CALDER WAS AN HOUR LATE. He showed up with a couple hickeys on his neck and appeared hung over.
“You’re late,” I grumped as I got into the car.
He squinted over his sunglasses at me. “Can you drive?”
“What! Why?”
“I think I’m still drunk.”
I rolled my eyes. “Fine.”
We switched seats, and I ground through his gears a few times before I got the hang of his touchy clutch.
“Did you get out, Roar?”
I ignored him. “You going to put on a turtleneck to cover up Katrina’s bite marks?”
He flipped his visor down. “Damn, my lady has a set of teeth.”
I shook my head. “Please don’t gross me out.”
He laughed and leaned his head back, with his eyes shut. “I found out some juicy gossip about you.”
“Have you ever watched Gossip Girls?”
“Why?”
“You remind me of Chuck Bass.”
“Please, I’m way better looking than him.”
“You also like to stir the shit as much as he did.”
“Baxter was lined up to be the new Assistant GM.”
The car swerved. I recovered, gripping the wheel with sweaty palms. “Excuse me?”
“Your dad and Baxter were in serious talks about him moving to be your dad’s right-hand man.”
“When?”
“Last year.”
I swallowed. “What happened?”
“Apparently, they got into it over your boy toy.”
“Max?”
“You have any other boy toys?”
I gritted my teeth. “What about him?”
“Your Dad insisted on bringing him onto the team. Baxter wanted the dude he beat up.”
“Joseph Flanynk?”
“Is that his name?”
“Then what happened.”
I waited with impatience while Calder lit up a joint. He inhaled. “You happened.”
“Excuse me?”
“School ended. Your dad had you lined up to work with Katrina in media, beneath some web designer but then he sideswiped Baxter without warning by announcing in a general meeting you’d be taking over as the new assistant GM.”
I almost felt lightheaded. “Are you telling me this year I was supposed to be in media working with a web designer?”
“Yup. But you got Baxter’s promotion and then to add insult to injury, your dad gave Max a contract but kept Baxter out of the loop.”
“Holy shit.”
Calder blew smoke towards me. “Pieces fitting together more?”
“How did I not know this?”
“Your father told Baxter that if he ever told you about this, he’d fire Baxter.”
“What?!”
“So, Baxter hates you and your lover.”
Well, I knew that. I just never knew why. “That makes sense.”
“Katrina is getting sick of his bullshit.”
“Baxter’s?”
“Yup, but she doesn’t want to make it official with me.”
“Why not?”
“She said I’m a bad risk.”
My mind raced. Baxter was supposed to take over as assistant GM and he lost his chance over a fight with Dad about Max? That explained why the guy was such a complete dick and why he hated Max so much. It didn’t explain why Dad seemed intent on acting like Max was always on his shit list.
“Do you think I’m a bad risk?”
I glanced over at Calder. “Yes. Totally.”
His eyes opened wide. “Why?”
“Calder!”
He sat up straight. “Tell me.”
“You’re an unemployed guy who still lives with his parents and you have one, possibly two substance abuse issues.”
“Bullshit.”
“What part of that wasn’t true?”
“You can’t get addicted to pot.”
“You’re high all the time.”
“Doesn’t mean I’m addicted.”
“Do you live with your parents and are you unemployed?”
“Yes and yes.”
“You’re a bad risk.”
“Baxter is married.”
“He also has a reason to get out of bed in the morning.”
“Well, what am I supposed to do with this information?”
“If you want Katrina, get your shit together.”
“Meaning?”
“Find a job and move out.”
Our eyes met. He reacted with horror. “You’re serious.”
“Or not.”
