Page 5 of Devoted
I really wish he’d stop seeing me as a little girl—I’m fucking twenty-six years old now. Yes, he’s older than me by almost a decade, but that doesn’t give him the right to try to parent me like this.
“Look, I’m just saying these guys can get a little wild.”
He says it like he’s innocent of any wild behavior here, and I have to hold back a snort. Earlier this week, he was leading a surfing competition down the concrete stairs of the backstage area because he was double-dared.
“I can handle myself just fine, Alek,” I choose to say instead.
“I know that, Viv.” Alek sighs and sets his large hands around my wrists affectionately, keeping them steady at the top of his corset.
“Well, I wish you’d act like it.” Looking down as I say it, I feel the heaviness of the last few weeks catch up to me.
Everything is quiet for a moment, and I know then that it clicks for Alek. He knows what I’ve been through in my adult life. It’s funny how technically you’re an adult at eighteen, but it’s only felt like I’ve been my own person for the last three years of my life.
“I’m sorry, Viv. I know you can handle yourself and make your own decisions.” His arms engulf me suddenly as he nearly squeezes the life out of me. Only fair for overtightening his corset, I guess.
“Alek,” I mumble into his chest and hug my brother back. My arms can barely fit around his huge frame.
“I realized how much I sounded like our parents, Viv. Fuck, I’m sorry. I don’t ever want you to feel like I’m trying to control you like they did.”
“I know, I know,” I reassure us both.
We let go of each other slowly, and I feel Alek kiss my temple before we fully part. He looks at me with a kind smile and a soft look in his eyes. It’s his signature—he’s always been the more empathetic one of the family.
“I’m not saying you need me to be there with you, but I’m happy to go talk to Knight with you. Only if you want,” Alek offers.
“Thank you, but no. I got this.” A determined tone lines my voice as I regulate myself. I need to be able to establish my presence in this place the wayIwant to. Not the way Alek or Knight or any other person wants me to be. I’ve had enough of that for a lifetime.
“Hell yeah, you do. Give him hell, babe. But also, don’t go too hard on him. I’d rather not go to an HR meeting because of this.” Alek laughs before making his way back to the dressing room. “See you backstage!”
My platform boots make an echo of steady, determined steps throughout the hallway as I continue my walk to the main office.
I’m going to find out what stick Knight has up his ass when it comes to me. Not only is this my first real job and a career of my own choosing that I’d like to continue in,thank you, but I’m also a fucking adult who can set boundaries of my own.
I’m coming for you, Mr. Mustache.
CHAPTER THREE
VIVIAN
Fabric scissors are for FABRIC.
Coming in hot, I give one quick courtesy knock on the office door before I open it and build the courage to barge inside. My shoulders are squared and my core is braced for impact like I’m about to get into a fistfight. Iknowthat’s not going to be the case, but myanxietydoesn’t know that.
Once in, I train my eyes on the desk on the opposite side of the room, and I open my mouth to speak, only to find Evelyn staring at me like there’s a third eye on my forehead.
“Have you lost your damn mind, girl?” the general manager asks—sounding more like a militarygeneralthan a club manager at the moment—as she abandons the computer keyboard to cross her arms instead, waiting for my answer.
I love Evelyn. She takes no shit from anyone, but it’s very obvious how much she cares for all the workers here. Last week, someone had the benches backstage reupholstered after the guys had been complaining about the unforgiving surface of the wood. She doesn’t always like taking credit for her good deeds,but I was there when the guys were talking about it, and I was there to spot Evelyn listening in at the stage’s entrance.
“Shoot, sorry, Evelyn. I thought you were Knight,” I explain. “But to answer your question, yes, I’ve probably lost my mind.” A small chuckle passes my lips at the ridiculousness of it all. I can have a simple conversation with my boss without having these big feelings, right?
“Might be too early to say that, sugar.” Evelyn smirks at me briefly and turns back to the work on her computer. I’ll take that as the dismissal it is. It was rude as fuck of me to barge in like that.
I mutter one more apology as I back out of the office, only to see her trying to hold back a laugh by biting her lips between her teeth. Her eyes roll off the screen and to me only for a moment as I’m beginning to shut the door.
“Last I saw, he was in your office. Now, close my damn door and let me get to these accounts.”
Are you fucking kidding me?
