Page 125 of Playing With Secrets
HUNTER
“Jonah,figure it out. I can’t be a part of it.” I roll my eyes at my brother's request.
“Why? Give me one reason and don’t tell me it’s because of Ava. I see how you look at her. You’re faking it with her. Why, I’ll never know.” He meanders over to the beverage station in my office.
“It’s late, so don’t even think of pouring a drink. I’ve got to get out of here.” I stride over to my closet and grab my coat.
My conversation with Joe rings in my ear. I’ve got to figure out how to get out of my agreement with Ava. If I don’t, I worry about what will happen.
It’s clear she’s threatening me with the pictures of Dorothy and me together. If they get to the board, she’ll lose her job. There’s no saying if my position here is safe, either. Dread fills my insides.
Does Jonah still have his betting chip?
He was younger when that happened, so he might not remember. I want to ask, but bringing him into it is risky if my mother doesn’t want him involved.
He pours himself a drink, anyway. “Christmas is a littleover a week away. Go with me to the ball and you can count that as your gift to me.”
“I already have your present, so going with you to some Christmas ball is out of the question.” I toss my coat on the couch.
He sits and crosses his leg, resting it on his knee. “What if I told you Dori will be there?”
Dori?
The edge of my eyes bunch up as I shake my head. “How long have you called her Dori?”
“Since the day I met her.” He swirls his scotch and takes a drink.
“Really? I could’ve sworn you always called her Dorothy.” I return to my desk to gather the belongings I need.
“No. You’re the only one who calls her Dorothy.” He laughs quietly.
“What? Do you have something to say?”
“Oh, it’s just a stupid rumor.”
“Okay, Jonah. Tell me about this rumor. Especially if Dorothy’s involved. She’s been dragged through the mud enough lately.” I rest my hands on my desk and make direct eye contact with him.
“It’s not about her, really. It’s about you. People think you call her that because you have some Dom/Sub fantasy running on repeat in your head.” He laughs harder this time. “Sorry, I can’t picture it.”
I can and so can my dick. I’m growing in my pants and at the perfect eye level for him to notice. I turn and pretend to be looking at the streets below.
“Fuck off, Jonah.”
“Come on, Hunter. You’re wound too tightly lately.” He joins me at my side. “Give me one good reason why you won’t go to the ball.”
“I don’t like crowds. You know that.”
“But you do so well hiding it, so why not humor me and go with me?”He slaps my back, so I glance over at him.
“I have a lot I’m dealing with and that’s the last place I want to be.”
“Tell me about it. Maybe it could help.”
I nod and take a deep breath. If I’m going to win her back, this is the first step. My therapist says I have to be more truthful, so who better to practice with?
I face him to show him I’m dead serious. “If I confided in you about something, do you think you could keep it to yourself as my brother, not my business partner?”
“Fuck, Hunter. Do I even need to ask?”
