“You’re going to find out really fucking quick that you actually do.”
She ignored my warning. “So what? Yesterday didn’t happen? I’m supposed to pretend like your dick wasn’t in my mouth? How about everything you said to me? Am I supposed to forget that too?”
“Last night was between two consensual adults. Whatever I said was in the heat of the moment. Now knowing who you are, there’s no way in hell I’m ever going there with you again.”
I had to draw the line. It was pointless to lead her on in anyway other than me looking out for her. I wouldn’t lose control with her again, and she needed to understand that. The man she met was long gone. The only thing that was left of him was my guilty conscience.
Shoving away the memories of her, I admitted, “I don’t want to hurt you, but your brother means more to me than you.”
She grimaced, making me feel like an even bigger piece of shit.
“I’m such an idiot. I should have known better than to trust you. Men are all the same. Thanks for reminding me of that.”
“Darlin’—”
“No! You don’t get to call me that. I don’t ever want to see you again.”
“You don’t have a choice. I already promised your brother, so, darlin’, get used to my presence in your life because I’m not going anywhere.”
“We’ll see about that.” Slowly, she stepped back. “Tell Jax I had a migraine and had to leave, but the truth is, I can’t look at you anymore. You might be able to pretend like you didn’t feel everything I did yesterday, but I’m not as great of a liar as you are.”
There was nothing I could say that could change the outcome of this day. This was just how things between us needed to stay. If she wanted to hate me, that was her problem. I made a promise to my best friend that I would be there for her regardless.
Adding the final nail to my coffin, I demanded, “I want my hoodie before you go,” referring to the one she was wearing.
Shaking her head in disbelief at my cold demeanor, she pulled it off and threw it at me, and I caught it midair. Right when she opened the door to leave, I couldn’t help myself in stressing…
“You’re my responsibility now.”
Meaning every last word.
Chapter 10
Evie
Now: One month later
“Hello,” I answered the phone in my office.
“Evie, I’m so sorry to do this to you,” my office manager, Khloe, informed. “We have a very disgruntled client who is demanding to speak to you.”
For the last five years, I’d owned a recruiting agency, and this didn’t happen often. Our clients were always satisfied and pleased with our referrals. We only worked with reliable, professional people who wanted a job in whatever field a client was looking for. My company prided itself on the success we had with our recruits.
Despite wanting to do this on my own, Jax recommended me to all of his friends and teammates. From the start of my business, we had athletes, celebrities, entrepreneurs—you name it, and we had them as a client.
The first year alone, my agency grossed over ten million. I relocated my company about a month ago, moving from Atlanta back to Fort Worth, Texas. I wanted to be close to Jax and his new family. Especially now that they wanted a fleet of kids.
All my employees moved with me, which spoke highly of my organization. I treated my staff like family. I was a firm believer in taking care of my employees, and in return they’d do the same for me.
To hear a client was upset didn’t sit well with me.
“What happened?”
“We’ve been working with this client for the last three months. Every nanny we’ve sent him has been fired within the first few days of working at his home. They all report back saying he’s a miserable, grumpy asshole and that they couldn’t do anything right. They were constantly getting yelled at by him. He’s super OCD about his kids’ schedules. About what they need to be eating, watching, etc. You name it and it’s been an issue, Evie. It’s just been one thing after another with this man.”
“How many nannies have we sent him?”
“He just fired the fifteenth nanny.”
“Fifteen?” I exclaimed. “That’s insane.”
“Tell me about it. And the problem isn’t with the recruits we’re sending. Everyone is highly qualified with several recommendations from our elite clients. It’s ridiculous. Usually, I’ve been able to deal with this man over the phone, but today he showed up out of nowhere. And let me tell you, Evie, he’s an absolute control freak, who wouldn’t be happy if we sent him Mary Poppins herself!”
“Where is he now?”
“In my office. I’m using the phone in the lunch room. He wouldn’t leave until he spoke to you. He’s yelled at everyone, including me. He needs a new nanny by tomorrow. He’s flying to Spain with his kids for his business opening there and is demanding a new nanny or else. The problem is we don’t have anyone left. He’s fired them all. The worst part is he’s not taking any accountability. Per our contract with him, he says it’s our responsibility to fulfill his needs and we have yet to do so.”