That ticking time bomb? It just detonated.
I shove back from my desk so fast my chair nearly tips over. Jen startles. “Spence?”
I don't answer. I storm across the office. Yank the door open. And bark, “Get in here. Now.”
Both of them jump. Parker points at himself. “Me?”
“Did I slur my words?”
Their eyes widen, and they practically sprint into my office. The second they're inside, I slam the door. The sound echoes off the walls. Nobody says a word.
I fold my arms. “You think this is funny?”
Parker opens his mouth. “Well—”
Dita immediately smacks his arm. Hard. “Don't finish that sentence.”
Parker blinks. “What?”
His confusion somehow makes me even angrier. I point toward the shirt. “Ryan is a real person, not some punchline.” No one makes a sound. “He's a human being with feelings. He's about to go through the hardest thing he's ever had to endure.” I gesture sharply toward Parker. “And you're all having a laugh.” My voice rises. “Making fucking swag at his expense.”
Parker's face falls. His shoulders sag.
Jen stands from her chair. “Spence—”
“No.” I cut her off immediately. “No. This is not okay.” My chest feels tight. Too tight. “Ryan has had to hide who he is his entire life.” The words come faster now. Harder. “And now he's been shoved out of the closet.” I round my desk and collapse into my chair. My hand disappears into my hair. I grip. Pull. Try to keep myself together. “Last I checked,” I say roughly, “he's still a client of the agency.”
Nobody moves. Nobody speaks.
“We should all be rallying around him.” My voice starts breaking apart. I hate it. I hate that they can hear it. I hate that I can't stop it. “He needs all our help to get through this.” Emotion clogs my throat. “We should be doing something.” The last word cracks completely. A strangled sound almost escapes me. Jesus Christ. Get it together.
Jen's expression changes quickly. The irritation disappears. Concern replaces it. “Okay.” She straightens. “That's it.” Then she points toward the door. “You two. Get back to work.”
Parker starts to object. Jen levels him with a look, and he immediately shuts up.
“Everything's fine,” she says. Both nod. Then Jen adds, “And change that shirt, Parker.”
They both suddenly look about twelve years old. Now I feel bad.
Fantastic.
They mumble apologies and disappear. The door closes behind them. Silence settles over the office. I blow out a breath. “Thanks.” I rub my eyes. “I can't believe he—”
“Stop,” Jen interrupts, glaring at me.
I blink. “What?”
“You were out of line.”
My eyebrows shoot up. She points toward the door. “And you're going to apologize to both of them.”
My jaw drops. “Are you kidding me?”
“Not remotely.”
I throw both hands in the air. “Jen—”
“Don't.” She leans forward. Places her elbows on my desk. “You know damn well Parker's shirt is not what has you all worked up.”
