Page 3 of The Only Time

My poor decisions have led to this moment where every member of the family is now affected. It’s not what I’m used to. I’m the fixer in the family. I’m the one my brothers come to when they need help with a problem. They all think they take care of the family, but underneath all their macho bravado is a sister who keeps them level-headed and fixes their mistakes. I’ve never been the reason for the chaos in the family.

I don’t like the feeling of it one bit.

I need to get home so I can pack. After I give everybody hugs, I hop into my car and do my best not to break down—that would be useless and a waste of energy. I need to be strong and resilient. Lucas insists on following me home and staying with me while I pack. I’ll be spending the night at his house again.

As I drive, I take in a deep breath, my body trembling on the intake as I hold in my desire to cry, then exhale it all away.

Hopefully, everyone is just overreacting to this, and it will all blow over in a couple of weeks. I’m sure Don will stop acting so crazy once he finds out how serious I am about him staying away.

Chapter Two

Eric

“I told you she was hot,” Adam jabs Jeremy as we walk back into our building after lunch.

Jeremy feigns injury. “I never said she wasn’t hot. I just don’t think she isthathot.”

“She’s a ten. I don’t know how he gets any work done,” Adam continues.

Once we’re in the elevator, I press the button for our floor and try to tune out their antics.

“Come on, Eric. Tell me you don’t think he’s crazy for hiring an assistant like that? How does he concentrate?” Adam forces me into the conversation.

I shrug my shoulders. “He probably doesn’t have the dick of a twelve-year-old who sports a boner at the sight of a pretty lady like you.”

Jeremy cracks up as Adam rolls his eyes at me. “Or maybe you’re just mad cuz you’ve become impotent at the ripe old age of thirty-two.”

“Whatever. I’ll catch you two later,” I say as the doors open.

I try not to let his jab grate on me as I take long strides to my office. He’s fucking wrong. I’m not impotent. I just don’t see the value in chasing after women who have the power to destroy you for fun or because of their own selfishness.

I’m talking from experience.

I’m not saying I don’t let loose once in a while with an attractive woman when I need to blow off some steam. But I’m always in control and know I won’t feel anything for her. And she always knows it’s just a one-night thing. I don’t lead anybody on. If they get false hope, that’s on them.

Just as I enter my office and sit down, my phone rings. It never ends at this job.

“Hello, Eric Williams,” I answer.

“Oh, thank God. You answered.”

“Layla? Is everything okay?” I ask as I sit up straight.

“No, it’s not okay. Remember me telling you about my friend Mia?

I vaguely remember when Layla basically told me a friend of hers might need to get away and she’d be staying with me. I put it out of my mind, thinking nothing would come of it.

“I guess. Sort of,” I say reluctantly.

“Well, she needs to come stay with you.”That was fast.

My entire body stiffens. This is not what I need right now. Work is kicking my ass with this new acquisition I’ve just been assigned to. One of my sister’s random friends bothering me and taking up my space in my own home isn’t going to help.

“I didn’t think you were entirely serious about that, Layla. I don’t even know this woman.”

“Of course I was serious. I already told her you were okay with it, so you can’t back out now. She really needs this right now.”

I push my shoulders back as I try to work out the mounting tension. “But it’s weird. Why does she need a place to crash? Did she lose a job or something? Is this some crazy irresponsible chick who’s going to mooch off of me?”

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