Page 21 of Faking It with my Best Friend's Brother

“After school,” she says and I run through the quick calculations in my head. That might be cutting it close with work but if I finish everything early I can probably make the spelling bee. I’ll have Sasha on standby just in case.

“I’ll try my hardest to be there, sweetheart,” I say, because I try not to make promises unless I’m absolutely certain about something. My daughter beams.

Chapter Eight

Maddox

Mymothercallsmethree times the next day. I let all of them go to voicemail.

I knew by making that little show with Ava over at work, word would eventually reach Mom. I’ve long suspected that my mother has a mole on my team, someone who’s been reporting back to her. It makes sense...it would be what I would do too if I wanted information on someone I needed to control.

I’ve let it slide so far because it’s mostly harmless and it's not like they’re giving away company secrets or anything. Besides, if I were to take the time to get rid of the mole, my mother would just find a way to plant another one. The woman is devious like that.

I sealed the deal by walking Ava back to her car after work, and I knew that news would reach my mother by midnight. Which is exactly when she called me. After I didn’t answer, she texted.

ANSWER YOUR PHONE RIGHT NOW MADDOX CHARLES REIGN.

All caps. Just like that.

Still, I didn't answer. I was enjoying the solitude and figured the more I made her sweat for the information, the better, and the more likely she was to believe me. So, I kept ignoring her even after two more phone calls and a text from my sister that said, “Answer mom’s call. She’s driving me crazy.”

Ah, so they are together, then.Perfect. I haven’t told Chloe yet about my scheme with Ava, figuring the fewer people who know the truth, the better. I had Ava sign an NDA, forbidding her to telling anything about it to anyone. It also had a few more clauses in there and she took the time to read it out, frowning at a few of them before signing.

Big mistake.

She should have asked for a lawyer. I could have snuck in a bunch of shit in there and she wouldn't even know it. I’m going to have to teach that girl not to sign anything without having a lawyer review it first.

But that’s a lesson for another day.

Speaking of Ava, I realize I haven’t seen her today. I figure that the employees are probably icing her out and Natasha is doing her best to be as unhelpful and cold as possible. Which is good. It’s all part of the hazing process here at Reign and Associates, to see who really has the stuff needed to work here. If Ava can’t handle a few unfriendly employees, then she doesn’t have what it takes to play hardball with our rich clientele, and that’s just facts.

Still, I expected her to be at my door already, asking me questions and complaining that no one will help her out, but nothing. I check my emails, confirming I don't have anything urgent to take care of. Then I go snooping.

I tell myself it’s simply curiosity as her boss that has me passing by her desk, but I’d be lying if I said I'm not looking forward to seeing her again. Hearing that clever little mouth, with the bottom lip that hangs out slightly when she talks. Those eyes flash with caution and surprising boldness. That sexy, curvy body…

I draw my thoughts back, reminding myself that I’m not supposed to be messing with my sister’s young friend. But I frown when she’s not by her desk.

"You,” I call out to the man who’s sitting at the desk next to hers. He looks up at me and his face instantly tenses and pales when he realizes who he’s talking to.

Why do they do that? I’m not fucking Gollum.

"Where is Ava?” I ask and he shrugs. I check my watch. It’s near noon. Most of the agents are working through their lunches, probably because of my ultimatum. I can see that they’re terrified but I don’t care. They should have been terrified to begin with.

But Ava doesn’t know anything about that, so I head to the breakroom. I spot her as I get closer, standing outside the breakroom, but facing away from me. She seems frozen in her step, her ears tuned toward the cracked open door. I can hear the laughter coming out already, and pause when I'm close enough to catch the conversation.

“...and she sleeps with clients too,” says a familiar voice.

"Stop! You're lying."

"No, I swear to god, Cat. It’s all over the internet. Just google it, or better yet, check Facebook. Her ex-boss exposed her and it's been all over the web.”

"That is wild!" Someone else laughs. "I can't believe it. How trashy."

"Right? But I could tell something was wrong with her the first time I saw her. I could just tell. I have a sixth sense about these things."

“Yeah, me too. But it's just...I don’t know why the heck Mr. Reign would hire her in the first place. He’s not that desperate for clients. Or tail."

“Please, didn’t you see the way he touched her? He hired her for one reason only. And the funny part is, she’s not even that cute.”

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