I scowl at him, stretching my legs out in front of me, trying to ease the burn. I had run a little too far the other day out of frustration and forgot that meant I had to runback.My trainer wasnotpleased with me when I called to let him know.
“I don’t want to talk about it anymore,” I mumble, sinking into my seat. “You guys want to go to the bar?”
Owen and Emmett share a look I can’t quite place, and Owen picks up his phone. It reminds me that we have to talk about official figures soon. He’s decided he wants to buy my sister’s place next door from me. Although I’ve been on my best behavior when it comes to not storming in on them, he thinks that it’ll be good for them. But I think he just doesn’t want to owe me rent.
I may charge my sister barely anything, but I know what that asshole makes.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Owen says, typing out a text.
“Why?”
“Leo you’ve gotten in trouble every single time you’ve gone out since the Super Bowl. I don’t understand how you don’t think something is wrong.”
Fine.
Feeling particularly bitchy, I get up with a groan, collecting our plates before heading to the kitchen.
A knock at the door has me looking at the guys, trying to figure out who we’re expecting.
“I think Isla was going to stop by on her way home from her showing,” Owen says, turning toward me from his place on the couch.
Emmett pauses his game, curious as well. He’s a man of little words. I should learn a thing or two from him.
“Come in!” I yell. If it’s my sister, she has a key.
But it’s not my sister.
And I should have known.
“Leo. Warner. Why thefuckam I getting a call from your PR agency telling me they need you to sign some paperwork?”
The second her voice thunders through my place, I know I’m fucked.
Owen’s entire body freezes, his shoulders back as his head lifts slowly, his eyes narrowed.
“Are you going to answer me?” she asks, finally entering the room.
The small blonde has her hand on her hip, her phone in her other hand waving around in my face.
“Uhh,” I say sheepishly, wincing as my gaze flickers to Owen.
Briar Crosby freezes. Her eyes wide, her head turns to meet her brother’s.
Her brother, my best friend.
Her brother, who had no idea I had hired her as my assistant.
Her brother, who’s looking at me like he wants to pummel me into the ground.
I think he needs to get in line.
1
BRIAR
Four weeks earlier
“I can’t take her. I have a really important meeting tonight.”