Bad Luck or Fate?

Chapter 77

I sat on the bed and stared at the box in my hand. I opened and closed it multiple times staring at the wedding band that was resting in the white velvet. The diamonds glistened from the overhead light from our ceiling fan. It matched Breckyn's engagement ring perfectly. It was a perfect match just like she was for me. Mine wouldn't be in for a week or so as it was being sized bigger to fit my finger. I heard Lorne clear his throat on the other end of the line. "Do you understand, Jimmy?" I snapped the ring box shut and laid back on the bed, receiver still pressed to my ear. I sighed. "Yeah, Lorne. I understand. I don't completely agree with the timeline of taking the show on the road but if this is the only way to get the hiatus I need then I suppose I have no other choice."

"I'm sorry, son. I really tried to get them to agree to any other week but this is the only time the arena is available and it was the only way the network would agree to let you have the hiatus. I mean, you get a two week vacation in the middle of the fall schedule, during sweeps. That could kill our ratings but I know right now that the ratings aren't particularly what you are worried about." I rubbed my temple with my free hand as I set the ring box on my chest. All this business talk was giving me a headache and to be honest, it was ruining my otherwise perfect weekend. "No, and to be frank with you, I really don't give a damn right now. I don't plan my wedding around what the network thinks is best for me. Our show has never dipped in ratings once since I took over, Lorne. Not even that six week period I had to take to recover from the accident. I was their golden boy then, was I not? 'Take as much time as you need. We only care about you and what you need.' What happened to that Lorne? Where's that when I need it now? Its fine to get shot and nearly die but its not okay to get married to someone you want to spend the rest of your life with? Is that what the network is trying to tell me? Because to be honest, if they're asking me to choose between Breckyn or the show.." I paused and let my anger subside a little bit before continuing. "I don't think either you or the network will like the choice I make, Lorne. Breckyn will be here long after the show goes away. I know that and I really don't care what anyone else thinks. So, is there really no other time we can take the show on the road?"

Lorne audibly sighed which was rare for him to show emotion, especially over the phone. "Jim, I really tried as hard as I could to pull every string I could to get them to agree to literally any other time but they can't. Our hands are tied, son. They really are. We either go in the time they've allowed us or we lose that spot and all those endorsements. Not to mention you already promised on national television that you would go. You made the commitment, Jim. Not the network. Not me. Its out of my hands now. You either go and do the show or you have to reap what you sow. You'll have to deal with the repercussions. Breckyn will understand, son but the network is another story. You do what you need to do but you need to tell me now." I let the phone fall to the bed for a moment as I brought my hands up and rubbed my face in frustration. I muffled a growl in my palms as I slowly slid them down my face. I picked my phone back up and spoke into the receiver. "I suppose the golden boy should stay golden and kiss the network's ass huh? I'll do it to appease the network but I don't want to hear one single thing about my hiatus or any of the guests that I choose to come on that week. Make sure that that is understood." I wasn't even trying to hide my anger at this point. I frankly didn't give a shit anymore. "Breckyn is not going to understand this and I don't expect her to. She's going to have my head on a stick for this and I just hope she still agrees to marry me after this argument we're about to have but at least the network will be happy? That's all that matters huh?" Lorne waited for me to stop and paused for a moment before responding. "I know you're upset and I'm not going to tell you that you don't have a right to be, Jim but you are making the right choice. I'm going to let you handle this how you please. I'll tell the network your terms and we'll talk about this on Monday. I'll leave you be for a while. Good luck with Breckyn." He was gentle and polite with his response but I was still fuming mad. "Yup. See you Monday." I didn't even wait for his goodbye before hanging up and tossing my phone on the end table with a loud clatter.