Even though I was nothing fucking like him.
And the worst of it was that I could never let her know that my thoughts went there. That I wanted her to be at my side through all of it. We’d drawn the line in the sand. It was better that we kept it exactly where it was.
14
Chase
October
“Did you hear me, Chase?” Ashleigh asked.
I glanced up at my sister over the edge of my computer screen. I’d zoned out again with her diatribe. I’d taken a bigger role in the company, stepped right into my father’s shoes, and gained my sister as an unwanted accomplice.
“Ash, I really don’t want to deal with this right now.”
She rolled her eyes. “These are important topics. We need to be on board.”
“Just handle it,” I snarled.
Ashleigh jerked to her feet. “I never thought you’d be worse than Dad.”
“Go talk to him then.” I gestured down the hall.
“He’s busy,” she whined.
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “It’s been a long day. It’s Halloween. We shouldn’t even still be here. Don’t you have a party to attend or something?”
“Obviously. We’re both supposed to be at that charity ball in two hours. Tell me you didn’t forget.”
I’d forgotten.
“Of course not.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m sending you the invite again. What are you dressing as? You have to be in costume.”
“I was just going to wear a suit.”
She sighed heavily through her nose. “I did not sign up for being your personal assistant. I’ll have something sent to your house as well.”
“You’re not my assistant.”
“Whatever,” she said dismissively. She snapped her iPad case over the screen. “It’s already done.”
I waved her off as my phone dinged. A smile spread on my lips when I saw the text from Harley, which included a picture of her pointing at a plethora of alcohol.
Think I can go twenty one for twenty one tonight?
“God, who is she?” Ashleigh asked.
My head snapped up. “Who is who?”
“The girl you’re always messaging. I’m not stupid. I can tell you’re seeing someone.”
“I’m not seeing someone.”
Ashleigh leaned her hot-pink-clad hip against my desk. “Brother of mine, do I look like an idiot?”
“Do you want an honest answer?”