Page 4 of Hate You Up Close

God, my life is so fucked up.It’s almost comical at this point.

Skylar and I had been together for three years before she finally admitted to being in love with my brother, Everett. Long story short, they met only a month into our relationship on a family vacation and apparently fell in love under the stars or some shit. They kept it a secret for years until Skylar walked in on me balls-deep in another woman. My careless cheating is what finally broke down the thin wall keeping us together and them apart.

It’s been a year since shit hit the fan, but it’s felt like a lifetime. My parents insisted that I attend Everett and Skylar’s engagement party last month. Thank God there was alcohol because it ended up being one of the most miserable days of my life. As fucked up as it sounds, I don’t miss Skylar in the way I should after being with her for three years. I’m happy for mybrother, and as much as I hate to admit it, I’m pretty sure those two were born for each other.

But I’m also angry…Angry that life has seemed to work out for everyone else, while I stand on the sidelines and watch. I’m angry that no matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to give up control or let anyone in.

I held myself back from Skylar, only giving her bits and pieces of my heart because I was incapable of giving anything more. In ten years, I’ll be the rich, drunk uncle who shows up to family functions miserable and alone. Aside from my career, I’ll be a disappointment in my family’s eyes. I already am.

I see the way people look at me, like I’m a vacant shell of the human I once was. What they don’t realize is that I’ve always been this empty. I’m just not attempting to hide it anymore.

The phone repeatedly vibrates against my cold palm, snapping me back to reality. I huff out an annoyed breath, tilting my head up to the gray sky as I begrudgingly answer Skylar’s call.

“Hello,” I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose between my thumb and forefinger.

“Thanks forfinallydeciding to pick up the phone,” she fumes. “I’ve been trying to reach you since yesterday. I even sent you a few emails.”

If I only had time to check my emails.

“I’m drowning in work, Skylar,” I snap back. “I’m in back-to-back meetings all day and can barely keep my head on straight. I’m sure I have about a thousand unread emails, and I doubt that yours is high on my priority list.”

Not only is Skylar my ex-fiancée, but she’s also my colleague.

Yup, you heard me right. We met when she started her career as a recruiter at Ace Financial. She’s damn good at her job, and she knows it too.

After our breakup, I wasn't sure if she was going to stay with the company. Selfishly, a small part of me hoped she would look for something else, but the logical part of me knew that she had worked too hard to give up her career over a piece of shit like me.

“Oh okay,” she chuckles sarcastically, pulling me from my thoughts. “I guess I’ll just talk to you later since hiring an assistant is low on your priority list. Bye, Elliot–”

Oh shit.I needed an assistant like yesterday.

“Wait,” I rush out, hoping like hell that she hasn't ended the call. “That’s what you’ve been calling me about?”

I can practically hear her rolling her eyes as I wait for her response.

“Oh, so you have time to talk now that it benefitsyou?” she clips.

I place a hand on my hip and let out an annoyed breath.

“Skylar, I don’t have time for games,” I reply, hanging my head. “Look, I’m sorry. It’s been a long day, and I’m just stressed out. Are you calling about my assistant or not?”

A beat of silence passes before she finally responds.

“If recruiting wasn't my job, I would be hanging up on your arrogant ass right now,” she huffs. “But yes, I saw that your request to hire an assistant was approved. How soon are you looking to hire someone?”

“As soon as possible. Tomorrow if you can,” I answer without hesitation.

“Are you crazy?” she gasps. “I can start interviewing candidates tomorrow, but there’s no way in hell I can fill the position by tomorrow.”

I want to tell her to work around the clock until she finds someone, but my better judgment decides against it. You can’t bite the hand that feeds you.

“Fine,” I groan. “Then start interviewing tomorrow. I’mcurrently spending half of my day scheduling fucking meetings when that’s an admin’s job. I don’t have time for that shit.”

“You’re unbelievable, Elliot,” she mutters. “As soon as we fill this position, I’m making sure your director signs you up for new manager training. I honestly feel bad for whoever has to work for your grumpy ass every day.”

New manager training, my ass.

“I swear to God, Skylar. If you make me waste an entire day just to sit through a bullshit training I will–”