Page 38 of Sever
Chapter Eighteen
Megan
After three long months, I’ve finally finished organizing the club’s financing. It feels great to have finished it, and as much as I didn’t agree with the fact that my boss wanted me to fudge the numbers to begin with, I’ve done it well.
A lot has changed since I first walked through that door. These people . . . they’re not just strangers anymore. They’re my friends—my family. They all play their part, and if my part is to add a few zeroes here or take a couple away there, I’m happy to help them out.
Everyone has been so accepting of me and, for the most part, the people are great. I love hanging out with the girls. They make me feel like I belong in a way I never really have my whole life. Ryder and I have become so close so fast, it's like we were never apart.
I walk out of the bathroom to find Ryder sitting at my counter waiting for me.
He reaches for me. “So how about we stop torturing your roommate and get a place of our own?”
I nearly drop my coffee. “You think? I’m sure Chrissy doesn’t mind.”
“Fine. I mind.” He places a kiss on my lips. “I spend practically every night at your place anyway. You refused to stay over at the club because of the last time when one of the brothers thought our room was unoccupied and brought a club whore back.” He kisses me again. “I want you to myself. I want to come home to you, and only you. I want the life we were supposed to have seven years ago.”
After a speech like that—and that many sentences in a row from Ryder could be classed as a speech—how could Inotmove in with him.
“Okay, you can't be the one to tell her. She’s my best friend. This has to come from me.” I push away from him to grab my purse and keys. Today is the first day that I'll be going back to my normal job.
“Deal, but do it soon. I’ll start looking for places.” His hand smacks my ass and I shoot him a look.
“See you after work?”
“Count on it.”
It feels so strange driving to the office instead of the clubhouse today. Mr. Duncan asked me to come see him once I got into the office and I'm hoping it's a “You did a great job, here's a promotion” meeting and not an “I looked over your work and it sucks” kind of one.
I knock on Mr. Duncan’s door, nerves rolling around in my stomach. I’m so glad I didn’t eat breakfast.
“Ah, Miss Hendrix, good to have you back.” He waves his hand at the chair in from of his desk. “I looked over your work and I have to say I'm impressed. It's very clean, and you completed the project two weeks ahead of schedule. After discussing it with Mr. Shie, we would like to promote you to Senior Accountant. That means more high-level work and, obviously, a pay increase.”
I can't help the huge smile on my face. “That would be amazing. Thank you so much, sir.”
“You’re very welcome. Have a great first day back.” He offers me a nod and I get up from my seat, managing to contain my happy dance until I’m out of sight and earshot of his office.
The rest of the day goes by in a blur. I'm assigned new cases and given an actual office, instead of just a desk in the midst of everyone else. I texted Ryder when I found out and he’s taking me out to dinner once I get back tonight.
I look at the clock and it's 5:00 p.m.
I grab my things completely exhausted and on my way out to my car, I run into Connor in the lobby. “I hear congratulations are in order.”
I smile, turning to walk backward as I talk to him. “Thank you. Today has been so crazy. I wonder if things will always be like this?”
I spin back and head for the car park. As I walk toward my car, I notice it’s at a weird angle. Then I see the tire.
It’s flat.
Damn, I don't know how to change a stupid tire. I reach for my phone to call Ryder.
“I can give you a ride to your place, if you want?”
I nearly drop my phone, my heart racing. “Connor, I didn’t know you were still there.” I look back and forth between my flat tire and him. The hairs on the back of my neck are on end, but I don’t know why.
“Um, I think I’ll be okay, I’m going to call Ryder and have him deal with it.” I give him a smile and thank him for his offer, and he nods then walks away. The phone rings until I get Ryder’s voicemail. I wait for the beep and leave a message.
“Hey, it’s me, I’m still at work and my car has a flat. Call me when you get a chance.”
