Merger (30 page)

She went to leave without the graciousness of a salutation, so I took the moment to make sure she knew I was her boss
. I stepped into the hall as she was walking back to her desk.

“Megan
,” I said and she stopped, but didn’t turn around. “It’s Mr. Crawford to you while you are at work, not Josh. And I’ll take a cup of coffee.”

I didn’t wait for her answer before
turning my back to her to settle into my desk. Moments later she walked in with my coffee, firm scowl in place, setting down my coffee and leaving without a word. It might not be today, but her ass would be history. The sooner, the better, as far as I was concerned.

The meeting with the board was fastly approaching and I really wanted to make myself known as the shining star of our new corporate merger. I’d headed up
several important deals and acquisitions at our company and intended to be one of the driving forces on the west coast. With Josh at my side, we’d be invincible. If nothing else, I really wanted to show my complete knowledge of Crawford Enterprises and its various holdings. I’d spent months helping my father close this deal and didn’t want to be challenged, or at the very least, be caught off guard.

We entered the board
room at little before ten. Mr. Crawford sat at the helm of the table; Josh took the seat next to Jake, and deferred the other head seat to me. I looked at him adoringly as I confidently took the seat. Mr. Crawford called the meeting to order and began with formal introductions. Some of the board I’d met at the New York contract signing, but others were not in attendance and were made known by name today. The meeting proceeded with us reviewing the previous minutes from the last board meeting and then I had my chance to talk about Blakely Incorporated. I was steadfast in my accuracy of our current position and where we wanted to go, throwing out the Texas pipeline deal and what I thought it would mean to us as a corporation.

I’d become so
enthralled in my discussion that I didn’t notice the smiles that surrounded me, until Mr. Crawford graciously and subtly said, “bravo.” I gave a small curtsy and took my seat. Josh and Jake were smiling from ear-to-ear. I rolled my eyes and wanted to stick my tongue out like a child, but refrained.

The meeting
adjourned, handshakes were plentiful, and an unexpected hug from Mr. Crawford left me feeling happy and confident.

“You are getting better and better,
every time I’m in your presence,” he said. “I knew when we meet you were fierce, but you’re every bit the leader that I anticipated and hoped for. We are truly lucky to be on the same team and no longer competitors. We’ll accomplish a lot together, K.K.” I was swollen with pride at his words and excited about the future ahead.

The morning passed quickl
y. It was a whirlwind of meet and greets with staff members dropping off the current contracts that were active and those that we were trying to secure. It was now past lunch, which I’d skipped, against the desire of my pushy boyfriend. I was tapped from work and achy from my morning workout. I wanted another cup of coffee, but didn’t feel like asking Janet to get it, so I decided to walk around to locate a break room. I hadn’t made it far on my search before skipping the coffee and deciding to find Josh. I checked his office, but he wasn’t in there. So, I decided I’d go to the bathroom and find him later.

Janet had
shown me earlier where the closest restroom was to my office, so I walked back down the hall and turned the corner to seek relief of my full bladder. I was about to open the door to the restroom, when I heard a woman’s voice and it wasn’t coming from the female restroom, but the male’s. I couldn’t believe my ears, was there really a girl in the men’s restroom? I knew better than to eavesdrop, but curiosity got the better of me. It had to be Jake, he was the only one brazen enough to take a chance at an afternoon rendezvous in the men’s restroom at the office.
What a player!

I leaned closer to the door with my ear almost fully pressed to the wooden veneer. I’d bite
. What exactly was going on in there? It felt so girlish and stupid, but I had to know who was in there and what they were doing. I could speculate, but hoped for confirmation.

I had barely heard the heightened voices of a male and female, familiar and strange,
when the door flew open and out walked Megan, her blouse untucked and skirt crooked. She grabbed my shoulders moving me aside, then licked her lips, threw in an exaggerated wink and blew me a fake kiss. I turned in bewilderment as she walked away, her heels clicking on the marble tiled floor. I started to walk towards the women’s restroom, but waited a second longer to scold Jake for succumbing to such an overeager, obnoxious tramp, when out walked Josh. I stood unmoving, my heart in my stomach and the breath completely sucked out of me. I turned quickly toward the restroom and pushed the door open, running inside and praying my feet wouldn’t fail me. It was multi-stalled, but did have the luxury of a lock on the outer and inner door. I could hear Josh calling my name and pounding on the door behind me. How could this be happening to me and at work of all places? I was trapped with no way out but through the door that separated me from the love of my life, who’d just walked out of the men’s restroom behind that whore of an assistant, Megan. I’d foolishly thought it was Jake, but Josh was the one who strolled out, smug and scared shitless to meet my eyes.
What the hell just happened?
It didn’t look good and I wasn’t interested in sticking around to hear the horrid details.
If he even had the balls to tell me.

Then it hit me
: all my shit was at his house. I didn’t have a car. I didn’t have my phone.
Fuckity-fuck-fuck!
My heart was racing a mile a minute and my skin was hot. I was furious about this whole nightmare, but mostly I was sad. I let my back slide down the door behind me and wrapped my arms around my knees, then tucked my head between them.
Why me?

“Baby
, please come out. I fired her.” His voice was grovely and labored.

Does he think I’m stupid
?
She was half dressed, disheveled and practically kissed me on exit to prove a point that whoever was behind that door was all but hers. I just never anticipated it would be Josh. Or, was I just being an idiot? She’d all but thrust herself at Josh since I arrived in California. Hell, he even had her smiling face tagged to his phone. Wasn’t that what had me second-guessing my relationship in the first place? I was unsure then and now I was behind the door of a bathroom in an office of my peers, in California (virtually a million miles away), without a phone, my clothes, or a fucking ride. Now what?

He pounded harder against the door and I heard Mr. Crawford and Jake
’s muffled voices outside the door. Great. Just great. Now I had all three of the Crawfords to deal with. I contemplated staying in the bathroom, but started to feel like the walls closing in on me. I rose from the floor, smoothed out my dress, and turned the lock. There they all stood, Josh with his back against the hall wall, his father yelling at him and Jake standing there not quite knowing what to do, or where to be.

“Jake can I get a ride?
” I asked and didn’t even wait for his answer. I walked as calmly as possible to my office, grabbed my purse, and walked towards the elevators. Jake was on my tail, but hadn’t spoken a word, which I was grateful for. I made it to Megan, who was cleaning out her desk. She smirked and rolled her eyes at me. I barely knew how to contain the hurt and anger I felt as she glared up at me. I walked over, reared my hand back, and slapped her hard across the face, knocking her to the floor.

“In case he didn’t make it clear, you piece of shit, you’re fired.
” She held her cheek and made an attempt to adjust her skirt as it rose up her thighs. “Don’t worry about it sweetheart, I’m sure plenty of men here have seen it,” I said so angrily I thought I was going to combust from the inside out.

I turned on my heels and walked to the elevator
. I pushed the button and stood for what seemed like hours waiting for the doors to open. Jake was smiling behind me and I turned and glared at him.

“Don’t even try laughing at me
. This has been the worst day of my life, you dick. I assure you I can get a cab.” He held up his hands as a gesture that he was sorry.

“I know none of this is funny, but you just slapped the shit out of
her. I’m impressed.” The door opened and we both entered. Jake pushed the ‘L’ button and as the doors shut, I could see Josh running to catch the door and saying my name. He looked as frantic as I felt, but I didn’t have it in me to deal with any more drama, and at that moment and I was thankful he was too late. The elevator descended and so did my heart.

THE END

Sneak Peek! MERGER UNDONE will be released early Fall 2014.

Chapter 1

Kasey

I had little idea where I was going, nor did I care, I just needed to escape Crawford Enterprises and catch my breath.

“Damn it!” I said out loud as we exited the elevators into the parking garage. I had known
it from the moment I laid eyes on her, but Josh couldn’t see it, or didn’t want to. From her fake smile, to her overt touchy-feely behavior, that blonde, deceiving, tramp of a secretary, Megan was trouble. My slapping her across the face was a parting gift after seeing her walk out of the men’s restroom with my boyfriend, Joshua Crawford, hot on her heels.

“So, where we headed?” Jake asked, nervously peering over his car, both of us standing outside the doors about to get in, but having little idea which direction we were headed.

“I don’t know. Just start the car and drive,” I replied.

Jake Crawford,
Josh’s brother and my friend, was the unlucky recipient of a woman scorned…me. After being blindsided by the whole restroom incident at the office and me having no other means of transportation but the corporate limo or Josh, Jake became the last man standing. I had plucked him from the ridiculous scene surrounding me and asked him for a ride. Driving me where, I didn’t know. I just needed to get as far away from the situation as possible or all hell was going to break loose. Honestly, all hell had already broken
loose, but I was powerless to stop the feelings of betrayal and became the kind of woman I hated most - a bitch!

We sped through downtown L.A, Jake driving his Lamborghini like a “bat out of hell
.” I was the one pissed, but he was the one with the accelerator on the floorboard. I’d experienced this reckless driving several times now with the Crawford men and for the life of me couldn’t understand their desire to scare the shit out of their passengers.

“Is there a reason why
we’re driving 100 miles per hour in downtown traffic?” I asked, clutching the seat and tugging on my seatbelt to ensure it was securely fastened.

“Oh, sorry
, K.K.,” he replied slowing the car down and making an effort to smile, but knowing I wasn’t in the mood for a full-toothy-grin. “Want to talk about it?”

“No!”

“Okay, so now what?” he asked, shaking his head and further pissing me off. “And where the hell are we headed?”

“I don’t know, Jake. Just drive the fucking car already. We’re in a $400,000 car that I’m sure ‘begs to be driven’ as they say, so just drive.”

“Are you mad at me too? You keep yelling at me.” His tone was heavy with irritation.

“I’m sorry, Jake. I’m just mad, but not at you. I apologize. How did I get here?” I asked.

“By very expensive sports car, Sweetie?” he replied smirking and proud of his fast-witted comment.

“You know what I mean. Not
here
literally, but
here
in this piss-poor, goddamned, fucking mess. Better yet, in love with your brother,” I answered.

“Ah, there
it is…love.” He glanced over at me. “Can’t help you there. I’m a serial dater and non-monogamy man, myself, with no experience in ‘love,’ as you put it so eloquently.”

“I just can’t believe it
,” I said, quickly letting the onslaught of words roll off my tongue. “One minute I feel like my life couldn’t be any better, any fuller, more complete, then
wham
! Some overly processed assistant, whom I knew had feelings for Josh, I might add, walked into the bathroom with the love of my life and turned my world to shit.”

“Love of your life?” Jake repeated.

“Yeah.” I said looking out the window.

Suddenly without warning, we went from
sixty-five miles per hour to a dead stop on the side of the road. My head and body flew forward and I gripped the dashboard with both hands
,
stopping myself from further momentum. Damn, I was grateful for religiously wearing a seatbelt. I managed to regain some semblance of composure and turned to look at Jake, who was now glaring at me less than enthused. I raised my hands to gesture ‘WTF’ and knew now from our screeching halt that he was pissed, but I didn’t care.

“Okay…what the hell was that?” I
asked, fixing my dress, which had risen up my thighs, almost revealing the scant pair of panties I had reserved for his brother.

“Where the hell are we going? I’m driving aimlessly with you not telling me shit about where we’re headed, and my dad and brother texting the shit out of me. I haven’t reached for my phone, but shy of a vibrator hooked to my hips, I guarantee
it’s one of the two of them, or both. So, my very beautiful friend, where are we headed?”

“Alcohol!” I blurted
out, not knowing if it was the right or wrong decision but going with my gut instinct to numb the pain and easing my frazzled brain.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea? Maybe you should just call Josh and work this shit out.” He replied.

“I don’t want to talk to Josh right now Jake, but a glass of wine would be nice. If this is a problem for you, I can take a cab. I know he’s your brother, but right now I need you to be my friend.”

“I am your friend and never meant to imply any
differently. If you want alcohol; alcohol it is. I know just the place.”

Jake pulled back onto the busy street and we were headed to
God knows where, but I was grateful to be moving. My phone was blowing up as well, but I’d be damned if I was going to answer any phone calls or text messages. Whoever it was, which was no real mystery, could wait. I silenced my phone, flipping the small switch on the side, watched as the slashed bell appeared on the screen, and then threw it haphazardly back in my purse.

We pulled into the Roosevelt Hotel at 4:45
. Jake handed his keys over to the valet and a uniformed gentleman quickly advanced the car to help me out. It was a real challenge to emerge as a lady, because the car sat so low to the ground and with a dress on, there was little room for error. He smiled as I gripped my thighs tightly and swung both legs to the pavement below. I had never been known as being graceful on my feet and now struggled to get up. I was sure he’d just gotten a glimpse at my very scant panties, but I didn’t care, no one else stood a chance of seeing them tonight.

“Let’s go,” Jake said reaching over and grabbing my hand, pulling through the large doors of the architecturally exquisite hotel to what I hoped was a bar.

The large lobby came into view, grey and spacious with marble and concrete walls, tall ceilings and a marble floor, artwork of its own. I felt like a child being dragged by a parent. Jake, having been here before, walked hurriedly through the lobby and me with my head looking skyward at the incredible ceiling and all around. I admired a great hotel and I gathered this one was notable because checking in was not one, but two young actresses that I recognized immediately. I wasn’t star struck, but took note that if it was desirable to the up-and-coming actors, it would definitely be appealing to have stayed here myself.

We walked past the lobby and around a corner to a bar called Teddy’s, which seemed discreetly hidden, but easily found by my host. There
were leather chairs abound and a dazzling chandelier that added to the dramatic ambiance.

“Alcohol,” Jake said and pointed to a plush chair for me to sit.

I flopped down rather heavily, my body and brain thick with tension.

“Tired?”
he questioned, sitting opposite me while summoning a beautiful waitress our way.

“Exhausted!” I said. My day
started with your brother dragging me out for my Olympic training debut of CrossFit, which has to go down as one of the toughest workouts of my life. My hamstrings are literally peeling away from my bones. I swear, I was one burpee away from kicking someone’s ass and now I wish I would have - Josh’s. I think I’d feel better.” I said.

“I think you could take him.” Jake laughed.

“Now this is awesome.” I said staring up at the ceiling at a dazzling chandelier and slumping down in my chair, so my neck was supported enough to take in the gleaming light above. It was like a million diamonds glistening in every direction.

“What can I get you?” I tilted my head to peer at the slender blonde bending to place two napkins from her tray down on the table that separated Jake from me.

I didn’t respond immediately, but heard Jake bellow, “Scotch and water, for me, and…”

“Oh,” I said sitting up and adjusting myself back into the seat properly. “Chardonnay, please.”

“Coming right up.” She winked at Jake, smiled at me and then with a turn of her stilettos and barely clad body, made her way back to the bartender turning back once to find us both ogling her.

“Why is everyone so overt?” I
asked,
turning my attention back to Jake.

“It’s kind of an L.A. thing,” he said with a shrug of his shoulders and a shit-eating grin on his face.

“No, dumb-dumb, it’s a
you
thing!”

“Don’t be jealous
, K.K. If I remember right you could have had a piece of the great Jake Crawford, but refused only to leave me and fly back early to the waiting arms of my brother.” He clasped his hands over his chest playfully insinuating that I’d singlehandedly broken his heart.

“Did I pick the wrong brother, Jake?” I questioned, smiling and knowing I’d put him on the spot, but interested to hear his response.

“A week or so ago, I might have answered that differently, but I must say I’ve never seen my brother as happy as he’s been with you. He loves you K.K., you know that right?”

“Does he?” I replied.

“He does, and you love him. So, now what?” He looked directly at me, his eyes unwavering then reached for his hip, pulling his phone into view and staring at it before turning the screen towards me. There in full view was the smiling image of the beautiful man that had captured my heart. “Shall I answer this?”

“No
,
” I said
,
thankful to see my glass of Chardonnay coming along with the perfect smile of Malibu Barbie.

She handed me the glass of pale yellow wine, the glass opaque from the coolness of the liquid
. I managed to barely utter, “thank you,” before taking the first swallow and allowing the cool fluid to gently flow down my throat, warming my belly instantly. “Ahh…”

“I can’t avoid him forever, nor can you.” He placed his phone, face down, on the arm of the chair and looked over at me. “Josh, is a great guy, K.K. I’m not just saying that because he’s
my brother, he’s the truest, most authentic person I know. He doesn’t take anything lightly. I assure you nothing happened in that bathroom.”

“From the way she came out all smiles, licking her lips
- no less, she sure tried to make me think otherwise.” I stared at my wine and then downed the rest in two big gulps. I looked up at Jake who was shaking his head and waving his hand to our waitress for another Chardonnay. “I don’t know what happened, but it happened at the office which makes the whole incident doubly bad. And, your father,
oh my god
! Did your father see me hit her? What can I possibly say to excuse that sort of behavior?
Fuckshitfuckfuck
!”

“Don’t sweat my dad. He adores you. He’s already running interference at the office and I guarantee you, no one will mention it
- ever!”

“Chardonnay, Honey
?” The waitress bent down next to my chair, taking my empty glass and handing me a newly filled one.

“You’re very pretty
,” I blurted out for some absurd reason.

“Here, here!”
said Jake, holding his glass in the air.

“Thank you. You’re not so bad yourself.” She smiled and stood up.

“Here, here!” Jake repeated, holding up his glass for the second time and all three of us laughed.

I could hear my phone vibrating in my purse and looked down, but didn’t move to get it. It finally stopped and I took a long sip of my wine. I looked over at Jake sipping his Scotch and rolling his eyes at me when his phone started ringing. He didn’t move it up to look at the screen, instead holding the screen to me knowing what I’d see
- Josh.

“Ugh…relentless!” I took a swig of wine and hopped to my feet. “Bathroom?”

“To the right, over there in the corner, or out in the lobby.” He said, turning his phone back down, not hitting answer to my surprise.

I walked through the lobby in search of the bathroom and admired the beauty of the building and the beautiful people that were checking in. It was certainly a hip place based on the clientele. I found the bathroom and made my way in, taking a glance in the mirror as I passed, and thinking I felt as tired as I appeared. No wonder Jake had made the comment about my appearance
; I looked like shit and felt worse. What the hell was I going to do?

I
peed, fluffed my hair, made my way out the door, and headed back to Teddy’s. I hoped to find a fresh glass of Chardonnay at the table, but knew that the third glass was probably more than called for, in my already pissed, exhausted
,
and saddened state.