Inviting people from work

Jason drove into work both eagerly anticipating inviting people to this barbecue and dreading that once invited the plan would have to go ahead, and he would actually have to host a barbecue. Jason figured that he would invite everyone from the office to maximise people as he wanted his wife to make friends and in the small office everyone Jason got on with and thought was great. Well everyone except one person his boss Ray, Jason had been brought to this branch because it was underperforming and from day one it was clear to Jason it was due to bad management, Ray was arrogant, so assured of himself and his negligence had meant it wasn't uncommon for tasks to be dropped on workers with unreasonable deadlines as he forgot to brief them or did it incorrectly. In fact 90% of Jason's job currently was either doing Ray's job for him or cleaning up after Ray did his job to a substandard level, Jason wished he could not invite him but he knew if he invited the whole office Ray would find out and Ray was a person who would be spiteful enough to take it personally and Ray already made enough work for Jason when he wasn't purposely fucking him over.

Throughout the day Jason visited most of the office, telling them about the barbecue he was throwing and telling them to bring their significant others, a few declined but the majority had said yes and Jason was feeling very confident that this would work out great. He texted Lily at lunchtime to let her know the good news, Lily replied enthusiastically and Jason felt great, it was probably the first time since they had moved that his wife was visibly excited.

It was near the end of the day that Jason walked to Ray's office, Jason knocked on the door, "Come in" Ray's deep voice announced, "was wondering if you'd pay me a visit, been talk'o the office your little barbecue, was starting to think I wasn't invited" Ray says in his southern tones with a smile "if only you knew how close you were to the truth" Jason thinks as he sits in the uncomfortable office chair opposite Ray. "Of course not sir, I was just saving best for last" Jason says, his insincere flattery making Ray's smile even wider, "however don't feel like you have to come I know how busy you are" Jason continues hoping that Ray would be busy and wouldn't be able to make it. "The 20th right?" Ray says inquiring about the date he had planned, "yes sir" Jason says hoping Ray would be busy, "I'm free as bird that weekend and I'd love to come, might be interesting seeing how you handle a barbecue city boy" Ray says with his usual cocky smirk. Jason rolls his eyes at his comment but makes no response letting Ray have his moment, Ray dismisses Jason and Jason returns to the office his day now ruined by the fact that his asshole boss was coming to that Barbecue.