Page 23 of Destroyed

Sebastian suddenly barrels through my office door. “I need you to watch Corrine on Friday.”

“Wait what? No.” I respond quickly. I flashback to my drunken phone call to her last night where I think I rambled on for at least five minutes. I don’t remember what the fuck I said. All I know is she ended up hanging up on me.

I have managed to avoid that temptation of a woman for weeks now and suddenly I get trashed and decide to call her. I must really have fucking brain damage.

“Yes,” Sebastian says, jarring me out of my thoughts.

“What about Jonathan and Jamison?” I ask desperately.

“They are busy with a case. And before you ask, Andre has already gone back overseas. She can’t be left alone. I want to take Riley away for a night. She won’t have any fun if she knows her sister isn’t safe. This isn’t a negotiation Xavier. I need Riley to myself for a bit. Get your shit together. You were fucking that woman for months. I don’t care if you don’t remember. You can’t wallow in your sorrows forever. I’m done sharing my wife with her sister right now. I need this,” he says glaring at me.

He turns around and stalks out my door without closing it. I look down at my phone again, still stuck on my mother’s message. “Fuck,” I say out loud, realizing I’m going to have to bring Corrine to my family dinner. This could not get any worse.

Me:Sorry, busy with loads of meetings. I’m overloaded with so many cases this week but I’ll be there. I’m bringing someone.

I hit send, and not even two seconds go by before a ping comes through.

Mom:Oh, a female friend? Someone special? Is it the girl you were seeing before your accident? What does she like to eat? Is she allergic to anything? I can’t wait to see you both!

Me: Just a friend mother.

I respond more bluntly than I should and close out the message app on my phone.

Another ping comes in but my head hurts way too damn much to pick it up. Grabbing my keys, I walk out the door andtowards the elevators. “I’m done for the day,” I call out to no one in particular but I know the assistants in the office will hear me.

I breathe a sigh of relief when I make it home, and before I know it, I’m a few Gin and Tonics and a couple of Xanaxs deep. Thankfully, I passed out before making any more embarrassing phone calls.

Chapter 18

Xavier

Friday morning rolls around and I’m in my kitchen fixing a cup of coffee when my phone rings.

“Well, hello Romeo,” Jonathan’s voice comes on the line. How are you this morning? Are you ready for your rendezvous with Juliet?”

“Fuck off,” I reply calmly, “What do you want?” I know this asshole is goading me right now because he’s still pissed off from last weekend.

His voice softens for a second. “No really Xavier, you gonna be okay? Sorry man but Jamison and I have to take care of some shit.”

“I'll be fine. “ I say stirring in my creamer. “ I have all day to prepare for this shitshow.”

Jamison snickers, causing my eyes to narrow. “Sebastian didn’t tell you, did he?”

“Didn't tell me what?”

“Well, umm, Riley and him are leaving this morning.”

“Fuck,” I say out loud. Sweat breaks out on my forehead. “How much time do I have?" Before he can respond, the front door chimes.

“Well. Nice talking to you. Don’t kill each other!” He laughs and hangs up.

The door chimes again. Maybe I can ignore it and pretend I’m not home.

I hear keys jangle in the door. How the fu…

My door swings open, and Sebastian stands in the middle of it, his face plastered with the most ridiculous fake smile.

“Hey bud,” he says as Riley and her sister walk past me to the living room. Once they pass and are out of earshot, he leans in, the smile falling from his face. “Don’t fuck this up for me Xavier or I swear I will spoon out your eyes so you can never watch another fucking porn session again.”

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