Page 37 of Whispered Sins

“I didn’t get much sleep.” I shrugged.

It was partly true. Partly a lie. I hadn’t been sleeping very well, but I also hadn’t been able to focus on work or anything since Addison had dropped that bomb on me.

“And what was your excuse yesterday? And the day before?” he asked.

“You know me. I’ve just been having fun.”

“Really? Because I haven’t seen you in the tabloids…”

“That’s a good thing,” I said defensively.

“Yeah, well, I’ve also run into Freddy a few times, and he said you’d been declining his calls.”

I could see he wasn’t letting this go. I had to come up with something, but I didn’t want to share the news of me possibly being a father with my brother, or Freddy, or anyone. Not until I had everything figured everything out.

“Maybe I’m seeing someone,” I lied. “Can you get back to minding your business?”

Brody raised a skeptical eyebrow. “Fine, as long as you get your damn head in the game. You’ve missed deadlines, shown up late for meetings, and everything I’m saying is going in one ear and out the other.”

“What the hell? Are you keeping tabs on me?”

“Someone has to.”

I was annoyed, but he was right. I had to get my head on straight, especially for today’s board meeting with our shareholders. When did Brody become the sensible one?

“Okay,” I said. “I’m here.”

Brody gave me an affirmative nod before sliding over a stack of papers. I looked through them and hopelessly tried to focus, or at least look like I was.

I couldn’t go on like this much longer when my company’s reputation was at stake—I had to talk to Addison and know what was going on. I hated how we had left things after our phone call and I’d been kicking myself for how I had responded ever since.

For the past two weeks, I had tried emailing and calling, but she ignored my emails and calls. I knew I had hurt her by questioning her and my legitimacy as the father. I just panicked. It didn’t seem real, so I questioned it, and insulted her in the end.

Deep down, I felt like I knew what kind of girl Addison was. That was what drew me to her. She was different. Driven. Caring. Had no idea who I was, and I wasn’t sure she cared. She didn’t seem like the type to sleep around. I was a one-off. I got lucky. But now I had to fix things, especially considering I might be a father.

“The goals for the upcoming year look good. Have any of the shareholders raised any concerns?” I said, stacking the papers neatly and handing them back to Brody.

“Not that I know of, but you never know what they could spring on us today.”

I nodded. “We’ll be ready.”

And I prayed we would be.

I checked my watch. The meeting was to start in just a few minutes.

“We better head to the meeting room,” I said, standing from my chair.

Before following Brody out of the door, I refreshed my inbox in hopes there would be something from Addison. I made another attempt to get hold of her this morning, but there was nothing from her.

The board meeting went surprisingly well. The shareholders had no real concerns. Maybe it was because my face hadn’t been splashed over the morning papers in a while, or the fact that the paparazzi had become bored with me. I had to admit it was a nice change for me, even though it also meant I wasn’t getting laid.

I was impressed with Brody and how he came prepared. For how much I doubted my little brother sometimes, I never forgot why he was COO. I should have a little more faith in him.

After the meeting, Brody slapped me on the back enthusiastically. “That went really well, bro,” he said.

“Until next year,” I said.

“We should celebrate! Maybe head to Bemelman’s for lunch?”

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