Page 62 of Billion Dollar Dispute

I run a hand through my hair making it flop over my eye.

“Maybe dye your hair and she’ll find you attractive.”

“Fuck off, dickhead,” I shout to Oliver.

I’ve caught her eyes lingering on me multiple times, so there must be something she likes.

“Where’s the ex?” Evan cuts in, reminding me I haven’t answered him.

“In jail.”

“What for?” Evan probes, while the others eat chips or sip their drinks in silence.

“Drugs,” I reply, letting the word hang heavy in the air like a bad smell.

“Fuck,” Gabino murmurs.

Nodding, I continue, “She’s got a lot of debt from him. I’m helping her turn the business around, but I discovered one of her family friends was embezzling.”

“Shit,” Evan mutters.

“You call the cops?” Richard asks.

“No, I paid him off,” I explain.

“Fuck,” Evan spits, clearly disapproving my decision, but it’s already done.

“Have you told Jemima?” Oliver asks, rubbing the back of his neck.

I shake my head, determined to keep the progress Jemima and I have made. She’s finally letting her guard down, and the last thing I want is for her to shut me out again. “No, I don’t plan to. She’s happy right now; no need to upset her.”

“I would,” Jeremy chimes in.

“I don’t give a fuck what you’d do. You don’t know her like I do,” I snap without thinking.

“Jeez, calm down.” Jeremy laughs. “Just making a suggestion.”

“Everyone needs more drinks,” I say, trying to regain my composure.

Why is Jemima such a touchy subject for me?

“I can’t,” Lukas says. “Emmy hasn’t been sleeping, so I’ve been taking the night shift.”

Normally, kids disrupting someone's life would annoy me, but I find myself sticking up for Lukas.

“This is why I won’t have kids any time soon,” Oliver remarks, his back turned to the group as he pours more drinks.

“They’re not that bad,” I counter.

“Oh, look out, incoming stepfather,” Oliver teases, glancing over his shoulder with a grin.

My gaze shoots across to Oliver, and I glare at his smug face. “Shut the fuck up.”

No one is being a stepfather. Just because my views on children have changed doesn’t mean my goals have.

“What am I missing?” Jeremy asks, his gaze darting between us.

I won’t allow Oliver to get in first, so I say, “Nothing. Oliver’s making shit up again.”

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