Fat Cat Liar

“Everyone knew that when you all insisted I be here today. Told you I didn’t give a fuck about this meeting.”

“That was obvious with the non-reaction you had to the formal announcement we won the bid.”

“We already knew it. What did you expect, to see me prancing like a peacock?”

“No prancing, but a little enthusiasm would have been nice to show your team you’re their leader.”

“Not for long.”

“Are you serious? You’re still planning on leaving?”

I shrug. “Probably.”

“Lawson, what’s done is done. You fucked up, but the truth is out now. You can’t throw away your entire career.”

“None of this matters anymore. Don’t you fucking see that? I don’t give a shit about this place anymore. The only thing that matters to me is gone.”

He blows out a loud breath and looks at Janice then back to me. I’m not interested in revisiting this same conversation. Dad, Uncle Rob, Grandpa, Clay, Janice—all of them have tried to talk me out of leaving Morris. Even after I explained my underhanded tactics, they all rallied to change my mind. There was a mood of disappointment, but the panic over me leaving trumped my deception.

I finally relented, telling them I’d take time before making a final decision if they’d remove my name from the final design. I didn’t want any credit. They agreed and I started preparing for a ‘leave of absence’.

“When’s the last time you shaved?” Clay changes the subject.

“The day before Greer left me,” I answer flatly, my heart seizing.

“That was two weeks ago. You look like a homeless hobo.”

“Clay, stop badgering him,” Janice defends me.

I flash her an appreciative glance and go back to focusing on the reports on my desk. “What do you want, Clay?”

“I came to see if you want to talk.”

“Nope.”

“How about coming to my place tonight?”

“Nope.”

“Then I’ll come to your place.”

“I’m not interested in company.”

“Give me a break, Lawson. I’m trying to help.”

“Don’t need your help.”

“Sitting in a dark apartment, getting plastered, and wallowing in self-despair isn’t healthy.”

“My health is the last thing on my mind.”

“Greer wouldn’t want this.”

I snap my head to him, narrowing my eyes. “What the fuck do you know about what Greer would want? You don’t know anything about her.”

“I know she cared enough to make sure I would get to you.”

I bolt to my feet so fast my chair flies backward, tumbling loudly to the floor. Anger growing to rage, it scorches through my veins with a pounding force. My fists clench with an overwhelming need to hit something.