Page 94 of Redemption

I smoothed my hand down my thigh, preparing myself to say the words that would throw my life into a tailspin. “I’d like to tender my resignation effective as of the end of this trip.”

“Not accepted. Next.”

I chuckled, eager to keep things light as I delivered the bad news. “Vaughn, I’m serious. I’m resigning from Hudson, and I won’t be accepting payment for this assignment.”

I had more than enough money in the bank. I’d always lived frugally and saved and invested heavily. I’d be okay until I landed on my feet again.

“What?” he blurted. “Why the hell would you do that?” And then he went silent before he said, “Aw. Shit. You slept with her, didn’t you? Please tell me I’m wrong. I’m wrong, right?”

When I didn’t respond, he asked, “Why?” And I knew he wasn’t asking why I’d slept with Sloan but rather why I was doing this.

I could remember Sloan asking me that same thing years ago.

“Why are you doing this?” Sloan begged, tears streaking down her face.

I said nothing. What could I say? I loved her, but this couldn’t continue. For all our sakes.

So, when Hudson had offered me the job in Los Angeles, I’d taken it. I’d accepted, even knowing it would break Sloan’s heart. Break my own.

She gripped my shirt, clinging to me. And then she pushed me away. “I don’t understand. Why didn’t you talk to me? Why didn’t you tell me what was going on?”

Because you would’ve wanted to go with me.

“Because I don’t want you to make decisions about your future based on me.”

She reeled back as if I’d slapped her. “You…what?”

“Come on, Sloan. You’re about to graduate. You’ve got your whole life ahead of you. You?—”

“How dare you,” she seethed. “How dare you presume to make decisions for me and my future without consulting me.” She turned away. “You’re no better than my family.”

“Jackson?” Vaughn asked. “You still there?”

I was taking a gamble—quitting my job in the hopes that Sloan would realize she meant more to me than anything. Words were one thing. Actions were another. As my dad would always say, “Acta non verba.”

Despite the fact that I was quitting my job—a job I loved and excelled at—I thought my dad would be proud of my decision. He’d been devoted to my mom. And he’d always put family first. I knew he’d understand my choice, even if not everyone else would.

“Yeah,” I said. “I’m still here.”

“You’ve always followed the rules. Why would you do this? You’re on the precipice of everything you’ve worked for. Everything we’ve worked for.”

I knew I was letting him down, and I hated that. I’d not only broken the rules, I’d upset his plans. And disappointed someone who’d mentored me and given me a second chance.

Finally, I said, “Because I love her.”

“Love her or the lifestyle she can offer you?”

I would never expect Sloan to pay my way. I would never take advantage of her. And for him to even say that…

“Take that back.” I bit out the words.

The line went quiet, then he finally said, “You’re right. That’s not you, but I find it hard to believe that you’d throw away your promotion, your career, for a woman.”

“Vaughn.” I clenched my teeth, not wanting to get into it. “She’s my past, my present, and my future. Nothing matters more than Sloan.”

“Well, shit.” I could imagine him leaning back in his chair and staring at the LA skyline. He let out a deep sigh, and I didn’t know what to expect. Clearly, he was disappointed, but there was nothing I could do about that. What was done was done.

I rolled my eyes, thinking of Sloan’s suggested tattoo.

---