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I’d already known if I breathed wrong, due to that contract Mr. Guidry’s lawyer had drawn up, he could more or less fire me without consequences. That had mostly been my doing. I hadn’t spoken up and had a backbone when I should’ve, and then things had gone bad. I’d gotten into trouble. It was the way of the world. I let out a long breath.
Well, I could say something now. I didn’t have to repeat old mistakes.
It took me a long time to move, and a few people walked past tapping away on their phones, but nearly everyone had seen me cleaning recently, so no one seemed particularly surprised or interested to spot me standing next to the cleaning closet. Small mercies, I guess. I needed time to get my thoughts in order.
What could I do?
The image of myself on my knees begging flashed through my mind, and I snorted, but that honestly wasn’t a half bad idea. I could ask Maurice not to rat me out to Mr. Guidry. Did I deserve that courtesy? Well, no, but Maurice had never been mean to anyone as far as I knew. Nodding, I walked around the hallways until I was standing in front of Mr. Guidry’s outer office—where Maurice worked—and I tapped gently on the door, so softly a field mouse might not have noticed, but without missing a beat Maurice said, “Come in.”
He didn’t bother keeping his voice down, and I flinched. I didn’t want Mr. Guidry to hear us. I opened the door wide enough to slip inside, then froze under Maurice’s curious stare. He had warm brown eyes and wore thick black glasses, and just now he had his suit jacket off, but still looked business-ready with suspenders and a red bow tie over his white shirt. The sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. As I stood still, trying not to shrivel up and collapse in a ball on the floor, he crossed his arms on his desk and leaned forward, clearly giving me all his attention.
Shit, if I wanted to do something proactive, now was the time. Maurice seemed more curious than annoyed, but I knew how quickly that could change when people were waiting for me to do something. I skittered to the desk and went around the side so that I was closer to him than was strictly normal, but I really didn’t want anyone to hear me. I leaned even closer, and he sat back in his chair with awhump.
“Please, don’t say anything,” I whispered, then darted my gaze toward the door to Mr. Guidry’s office, hoping Maurice would get the drift.
His jaw firmed, and I could see the cogs spinning in his brain, working overtime. He leaned toward me. “Are you trying to get Albion in trouble? Because this isn’t going to end well for you if you are.” His stern gaze was the type that made me squirm internally. He thought poorly of me, and there was nothing I could do about it.
“No, no, no. Just please don’t say anything. I’m begging you.”
He snorted. “Clearly.”
The longer he studied me, the dumber I began to feel. What was I thinking? He had no reason to help me out or do anything other than run directly to his boss—and boyfriend, assuming they were still together. I didn’t honestly know. I wasn’t one for office gossip—all things considered. I liked doing my job, then going home at the end of the day.
Maurice gave me a tight scowl that smoothed away almost as quickly as it crossed his face. “Listen, I wasn’t planning to do anything with what I saw because I’m no stranger to having my business spread around without my permission.” His face flushed, and my stomach swooped. I hadn’t done the gossiping, but I’d been connected to Xadrian when Maurice and Wick’s relationship had been called to the attention of the office, and hell, I didn’t even blame him for thinking I’d had something to do with that.
He must be feeling pretty smug right about now.
I rubbed my chest and tried to keep steady on my feet. “You don’t understand. I’m not like you. I have to keep this job right now. I don’t have anyone who would be willing to give me a recommendation. I don’t have anything else going for me. I need to dig out from under the bullshit.” I realized I was getting louder and glanced at Mr. Guidry’s office door. “Please, just don’t say anything.”
Maurice drummed his fingertips on his desk and glanced back at the door himself. “By the way you’re acting, I’m beginning to think maybe Ishouldsay something. You seem like you have a lot to hide.”
I wanted to reply to that, tell him I didn’t, but the only thing that came out of my mouth was a choked sound and I felt a bit dizzy.
Maurice glanced at the bruise in the middle of my right hand where Albion had worried the spot with his lips and teeth last night, and I quickly slipped it into my pocket. Then realized maybe that looked weird. Hell, I had no idea what to do. I shuffled back a few steps from the desk.
The door behind Maurice—the one to Mr. Guidry’s office—opened, and the man himself stepped out. I flinched and nearly fell over where I stood, which didn’t go a long way toward making me look as if I wasn’t up to no good—or at least, that the no good I was up to was only some necking on company time.
“I’ll, uh, just get back to work,” I squeaked out, then fled the office. I didn’t miss the long looks that Maurice and Mr. Guidry exchanged.
Fuck, I was messing up everything I did today.
Since I’d already royally fucked up what I figured was probably my one shot at staying out of hot water, and probably had earned an immediate dismissal, I went out the side door that was near the parking lot and leaned against the gray brick wall, taking deep breaths. My chest ached, and I rubbed it. It was like I’d swallowed a hot balloon, and I wasn’t sure if I was going to be sick or not.
The door opened, and a couple of people were talking as they walked, probably heading off to have lunch together. I sucked in deep breaths and closed my eyes. The door opened and closed several times, and I just stood there dragging in humid air while sweat gathered on my body.
“Does Albion know you’re out here?” The refined Southern accent, the kind you didn’t hear just anywhere, made me cringe. I opened my eyes to look at Mr. Guidry. Shit, why? Why was this my life? I normally never saw him. Of course, I didn’t usually stand around doing nothing beside doors, either.
I shook my head, the panic rising again, and before I could stop myself, I raised my hands, then cupped the sides of my face. I blew out a long breath. “I’m really sorry for bringing that into the office. It’ll never happen again. Please don’t fire me, and please don’t knock me down to minimum wage. I can’t afford it. I’ll work harder, I swear. I’ll work nights, weekends.” I stood up straight and gasped in a deep breath to keep going, but he cut me off with a long hum.
His eyebrows furrowed. “You know. Maybe you need to go home right now. What do you think about that?” Mr. Guidry cocked his head and frowned at me. He didn’t appear angry at all, which had me deeply confused.
“You’re firing me?” I mumbled, and my neck thudded with my pulse. I stuck a hand out behind myself to touch the side of the building.
He shook his head and his silver hair flopped down onto his forehead. “No, I’m sending you home. You seem to need a break.” His eyebrows danced upward. “What on earth did Albion have you doing today that you’re in such a state?”
My head swam. “Nothing, sir.”
“Right.” He drew out the word, then checked his phone, frowning at whatever he saw on the screen. “Go on home.” He spun around and hurried toward his car, which was parked nearby.
