AllFreeNovel
Share Us
19: Ronan
After a fucked up day of bad news—delays and roadblocks for both dev teams—I leave the office without talking to Selene. I’m in a shit mood and I don’t want to subject her to it. I send her a quick text so she doesn’t think I’m blowing her off like a total asshole, and go home for a much needed drink.
Sitting alone in my condo, clutching a glass of bourbon, I wonder if I made the right call. I’m wound up as tight as a fucking spring. Maybe spending the evening with Selene would have helped me relax. I’ve been working too much lately, but nurturing the right relationships to get this contract is a full time job in and of itself. Add to that running two separate companies, and making subtle changes that will allow me to integrate some of the research and development people—without pissing them off and making everyone quit—and it’s no wonder I feel like hell.
The bourbon goes down easy, sliding down my throat with a pleasant burn.
My phone rings. It’s Damon. I decide to answer, hoping he’s not calling to give me shit about not seeing our parents.
“Hey,” I say.
“Hey,” Damon says. “How’s Seattle?”
“Good. Definitely the right call.” For so many reasons.
“Glad to hear that,” he says. “Talked to Mom and Dad lately?”
“Is that why you called?” I ask, not bothering to hide the annoyance in my voice.
“No, man,” Damon says. “It was just a question. I’m not trying to guilt trip you. Have another drink or something.”
“What’s up, then?” I ask.
“I’m going to be up your way soon,” he says. “Just thought I’d give you a heads up, see if you wanted to get together while I’m in town.”
That actually isn’t a terrible idea. I wouldn’t mind seeing Damon. He knows how to piss me off, but he’s a good guy. “Sure, just keep me posted.”
“Great,” he says. “So, jumped off any bridges or whatever recently?”
“No, not lately,” I say. Aside from rock climbing in Denver, I haven’t done any of my usual sports in a while. It’s odd, but I don’t have the all-too-familiar itch, the craving for soaring through the air.
“Too busy with the ladies?” Damon says with a laugh.
“Not ladies,” I say. “Just one.”
“One? You’re kidding.”
“Not in the least,” I say.
“You mean one this week, right?” Damon asks.
“Fuck off,” I say with a laugh.
“Seriously, though, do you mean you have an actual girlfriend?” he asks.
“Yes, I guess that’s what I mean.”
“Holy shit.”
I’m kind of irritated at Damon’s reaction, but I suppose it’s warranted. It’s been years since I’ve been with a woman and called her my girlfriend. Not since college. Not since Chelsea.
She’s the last person I want to think about, so I take another swig of bourbon. “Is that all, Damon?”
“Yeah, I’ll text you when I have travel plans,” he says.
“All right, talk to you later,” I say and hang up.
I finish the rest of my drink. What I need is a day off. I’ve been working my ass off without much of a break. I get an idea and send a text to Sarah.
