Page 185 of Bridesmaid for Hire
“Oh, there he is, dead man walking,” Deanna says as I hurry past her. In the distance I can hear Beatrice calling security.
Crap.
“What are you running from? Yourself? I would too,” Deanna calls out, causing me to stop.
This fucking woman.
I turn toward her and catch the sight of security looking around. Fuck, I have seconds.
“Deanna, I truly believe that a human like you deserves all the worst. So may your days be met with the painful absence of friendship while your nights are filled with long, uncomfortable bouts of hemorrhoids.”
With that, I take off down the hall, make a left at the kitchen, and sprint straight to the corner office.
“There he is,” security shouts, making my ass clench in fear.
The office looms in front of me, no assistant in sight, and I just hope and pray that he’s in there.You have one shot, take it.
Powering through, out of breath, and frankly exhilarated over the hemorrhoid comment, I burst open the door to Hudson’s office—a sleekly decorated space I’ve never been since I’ve never directly worked with him. “They’re after me,” I proclaim, “but I just need one second of your time…”
But my words fall flat as my eyes land on the empty office chair.
Fuck…
My arms are grabbed, one security guard on either side of me as they pull me out of Hudson’s office. How is he not here this morning? He’salways here. First one in. First one to walk around the office. First one to greet people, and he’s not fucking here.
This was it—my chance to right things for Maggie. How the hell am I supposed to do that if he’s not here?
And he’s probably not here for a reason.
Hudson and Hardy likely knew I was getting fired today, and after how everything went down, they probably wanted to avoid being involved with any of the drama. I don’t blame them.
Because as the security guards haul me off, my heels dragging across the floor, all I can think about is how I don’t want to be here either.
I sigh as I clutch a can of pineapple juice to my chest and stare out at the busy road in front of me. Currently, I’m sitting on a planter outside of Hopper Industries, my things stacked not so neatly into a box next to me, and I’m contemplating how the hell I got here.
A series of unfortunate mistakes.
Many…many mistakes.
“Brody?” Jaleesa says as she comes up to me.
My feet dangle beneath me as I lift my can of pineapple juice up to my lips. It was in my desk, and I thought, what would be more fitting than drinking something that would bring me back to Bora-Bora where everything was right for at least a moment?
“What the hell are you doing?”
“Didn’t they tell you?” I ask. “I’ve been fired.”
“What?” Jaleesa rages, closing the space between us. “What do you mean you’ve been fired? I didn’t hear anything about this.”
I look down at her. She’s holding a cup of coffee and a bagel that the pigeon next to me seems very interested in.I wouldn’t even try, man, she doesn’t share.
“Oh, I’m sure you’ll be informed when you go up there. Made quitethe scene. I think I called Beatrice a wench. Can’t be too sure. I know I wished uncomfortable hemorrhoids on Deanna.” I look up toward the sky and add, “And in all honestly, I think the universe will grant that wish.”
“Are you drunk?”
“Nope,” I say, popping the P. “But have I been pushed to the brink of sanity? I would say yes.” I lean back on one hand and hold my can of pineapple juice close to my heart. “You see, Jaleesa, I’ve lost everything. The proposal, my job, and the girl. It’s almost comical if you think about it, how someone could possibly lose so much in such a short amount of time. But you know what, if anyone could accomplish such a feat, it would be me.” I tap my chest with one finger. “This guy. My father always said I was an overachiever, but I’m not sure he knew the kind of potential I actually have. I proved it today.”
“Brody, what the hell happened?” Jaleesa asks.
