Page 61 of My Boss's Sons

“What does that have to do with anything, Sophia?” Noah sat down beside me again. “Just say whatever you’re trying to say.”

“Noah!” Alex took my hand and squeezed. “What happened?”

I stared at my fingers next to Alex’s. “Nothing. Nevermind.”

“No, say what you need to say.” Noah sighed. “Please.”

“He just yelled a lot.” I swallowed the truth and ground my teeth together. “He didn’t think Matthew did anything wrong.”

Noah began pacing again. “He’s a loud guy, Sophia. And he said he didn’t see anything happen with Matthew. He’s going to stand up for his friend, of course.”

I stared at him and realized that he would always take his father’s side. He loved his dad and wanted to follow in his footsteps. He would never believe me about his dad. Even if Alex believed me, he’d be going against his brother. I couldn’t do that. I wouldn’t. “You’re right.”

He stared back at me with frustration playing at his features. “He’s used to being loud with the guys around the office. He didn’t mean anything by it. You shouldn’t take it to heart.”

I forced a smile. “Of course, not. I’m sorry I said anything.”

“Wait a second, Sophia. You don’t have to go along with what Noah says just because he’s seconds from yelling, just like Dad.” Alex squeezed my hand. “He’ll shut up and listen to whatever you have to say. Won’t you, Noah?”

I shook my head and stared at our hands. “Honestly, I’m just under the weather. Y’all should probably go so you don’t catch whatever I have.”

“You’re probably right.” Noah backed away and sighed before turning and leaving.

Alex swore. “Fucking asshole. I’ll check in on you later, Soph.”

When just Ethan was left, he inched closer. “I’m really sorry if I made a mess of things, Sophia.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

He sighed just like his twin and nodded. “Feel better, okay?”

As soon as he was gone, I turned over and curled around my pillow. I managed to find more tears to cry and when Ava came back in with the ice, she curled herself around me and held me tight.

“They’ll always take his side. Noah wasn’t even willing to listen to a single thing.”

Ava sighed. “Then fuck them.”

“He’s their father, Ava. I can’t expect them to believe bad things about him.” I rolled over to face her and sniffed. “It’s over, isn’t it?”

“Maybe not. Maybe they’ll get their heads out of their asses.” She put the ice on my wrist. “Just focus on you for now. Call Jack. Maybe you need to get good and drunk on his dime to feel better.”

That sounded like a terrible plan. Everything sounded terrible, though, so maybe she was right.

49

***Sophia***

“I’ll kill him. That bastard doesn’t know who he’s messing with.” Jack held my wrist against his chest and blinked back tears of fury. “I swear to god, babe, I’m not letting this go.”

I rested my head on his shoulder and took another shot. “I’m starting to feel better about everything.”

“That’s because you’re hammered.” He wiped running mascara from under my eyes. “I wish you’d have told me everything before you got drunk, babe. That way I could’ve stopped you from getting this drunk. We drink for fun, not problem solving.”

I groaned and waved him off. “Hush.”

“How about we get you home and then I come over to your house tomorrow and take care of you? I’m sure you could use a break from Ava’s shouting.”

I pulled my phone out of my pocket and laughed at the picture of Lily’s silly face on the lock screen. “Isn’t she so cute?”

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