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I’m only an intern right now, though I have high hopes they’ll give me something more permanent come May. Based on my research, there are two positions set to come up around that time. With my foot in the door, I can hopefully either fill the newly opened positions or gain a chance at the spot someone vacates when they get promoted. I’m not all that picky about which I get.
“You’re thinking with your business brain. Corrin isn’t like that, bro. He’s suffering from writer’s block, I’d bet. Dude needs a change of scenery and to get away from his meddling parents.”
“Meddling parents?”
I toss my bag over my shoulder, then book it out of the library. Ignoring the smiling faces and head tosses my way is easy. People assume I’m an ass for it, but I don’t care. It’s better than the years of pretending I did.
As a kid, I picked up soccer while playing at the park with some other kids. Those kids recommended I join their league. One audition to their super elite group later, and I was a soccer prodigy.
At least, that’s what they called me.
I played because I enjoyed it. When my brain would shut down on me or social situations would be awkward, I still had the game to talk about. It was a win-win.
Until it really wasn’t.
Too much pressure. Pressure to play. Pressure to date. Pressure to be ‘one of the guys’ when all I wanted to do was study, get my degree, work, and spend time with family.
It’s all I’ve ever needed.
Tennyson brings me back to the current issue with his next words. “Meddling as in they’re trying to play matchmaker. They’ve been researching dates for Corrin like this is the 1800s or some shit. Poor guy can’t hide out as well there as he can here. And he doesn’t want to interrupt Zach and Smith’s lovefest.”
“I’m sure taking Star off their hands could help them,” I suggest. Star, Smith’s daughter, is Corrin’s niece too. There was some story about a drunk night and all this other stuff as to how Star came along. I don’t remember the details really.
What I do remember is how sad Corrin’s face was as he talked about his sister. His late sister, since she died years ago.
“You really think Star is going to give up the two most important men in her life for longer than a night? I think she likes Zach more than her uncle now anyway.”
“How do you have so much intel? I doubt Star is telling her uncle all of this.”
I make my way across campus to where I parked my car. As much as I don’t want to head to my internship this early, I figure I could get some studying done in the back office before clocking in. It'll be more secluded there than anywhere else.
“Actually, she might if she was feeling extra sassy. I’m basing it off something Corrin said before about her reaction to seeing Zach over him. It’s not all that important. The real reason I called was to see if you could grab him from the airport when he gets in.”
Shit.
That’s absolutely not something I want to agree to. But it’s not like I can really say no though.
“What time is he getting in?”
“I’m not sure yet. I just figured it would be around the time you wrapped up your day. Plus, there’s no reason for both of us to be out in the cold.” He tries to muffle his laughter.
“You are so lazy! It’s not too cold today. Besides, what if he shows up while I’m working? Are you going to make your friend wait?”
He snorts. “Of course not. If he gets here earlier, then I’ll grab him. But I’m telling you, the timing will be perfect. Just wait and see. I know what I’m talking about.”
My brother is a character, I swear it. He’s acting like he can predict the weather and flight patterns between here and where Corrin is.
“I’ve got to go. I’m heading to the office early. Studying didn’t go as planned.”
“Oh, yeah? What happened?” I can tell he’s genuinely curious.
While my brother can get in his own head sometimes, he’s really a great sibling. If I needed anything at all, he’d drop whatever he was doing to get to me. I know I can depend on him.
That logic, plus my frustration, leads me to explaining my predicament. I exit campus as I tell him about the encounters, down to the details of each girl’s facial expressions.
As soon as I’m done, Tennyson lets out the loudest bark of laughter I’ve ever heard from him. It leads into a fit of giggles, then he’s gasping for breath.
“Glad I could amuse you today. Want to share what’s so funny?” I grumble as I make the turn that will lead me straight to Stryker Global’s office. Located at the northwest edge of Downtown Boston, the office takes up four floors of one of the nicest high-rises the city has to offer.
