Chapter 21

James had called Brad and Eddie into a meeting room. For once in his life, Brad looked nervous. He had no reason to be. When James had found out that Eddie had destroyed Billy and Harry's contract, he had simply shaken his head. The disappointment that exuded from him was almost too much to bear.

Brad glanced over at him. He was chewing the inside of his cheek. Even so, he still had a smug air about him.

Prick

James stood in front of them.

Eddie braced himself for the inevitable onslaught from Brad.

"So," James said. "You've both put up a fight. Brad, the leather customer was a stroke of genius. No matter what happens, that's a valuable client for Pleasure Seekers."

Brad grinned like the cat that had got the cream. Eddie thought he might throw up at any moment.

James glanced at Eddie.

"Eddie, you've found some decent mid-range clients."

Brad snorted. "What happened to your big seafront windfall?"

"They pulled out."

Brad clapped his hands together. "I heard you were sleeping with him too. Not a good look, my friend."

Eddie jumped to his feet. "Don't get too carried away, Brad."

"That's enough," James said. "Eddie, sit down please."

He slumped down in his chair.

"I thought you'd be a better loser than this," Brad said. "Hope that doesn't come back to bite you on the arse."

"Brad. Stop," James barked.

To his credit, Brad did shut up. Eddie wanted to run out of the whole building. He wished he'd never heard of this stupid competition.

"Brad, you have achieved three percent more revenue than Eddie in the time period I set."

Brad whooped as if he'd won a rodeo. Eddie truly despised him.

Such a tiny margin. If I'd given the fifteen in the first place, I would have beaten the little shit.

"The best man won then," Brad crowed.

Eddie gritted his teeth while his whole world imploded.

"I'll be interviewing you both on Friday. You've got the week to prepare yourselves."

Brad frowned. "You never said anything about that."

"I did but as usual you probably dismissed it," James replied. "Did you think the job was going to be on a few sales targets alone?"

The colour had drained from Brad's face. Yet, Eddie could see a tiny chink of light in the distance.

"Thank you, James," Eddie said. "I'll be ready."

"So will I," Brad spluttered.

The tone in his voice suggested he would be anything but ready. They both left the meeting room.

"What have you said to him?" Brad asked.

He leaned uncomfortably close to Eddie, who pushed him away firmly.

"It's like the man said," Eddie replied. "You were told. What's the matter? Worried?"

"Hardly," Brad said scornfully. "You look like shit. Bennett's throwing you a bone. He knows who the best man for the job is."

"Brad, why don't you fuck off?"

Eddie stalked away. It was a lame response. Brad had been right about one thing. He did look like shit. Sleep had been a stranger to him since Billy had stormed out of the flat.

Why did life have such a habit of building him up only to smash him down?

"It's obvious, isn't it?" Scott said as they strolled through the main shopping streets. Scott had a date that night and wanted a sensible outfit. Eddie had come along for the distraction.

"Enlighten me."

"James has always wanted to give the job to you. He must have thought you'd beat Brad in this stupid competition. Now you haven't, he's clever to have given himself a back-up plan. You can learn a lot from him."

"You think?"

"Sure I do. I've always liked James. The only wrong step he ever made was employing Brad the knobhead. I suppose everyone can have an off day."

They walked into a men's clothing shop. It was a usual haunt of Scott's with plenty of vibrant couture that he found very hard to resist.

"Ugh, this is totally the wrong vibe," Scott declared.

"What are you talking about? This is your favourite place in the world."

"I want this guy to think I'm serious," Scott explained. "We've been chatting for a while and he's finally asked me out."

Eddie picked up an electric blue shirt from the rail and studied it. "Why would he think you're serious?"

"Because that's how I've presented," Scott replied. "I'm done with dating all the odd ones who think I have to be the life and soul of the party. I'm after someone who sees me for me."

Scott held up a beige checked shirt. "And that's you, is it? A meek sparrow in peacock's clothing?"

"It's the me I want him to think I am."

Eddie put the blue shirt back and gently removed a beige one from Scott's clutches.

"Please, listen to me. You are you," he said, quietly. "Don't make the same fuck up I did. I thought I was being the hotshot salesman. Striking the deal and saving the day. What happened? I lost the most valuable thing that's come into my life in a long time."

Scott squeezed his arm. "Give him some more time. Everything is up in the air at the moment. He's freaking out."

They walked farther into the store.

"This time last week I was sure I had a new job and a new man," Eddie said. "Now both are slipping away from me. I'm bloody useless."

Scott glared at him. "Hey you, that's my best friend you're talking about."

Eddie tried to be cheerful despite his low mood. Scott always had a way of bringing light to a dark situation.

"How about this?" Scott asked, holding up a bright orange shirt.

"Quite the step change."

"Maybe you're right. I should let him see me in all my faded glory. Then, if he runs a mile, I've not wasted much time."

This time Eddie reached across and took Scott's hand. "One day, someone will discover the real you and fall madly in love. Just like the rest of us."

Scott returned the garment to the rail. "I've got plenty of loud shit in my wardrobe if I'm going down that road. How about we go and get a cocktail?"

"On a Monday?"

"That's the crazy kids we are. Come on, I'm buying."

They walked out into the street again.

"Kemptown?"

"Why not?"

Scott led the way.

"I've got something that will cheer you up," Scott said.

Eddie doubted it but his curiosity always got the better of him. "Go on."

"I reckon I've figured out the identity of Amanda's lover."

He nodded proudly.

"Scott…"

"Listen. There's one man still at Pleasure Seekers from when she joined."

"How do you know they're still working with us?"

"Because she told Tyler that she sees him all the time."

Scott was clearly in his element.

Eddie groaned. "You're going to get into trouble with this."

"No, I'm not. Anyway, it's done now."

"Are you going to tell me?"

Scott giggled. "I'm simply building up the drama. Okay, brace yourself."

"I'm braced."

"It's Barry."