A/N  no really, this time it's the right chapter... lolz... disclaimer: any names, etc. are completely made up and have no relation to anyone or any business that may or may not exist in real life...

I came in the door and slammed my keys on the counter. Edmund came in from the next room with a concerned look on his face. I avoided his gaze and stomped down the hall to my bedroom after taking off my outer jacket. I had flung it on a chair, despite knowing how much it annoyed Edmund. I heard him sigh and pick up after me as I slammed the door behind me.

I was pissed off. The stupid man they assigned to my department most recently had forgotten to follow up with a very important client and now we might lose them. The client that is, for good! All he had to do was make one stinking phone call, one, and I reminded him three times today to do it. I pulled off my tie and suit, flinging them on the bed while I rummaged around for the casual clothes Edmund had been helping me buy.

My favourite was a soft pair of grey flannels and I pulled them out now. I pulled them on and stroked the material as I considered my phone. I had one option, and that was calling in a favour. I hated doing that. I pulled up John's number and let it ring through. Edmund came in the room and gave me a pointed glare, but I waved him off and pointed to my phone. He saw my worried expression I think and let it go, hanging up my suit for me.

"Hey! Brendan my man. How are you? Haven't heard from you in a while. What are you up to?" John came on the line and I put on my executive face for the moment.

"Hey John, I'm good, I'm good. Busy at work as usual. Found a long term to hang out with, so I know I haven't been out with you guys lately. Need to make it up to you, right? Listen invite Gary from Cagenesis for me will ya? My rookie fucked up so I have to call in a favour. Can you do that for me?" I asked my fellow employee and occasional drinking partner over the phone.

"Yeah, no problem. I'll text you back DTL later okay? Good to hear from you man. Talk later." He was being shouted at from the other end so I kept it short.

"Looking forward to it. See ya." I hung up the phone and sighed. I hated going out for drinks, but I had to do this. I dropped my phone on the side table and flopped on the bed despondently. Edmund came to sit next to me and rubbed my back. I groaned. It felt so good to have him here. I was very glad I had given him a key and asked him to meet me here. Now I didn't have to wait for him to show up each night for my cuddles and dinner.

"Everything alright?" He asked me in that deep, soothing voice of his. I shook my head no. I blinked back the tears of frustration from my eyes as he pulled me in for a hug. I laid my head on his shoulder and sighed. "Do you want to tell me about it?"

"Urgh. I have an idiot new employee and he just fucked things up royally for me. I just needed him to make one stinkin' phone call for me while I was in meetings all day and he didn't! Now I have to go out with John and the boys, drink disgusting alcohol and play nice with their rep in the hopes I can fix this. It's a million-dollar client, Edmund. It could cost me my job." I growled in frustration.

"Shh. It'll be alright. I know you can figure this out. If you can't then so what. You are Brendan freaking Riley. You will be snatched up again in a second. Now just curl up with me for a bit and I will cook you some spaghetti later. Sound good?" He purred into my ear. It sounded heavenly, so I told him so. He was grinning as I curled up in his lap and listened to his breathing for a bit. It was amazingly soothing.

My phone buzzed on the table and I looked over. A text message. I glared at it, not looking forward to what was coming. I picked up the device and unlocked it. Tonight, 10:30, Hazards it read on the screen. I showed Edmund and apologized for cutting our night short today. He kissed me and said it was fine, it wasn't, but I appreciated the thought. I was in a sucky mood all night for Edmund, but he was very patient with me.

After a later dinner, so I didn't get drunk out tonight, he watched me get dressed to go clubbing with the boys. I was scowling as I looked into the mirror and fixed my hair. I really didn't want to go. I was so mad at the guy from work right now, but also a little mad at myself for trusting him. I had hoped he was reliable and I was never more wrong. Maybe that was what pissed me off the most.

"You look great tonight baby. Sometimes I wonder what you see in me. I mean, look at you... you are so amazingly hot. Tell me I can stay here to wait for you. I want to know you are coming home to me after." He begged me and I relented.

"Sure. At least then I will have something to look forward to at the end of the evening." I went into my drawer and got out my car keys. They clipped onto my house keys and went into my inside pocket for safety. I reluctantly left the complex and made my way to Hazards Nightclub. It was beyond busy, lined up down the street, but I had a standing invitation. I pulled up to the curb and gave my keys to the valet that ran out when he saw my car.

"Brendan Riley." I told the doorman. He looked over his list and then let me through. I went straight to the VIP level, the bouncer at the top of the stairs letting me through when he saw me. John shouted over the music to call me over to their table. I was five minutes late or so, but wasn't concerned in the slightest. It was a club, not a date. I shook hands with the other gentlemen at the table and sat next to John. The waitress came over and took my order right away.

"So what's been keeping you away lately? Used to see you out at least once a week." One of the guys asked me. I shrugged and vaguely mentioned a boyfriend.

"Oh ho! So you found a steady? Good for you. Who is he? Anyone we know?" John bumped my shoulder and offered a toast after the waitress handed me my drink.

"No one you guys would know, probably. His name is Edmund. We are having a good time, so that's why I haven't been around." I replied.

"What's this? You have a boyfriend? Damn. Knew I should have struck sooner." Gary had just shown up and was standing next to me with a twinkle in his eye. I grinned without really feeling it and motioned for him to sit down. Somehow I knew this was going to be worse than I thought. Favours meant being nice, flirting with a boyfriend was not something I felt comfortable doing but I had a feeling that this is what was expected of me tonight.

"Awe Gary, I didn't know you felt that way. Are you just being nice to me? I don't have any sway with the Hot Rocket project." I shook my head at him and he pretended to look offended. I waited until he had his drink and excused myself to the washroom. I paced in the empty room a moment before taking out my phone.

"Hey baby, what's up?" I heard Edmund come on the phone. I sighed.

"Gary is being a flirt. What if he wants me to dance with him? Or kiss him? Edmund I don't think I can do this. It feels like cheating. What should I do?" I complained over the line. I heard him chuckle on the other end.

"Relax baby. Take a deep breath. You called me first and that was the right thing to do. Good job honey. Now I will give you permission to dance with him but no kissing. Avoid that if at all possible. A little flirting is fine, as long as you come home to me. I love you baby. I trust you. Go do what needs to be done and get out of there." I relaxed at his soothing tones and encouraging attitude. He was right. I should get this over with and get on with life. I took in a deep breath like he said, said goodbye and did my business before heading back out.

"Hey there sexy, where'd you disappear to?" Gary was well on his way to getting smashed with his second or third in hand, so I knew I needed to act quickly. I smiled and shrugged.

"Nature called. Can I ask you a favour Gary?" I waited for his attention to be focused on me fully before I started. "I had some rookie screw things up today with the Jackson proposal. You see I was in meetings all day and he forgot to call in the confirmation ID for me. I swear, the new recruits these days have no head for deadlines. Could you help me out?" 

"Yeah I can help you out. It's going to cost you though." He grinned and put down his drink. When he stood up and took my hand, I knew what he wanted. I let him lead me to the dance floor and didn't even flinch when he got in close. "A dance and another hour of your company, how's that sound?"

"Sounds just fine, Gary." I smiled even though his arm snaked about my waist and his nose fished into my neck to smell me. I felt uncomfortable but tried to move naturally along with his swaying movements. I knew he was enjoying himself, his hands kept traveling my body as though he was doing some sort of dance move. It was just an excuse to feel me up. I managed not to roll my eyes.

"Thanks beautiful, email me the confirmation ID and I will back date it for you when I get in tomorrow morning." He whispered in my ear, planting a kiss on my neck. 

"Thanks Gary. You are the man." I made my way back to the table and resigned myself to another hour of boring conversation and drinks. It felt like forever before I was able to leave, constantly pulled into debates and another round going out. I didn't drink alcohol after my second drink, ever. The left orders with the waitress at the bar to cut off the booze from my cocktails after two and I wasn't staggering by the time I left.

I got my car from the valet and drove home in relief. Only when I was back in my home, back in my wonderful boyfriend's arms, clean and comfortable, did I finally feel the last of my anger and frustration subside. I yawned and curled in close as Edmund stroked my hair. I could get used to that feeling, I thought to myself. I really think I needed an outlet for my anger though. I had been awful to Edmund while I was dealing with all of this, and he didn't deserve it.

I needed a way to let go.