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“Don’t see how you figure that,” Ryan muttered back, defeated. “I’ve never seen him so angry.”
“Ah, but he did not fire us on the spot,” Andy insisted. “I expected it.”
“That’s ‘cause he was too busy trying to calm the diva. By tomorrow morning I’ll be in the line at the temp agency with Dorian.”
“And Nadia,” Dorian said. “She joined me today.”
“Great. Then the three of us can be unemployed musketeers together.”
“I bear as much of the responsibility as you,” Andy said, frowning. “If anything, he would fire us both.”
Ryan accepted his new drink—a whiskey sour—from Dorian, then gestured with it. “You’ll keep your job because you’re going to blame me.”
Andy blinked rapidly, like he was staring at a bright light. “What? Ryan, I would never throw you under the bus.”
“But you should,” Ryan insisted. “Because I’m going to tell him it was all my fault.”
“I… pardon?”
“Dude,” Braden said to Ryan. “You can’t do that.”
“Why not? It’s bullshit that we’re both going to lose our jobs tomorrow. I can lean into it and save yours. You can pay me back by buying me lunch sometime.”
“A sandwich from the deli will hardly cover such a selfless act,” Andy said seriously.
“Two sandwiches, perhaps?” Dorian chimed in, smiling around the table. Nobody joined him.
“Bro,” Ryan said. “I’m going to tell Atkins that it was my fault, whether you want me to or not. So you might as well take advantage of the situation.”
“Let’s discuss this in the morning. When you’re of clearer mind.”
Ryan leaned back in his chair. The muscles in his shoulders rolled as he spread his arms. “Who doesn’t have a clear head? I see everything as clear as crystal.”
“What’s our new roommate think?” Braden asked.
Four sets of handsome eyes swung in my direction.
“Oh, I don’t know,” I managed to get out. “It’s a shitty situation. There’s no easy way out.”
“That’s a wishy washy answer,” Ryan said. “Tell us what you really think. What if it was you and one of your girl friends?”
I don’t have girl friends, I thought. But I had a feeling trying to change the subject with that comment wouldn’t work.
“I agree with Ryan,” I finally said.
Ryan reached across the table, grabbed my hand, and lifted it in the air like I was the boxing champion. “Aww yeah! I knew she was a keeper!”
“Care to elaborate?” Andy asked, his expression suddenly cold.
“Tatiana’s going to make a stink about this,” I said. “Her grandfather is the mysterious producer who is bankrolling the show, right? You just know she’s going to tell him all about this. It’s not the first incident—whether your fault or not. Director Atkins is going to have to make an example out of someone. Ryan’s job is probably as good as gone. But he has an opportunity to accept the full responsibility, saving one of his friends. If I had the chance to jump on a grenade for one of my best friends, I’d absolutely take it. Especially if I was already screwed.”
“I take back all my reservations about our arrangement,” Ryan declared. “You’re my new favorite roommate.”
Andy didn’t look happy about it, but I could see the gears grinding in his head. Finally, he nodded. “I suppose the logic is sound. However, I do not want you accepting blame until you have actually been fired. No preemptive sacrifices.”
Ryan slapped the table. “You’ve got yourself a deal.”
“Enough business,” Braden said. “How about we play a game to relax, like we originally intended?”
