“You can always come back if it doesn’t work out, Zoey. I mean it.” He clasped my hand in both of his. “You’re an exceptional talent.”
“I appreciate it.” I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. “I’ve boxed up my personal stuff, but I’m happy to help with a transition if you need me to.”
“That won’t be necessary, Zoey.” Joe turned to leave. “Good luck to you.”
Afterward, I sat down behind my desk, stunned that I’d actually quit my job. I had no back-up plan and no true prospects, just about a year’s salary in my bank account to keep me going until I landed on my feet. It was already 8:25 p.m., and my heart sank when I saw I’d missed a dozen texts and calls from Ty.
6:41 pm Tyson – missed call.
6:42 pm Tyson: Hey can we talk?
6:58 pm Tyson – missed call.
6:59 pm Tyson – missed call.
6:59 pm Tyson: Z, please pick up.
7:13 pm Tyson: I’m back in Seattle, I need to see you Z.
7:38 pm Tyson: missed call.
7:39 pm Tyson: Z, please just let me know ur ok.
7:45 pm Tyson: missed call.
7:50 pm Tyson: missed call.
7:59 pm Tyson: missed call.
8:05 pm Tyson: I’m coming to you.
Frantically I dialed Ty’s number, I hoped to intercept him before he came to find me. The call went to Ty’s voicemail, and I left a message explaining I had been in a meeting and to call me. Grabbing my purse and box of stuff, I rushed out, desperate to talk to him. If for no other reason than to end things more civilly this time. At the elevator, I was rustling through my purse to find my car keys when the door opened. In my rush to get to the parking garage, I smashed straight into a wall of my rock god.
Chapter 22
TYSON
“Z, baby.” I was so relieved to see my beautiful girl, I instinctively pulled Zoey into a bear hug before realizing she had a big box of her things in her hands. She looked tired and stressed but relieved to see it was me and not some rando.
“Hi.” She pulled away quickly.
“Sorry, I don’t want to cause trouble for you at your job.” I looked around, mentally chastising myself for being inconsiderate. Again.
“Former job.” She kicked the rug with her Fleuvog boot. “I quit today.”
“What?” I was blown away, leave it to Zoey to thwart my grand gesture again.
“Yep, I chose you.” She hit the elevator button with her elbow and looked up to watch its descent.
“Zoey.” My heart melted into a puddle on the floor. “Let me take that.”
She said nothing when I took the box, just kept her eyes fixed to the floor indicator. When the elevator arrived, she stepped in and pressed the button for the parking garage.
I followed her. “Can we talk?”
“Okay.”
“I wrapped up my vocals and came back as soon as I could.” I tried to explain.
“Look, I know I didn’t handle things well in LA.” Zoey shut her eyes and took a deep breath. “But I was really worried about being outed. You leaving me in the dust wasn’t cool. It really hurt me.”
“I was wrong.” I shook my head in shame. “I’m so sorry.”
“Getting back together was a big adjustment for both of us.” She stared straight ahead. “After what just happened, I’m still afraid.”
“And yet that is all I want to do with you.” I slumped against the elevator wall, clasping her box to my chest.
The doors opened and I followed Zoey out to the garage. She opened the trunk and I set the box inside. She tossed me the keys and we got into her RAV. I eased out into the shitty Seattle traffic and headed toward West Seattle. We sat in silence. The air felt heavy with tension. After twenty minutes, when we only managed to travel a few blocks in bumper-to-bumper traffic, the pressure got to me.
“I have an idea. After how badly I fucked up you’ll probably reject it outright. Will you hear me out anyway?”
“I have absolutely no idea what you are going to say next.” She tilted her head.
It was a serious question. One I’d been contemplating since before the Sirius show. I hadn’t been sure when to bring it up, but it seemed like I had nothing to lose. So, there was no time like the present.
“Run my foundation as the CEO. Me and Carter are the trustees, and we haven’t hired for that position yet. It should be you.”
Zoey looked at me with wide eyes, mouth open, shocked. “Holy fucking moly, Ty. I don’t have the background or capability to do that job!”
“You do,” I said definitively and listed her numerous qualifications. “First, you created the entire legal structure. Second, we adopted the operating infrastructure exactly the way you recommended. Third, you drafted all the documents. But most importantly, you really believe in what I want to do, you have the passion for it. I think that is 99% of it.”
“Never in a million years did I consider this, Ty.” She fumbled in her purse for something, pulled out a Chapstick and slathered it on. “I have enough money saved to take a year off to figure out my next move.”
“Will you consider it?” I couldn’t help but watch her lips as she spoke.
“I mean, well. Working in a non-profit like yours is what I envisioned doing when I quit, but I don’t think it solves our issues. Plus, what will people say?”
“I don’t care what they say, I care that kids get access to play music. That’s it.” I reached over to take her hand.
“I’m just not sure that I’m comfortable at this stage of my career. Are we even together right now?” Zoey looked at me like the weight of the world rested on her shoulders.
“Z, I have a lot of issues. I’m not going to deny it, and I can’t promise I won’t fuck up.” I squeezed her hand. “The only thing
