Tristan's High School Life - 49. Chapter 49

Tristan 49

5-week time jump since the last chapter

Tristan's POV

Xander and I had a date night and went to the Greenwich Village and roamed around for a while. We visited the local Big Gay Ice Cream, each getting a cone, and wandered around the area. We saw the moment and park dedicated to the Stonewall riots and the Stonewall Inn. It was nice to roam the streets and not have people comment on us holding hands.

"Did you hear Rory and Mack found a place to live?" Xander asked.
"I did," I replied softly.
"I've begged them to stay, and they said no," Xander replied.
"You know I offered them the Penthouse, and they refused. TJ told me it was about pride and everything, but I wish they would," I said.
"When they came in that night, they were arguing about our living arrangements and how it would look living in Rory's old boss's place," Xander said.
"Yeah, it was CC's, but now it's mine. I own the entire building, and everything CC owned. I made a trust each for my brother's, but CC wanted me taken care of. She also sold my dad's and grandfather's properties out west and made a bundle and invested the money for me," I said.
"See, Rory and Mack said your life is way different from any other average person and that I shouldn't get my hopes up and that if we break up, I won't know what it's like to live in a regular home and not have everything given to me," Xander said.
"I know my family has a lot, but things haven't always been peachy. I feel like you are my ride or die," I said.
"I feel the same way," Xander replied.
"TJ and Jackson have had the rockiest relationship, but they have been working on things. Jackson doesn't think anyone notices that he sneaks off every night to be with TJ," I said.
"Rory seems to think I am just interested in your assets," Xander said, rolling his eyes.
"My "ass"ets huh," I replied with a smirk.
"Oh, I do love your ass very much," Xander said, kissing my neck.
"No hanky panky outside," I giggled.
"Fine, let's go back to your place and plot something," Xander said.
"We can plot a bunch of things," I replied with a wink.

Rory's POV

Xander has given us the cold shoulder since we told him we were moving from the East Village over to the Westside of town. We had found a semi-affordable place, but Mack was going to have to work at a clinic and not do freelance work. TJ had written him a letter of recommendation as his former employer, which opened a few doors for him. Many of them asked the same question, "Why do you want to leave your current job?". I am not sure what he is saying, but he seems to get many no thank you's. Working for the Michael's clan has taken a toll, and even I'm looking for a different line of work. I attempted to join Ben Morgan's campaign, but he turned me down, saying he had another personal assistant. I found out about a week later that Ali was leaving to join the campaign, and sure enough, it was as his assistant. I felt TJ was freezing me out of everything when I turned down the offer to stay in the East Village.

"Hey babe, how was the interview?" I asked Mack as he strolled in.
"It went fairly well, considering it was with Darren's brother-in-law," Mack said, sitting opposite me. "He asked me point blank why I was leaving being a freelance nurse, and I told him I was looking for something different. We talked a while, and it came out why I am not getting any offers."
"Oh, TJ blacked listing you?" I asked.
"No, apparently no one is willing to come close to what TJ and Jackson have paid me over the last several years. He said that they couldn't even come close and would be under six figures," Mack said.
"We need to make money to buy the house," I said.
"Look, I know you don't feel that safe around the family given what's happened, but TJ has always protected us and made sure we were together and taken care of," Mack said.
"So, you're saying I should eat crow," I said, glaring at him.
"Babe, look, TJ has offered me a spot at The Shepard Center to run the medical unit taking care of the people who are there. I accepted the offer about an hour ago, and no, I won't reconsider," Mack said, growling the last part.

I didn't know what to think and got up and went to my room. I sat there thinking about all that had happened over the last year, losing my cousin and adopting her boys. Working for CC was such an honor, but TJ is no CC. When I reminisced about CC, I got a message that TJ set an appointment for 7:30 AM.

The following day, I arrived to find only TJ in the office.

"Good morning TJ," I said.
"Have a seat, Rory," TJ replied and sat at his desk. "It has come to my attention that you are not happy working here or for me. I had to make a tough decision, and this did not come lightly; I am immediately releasing you from your duties. You may pack your desk and go."
"I don't get to say anything," I asked.
"No, Rory, you don't. You've made it quite clear to Jackson, everyone here, and myself that you no longer want to be a team player, so what is there to say?" TJ asked.
"What am I going to do? No one will hire me." I asked, sounding desperate.
"This is something you really should have thought about, Rory. I understand you've had a lot of change in your life, but I've been nothing but patient, and the fact that you are trying to force Tristan and Xander apart is unforgivable," TJ said harshly.
"I have to look out for him," I said.
"Bull, you are looking out for yourself and only yourself. You and I have a lot in common, we both think we know what's right for people, and if you don't wake up as I have been, you're going to find yourself all alone," TJ said. "My last parting advice for you is to call Maxine over at Cosmo; she's expecting your call."

I never expected TJ to fire me. I went to my office, and all my personal effects were already boxed and waiting. I grabbed the cart and loaded my stuff, and headed down to the car that was waiting. I didn't know where to begin, and I had Maxine's number in my hand as TJ left it on my desk. I knew that Mack would be angry, and I needed to figure out how to smooth things over.

I arrived home to find a note:

Left with Tristan to a destination unknown.

Be back when I feel things are better.

Xander