Page 70 of The Bossy Billionaire

“You look like fucking shit,” he spits out.

“I feel like shit,” I say, and his eyes remain wild, staring at me.

“You have five fucking minutes to tell me why my sister is so heartbroken before I fucking break your nose.”

“Come on. Let’s talk,” I say, flicking my head to the empty fire pit down near my house as the chopper blades slow to a stop and the ranch is quiet again.

“Four fucking minutes and counting.” Walking past me, checking me with his shoulder on the way past, I follow him, feeling more like a piece of shit than I did five minutes ago. But not because of the hit. Because he told me I broke Lucy’s heart. I knew I wasn’t worthy. Not of something as precious as his sister.

“What the absolute fuck have you done?” I expected him to be upset about Amy’s arrival, especially since I am with Lucy, but he is livid. He doesn’t let me talk before he continues. “Are you with Amy now?” Harrison yells, and I feel tense in my shoulders. Why does he think I am with Amy?

“Fuck no. I spoke to her for half an hour the other night, and then she left, and I haven’t seen her since,” I tell him as I start to pace, the two of us too riled up to take a seat.

“She isn’t here with you at Whispers?” he asks tentatively and suspiciously, looking around for any evidence. He stands tall in front of me, his body stiff.

“No. I left her, put Lucy to bed, got drunk on Whiteman’s in my den. When I woke the next morning, Lucy was gone. Your brothers came and got her before I even woke up. I knew I had let her down and that she was upset Amy was back. Amy dropped a bomb on me, so I jetted here to talk with Mom and Dad about a few things.”

“So you are a father?” Harrison asks me, drilling me with his eyes, and I pull back, shocked.

“No. I am not a father,” I spit out, still angry over it all.

“Don’t you and Amy have a child together?” Harrison asks, now seemingly confused.

“No. Amy was pregnant. Didn’t tell me. Ran off, got an abortion, and then never came back.” Repeating it is only making me more upset.

“You didn’t know about the abortion?” Harrison asks again.

“No, I didn’t fucking know,” I say, slumping in a chair, feeling the fight leaving me.

“And you are not with Amy now?” Harrison asks again, his hands on his hips like he doesn’t believe me.

“No. I want nothing to do with her. But she said some things…” I say, thinking about her words.

“What?” Harrison barks, his eyes thinning. He is on the edge. I can tell he wants to throw another punch, and I don’t blame him.

“Said that I was never there for her. Said that I was too busy chasing work, that I was a bad boyfriend. Got me thinking that maybe I am not good for Lucy,” I tell him, my heart hurting, struggling with the loss of what I had started to picture as my future. Her.

“Under fucking statement of the fucking decade.” Harrison shakes his head, shooting me a glare. “Why haven’t you called her?” he asks again as he starts to pace. He is going to be the winner in any upcoming debates he has for the presidential campaign, I already know it.

“I don’t think she wants to talk to me. And I just needed a few days to sort shit out,” I tell him honestly. He is my best friend. I can’t lie to him.

“So you are not with Amy?” Harrison repeats, and I see his jaw pop, like he is waiting to catch me in a lie.

“Fuck no. I can’t believe I ever was. She isn’t the one I want to marry. Lucy is.” I roll my shoulders and grit my teeth, hearing the words out loud. Lucy is the one. She is the only one for me.

“What the fuck did you just say?” Harrison's voice is violent as he barks down at me. Taking a step in my direction, it looks like he’s ready to throw a punch again.

“I want to marry Lucy,” I tell him firmly, laying myself bare. Standing in front of him, I wait for his fist. But I don’t back down. I would do anything for Lucy, including sacrifice my friendship with Harrison.

“Are you telling me or fucking asking my permission?” Harrison barks, his hands fisting, and I swallow hard as my palms sweat. Fuck, I am asking permission. I want to marry Lucy.

“Both. Harrison, I love your sister. She means the world to me, and I want to do this right. May I have your permission to ask her to marry me?” I ask the question I never in a million years thought I would ask my best friend. Lucy doesn’t have a father; Harrison being the eldest is the closest person to fill that role.

“Where will you live?” he asks, his voice no longer biting, but it isn’t lost on me that he still hasn’t said yes.

“Baltimore.” It is a no-brainer. I would move to the other side of the earth for her.

“At the shop?” Harrison pushes, his eyes burning into my face, watching my every move.

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