Face Down (Fuckboy Series Book 2) (FINISHED)

Chapter Three

It was almost a quarter after three before Barrick finally walked into the conference room. Colton knew Barrick was the type of man who hated to be late, but with the amount of people who had shown up for this time slot he figured the office had just underestimated the amount of space they would need. Even though the room they were in was big, they still seemed to be short of space and seats for all the workers in attendance.

Colton eyed Barrick as he headed past everyone sitting at the executive table. As always, he had on a sharp suit that looked like it cost more than he made in an entire month. He wore his salt and pepper colored hair slicked back, giving him a look that shouted of money and power. Even though he was in his late forties or early fifties, he had a better body than the majority of the guys in the room. He was a guy who was sure of himself and of every action he took, and the look on his face clearly said he wasn’t happy. As he waited for his assistant to get him a drink, he took his position at the front of the room so all eyes were on him.

“Thank you all for coming here today. Not that I gave you much choice, but I appreciate it regardless.” He took the drink when his assistant handed it to him, then brought it to his lips for a sip before placing the glass on the table in front of him. “I called this meeting because I think I need to revisit some of the rules we have in place here at Casual Companions. Some of you think the rules are put there so I can control you, but honestly the rules are in place to help you make money. To help me make money. After all, isn’t this what this business is about? Making money?”

Barrick waited as he looked around the room, making sure everyone was paying attention. “Isn’t that what you guys want to do?” He paused again for effect as his sharp blue eyes took everyone in. “I know that’s why I started this business. If people don’t abide by the rules and they disregard them when it suits them, they’re cutting into all of our pockets. They’re cutting into your paycheck and into my profit and I don’t like that.”

Colton’s attention was pulled away from Barrick’s speech when his phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced up at Barrick to make sure he wasn’t looking in his direction, then fished his phone out to check the message. Colton’s eyes lit up when he saw it was a request from Adalina. He hadn’t seen Addie since the night they had gone to the charity event and then f****d all over the limo. He wanted to check the message right away but decided against it because Barrick seemed to be slightly agitated. He didn’t want to test the waters by not paying attention. Instead of looking at the message he put the phone back in his pocket and turned his eyes back to the front of the room, trying to follow what Barrick was saying.

Barrick sighed openly, his eyes scanning the room as he crossed his arms over his chest. “Over the last month I’ve had to fire three people for breaking the most important rule this company has. The person I had to let go yesterday was the final straw. Workers of this company are not allowed, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, to see clients outside the work environment. If I catch anyone breaking that rule you will be fired instantly. I will NOT tolerate this behavior. It takes money away from everyone and I won’t put up with it. I don’t give a s**t how long you’ve worked here, how much money you’ve made for me, or who the f**k you are. If you take clients away from the request pool, you’re out.”

Colton raised a brow and looked around, wondering who Barrick had let go. He knew there were several other meetings and just because someone wasn’t at this one didn’t mean they had been fired. He hoped it wasn’t anyone he knew. Everyone he had met that worked with him he had instantly liked. Most of them, he hung out with when he had some downtime.

“Also, I don’t like it when you fraternize outside work.” He paused when the group shifted uncomfortably, already feeling the wave of complaints that would come. “I mean that. If you work together that’s one thing. If it’s after hours or during your free days, don’t bother doing it. I don’t like it at all.”

A guy in the back stood, speaking above the crowd. Colton didn’t know him personally, but he recognized him because they had crossed paths a few times while picking up their checks. “You can’t tell us what to do on our days off or who we’re allowed to hang out with. I’ve referred this company to a lot of people I know. I’ve brought you not only workers, but clients. You can’t expect me to just drop them. I knew them before I started working here.”

Barrick growled under his breath as his anger rose. Someone standing up to him, especially in front of several of his workers, pissed him off. “Then you’re fired,” he snapped as he glared him down. “You can fill out the dismissal paper on your way out.”

The guy shook his head and laughed, then flipped Barrick off. “You can suck my d**k along with this entire company. You’re not telling me what to do or who I can do it with. You don’t own me.” He made his way toward the door. “And f**k you and your dismissal paper.” He slammed through the door, leaving a red-faced Barrick behind him.

Barrick took a deep breath and waited a few seconds, then turned back toward the crowd as he ran his fingers through his slicked back hair. “Would anyone else like to join him or do you actually like having a job?”

Colton was stunned into silence. He glanced down, not wanting to meet Barrick’s eyes in case he looked his way. The guys had mention that Barrick could go off the rails, but this was stupid. He’d never seen it himself and now that he was witnessing it first hand, he thought Barrick was a complete asshole. There had been no reason to fire that guy just because he had spoken up. He had been right, Barrick couldn’t tell them what to do outside their job. That hadn’t been in the contract he had signed when he took the job. One thing that was in the contract though, was dating the clients outside the job.

“Anyone?” Barrick looked around and continued speaking when no one else got up to go. “Didn’t think so. Now, with that said let’s move on. There will be a Meet-and-Greet this weekend. I’ll have my new personal assistant get that information up on the website. It would be in your best interest, especially some of you new people, to attend. It’s a way of getting yourself seen, picking up some new clients, and getting a few new regulars. Make sure you sign up on the website if you plan on attending. I need absolute numbers because I need to have enough food and drinks for everyone.” Barrick picked up his glass, taking a long drink as he tried to wash his anger and annoyance away. “Does anyone have any questions or want to voice any concerns?” When no one spoke up he nodded and walked toward the door. “All right then, everyone have a great day.” He nodded at them and then disappeared into the hallway.

Only when he was gone did anyone get up to leave. He could tell the group was unhappy, but they didn’t say anything that would indicate it. Colton glanced over at Aiden as he walked toward him. Aiden shook his head, telling him without words not to talk until they got away from the office.

Together they walked out of the office and to the elevator, waiting their turn before heading down to the lobby. Once they were outside and halfway down the block, Aiden turned to Colton and laughed. “So, what did you think about that? Still think that Barrick’s a saint?”

“Wow, dude. Just... wow. He’s really trying to tell us who we can and can’t hang out with? Who we can be friends with outside work? And I never said he was a saint. Right now I think he’s f*****g insane.”

Aiden nodded and laughed, running a free hand through his hair. “He’s a d**k. He’s been a d**k for as long as I’ve known him. Of course, no one listens to his bullshit.” Aiden glanced back at his friends coming up behind them. “Want to catch a meal with us?”

Colton laughed at the irony. They had just been told not to fraternize outside of work and here Aiden was, inviting them all out to an early dinner. So much for Barrick and his bullshit rules. He didn’t want to be fired, but he figured no one would find out because he was damn sure not one of these guys would run to Barrick and tell on him. If they did, they would all be fired.

“Sure,” Colton answered as he fell into step with the other four guys.

“We going back to my place for food?” Tyson asked as he put his arm around Aiden’s neck and pulled him close as they walked.

Aiden laughed and shoved at him, pushing him away playfully. “I don’t know. I want to keep my job, so I don’t think we can be friends.”

Jaime shook his head and held his middle fingers up in the air. “f**k Barrick. He’s f*****g crazy if he thinks he can tell me what to do.”

Brice laughed and nodded. “Well, you say that now, wait until you get fired.” He half jogged to catch up with the group. “What are we eating? Not that vegan crap you tried to feed us last time I hope, Tys.”

The guys laughed as they turned the corner, heading toward the subway.

Jaime made a face and curled his lip up in disgust. “You try to feed me that s**t again Tys, and I’m out. I’m a growing man. I need meat. Raw, mooing, bloody meat.” Jaime patted his chest. “I’m a meat and potatoes type of man. I need something that sticks to my ribs and stays with me for a few hours. That s**t you tried to get me to eat last week looked like grass.” He almost puked in his mouth just thinking about it. “And it tasted like it, too.”

“We can go over to my place. I’ll give you some meat, J.” Brice grinned and grabbed his crotch, shoving it in Jaime’s direction. “Man meat.”

“s**t, if you can find meat in those pants I’ll throw some salt on that s**t and eat it like I own it.” Jaime laughed and then raised a brow. “What do you say? Think I can find the meat?” He grabbed at Brice’s jeans and laughed when he jerked back.

“Get back you f*****g faggot,” Brice laughed at him and slapped at his hand.

“Yeah, you like it when I go faggot for you.” He winked and walked down the steps into the subway.

They all laughed as they boarded the train, finding their seats quickly. In New York City, you got on and off when they told you to. If you were too slow they would shut the doors on you. They didn’t care.

When they were well on their way, Colton pulled his phone out while the other guys talked. He wanted to check the message that Addie sent him. He smiled as he read the email.

“Sorry I haven’t been in contact. I’ve been busy moving and getting my life back in order. Forgive me? Let’s have drinks at my new place tonight.”

He smiled to himself and answered the email. “Send me a request and I’ll be there.”

Colton couldn’t wait to see Addie again. His c**k jerked in his pants when he thought about the last time they were together. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, content with the thought of ending his night by coming in a chick’s face. Damn, now he was hard.