards the elevator, but not before taking one more peek over my shoulder. Just to see if I could catch another glimpse of Clint in that suit.
Come on, Roxy. You know he’s off-limits.
I sighed as I made my way back downstairs. I gathered my things and set up my phone so
that all calls forwarded straight to Clint. Maybe then, he’d get an idea of just how many phone calls I had taken today. Sometimes, I wasn’t sure he understood just how much he dropped on my shoulders daily. So, maybe a good extra-hard-working half day might show him just how much he relied on me.
Maybe then, he wouldn't be such an ass.
Walking into my apartment wasn’t an experience I enjoyed any longer, though. Especially with Kelly being gone. Don’t get me wrong. I was happy for my sister. I was happy that she and Brenden finally worked things out. I was happy to help with wedding planning and to be the eventual maid of honor on her big day. But, now that Kelly had moved out--again--I was forced to do things like water the plants and suck down my own awful cooking. Including leftovers.
And the plants had long since died.
“I might die if I keep eating this shit,” I murmured.
I stared into the Tupperware container and grimaced at the sight of the food and sniffed it before recoiling. Then I walked it over to the sink. I washed it down the garbage disposal before flipping the switch, listening to the gurgling and the grinding as that damn thing sucked my disgusting cooking down the hole.
Chips and ice cream, it is.
After pulling my favorite snacks out, I reached for a bottle of green tea and flopped down onto the couch. I pulled out my phone and started mindlessly scrolling through Instagram while reaching for the remote. Then I turned on the television and started up Golden Girls right from where I left off last night. And as the television played in the background, I scrolled across pictures of Karina and Kelly.
Who looked to be at a beach of some sort.
“What the…?”
I cast my food off to the side and clicked on the folder of pictures. There were plenty of pictures with Kelly and Brenden. Karina and Zane. Brenden and Zane. Kelly and Karina. There were dozens of pictures from a beach trip I had no idea about, and I felt my heart break just a smidge. My two best friends, out on a beach trip they hadn’t invited me to. That was becoming more and more commonplace over the past year, and I knew the reason why.
Because they’re no longer single.
I mean, who wants to hang out with the single girl who likes to drink and party when they’ve got someone to spend their time with already? Kelly and Karina don’t need drinks anymore. They’ve got their guys. They don’t need to go out to clubs anymore. They’ve got built-in hook-ups. They don’t need to hang around me anymore. They’ve got their men to entertain and, well, love them.
“All I need is fifteen cats, and I’ll be set,” I whispered.
I tossed my phone onto the couch and pulled a blanket over my lap. I jammed my hand into the chips and dug my spoon into my ice cream as I focused solely on the television. My life hadn’t gotten boring or less important. I was just in a different place than they were now. I was still having fun, and they were rotting away next to one man for the rest of their lives. I had the world at my feet, and they were fighting with their loved ones. I had my pick of men every weekend, and they were stuck with the same boring sex day in and day out.
My life hadn’t gotten boring at all.
I just don’t have anyone to share it with anymore.
2
_____
CLINT
I felt the plastic of the pen break in my hand, and I grumbled to myself. I tossed it into the trash can before plucking another one from the plastic cup on the edge of my desk. But, I didn’t get two more sentences in before that pen broke off in my hand as well.
I was leaving an ink stain that would take days to fade.
“Fucking hell,” I murmured.
I leaned back in my chair and sighed. I ran my clean hand down my face before my eyes fell closed, and I drew in a few deep breaths through my nose. I needed to calm myself. I needed to focus.
I needed to not regret ever hiring Roxy.
Not that she wasn’t good at her job. On the contrary, she excelled at her position. But, damn it, if that girl wasn’t a major distraction. If I thought she was hot in all that club attire she donned in the evenings, then she was breathtaking in her pin-up pencil skirts, and her hair piled high on her head for work. I never thought I’d find a woman that was sexier clothed than not clothed. Roxy pulled it off somehow, though.
“Stop thinking about her. You’re losing it,” I murmured.
And my phone ringing on my desk saved me from my own debauched thoughts.
“This is Clint,” I said.
“This is father.”
I chuckled. “Hey, Dad. What’s up?”
“That’s how you always answer your phone?”
“You pay attention to how you answer the phone next time and then figure out where I got it from.”
He chuckled. “Well, at any rate, I wanted to call and see how things were going with the new company.”
I leaned back into my leather chair. “Things are fine, sir. I got four men out on patrols right now, and two more just checked in with me. I’ve got contracts I need to sign on my end to get new clients up and running, but I should still clock out by five.”
“Patrols? Clock out? What are you, still in the Navy?”
“I’ll never not be a SEAL, sir.”
“I’m not ‘sir. I’m your father.”
I paused. “Yes, si--Dad.”
He sighed. “How are you doing? I mean, in general?”
“Dad, we don’t--.”
“How are you doing, son?”
I really didn’t want to broach this topic. But, I figured it would pop up eventually. You know, since I haven’t talked about my divorce once it was finalized.
“I’m good, Dad. Really.”
“Are you sure, Clint?”
I snickered. “What more do you want from me? I’m home. I’m stable. I’ve nailed down a therapist. I’ve got a company I’m running and a family empire that’s building, and that doesn’t show you how good I am?”
“Not emotionally, no.”
“Leave the emotions for my therapist to sift through.”
“I’m your father, Clint. And you’re my firstborn. My SEAL. My pride and joy. I want to know how the fuck you’re doing.”
I grinned. “Well, when you put it that way.”
“Cut the shit.”
My voice grew curt. “I am, Dad. This is me cutting the shit. And I’m sorry if I’m not like Zane, who can just pour his heart out to you anytime he wants.”
“I didn’t say you were like--.”
“Dad, really. I’m good. It happened, it sucked, and I moved on. Just like I said I would if anything like that happened.”
“She didn’t deserve you, Clint.”
I shook my head. “No, she didn’t.”
“That ex-wife of yours was nothing but a two-timing, selfish whore who didn’t know which end of a man was up. I’d love to get her in a room by herself and ask her just what the fuck she thought she’d get away with. Did she think you were stupid or something? No, no, no. My Clint deserves better. And he’s going to find better. Right?”
I chuckled. “You feel better?”
“Right, son?”
“I don’t know. I’m not focused too much on chasing women or finding myself one. All of my focus is on this business right now.”
“Well, don’t let her take that joy from you. She robbed you of your marriage, but she doesn't have to rob you of your future.”
“I’m a Navy SEAL, Dad. I’ll be fine.”
“Sure, in a war zone. But, this isn’t a war zone, Clint. It’s the battlefield of your emotions. And I’m not sure you’re equipped to handle it.”
I blinked. “Are you even listening to yourself right now?”
“Your mother’s standing behind me.”
I heard her scoff. “Come on!”
“What!?” he exclaimed.
I roared with laughter as I held my stomach. I knew my mother had to be behind this, one way or another. And listening to them bicker, oddly enough, made my day.
“Dad?” I asked.
“Hold on, son. Sweetheart, why can’t you just--.”
“Dad!”
“What?”
I laughed. “Just leave her alone. You know she means well.”
He sighed. “Not when she drags me into shit.”
“You married her. You’ll always be dragged into it.”
“Nice to see you learned something other than pain and hurt from your marriage.”
I palmed my hair. “I’m not as fragile as you guys think I am. And by the way, this is exactly why vets don’t go to see therapists. Because then people start acting weird around them.”
“All right, all right. We get your point.”
“Thank you. Now, can I get back to work?”
“Depends. You coming over for dinner tonight?”
I nodded. “I’ll be there if you let me off this phone so I can finish work.”
“See you tonight.”
“See you then.”
I hung up the phone and got back to work. And it didn’t take me long to wrap up my day before I needed to leave. I packed things up and closed down the office for the long weekend. Monday was a holiday, and while everyone in my company had the day off, it came at a cost to myself. I was handling all of the patrols and the watches on the schedule so my guys could take some time to be with their friends and families.
I wonder what Roxy will be doing Monday.
I shook the thought from my head as I slung my stuff into the saddlebags on my Harley. Then mounted the seat and slid my helmet on, ready for the long drive out to Mom and Dad’s estate. I loved riding my bike out to their place. The drive was always so peaceful. And with the sun setting and nighttime falling upon us quicker than normal, it would make for a wonderful ride back home.
I pulled up the long, winding driveway of my childhood home. I parked my Harley and packed my helmet away before finding myself inside. I followed the wonderful smell of food until I emerged into the kitchen, watching Mom stir a pot of sauce while Dad pulled rolls out of the oven.
“There he is!” he exclaimed.
Mom dropped her spoon. “Oh, there’s my boy. Come here and give your mother a hug.”
I smiled. “Hi, Mom.”
