Page 245 of By His Vow
“It’s awful, Lor. No one knows what’s going on. Everyone is freaking out. I…I hate it.”
“How many job losses are there going to be?”
I shrug. I’m sure that if I’d bothered to ask either King or Miles they’d tell me everything. Hell knows both of them have tried time and time again. But I don’t want the details. I don’t want to be pulled into their world and end up stuck in a position I don’t want to be in.
I am not them.
I’m a marketing manager with a kick-ass team. I am not senior management material.
“They haven’t gone into that much detail yet. They’re going to begin holding meetings with each department next week. Some will obviously have more losses than others.”
“Of course,” she muses. “I guess you’re safe though, right? I mean?—”
“I told them to lay me off to save them having to force someone else out.”
“What?” Lori shrieks. “Why would you do that?”
I shrug, sipping another mouthful of my cocktail.
“Why not? I don’t have plans to stay there long-term. I don’t need the money right now. If me stepping away means that another marketing manager gets to keep their job, then I’m happy to do that.”
“Tate, you are…” Her words trail off as she shakes her head. “Why aren’t you my boss?” she cries, changing tactics.
“Because you like numbers, and I…do not.”
“And my boss doesn’t like people, but it doesn’t stop him from trying and failing to deal with them.”
Guilt eats me up inside that I haven’t even asked her how her week has been. Although, history would tell me that it’s been awful.
“You need to leave,” I say, like I have a million times before.
“I know, Tate. But while he might be an asshole, he also pays well.”
“As he should,” I mutter before taking another sip. I’ve barely eaten today. I’ve been too busy attempting to keep everyone calm while their worlds begin to spin out of control.
I hate it, but I also know that Miles would never do this if there was another way. I also know how much strain all of this has put on him. One look in his dark eyes and I know he’s suffering right alongside our employees.
I’m glad he’s got Kingston standing beside him. I’d hate to see my big brother go through this alone. If he was, that might just be the thing to force my hand about standing up there with him.
But rightly or wrongly, I trust the two of them to do the right thing. It’s going to be hard, beyond hard, but I know every decision they make will be well thought through and with the future of the company and the lives of our employees at the forefront of their minds.
“As soon as I can find something that pays anywhere close that wants me, I’m gone.”
I nod, wishing that I could do something to help. Not that she’d accept it even if I did. My best friend is stubborn and fiercely independent. I learned very early into our friendship that she wouldn’t accept any kind of help, financial or otherwise. While I respect the shit out of her for it, I just wish she’d let me share the load every now and then.
“It can’t get any worse,” I point out as she waves down our server to order another round of drinks.
“I need food too,” I point out as I reach for the small menu in the middle of the table. “Ooooh, chicken wings.” My stomach growls and my mouth waters.
“Deal,” Lori says before placing our order. “So, fuck work and all that bullshit. Tell me all about life as Mrs. Callahan,” she says, rubbing her hands together in excitement.
A bitter laugh spills from my lips as I shake my head.
“Don’t get too excited, I don’t have any scandalous stories for you.”
“What?” She gawks. “You looked a little like you’d been mauled by a feral beast the morning after your wedding. Do not tell me it hasn’t continued.”
“Sorry to disappoint. I’ve barely seen him all week. Most nights he’s still been at the office with Miles and Kian long after I’ve gone to bed.”