Page 122 of Boss of Me

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Seriously?I just got caught in the middle of your epic pissing contest! If he offers me an internship, don’t you think I deserve to know why there’s bad blood between you before I turn him down?”

Gunner clenches his jaw and says nothing. The violence seething inside him vibrates the air between us.

“Fine. Keep it to yourself,” I huff, crossing my arms. “Just don’t use me as a pawn in your damn feud.”

His expression hardens into a glare. “The only one who wants to use you is Harlan.”

“Why would he use me?” I challenge hotly.

“Don’t be naïve,” Gunner growls. “You work for me, and he obviously knows we’re involved. He’ll gladly use you to get to me.”

“Why does everything have to be about you?” I counter angrily. “Did it ever occur to you that he genuinely finds me talented and thinks I have potential?”

“I’m sure he does. But if he can use you to hurt me, all the better. I’m not giving him the fucking chance.”

“So tell me what happened between you,” I half plead.

He just gives me a stony look.

I shake my head in frustration. “I’m sure you have a good reason for hating Harlan, and whatever it is, you know I’ll be on your side. But please understand that I have career goals, Gunner. As much as I enjoy working for you, I can’t be your housekeeper forever.”

He scowls. “You don’t need Harlan. I can get you any damn job you want.”

“I don’t want you pulling strings for me! If I can’t get a job on my own merits, it’s not for me.”

A muscle in his cheek twitches. “You don’t want to work for Harlan. Trust me.” He turns away to glare out the window, putting an end to our conversation.

We sit in seething silence for the rest of the way home. As we pull up to the house, his ringtone goes off. When he slides the phone out of his pocket to check the screen, I catch a glimpse of the caller’s name.

Laurene.

My blood boils. As soon as the car stops, I grab my backpack and lunge out the door.

Gunner is right on my heels, grabbing my arm before I reach the front steps. “Marlowe?—”

I whirl around, furious. “You’re such a damn hypocrite!”

He frowns. “How am I a hypocrite?”

“You go ballistic if I simplytalkto other men! Yet I’msupposed to be okay with your bitchy ex paying house calls!”

His eyebrows slam together. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“Laurene showed up at the house this morning after you left.”

“What?”

“She didn’t tell you? Oh, we had a nice little chat,” I jeer with bitter sarcasm. “She told me all about how your family adores her, how she and your mom are besties who go shopping together and have spa days. She also gleefully informed me that I’m nothing more than a convenient piece of ass you’ll be getting rid of any day now.”

Gunner shoves a hand through his hair. “Goddammit.”

Tears sting my eyes. “It was very enlightening, especially the part about your ravenous appetite that craves variety. What wasthatabout, Gunner? Did you cheat on her?”

“No.Fuck.” He exhales a harsh breath. “I didn’t know she came to see you. I’ll talk to her.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t,” I toss back. “Maybe she did me a favor by warning me.”