Resist Me Not

25

It was the end of the day. I sent my last email and saved my files before locking my computer screen. I was impressed with myself for catching up on all my tasks and being able to leave work on time. Adam stepped out of his office and locked his door as I was grabbing my purse from my bottom desk drawer.

"You finished everything already?" Adam stood on the other side of my L-shaped desk, waiting for me to walk with him.

"I did," I stated proudly.

Adam shook his head with a smile. "God, you are amazing. If you can handle this and work as Ryan's assistant, you'll be getting a management position in the company before the year's end."

"That would be a dream come true."

Then, Ryan walked up on the other side of me and fell in stride with Adam and me.

Adam pointed over me to Ryan. "Hell, maybe we'll just fire this goon, and you can have his position instead."

I blushed.

"She can have it. It's not like I really wanted the job anyway," Ryan responded to Adam, almost like he was talking about me as if I wasn't right there.

Adam gave him a look I couldn't quite understand. "Don't tempt me, bro."

"You aren't the boss of me, Adam. We're equal partners in this shithole of a company."

Something was definitely going on between them, but I couldn't figure it out. Then again, I didn't know if I cared enough to try to.

"Wanna say that to Dad and see what he thinks of your opinion?" Adam countered.

"He already knows my opinion, douchebag."

We reached the elevator, and I moved out from between them as quickly as possible and pressed the button.

"If we weren't at work or in front of an employee, I'd pin you to the ground right about now," Adam threatened.

The tension between them was so thick that you could practically see it. I wondered if it had to do with Peggy or with me or with something else. I was grateful when the elevator arrived promptly. We rode it down to the next floor, where it stopped, and more workers piled in, filling the space. The brothers were separated at either end, while I stood in the way back, trying to blend in with everyone.

As we reached the lobby, I waited until I was the last to step out. Adam and Ryan were several bodies ahead of me, and I kept my pace slow, as I didn't want to catch up to them. They were talking to each other, and it didn't look friendly or apologetic in the slightest. I walked as quickly as I could pass them and out the front doors.

I was halfway towards the subway station entrance when I heard my name being called from behind me. I turned back to see Ryan lightly jogging to me. "Hey, I'm sorry you had to see that."

I looked at him with an emotionless glance. "It's not my business. Though seeing that definitely makes me grateful for being an only child."

Ryan lightly chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck. "Are you heading home?"

I looked at him with an expression that said, "Obviously."

"Do you think we could go somewhere and talk for a bit? I feel like things are unresolved between us."

"I don't think that's a good idea. Plus, things are more than resolved between us. I meant what I said when I said we needed to end things." I didn't want to have this conversation right now. Not ever. I just wanted to put what happened in a little box and lock it away for the rest of my life. But I could see that my answer didn't satisfy Ryan. He probably wouldn't give up until he felt like he had a chance to talk. "You can ride the subway with me."