Page 102 of Vow to Hate You

My jaw clenched as my impatience bubbled. “What does that mean?”

“I’ll let her explain,” she said, reaching for her drink on the table in front of her.

“Where is she?”

“She’ll be here soon.”

I swiped a hand down my face. “Charlotte. Please, just tell me where she is.”

Her eyes met mine. “Do you trust her?”

“Yes,” I answered. “But I want to know?—”

“She’s going to tell you,” Charlotte interrupted, standing up to keep her next words between us. “I’m the only one who knows about this, and she’s finally ready to tell you. So don’t mess it up.”

My eyes widened slightly at her sharp tone. “So I’m just supposed to wait?”

She grinned. “Yes.”

I bit my tongue, swallowing my annoyance. Pulling my phone out, I called Talie, only to get sent to her voicemail. Grumbling under my breath, I slid it back into my jacket pocket.

“I’ll get a round of drinks,” Rhyett said, catching the attention of a woman who was carrying an empty tray.

“Charlotte’s busy for the night. You can go.” Ash dismissed the guy who’d been talking to Charlotte as he continued to sit on the couch. He stared at Ash before swinging his gaze toward Charlotte with a frown on his face.

She sighed. “I’ll see you in class, Collin.”

Once he got up and stormed away, I sat down next to Ash, and Charlotte took the spot on the other side of me. My gaze darted around as I waited for Talie to show up. Now, I was more confused than anything. It wasn’t possible she worked here. If she wasn’t home with me, then she was at my club. Nights like this, when she was with Charlotte, were the only times I didn’t know where she was.

“Don’t look so stressed,” Charlotte said before taking a sip of her mixed drink. “She’s not doing anything bad.”

“Then why hasn’t she told me?”

“She was working up to it. But you’ll know tonight.” She turned to look at me. “And if you don’t side with her on this, you’ll lose her.”

I frowned. “What?”

“She wants acareer, Damian. If our father finds out, then he’ll try to put a stop to it. It’s your job to support her.” She scoffed. “You might be happy working with the family business, but she doesn’t have that option, even if she wanted it.”

With a chuckle, I leaned closer. “You think I’m happy working with my dad? Want to hear one of my secrets?”

She shot me a questioning look. “Sure.”

“How did you like your time at Club Facade?”

Shock flared on her face before she shook her head. “Talie told you about my birthday?”

“She didn’t need to tell me. The club you went to? I own it.”

She stared at me in stunned silence. Ash rested his elbows on his knees, looking past her to grin at me.

“Are we making it public knowledge now?” he asked.

“She’s family and knows how to keep a secret. Don’t you?”

Her eyes narrowed. “That’s how you knew Talie came home? Because I chose to go to your club?”

Shit.Talie had been home so long, I’d forgotten she’d come home on Charlotte’s birthday. A small amount of guilt pestered me, but I shook it off.

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