Page 118 of Submission

“There are nineteen-year-old girls fucking their professors in college.”

“You’re not helping!” I growl.

Before I can get into it any further, a spectacular cake makes its entrance. "19" candles flicker brightly as we all gather around, singing "Happy Birthday." Lena looks elated, making a wish and blowing out the candles. It doesn’t escape my notice how she gives Christian a brief glance afterward.

Once the applause dies down, I pull Christian to the side, and I feel the tension rolling off of him. He’s not his usual laid-back self. That bothers me more than anything.

“How long have we been friends?” I ask him.

“A long time.”

“I know all your secrets. I know where all the bodies are buried. That’s because we’re brothers.”

“Of course.”

“So let me be clear. That’s my baby sister over there celebrating her nineteenth birthday. A girl who’s literally been through so much alone out in the world without my protection. That is not how she’s going to spend the next nineteen years of her life, I promise you that.”

His eyes drop.

“That’s great, man. You know I’m glad you two are reunited.”

“I’m not saying you’d ever betray me, Christian, but if you are even the least bit tempted by her, then walk away now. Go home. I don’t want to have to ever pick between the two of you because I think you know what my choice will be.”

We stand there, locked in a stare-off, two old friends at an unexpected crossroads. The music blares, and the party continues, but there's a palpable shift in the air. Christian hasn’t admitted or denied anything, but his silence speaks volumes.

This is going to be a fucking problem.

Chapter 46

Paint And Sip…Well Kind Of

Megan

Istep out of a long and luxurious shower to my cell phone, vibrating along the marble countertop. When the face of the caller flashes on the screen, my lips curve into a smile.

“Hey, baby daddy.”

“Why are you naked at seven in the evening?” he practically growls.

“I was just grabbing a towel. One second.”

“You’re not answering me, Megan.”

“I don’t understand the question,” I tease.

“It’s not bedtime.”

I can see him walking through the main room of the club and almost chuckle at the reactions of the servers preparing for opening. Their backs stiffen, and the looks on their faces grow very serious as if Hunter is some sort of military commander. It’s hysterical. Little do they know how sweet he is…or rather, he can be.

“Your age is showing,” I giggle.

He glares hard at me.

“It’s girls night–remember? That’s why Lena isn’t coming in tonight or me.”

“Right,” his face softens. “I forgot.”

“Totally understandable; you’ve got a lot going on.”

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