Page 116 of Submission

“Believe in your talent.”

“I do! I just also believe in your need to control everything.” I think about my exchange with the Dean.

“I’ve got a meeting in fifteen minutes. I’ll see you later at the club.”

“Okay.” I smile. Happy that Hunter has changed his tune about me still working at the Blue Whiskey until I physically can’t.

“And Megan?”

“Yes?”

“I’m proud of you, baby.”

Chapter 45

An Unexpected Crossroads

Hunter

“What can I do to help?” I ask Megan, and I can tell by the expression on her face I’m only annoying her as she buzzes around the place, assigning tasks to people.

“I’ve got it.” She smiles, patting the center of my chest with her hand.

I’ve given most of the people who work at the club the night off except for a few essential employees I’m paying to manage the party I’m giving for Lena at the club tonight. It’s her birthday and while I would rather throw her something elaborate with all the bells and whistles in a hotel ballroom, Megan reminded me that Lena would probably hate an over-the-top celebration.

“Did she pick out something nice to wear?” I ask her. “I didn’t see any credit card alerts from the credit card company saying that she shopped anywhere this week.”

Megan tells one of the servers where she wants the high-top tables placed in the main bar area, then turns back to me.

“That’s because she doesn’t want to use your money, Hunter.”

“She’s not independently wealthy, and I’m just trying to buy her a birthday gift.”

“No, you’re trying to make up for lost time, which is sweet, but if you want her to spend a little more money, then maybe you should pay her better,” she chuckles, trying to make light of what is a serious dilemma, in my opinion.

Megan wraps her arms around my waist and embraces me tightly in a comforting way. She knows I’ve been struggling with how to make a connection with Lena but continues to assure me that “it will come naturally.”

“Wait, forget I said that.” She smiles. “You’ll just pay her some ridiculous amount of money for being the club’s cook.”

I kiss Megan gently in the center of her forehead.

“That’s the great thing about being the boss; I can pay whatever I want. This would be much easier if she’d go to college like you do.”

“I’m a firm believer in not going to school until you really know what you want to study; otherwise, it’s a waste of time and money.”

“Is it too much to want my little sister to have a normal experience for once?” I bluster. “She’s been struggling alone in foster care and homeless shelters for a long damn time. I was working my ass off back when she was a baby so that we’d have a better life. It hurts my heart that all of it was for nothing.”

Her hand palms the side of my face. While her touch is always welcomed, it makes me uneasy to be this vulnerable in the open. My employees are watching, so I pull my head slightly back.

“I know you think I don’t understand how you feel, but in many ways, I do. I really like your sister, and I want her to havean amazing future as well, but I’m just saying that if you push her too hard, you might scare her away for good.”

“I’d never let that happen,” I say, not liking where this conversation is headed.

“Okay, listen, maybe you should have Christian talk to her since Lena’s future seems to be weighing so heavily on your mind. I’ve got to go check on the DJ and make sure she has everything she needs.”

My hands tighten around her upper arms.

“Why the fuck would I need to talk to Christian about my nineteen-year-old sister, Megan?”

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