Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83542 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83542 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
And I know this is what Oskar thought we agreed to earlier. I know this is an easy out. Walk away with my career and reputation intact.
But is any of it worth it without him?
I already know the answer to that question.
It was back in his room when Oskar said for us to end this so I could keep my career that solidified my decision. He meant every word—but it was the words he didn’t say that spoke louder. When I asked him if it’s what he wanted, his response?
If it keeps you out of trouble, then yes.
Because he doesn’t want to end this. What he wants is what’s best for me.
Oskar put me first.
So I’m sure as hell going to do the same with him. Because maybe what’s best for me … is him.
I stand and hold out my hand to Mick. “Thank you for meeting with us. Please take this as the start of my two weeks’ notice, but I’ll have my official resignation to you by this afternoon. It’s been a real honor to work here.”
Then I turn on my heel and leave before anyone can stop me.
THIRTY
OSKAR
I storm after Lane. “What the fuck was that?”
He’s as calm as ever, even though he just quit his job. Because of me. Pretending he didn’t hear me, he keeps moving through the offices toward the exit, but I grip his arm to stop him.
He pulls out of my hold. “Not here, Oskar.”
“I think here is perfect. Because as soon as you realize I’m not worth losing your livelihood for, you’re going to want to march back in there and get your job back.”
Lane’s lips quirk on one side. “Never going to happen.” He heads toward the parking lot, and I have no choice but to follow him.
“You’re making a mistake.”
That makes him stop. He slowly turns, and his gaze narrows. “Am I? Why is sticking up for you a mistake?”
“Because …” My words get stuck in my throat.
Lane steps closer, standing chest to chest with me and way too close to be professional. He really doesn’t care about saving his own skin, does he?
Well, he should because … “I’m not worth it.”
“Don’t you think that’s my decision to make?”
“No. Because I know myself better than you know me. Therefore, I can make the judgment call that I am not good enough for you.”
“It’s a good thing I’m the perceptive one, because you’ve never known who you are. If I say you’re worth more to me than my job, I mean it.”
A rush of something passes through me so quickly my knees go weak. “You’ll regret throwing away everything you’ve worked for because of me.”
One of the administration assistants walks by and gives us a weird look, but Lane’s stoic glare makes her move on quickly.
“Not here,” Lane says again, turning on his heel.
I reluctantly follow him to his car across the street, but I’m determined to not let him out of this parking garage until he gets his job back. “I’m not going with you.” I fold my arms.
“No?” He smirks as he leans against the hood of his car.
“How the fuck have our roles reversed? Since when are you impulsive and I’m rational? Go back in there and beg.”
Lane licks his lips. “I’d rather take you home and beg you to cheer me up with your cock.”
I groan and almost give in immediately. “Lane. I can’t … You can’t …” I run a hand through my hair.
“I can’t what?”
“Only a dumbass would choose me like you did back there because eventually I’m going to screw up again, and you would have lost it all for nothing.”
Lane pushes off the side of the car and steps toward me. His whiskey-colored eyes are calculating as he closes the gap, and I hold my breath because I’m terrified he sees right through me.
“Aside from the fact that you are not nothing, I only did what you did in there. When it was me on the line, you were willing to end things to save my ass.”
“How do you know I didn’t end things because I just don’t give a fuck about you?” The crack in my voice is anything but convincing, and he knows it.
“Is that the reason why you did it? Because you don’t give a shit what happens to me?” There’s a tone of amusement, but it’s laced with a tiny bit of doubt.
Here’s where I need to do the Oskar thing and push him away. I could tell him that he means nothing, that the last few months were just more ways to mess with him, the team, and my life that I was so determined to tear down before Lane came into it.
I could walk away and not give a damn about what he’ll do now.
But … I can’t.