Blood In The Water

32

"Gimme a fuckin' second! Christ!" Kevin trudged to the door and threw it open to find his consigliere there in wait "..what, didn't I tell ya to stay home?"

"I did."

"Then what're ya doin' here? I'm fuckin' busy." Kevin snapped, his priorities visible in his half-buttoned shirt, tousled hair, and darkened collarbone

"Kev, who is it?" Connor called out from the bedroom

"It's James, Baby! Just stay there! ...what the hell do you want, Church?"

"I need my job back."

"..It's only a couple days"

"No- you don't understand, I need it" James grabbed Kevin by the arms, his eyes wide and intense

"Jesus, how much fuckin' coke did you do..?"

"Just a little bump- that's not- it ain't about that, I need work.. I know I was diggin' at you for bein' so into the job, but- ...I'm losin' it here, Price"

"What're you talkin' about?"

"...Can we talk in your office?" James looked quickly around the room

"..fine. Dollface, I'm gonna be a minute!" He called down the hall

"Come back quickly, or I'll start without you!" Connor teased

Kevin led James into the office and shut the door behind him for a sense of privacy.

"Be fast."

"Thank you.."

"What's the problem?"

"I don't know how to relax, okay? Work is stressful, but not bein' at work is a hell of a lot worse, and I need- I need it back, I'm beggin' you.."

"It's only been one afternoon." Kevin sat down on the edge of his desk

"Yeah, and it's driving me crazy! I can't do another day'a this, I need my schedule, I need my routine, cause otherwise, shit gets bad real fast."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I had a fuckin' breakdown last night and jammed a knife into my leg, all cause I couldn't stop thinkin' bout my stupid fuckin' past, cause that's what happens when I'm left to myself! I hadda good routine goin', I had time to go out, meet people, and I never had to think about this shit! Now you got me all fucked up in the head and it was all I could do to keep from eatin' a bullet!"

"..ya what?"

"What, are you deaf?" James snapped and rolled up his pant leg, exposing the deep, scabbing wound on his thigh "this is what happens when I don't have work, I need my routine, I fuckin' told ya that!"

"Jesus Christ, James, what the hell'd you do to yourself?" Kevin's eyes widened

"Exactly what I said I did, so are you gonna let me do my job or-"

"You gotta see somebody, Church, that ain't normal!" Kevin stood again

"I am perfectly normal, I just need to do my job!"

"No, you need some sorta medication or somethin', this is crazy"

"I ain't crazy, don't fuckin' call me crazy, just gimme my fuckin' job back! Be the fuckin' boss and take care'a your team, this is your fault, so do not fuckin' call me crazy"

Kevin cut off James's growls with a firm slap to the face, putting the frantic man back in his place, before grabbing ahold of both his cheeks with one hand

"Ey- don't you fuckin' talk to me like that, you piece'a shit, I'm your boss, I can take you outta this life anytime I want, ya little rat fuck- ya hear me!?"