Page 73 of Pucking Only
I don’t even have to consider my answer. Pushing my chair back, I stand up, my decision firm. I see the confusion in their eyes as I straighten my back and look between the two of them.
“You know what?” I say, my voice strong and unwavering. “I quit.”
For a second, my declaration is met by stunned silence. Ferguson’s jaw drops slightly, and Samuel’s smirk falters. They weren’t expecting this. Good.
“Hold on, Skyler,” Mr. Ferguson finally says. “There’s no need to throw a fit about this.”
“I don’t need to put up with your bullshit for one more second,” I snap, my blood boiling. “I’ve worked my ass off for this company, and for what? To be disrespected and overlooked? No, thank you. I’m done being underestimated. I’m done letting you two take credit for my work. You think Samuel can do better? Let him. I’ll be just fine without you.”
Mr. Ferguson pushes to his feet, his face turning red. Oh, look at that. He’s finally showing a bit of emotion and interest at long last. “Skyler, be reasonable,” he growls. “This is just how this industry works.”
“If that’s the case, then it needs to change. Though I doubt every gaming company is as shortsighted and misogynistic as this one. Good luck finishing the game without me.”
“Skyler!” Ferguson barks, but I turn for the door.
Samuel hops up and blocks my path.
“What do you think you’re doing?” He looks panicked, which is very satisfying. “You’re just going to toss your career out the window because you aren’t getting your way? I knew you were selfish, but — ”
“Selfish?” I smile and shake my head. “Oh, Samuel, you pathetic, small man. Do you really think I’m stupid? I know the only reason you’re trying to stop me is because you can’t finish this game without me. I’m more talented than you and my game development skills are better. The only reason you’re getting this promotion is because you have a dick and I don’t.”
Samuel’s jaw drops in shock and I shove past him to leave the office.
My heart is pounding with adrenaline and a sense of liberation. I don’t even hesitate as I walk straight to my desk. The few coworkers who see me must notice the determination on my face because no one tries to stop me or ask questions. Everyone stays out of my way. I grab my things, shoving my few personal items into my bag with quick, precise movements. This is it. I’m really doing this. I’m leaving, and it feels incredible. Every step I take toward the exit feels like shedding a weight that’s been dragging me down for far too long.
The only thing that would make this moment even better would be if Grace and Carson were here, cheering me on. I want to tell both of them about this so badly. I know they’d be so proud of me.
Feeling a surge of determination, I decide that I’ll call Grace as soon as I get to my car, and then I’ll call Carson. As much as it hurt to see him with Elizabeth, I still want to tell him about this.
I want to hear his voice.
When I push open the front doors of the building and stepoutside, the warm air hits me, and I take a deep breath, feeling lighter than I have in years. As I glance around, trying to get my bearings, I freeze.
There, standing on the sidewalk, staring straight at me, is Carson.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE: THE MOMENT OF TRUTH
CARSON
Even comparedto sitting at the dentist’s office after getting nailed in the face with a hockey puck at sixteen and breaking three of my teeth, I’ve never felt this nervous in my life. Standing on this busy San Diego sidewalk, baking in the blistering sun, I stare up at theCode Kickerslogo on the side of the glass-fronted building. My heart’s pounding so hard I can hear it in my ears.
I’ve been standing out here for about 20 minutes now, trying to build up the courage to go inside and ask for Skyler. However, she saves me the trouble. She unexpectedly walks out of the building, looking like she’s ready to take on the world — or maybe destroy it. She’s fierce, strong, and everything I’ve always admired about her. Her hair is loose and flowing around her shoulders, and when she yanks off her flannel, she’s wearing a wrinkledDeadpool & Wolverinet-shirt.
She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.
At that moment, she sees me, and that fire in her eyes flickers with something else — confusion, maybe even a bit of shock.
“Carson?” she says, her voice breathless. “What are you doing here?”
I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. I’ve gone over this in my head a million times. Now that I’m here, standing in front of her, all those carefully rehearsed words vanish. All I know is that I have to do this and I can’t let another moment slip by without telling her the truth.
“I had to see you,” I say, my voice rougher than I intended. “I had to talk to you, Skyler.”
She crosses her arms, a mix of frustration and disbelief on her face. “You came all the way to California to talk to me? After everything?”
“You haven’t been taking my calls.” I’m teasing her a bit, but it’s also not untrue. She hasn’t responded to any of my messages or phone calls, and Grace refused to contact her for me, insisting that I need to do this myself.
Skyler snorts and rolls her eyes. “And you couldn’t take the hint that maybe I didn’t want to talk to you?”