Chapter 4: Ready for a Fight

As I packed up my things, Eric swaggered over, trying to play it cool.

“Quitting, Matt?”

I set down my stuff and locked eyes with him. “So, I hear you’ve got ‘family everywhere’?”

Eric’s face darkened. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You know exactly what I mean.”

Ignoring him, I rapped my knuckles on my desk, catching everyone’s attention. “Hey, everybody—this guy’s got connections all over. He can sign deals left and right, no problem. But watch out, or your bonus might just end up in his account.”

“Matt, stop slandering me!” Eric snapped, face red.

I grabbed his collar, lowering my voice. “Hold on to your money. You won’t get it that easy.”

I shoved him away and walked off. Karen’s voice rang out from across the bullpen: “Matt, where are you going?”

“I’m on leave! I’ll go wherever I want—it’s none of your business!”

I snatched my jacket off the chair, feeling the familiar weight of my old company keychain. As I caught my reflection in the elevator’s brushed metal wall, I realized: for the first time, I didn’t look defeated. I looked ready for a fight.