Page 116 of I Blame the Club

I raise a brow, pulling my phone out of my pocket, “Why would I waste time choosing a different one?”

"There are so many things wrong with that answer. The first being you're a sad, old man." I shoot him a glare but Nico blows it off with a smirk, "Good thing you have a hot young stud who can change it for you tonight."

"You're ridiculous."

"You love it."

Ignoring him, I glance down at my phone and freeze when I see the name of the caller. My stomach drops as I press accept and mentally steel myself for an unpleasant conversation.

“Father.”

“Maurice.” There’s a beat of silence and I hear papers shuffling in the background, “I called to let you know your contract for an extension has been approved.”

I blink once, twice, thinking maybe I misheard him. Nico widens his eyes at me, the question in his eyes the same one that’s running through my head.

“What changed your mind?”

Jonathan sighs, “It would be inconvenient for all those years of training to go to waste.”

Holding back a disappointed sigh, I give Nico the smallest shake of my head.

“I see.”

My father clears his throat, his discomfort echoing down the line, “Along with your contract approval, I’ve decided to accept this new… relationship of yours. It’s what Charlotte would have wanted.”

Nico gives me a thumbs up and I roll my eyes.

“The gesture is appreciated, father.” I pause, scanning my boyfriend’s face for the answer I’m looking for, “But the thing is, I don’t want to work for you anymore.”

A slow smile spreads across Nico’s face and it’s all the motivation I need to keep going, “Consider this my official resignation. I’ll send the paperwork this evening.”

There's a brief silence before a harsh voice returns, “Think about what you’re saying, Maurice. You’re throwing away a remarkable income as well as a promising future.”

“No Jonathan. I’m throwing away the future you laid out for me. If you want to be a part of my life, it will have to be as my father and not my employer.”

Angry words fly down the line but I press end before they have a chance to register. Tucking my phone back in my pocket, I turn to see Nico grinning at me.

“Babe, that was fucking hot. How do you feel right now?”

I stare back at him, my face breaking into a wide smile.

“I’m finally free.”

Nico

Lacey leans closer, her lips pursed in concentration.

“Stop moving.”

“I’m not moving!”

She lifts a delicate brow, “How can you not be moving if you’re speaking?”

I huff, falling silent and letting her finish my eyeliner. For someone who rarely wears makeup, Lacey has the hand of an artist when it comes to application.

She pulls away, squinting at my eyelids so I give her a flutter.

“How do I look?”

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