Free A Time to Gather by Sally John Page A

sweatshirt, her brown hair in a ponytail, and sleep folds still puffed at her eyes. “Uh . . . yes. Mr. Beaumont.” She glanced up at Erik. “Your contract becomes null and void if you, uh, if you did what they say you did tonight.”
    He flashed his charming smile. “You missed it?”
    “Sorry.” She flushed. “I mean . . .” She cleared her throat. “My husband just returned from a two-week overseas business trip and we—uh, I don’t always catch the late news.”
    “Jackie,” Erik purred. “My own family and friends don’t always catch the late news.”
    Danny leaned across the desk toward the producer. “Kipler, you can’t get away with firing him. What you did was let him go on air when you shouldn’t have, and then you kept him there. That makes it your responsibility.”
    “How were we to predict his idiotic behavior?”
    “Because he was drunk!”
    Erik lifted an arm and shook his finger. “I beg to differ. I only had a few.”
    They ignored him.
    The producer said, “He didn’t act drunk when I saw him. It wasn’t obvious he was out of control until he accused Felicia of—that was when we cut him off.”
    “You’re a liar!”
    “I think this meeting is over!”
    “You let the cameras roll long after the usual time for the commercial break. You trapped him on purpose. You’ve been after him for months!”
    “Prove it.”
    “We will, you—”
    “Dan.” Erik laid a hand on Danny’s arm and sprang to his feet. “Let’s go. Jackie.” He thrust his other hand toward her. “It’s been a pleasure, my dear.”
    Shaking his hand, she smiled and blushed.
    “Kipler.” Erik shook his hand next. “It’s been . . . well, whatever. Say good-bye, Dan.” He turned. “Ah, Lexi! Everyone, this is my little sister, Alexis.”
    She ignored their stares, stepped to Danny, and grabbed the back of his jacket. “Come on.”
    While Danny fussed and muttered, Erik somehow got the three of them ushered out the door and down the hall.
    “Wasn’t that fun?” Walking between them, he swung one arm over Lexi’s shoulders, the other over Danny’s. “My heroes. Thanks for coming, guys.”
    “Erik, can’t you be serious for one minute? They’re railroading you. You’ve got to fight this.”
    “Let the lawyers unravel it. The night is young, and we have miles to go before we sleep.”
    Lexi slid an arm across his back. “You’re our brother, Erik. We love you. Please stop hurting yourself. Please don’t go out drinking tonight.”
    “Drinking?” He chortled. “Wouldn’t dream of it. I have other plans. I’m going to kill my best friend.”
    “Brett?”
    “Yep. Gotta stay sober for something like that, don’t you think?”
    Danny said, “Brett? What are you talking about?”
    “Dan, Dan. My Boy Scout. What do you think I’m talking about?”
    Lexi felt a sudden loss of energy. She knew what he was talking about. “Not Brett.”
    “Oh yes, Brett. Of all the males in San Diego panting after her, you’d think Felicia could have found somebody else.”
    It was going to be a long night.
    T hey escorted Erik outdoors to the sidewalk for some fresh air. Lexi believed he was fairly sober. He’d been more hurt and angry than blitzed during the news.
    “Brett Abbott?” Danny’s shoulders sagged. He looked like a deflated balloon.
    Erik said, “Having a hard time assimilating that, aren’t you? Took me awhile.”
    “I always liked Felicia. Brett too.”
    “Tell me about it.” He chuckled.
    Lexi said, “Okay, guys, what’s next? Food?”
    They both frowned at her.
    Erik said, “French fries instead of vodka?”
    Danny turned to him. “You’re not serious about Brett? I mean, you wouldn’t really attack him.”
    “We had enough fistfights growing up, I’d know how to do it. If he were standing right here, I’d punch his lights out.” Erik’s voice went deeper than normal and he spat an expletive. All facade of cool, calm, and collected vanished. “I still can’t believe