ODDS OF LOVE - SEASON 14

Episode 37

" You're not printing my article on Andrew Norland's kidnapping and rescue ? ," Aiden snapped in an uncharacteristically terse way as he stood in the Washington Reign editor's office, nose to nose with his ex husband who also unfortunately happened to be the new editor in chief of the newspaper.

Gary Rhodes smiled in a belittling manner at the shorter slimmer younger man as he folded his arms cockily. " No. I am not. I had Sands write an article on it although I really don't consider it that hard-hitting of news and Peabody write a follow up to it. For the Metro section. " Gary sneered at his former husband while walking back over to his ruthlessly organized and orderly desk where he sat back down in the swivel chair behind it. " They after all are investigating reporters. You are just an obituary writer. Now go out and do your own job to win another of those little awards of yours. What was it ? The Weepie or something? "

Aiden wanted to stomp over to the man and just punch him in the face. The condescending patronizing rude arrogant too gorgeous face. But he didn't because he knew his five foot nine tweedy self in his khakis and sweater vest didn't stand a chance in hell fighting his six foot three muscled ex who had a mind as steely hard as his body. And , he told himself roughly, thinking about his steely hard body with its six pack and incredible pecs probably wasn't the best move right now. He really didn't know how good it was going to be for that man to be his most immediate supervisor at the newspaper but he did know that he wasn't going anywhere. He liked the newspaper in spite of it all and he liked the two celebrity owners even the recently grieving widower Reese Malden who on their rare meetings still refused to meet his eyes for some reason. The position paid better than his last one in Ohio with damn good benefits as well. He couldn't afford to quit his job. He had a mortgage now and bills to pay with a son and elderly grandmother to support. Not that he was thinking about resigning ! He had been there first !

" It's called The Grimmie , Gary , and you know that. I actually have two. And, Rebel told me he liked it when I emailed him a copy. "

Gary looked at his ex with an open pity on his face. " Rebel likes everything. It's his personality. He wants to be everyone's best friend. The nice party boss with a smile and a compliment for all. Did you send it to Reese ? He's the harder one. Actually ,  don't send it to him. Let me give you a bit of advice. Years of military service and exposure to academic life through the online classes that resulted in my bachelor's degree in journalism trained me in one fact.  Don't piss off people. If you keep sending them articles you will irritate even party boss Rebel. They hired you to write obituaries. They hired me to run this newspaper and this newsroom like a well oiled machine that generates profits. So go outside and do the job you were hired for and let me do mine. "

Aiden looked at the man and wished he could hate him. He wanted to hate him. He wanted Gary to be more like Spencer or Paul but the man wasn't and never would be. No. His ex was more like...... him...... his father. His attractive face twisted in frustration. " I do my job. I don't mind doing the obits. You know that, Gary. I just.... just would like to occasionally write something different."

Gary sighed deeply. " Stick to what you do best. Investigate reporting takes a special sort. It's too dangerous for one thing. Since our son won't acknowledge me at the moment you are his sole parent. He , I'm sorry, " they " , cannot afford for something to happen to you because you want to play at something you can't handle. You're not hard enough for it. You're not Scott Sands. Or your father for that matter. "

Aiden shook his head stubbornly. " This has nothing to do with my father. "

Gary's expression of pity only increased on his ruggedly handsome face as he said with a smirk," Aiden , every move in your life has been trying to impress that father of yours. The great globetrotting internationally recognized Pultizer Prize winning Daniel Norris. It's time to grow up at your big boy age of thirty six and realize that the man just doesn't care and never has. "

As Aiden turned on his own loafered heel to leave the large office with Gary's framed military medals and pictures with himself and generals / politicians / other notable people on the dark paneled walls along with his degree from Boston University and a glassy eyed deer's head he vaguely heard his ex-husband sneer in his leave," If you want to play " reporter " try searching for that mother of yours. Or is she still gathering dust in that wallet of yours? "