my decision. I think my brother will do great. You’re my best girl, Sena. This place couldn’t run without you. We can talk more about this later, okay? I have to go.”
The tears forming in my eyes made my vision blurry. Maybe Adam was right. Maybe I was clinging to this job for Vaughn and not for my love of Jet Times. Vaughn passing me up for this opportunity felt like a betrayal, but more so, this felt like confirmation that I was willing to settle for a stagnant career that was going nowhere for a chance with Vaughn. I’d seen all my friends take on better jobs and climb the ladder of success. I’d turned down opportunities for this man because I couldn’t stomach the thought of not working with him. How else was I going to spend time with him? I put my life on pause for a coworker who wouldn’t—couldn’t—love me back. And I didn’t even have the right to be angry with him. I allowed myself to get stuck in this role. Not anymore.
I guzzled my drink and grabbed another. My phone pinged, and I pulled it out of my pocket.
Mary: Happy Holidays, Love! When are you going to come work for me? I saw Jet Times hired an infant as their new managing editor.
I chewed on my lip and stared at the fuzzy screen for a moment while blinking. After a moment’s deliberation, I started typing with sluggish fingers.
Me: Lets do this thanggg. I aceptty.
Mary immediately replied.
Mary: I’m assuming you’re drunk, but I don’t care. I’m taking this and running with it. Check your email in the morning for your official offer. I’ll include a pretty nice moving stipend. You’re going to love it!
Oh shit. I actually did it. I was going to move to San Francisco.
The feedback of a speaker made me jump, and I spun around to face the front of the room where my boss stood, clutching a glass of whiskey and wearing a smile. “Hello, everyone,” his smooth voice said. “I wanted to thank you all for being here.” I grabbed my drink and took a gulp. I was totally drunk. “Jet Times has had many accomplishments this year. Our team has ethically and efficiently climbed the journalism ranks not only in this great city, but across the country. We couldn’t have done it without the hard work of everyone in this room.”
I snorted into my drink, making a nearby reporter take a step away from me. I was all aboard the hot mess express and surprisingly didn’t give two fucks about it. “I was the team lead for most of the reports that made the front page, but whatever. Let’s hire the incompetent man child who probably still spends his weekends at the frat house,” I murmured into my drink. Someone cleared their throat.
Vaughn fucking Richards continued his speech. “I am so excited to start the new year with my brother by my side. I know that he will excel here at the Jet Times. I also know you all will welcome him with open arms. We all feel like family here.”
I took another drink. Yeah, I was absolutely buzzing something fierce. Nope. I was hammered. The entire room practically swayed. “But are we family though?” I asked, my voice carrying across the room. Everyone turned to face me. Whispers erupted. I was the main character of my story tonight. “Because if we were family, like, you would have given me the job I busted my ass for instead of your inexperienced brother, since you’re into nepotism and everything.”
Someone gasped. Oh shit. I said that out loud. I took another drink. Vaughn fucking Richards handed the mic off to someone and started pushing through the crowd to get to me, his face fixed in a determined glare. I knew that look; it was one we wore when we worked the field. Riots in New Jersey. Hurricanes. Fires. Elections. Scandals. We spent a lot of time together over the years, so I was able to learn his various expressions, and the one he was giving me now was full of rage.
Well. I’d already pissed him off. Go big or go home.
I leaned to the right, my languid limbs moving on their own accord as I spoke. “I’ve busted my ass for the Jet Times. I once got frostbite on my tits while covering that blizzard in 2017. I had paint dumped on me during a riot. I’ve been shot at. I’ve