Page 45 of The Billionaire Player

“Thank you, that means a lot. Not everyone saw it that way. Maybe if you tell my side in your article, people will start to see me in a better light. This is just my side, I would like you to talk to the woman, if you want, or you don’t have to put it in the article if you don’t want.

“I trust you with this information and to do what is right by it. I wanted you to know that us sleeping together didn’t change me wanting to tell you. I would. I was even going to tell you the night at your place, but other things came up,” he said.

“Multiple times,” I replied and he laughed.

“I like you. I missed not seeing you the last couple of days and that’s new for me. I’m not sure what to do about it. I wasn’t sure if you were staying away from me because you weren’t sure how things had changed or not between us, or if you really were as busy as you said. For me they haven’t. I still want you to do the article and I still want to see you again. If you’re willing,” he said.

“This story, what you told me. It’s a lot to take in. Both as a reporter and a woman who cares about you. As a reporter, I want you to know that I’ll look into this, that I will do right by you and your family. You did the right thing by trusting me and I won’t let you down.

“As a woman, I’m in continuous awe of you. Your commitment to your family, your selflessness, your sacrifice. Everything. Hearing all that only made me want to know you more, in a very personal way,” I said.

“Good. I’m glad to see that we’re on the same page,” he said and gave me a devilish smile.

Chapter 19

JD

“Are my eyes deceiving me or am I actually seeing my little brother before ten am?” Mac asked.

“I was the one who invited you to breakfast so why is it such a shock that you would be seeing me?” I asked as Mac sat down across from me.

It was indeed early, and unusual for me to be up much less seeing anyone. I had wanted to see my brother. Between his wife being pregnant and him wanting to be around her more and his job, early was the best time for him. Plus, I knew once my day started it would be hours before I would have any free time and he wasn’t one to stay up late. If in order to talk to him, I needed to get up a little early, then so be it.

Lexi had done a few follow up interviews with me but overall, she had left me alone. I knew she had talked to Bailey and my father and I wanted to touch base with Mac to make sure he was okay with everything. I wanted to see that he was on the same page with me in regards to the article

I also might need some advice from him about a few things about Lexi and me.

We had been sleeping together for a few weeks now and things were going great. She understood I had to work late, that I didn’t always have time for her, or that it might be hours before I would respond to a text. She never got upset about it, never accused me of being with another woman, never gave the impression that I was neglecting her. It was a wonderful change from the women I had been with before.

I had changed in how I was with her. I found myself checking my phone to see if she had texted me, and if she hadn’t, sending her one myself. I loved my work, I loved how well the restaurant was progressing, but I couldn’t wait to close up at night so I could see her.

Some nights, it was so late that I didn’t want to disturb her, or I knew she had to be up early, that I didn’t see her. The few times that I was able to leave a little earlier and she didn’t have anything to do in the morning were the best times.

It was strange to come home to a woman, to want to come home to one, to be excited to see her waiting for me. Not that Lexi was just sitting at home pining for my return, holding a drink for me. Most times when I got to her place, it was to see her working hard on her article or doing some research for a future project. She was motivated, driven, and incredibly intelligent.

She had been open about what she found, the people that she talked to, and how the article was shaping. The experience wasn’t at all what I thought it would be, but I was realizing one bad experience didn’t mean they all would be that way. Lexi was showing me how it should be when two people worked together and wanted to be together. It helped me to see that she was indeed the perfect person to do the article on me and my family.

She was also the right woman for me, at least for the moment. We were happy, we were doing well, and I certainly enjoyed sleeping with her. It might not be as often as I would like but we were both busy people and we took the time that we could with each other, which was huge, as far as I was concerned.

I wasn’t sure where we were going, or how long we would even last, but I liked having her around. I wanted to spend more time with her even if that meant I had to spend time with her and other people, even if it meant taking a step I had never taken before.

Mac met me at a local diner near the corporate offices of Bennett Liquor. I was sure he had already been in for a few hours and had breakfast, but like me, he would always make time for his family. He looked dapper in his suit and jacket. The black of the suit brought out his blue eyes and made him look a little ruthless. I was sure that was the point.

The man knew how to dress and look like he wasn’t trying when he was. Clothes always looked incredible on him and he had a flare and an eye for new designs and styles. He wasn’t outlandish in most things, but the one thing he did like to spend money on was clothes.

I certainly liked to look good but I preferred to spend my money on food and liquor. I knew how to dress well and what clothes to wear. I was just as happy in a pair of jeans as a tuxedo, as long as the situation called for them, just not a suit. It was one of the things that I liked about being the owner of my own restaurant. I didn’t have to worry about what I wore. It was probably one of the many reasons I was never interested in working for our family’s company. I had no desire to wear a suit, ever.

“How was your interview with Lexi?” I asked.

“Is that why you invited me to breakfast? To grill me about my time with your girlfriend?” he asked.

“No. I wanted to touch base with you and make sure you were okay with how it was progressing, see if you had any concerns. As head of public relations for the company and the family, I thought it was best to keep you in the loop,” I replied.

“Well, isn’t that magnanimous of you. I told you I was fine with the article before Lexi even started asking questions. I agree with you, we’d been hiding this crap long enough. It’s time to get it out in the open and move on. Bailey is old enough now that she doesn't need our protection. She certainly doesn’t want it. The rumors still linger and resurface from time to time. This is the best way to hopefully put them all to rest.”

“I’m glad we’re on the same page. I haven’t had a chance to talk to Walker. Is he not back from his little vacation yet?”

“Tomorrow. It’s been good for him to be out of touch. I think this might be the first time he has really taken a vacation in probably forever.”

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