“It just so happens Stephen is having a dinner party at his house this Friday,” Jeremy said, running a hand over his face. “I hadn’t planned on going, but I just texted him asking if he’d be willing to hear a pitch to part with his money for a good cause. He seemed amenable.”
“What the hell does that have to do with me?” I asked. “They’re going to see me and think I’m the waiter!”
Jeremy rolled his eyes. “They aren’t that bad.” He paused, considering. “And I think they had to let their waitstaff go last year.”
I threw up my hands. “Take Marina. Or the accountant. You know, someone who actually knows what they’re talking about when it comes to money? I don’t have the first clue. Do you want to know how much I suck at math?
Because I’ll tell you how much I suck at math.”
Marina stared at me thoughtfully. “I think Jeremy has a point. It should be you.”
What a goddamn traitor. “I trusted you,” I growled at her. “Mata Hari!”
She ignored me. My second-greatest weakness after soft compliments. Damn them both for knowing me so well. “I actually think it’s really smart to bring Corey. He’s sure to burst their bubbles.”
“Subtlety isn’t exactly his forte,” Jeremy said dryly. “But when you need to break something, you should probably bring a sledgehammer.”
“I’m sitting right here!”
“You really think this could work?” Marina asked.
Jeremy shrugged. “Maybe. I think I can get something out of them. They know me. And since most of them are Republican—”
“What!” I shrieked.
“—I can probably guilt them into opening their wallets given the current… political climate.”
“Yeah,” Marina said slowly. “I think this could work.”
“No,” I snapped at them. “Absolutely not. Find someone else.”
Marina looked at me with wide eyes. “But Corey. Think of the children.”
“And you wouldn’t make me go by myself, would you?” Jeremy asked. “That would just be cruel.”
“Fuck you both right in your faces,” I snarled. “This isn’t going to work on me. I refuse to be the token person of color in a vat of vanilla bean—”
“Adam is black,” Jeremy said mildly.
“Who the hell is Adam?”
“Stephen’s partner.”
I stared at him. “You’re telling me their names are Adam and Steve.”
“Ooh,” Marina said. “He hates when people call him Steve.”
“That’s what I’m telling you,” Jeremy said. I could see he was struggling not to laugh. I hated everything about him.
“You’re telling me he’s a rich, black, gay Republican.”
“Yes.”
“Fine,” I snapped. “I’ll go, only because I don’t believe you. No self-respecting—you know what? Doesn’t even matter. You want a sledgehammer? You’ll get one. And I better not get any shit for anything I do, because you asked for this.”
Jeremy looked taken aback. “Hey, no, Corey. Look, if you really don’t want to go, you don’t have to. I won’t force you into a situation you’re uncomfortable with.”
I shook my head as I stood. “Too late. I’m going to fuck some shit up. You mess with the bull, you’re gonna get the horns.”