CJ’s smile widened and he rose from the bed. He flung his arms around Percy’s middle and dragged him close. “I’ve been looking for a good book to read. And it’s a lot nicer to talk to someone than to go online and be told I’m a stupid asshole for liking something.”
Percy sighed, leaning into the embrace. When he drew in another breath, CJ smelled like sweat and the faintest whisps of strong, dark coffee. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas.” Then CJ darted back. “Hell. I’ll be right back.”
Percy flashed cold again. “What’s wrong?”
CJ threw his jacket on and marched toward the door, only stopping briefly to turn around and look at him. “I didn’t get you anything.”
He opened it, but Percy ran for him, dragging him back inside. “Get me a nice dinner with my…whatever we are. That’ll do it.”
CJ paused, then ran his fingers through Percy’s hair, smoothing it back as much as it would go. “Paramour. I think the right word is paramour.”
“Isn’t that usually the person you’re having an affair with?”
CJ pulled back, eyes wide. “Did I forget to tell you about my wife and kids?”
Percy slapped him across the chest for that, then leaned in close. “You can tell me all about this made up family of yours over dinner.” Then, in spite of himself, he looked up, making eye contact. “They are fake, right?”
CJ chuckled, drawing him into another hug, nestling his head right under Percy’s chin. “I can’t even keep succulents alive. You think I could manage children?”
Chapter 14
The call came earlier than CJ wanted. He’d had to untwine himself from Percy just to grab his phone from the hutch, and deal with the disgruntled moans from his…new boyfriend. That had been the term they’d settled on once there was enough liquor in their systems to quell some of the fear of labeling things. It wasn’t particularly concise, but even thinking about it warmed CJ from his head all the way to the balls of his feet.
He hadn’t been given much information, just that the board of Sidewinder had gathered, and they wanted to discuss their decision with CJ. At least they’dmadea decision. CJ was ready to get out of Spokane and go back to Hydrangea Hollow, spend some real time with Percy on his own terms.
His normal escort wasn’t waiting for him this time. Instead, Dolores stood there, waving him over. So that was a hell of a change. Felt damn significant. CJ put on a little more speed and met her there by the elevator bank. “Do I want to know why you’re the one here?”
“I don’t have anything to do right now other than this meeting?” She shrugged, guiding him to the elevator and scanning her ID card before heading up. “And the testosterone in the meeting room still gives me a headache.”
“Are you implying that I’m not manly?”
“Not viciously so.” The doors slid open and they headed out. The reception desk was empty, light behind the logo dark, everything quiet. The only brightness came from inside the meeting room, glowing from behind the closed blinds.
Dolores opened the door. Inside sat the same familiar faces. Daniel, wearing a black and white track suit that barely contained his significant physique. Norman, wearing jeans and a simple blue polo shirt. And Eddie, dressed in a T-shirt and some basketball shorts, along with an annoyed expression that gave him the distinct look of someone who had just been woken up from a deep sleep. Given the hour, maybe he had. In fact, only Dolores and CJ were dressed like normal. She wore a simple gray suit with a skirt that ended right below her knees, and CJ had worn his slacks, jacket, and button-down. From the day before, but they still looked fine, and only smelled faintly of spilled sherry from last night’s dinner.
Once he and Dolores sat, Daniel sighed. “We considered your proposed solution. I don’t want anyone to think we were flippant with this.”
“I gathered. I also should have been a little clearer about what I meant by calling me tomorrow. If I’m going to be here this early, I’d at least like some coffee.”
Daniel chuckled, although it was harsh and brief. “I could get some brewing, if you want.”
That, more than anything, struck CJ as very off. Daniel was the main man in charge, and hadn’t once shown any sort of willingness to do menial work like making coffee for some random contractor. CJ sat up a little straighter and shook his head. “That’s fine. I’ll cope.”
Daniel nodded. “Well, then. To business.” He clasped his hands on the tabletop and cast his gaze around the entire table. “I feel the need to apologize to you, Mr. Skaug.”
CJ didn’t even correct him. “Apologize for what?”
“For having my head up my ass. If I wasn’t so tied up in the business and the reputation, I wouldn’t have wasted all your time, sent you out into a snowstorm that ruined your car. The solution was very obvious, once I was clear-eyed enough to see it.”
Sounds like I’m getting a hearty sayonara.This could have been an email.
“Eddie will be terminated immediately.” He looked over at the disheveled man. “If you agree not to make a fuss, we’ll honor your severance package. If you rant and rave and piss and moan like a child, don’t look for a single dime. Thanks for your time here, all that, please remember that you were on a work for hire contract, so Flame of the Monarch remains the sole property of Sidewinder Entertainment.”
The words hung heavy in the air and CJ swallowed hard. He glanced first to Dolores, saw a smile across her face. Norman just looked tired, as if he’d run a marathon before sitting down.
Eddie was red in the face, gripping the edge of the table. “Over this? It’s ending over this?”
