Page 56 of The Path to Loving Him
He’s fuming so much that I actually feel my body start to shake, which means my ability to defend myself becomes smaller and smaller—something I truly hate.
Thankfully, Herbert steps in and says, “She doesn’t have experience coaching a team.”
“Oh, wonderful. Just the candidate I was looking for,” he says sarcastically. “Someone with zero experience.”
“Hold on,” Herbert says as I try to find my voice. “If you let me finish, I was going to say that she coached Bennett. And Bennett’s talent is a wonderful testament to how she can handle coaching. And what David said, under your tutelage, she can understand the mechanics of running a ball club.”
“Under my tutelage?” He points at his chest. “So she can steal my job, just like she’s stealing my office?”
“I don’t want to steal your office,” I say, finding my voice.
“Too late, it’s already been done.”
He starts to move past us when Herbert says, “Ryland, we should really talk this through.”
“No, I don’t think that’s a good idea,” he says. “Because if I start talking, you’re not going to like what comes out of my mouth.”
And with that, he heads out of the office and straight for the exit.
“I’m sorry about that,” Herbert says. “He’s . . . he’s been going through a rough time.”
“It’s fine,” I say. “I actually came here to tell you I don’t want you to make any special concessions for me. I don’t want his office. I don’t want anything from him. I just want to be able to do my job and do it well. I want to earn my spot. I don’t want things handed to me.”
“Well, that’s very commendable of you, Miss Brinkman. Why don’t you come into my office, and we can chat some more?”
I nod and let him lead the way. But nothing is taking away the pain in my gut, knowing how Ryland must be feeling so blindsided.I did that to him.And he certainly didn’t deserve that.
The canned laughter fromThe Big Bang Theoryfills my apartment as I lean back on my couch and sip on my water. I skipped the shower tonight and opted for a washcloth-type rinse because, well . . . I was too afraid to go into the lion’s den.
With my luck, he’s pacing at the door, ready to attack.
Nope, I took my chances with a washcloth and some soap . . . and some good scrubbing.
Tomorrow, I might attempt to take a shower when I see that his truck is no longer in the driveway.
Until then, it’s just me and my water and?—
Bang. Bang. Bang.
A shiver of fear pulses up my spine as I look toward my door.
Oh God.
It’s him.
It has to be him.
And he’s . . . still seething.
Heart pounding, I swallow the lump of saliva in my throat and call out, “Yes?”
“Let me the fuck in,” Ryland says, growling through the door, ready to attack.
Umm, I don’t foresee this going well for me, so I shoot off a quick text to Bower.
Gabby:If you don’t hear from me by tomorrow morning, Ryland murdered me and disposed of my dead body via garbage disposal.
“Gabby, now,” he says, his voice growing angrier by the second.
