Page 57 of Narrow Margins
“The answer is still no, Rafferty. Go away, I’m getting ready to leave. That stubborn bastard won’t die yet, he just wants us running to him.”
“He’s dead.”
“No, he isn’t, that fucker Steinberg just wants us to kowtow to him.”
“It’s on the news, Corr, the bastard is dead.” Raff looks grey, devoid of emotion.
“So? Why is this something we need to deal with? For God’s sake, Raff, why are you shaking your head?” I gather my feet underneath me and collect my laptop and messenger bag. “I’ll see you on Monday, I’m off to have a weekend with my boyfriend.”
“We need to be here, together, Corr. There’s going to be press everywhere, and we need to have a statement ready, and I think we need to be away from the public eye. Come, stay at the house, Lucas will keep everyone out. Griff will understand, I’m sure.”
“No! No, don’t you do this to me. I know that look, you don’t get to guilt me into this. I want to go, fuck, I need to go!” My voice rises at the end and I see Griff in the doorway as I look over my brother’s shoulder.
“Hey, Raff, what’ve you done to piss off my man?” Griff saunters in and claps Raff on the back, it clearly pisses Raff off and I cough out a laugh.
“Told him our father died, that normally is enough to piss someone off.” Raff barks at him, getting my back up.
“Raff! Cut it out! Stop this shit now!” I shout.
Griff steps past Raff as if he hasn’t spoken and pulls me against his body. As his hands curl in my hair, I sag into him. “It’s okay, baby, I’m here. I’ve got you.”
The softness of his voice makes me shiver, “Thank you.”
“Always, anytime.”
Raff sighs behind us and I slowly peel away from Griff. “It’s still no, Raff.”
“You can’t, Corrie, you need to stay out of the limelight and your boyfriend here is very good at attracting the sleazy tabloids.”
Before I can retort, Troy walks in, seeming irate. “Raff, just stop being a dick! Corrie, I’m sorry, but the press is here already; Raff has a point.”
“What’s going on?” Griff asks but I’m shaking my head.
“Nothing, sweetheart, Raff is being unreasonable.” I run my hand down his back.
“It’s being unreasonable to want you to stay out of the paps cameras’ the weekend our fucking father dies? I don’t fucking think so.”
“It’s fine, Corr, we can rearrange this weekend; if we need to be here then we can do it another time.” Griff replies.
“You can still go, Griff, I think this should just be family.” Raff sneers.
“Fuck you, Raff! Griff is family, he’s my family! Go fuck yourself! Troy? Deal with him before I hit him.” I snarl.
I grab Griff’s hand and storm past my brother, sending him a look that actually has an effect as he baulks and takes a step back.
“I hate to say this, baby, but maybe Raff’s right. Maybe you shouldn’t be caught in the shitstorm that could happen.” Griff speaks quietly but firmly. Then leans in to whisper, “How’s it going to be seen by the sponsors if you come schmoozing with me?”
“But won’t the question arise as to why you weren’t with me to support me?” My voice is low because I know he is going to go without me.
“The sponsors will understand and think I’m taking this deal seriously. I will be sure to let them know how hard it was for you to not be with me.” Griff sighs, “I think, maybe, Raff is kicking off because he’s not sure what to do, you were with your father for another five or six years. I think you need to take the lead and deal with all the shit that’s going on.”
“I hate it when you’re right, but you are more important to me than my brother and certainly my father. I really think I should be with you.” I rest my forehead against his as my mind scrambles around, trying to find a way to make this work.
“I’ll do what I have to do and be back before you know it. I can leave early on Sunday and be back to you by lunchtime. I’m sure Simmons will understand.”
“Fine!” I resign myself to having to deal with all this crap. “I expect constant contact, and if you need me to discuss anything with them, we can conference call.”
“I love you, Corrie; I will miss you like fucking crazy. I’ll call you all the time.” Griff glances at his watch and sighs, “I’d better get going. I’ll let you know when I’m boarding and when I land.”