Page 18 of The Substitute
I’ve been sticky all afternoon.
Once I’m clean and in some comfy clothes, I order dinner from my new favorite Chinese place and shoot Andrew a quick text, letting him know that I have to cancel for tonight.
There’s no way in hell I’m going to fuck my boss and then go on a date with someone else. That’s just…no.
I want to call Derek and make him talk to me. I don’t even care that he’ll likely be grouchy and moody about it.
But that’s not going to happen, so I turn on the TV, ready to watch the latest season of the period romance show set in England a hundred years ago while I wait for my food to be delivered.
To my surprise, the call from the agency never comes.
* * * *
I don’t know how today will go. Maybe he’ll be an asshole all day. Maybe he’ll be nice.
Maybe he won’t speak to me at all.
Either way, I’m going into the office. I have a bag full of snacks because I eat when I’m nervous, and for some reason, Derek gets on my nerves. So, Twizzlers and Nerds clusters are the candy of choice today. I also decide to wear another dress—this one red—because it makes me feel more confident.
I can tell he’s already there when I arrive since the door is unlocked and the lights are on. I stow my snacks, jacket, and purse, and have just taken my seat when I get an email with a document Derek needs to sign right away.
I print it out and, with my chin up, march into his office.
He doesn’t even glance my way.
“Good morning,” I say with a brightness I don’t exactly feel. “I need you to sign this, please.”
He takes the paper, reads it over, signs it, and then slides it back my way before turning back to his computer.
“Thanks.” I smile and saunter back to my workstation, scan and send the document, and then feel Derek hovering over me. I look up and raise an eyebrow. “How can I help?”
“How was your date?”
He’s scowling, a muscle in his jaw ticking with agitation, and I decide to have a little fun.
“Well, he dropped me off here, so since it just ended about twenty minutes ago, I’d say it went well. Thanks for asking.”
Without a word, Derek turns, stomps back into his office, and slams the door.
He deserved that. With resolve, I face my computer but then start to feel guilty. I shouldn’t, but I do.
With a sigh, I stand and open his door, only to find him pacing the room, obviously pissed off.
“Did you tell him I had you first?” he demands, his eyes flashing. “That I made you come until your legs shook? Were you already sore from me when he fucked you?”
“Enough.” My temper flares, and I see red as my hands ball into fists. I glare at him. “That’s enough. You’re acting like a child. I didn’t go on a goddamn date last night, Derek. I’d been with you. I’m not some slut wandering through Seattle, fucking every man who looks her way. Obviously, I made a mistake yesterday because you clearly think very little of me. I won’t be making it again.”
“Maya—”
“No. You had your chance to speak, and that moment is gone. If you want me to quit, or if you want to fire me, I’ll go.”
He slips his hands into his pockets and sighs. “I don’t want that.”
“Fine. Then I’ll be working here for the rest of the month. I’ll do my job and stay out of your way.”
There will be no more fun flirtations or conversations. His questions cut me to the bone and made me feel cheap and like trash. I won’t put up with that.
My brother was right. Derek Langley is a bastard.