More Than Manager

chapter twelve

Chapter 12//The Plan

I have to tell Roger. That's the first thing that pops into my mind.

I wait until James is out of sight when I speed-walk to find Roger sitting on the couch, a girl sitting on his lap. She must have come in when I was talking to James.

I tap on his shoulder from behind. He turns around sharply, glaring when he notices it's me.

"Kind of busy at the moment," he says, twirling a stand of the girl's hair, looking deeply in her eyes.

I roll my eyes. "I need to talk to you. This is important, Roger."

I see Brian out of the corner of my eye watching us, but I ignore him.

He turns to look at the girl and sighs, but stands up and follows me to my bedroom.

I click the lock on the door handle as soon as I shut it tightly behind me.

"You finally giving in?" He says, jumping on the bed and fluffing the pillow under him.

"What are you doing?" I say, still standing at the door.

"Well, you brought me to your bedroom, what do you think?" He replies.

"Oh, for God's sakes," I say, sitting on the bed. "No, I'm not 'giving in.' I told you, this is serious." He sits himself up and locks eyes with me. "James saw us last weekend," I croak out. "Argument. Slap. Everything."

He sighs out of anger. "I swear I'll deck him," he says, about to stand up. I grab his hand tightly and he sits back down.

"He said he's going to tell the media," I manage to whisper.

Roger doesn't respond. He just sits there.

But suddenly, he laughs. "This is ridiculous," he yells.

He stands up to leave, but I don't stop him this time. I just let him go, watching him as he stomps out of the room angrily.

I didn't realize how tired I was until I'm awaken by Brian.

"Hey, Sam?" He whispers, shaking my shoulder gently.

My eyes open slowly to see him watching over me.

"Hey," he smiles. "What's up with Roger?"

I sit up look at the clock next to me. 2:09am. Everyone must be gone by now. I take sips from the water bottle next to me. "What'd he do?" I ask between gulps.

"He's been in a mood. Stayed in his room all night," he says.

I raise and lower my brows. "Doesn't sound like him."

Brian raises a brow at me. "You're telling me. Hot blond chick out there waiting around all night for him." I let out a chuckle. "Anyway, I saw you two earlier." I nearly choke on the water. "Talking in here."

Oh.

"You sure you don't know anything about this?" He asks again.

I shrug. "Must be the alcohol. Probably drunk. Has everyone left yet?" I change the subject.

"Uh, yeah, I think so. It's pretty late." We sit in silence for a moment.

"Alright, I'll let you sleep. Goodnight," he says kissing my forehead.

I smile up at him and turn over, closing my eyes as he pulls the door closed.

The next morning, Roger sits behind the counter in the kitchen, alone and grumpy, just like a few days ago.