It shouldn’t even be a conceivable reality if there was justice in the world, but it was really fucking nice to feel like I didn’t do anything wrong for a few minutes, to feel that vindication knowing someone out there at least believes me and knows the truth. And I know that’s why she called, to give me that. That’s what decent human beings do; go out of their way to do what’s right, even when it’s not easy.
It’s too bad Matthew didn’t have an ounce of that kind of integrity.
This is going to be the worst Christmas ever.
When I go home and have to explain what happened to my parents, they’ll comfort me. They’ll say all the right things parents are supposed to say, and they’ll be supportive.
But inside, they’ll see me as a failure.
I hate this place.
13
Matthew
I’m basically running on fumes at this point, but my heart’s pounding so hard in my chest I start to worry I may actually be having a heart attack. I most definitely owe that asshole at the paper a couple scoops on some legal cases.
I know everyone is at The Gage right now, drinking, getting ready for holiday celebrations. I walk through the front door and spot the whole group of them at the bar.
Decker, Tate, Deacon, Quinn, Dexter, Abigail, Dominic, Mary, Penn, Presley, and to my surprise, Harlow is there with Cole Miller along with Wells Covington and Meadow. I stop for a second, because I was just expecting the brothers.
It doesn’t fucking matter, though. I clutch the giant file under my arm and start toward them. I already know Karli is never going to forgive me, but this is as close to justice as I can deliver. I can at least make things right, and make sure Blake gets exactly what he deserves.
Everyone but Decker looks like they’re having a good time, laughing, telling jokes—socializing. I know it’s because Decker hates failure. He’s embarrassed and a perfectionist, and we fucked things up for Hedgeman with the news leaking.
To my surprise, Tate is standing ten feet away from him and keeps shooting him dirty looks.
“Hey, look who it is.” Dexter glares when he notices me.
Guess he’s still pissed about what I let happen to Karli. I finally realized far too late why he reacted the way he did right after. He expected me to stand up for her and I didn’t. It’s that simple.
It’s a bit infuriating, how cozy the rest of them all look after knowing what happened. What Decker did. We’re supposed to be lawyers and he just convicted her without a trial, because he can. Because he’s an authoritarian asshole and it was convenient. I’m sure that’s how he spun it to Knox and Hedgeman. A negligent intern.
I ignore Dexter and walk over. Tate’s eyes are like two big white orbs when she sees the look on my face.
When I stop, right in front of Decker, I shove the file into his hands.
“What’s this?” He makes a show of setting his scotch down, then lays the folder on the bar and stares right at me.
“Information and evidence on the actual person who leaked the Hedgeman story.”
Everyone goes silent.
Decker’s jaw clenches. “Jesus Christ, you’re not going to let this go, are you?”
My hands ball into fists, but I remain as calm and collected as I can. “It also contains my letter of resignation.”
Now, eyes are wide all around, including Decker’s.
“What?” He holds up a hand, then slowly rubs one of his temples like he hasn’t slept in a week. “For fuck’s sake, I can’t handle all this drama.”
“Drama?” I lose it. “Ruining someone’s life is fucking drama to you? I’m trying to be professional about this, but you’re making it really goddamn difficult right now.”
You could cut the tension in the room with a knife.
He stands up so we’re eye to eye. “Be careful what you say next.”
“Did you not hear me? I don’t work for you anymore.” I shake my head at him and sneer. “You don’t get to tell me what the fuck to do. You didn’t even look at the information. You call this drama? You know what’s ironic about this whole thing?” I point a finger right in his chest. “You’re the one who fucked up and caused this, not her.”
“You little…”
“Decker.” Tate’s hand grips him by the forearm.
His head spins back to her, and his expression softens a little when he sees her. “What?”
“Just look at what he gave you and be objective, you stubborn asshole. You need more sleep and less stress. This whole Hedgeman debacle has turned you into a lunatic.”
Decker’s eyes drift around to everyone, then to all the Christmas decorations around the place. Finally, he turns back to me. “What do you mean, I caused this?”
“It’s all in there.” I point to the folder.
He makes a show of turning slowly, then opening it up. As he thumbs through the pages, you could hear a pin drop around us. With each page, his face grows redder, the whites of his knuckles show as he grips the documents a little tighter.
“That motherfucker.” His words come through his teeth.
“What is it?” Tate leans up.
“Blake. How the fuck did we miss this?” He glances over to Dominic.
I fold my arms across my chest. “Maybe you should vet people better before you hire them.”
“We do that. You know how paranoid I am, everyone does.” His head scans around the room.
Everyone, even Covington, nods a little.
“How’d we miss this?” He stares at Dominic.
Dominic glances away. “Blake was hired while I was, umm…” He shrugs at Mary. “Detained, for lack of a better word.”
“And we never followed up?” Decker shakes his head, clearly angry, but it looks like he’s turned it on himself.
I shrug. “Cooper probably knew that. Snuck him past your filter at the right time.”
“Cooper?” Dexter’s jaw clenches. “He’s another goddamn corporate spy?”
“Can’t believe Donavan works for that piece of shit.” Deacon takes a drink of his scotch.
There’s an awkward silence for a moment.
Finally, I break the moment and say, “Well, I wanted you to know.” I scoff. “Thanks for the opportunity, I guess.” I turn to walk away.
“Wait.” Decker’s word hits me in the back.
I freeze in my tracks but don’t turn around. “Why?”
“Just… Come back and stop being an asshole, okay?”
I whip around and shake my head right at him. “You still don’t get it, do you?”
He looks like he wants to throw something at me, but finally, his arms flail out a little, and he says, “I’m sorry, okay? You and your girlfriend were right. Is that what you want to hear? You happy?”
“No, I’m not happy. And you’re apologizing to the wrong goddamn person.” I point at myself. “I’m just as guilty as you are.”
“It’s not like I fired her unjustly, she did leave sensitive information on her computer.”
“Yeah, and it was my fault. I dragged her away from her computer so I could fuck her in the supply closet.” I cringe the second I say it, because I shouldn’t have. Still, the reaction I get is fantastic.