The Gargoyle from General Management (Claws & Cubicles, #3)

by Kate Prior

“Why does being a team player have to mean ignoring my discomfort? Doesn't seem like a good team to be on.”

“First of all,” I punctuate with the glass clacking against the bar, “it's part of an unsustainable and expensive business culture. Burnout is real, and not taking care of people's needs means more turnover. Making things more fair with flexible scheduling and need-based accommodations helps you keep your best people.” He holds my stare through every word I throw at him. Is it getting hot in this room, or just my clothes? “Second of all, it's more expensive to hire and train new people to standard than it is to keep your best people.”

“I don't know if you fully grasp how primal the need for a shiny, little sticker runs.”

“It’s easy for companies to claim that everyone who works together is like family, to decide that if we say we’re a close-knit group, that we’ll be one,” I offer, nodding along. I swallow, hoping to take this back to something a little easier for him to talk about. “But it's rare that it means anything.”

“When. You. Fuck. Me. I want you to leave me broken and crying for more.”

“I can see the way you keep hiding bits of yourself away so that people won't hurt you, but you deprive yourself of the chance to be appreciated. You have so much to express, and you won’t let anyone see it.”

“The blowjob bruise.”

Being weird seems to have been the one thing that's really ended up working for me, anyway. And if there's a better way to express how deeply devoted and loving you feel towards someone than being weird in his general direction, well, then, I wouldn't know about it.

“Do you think if you make it harder for people to love you, and they're still there, that will prove to you finally that you're worthy of being loved?”