Page 62 of On Your Knees

“It is very important. Did he come into work today?”

I sigh. “No, he did not,” I lie.

Honestly, I haven’t checked yet, and even if he does come in, he deserves one day of peace before they start stalking him. They promised not to contact him, to give him the week, but today their promises end.

I watch the screen as he shakes his head, and Aspen stops riding him, curling up flat against his pecs. Maybe the ache in my own chest right now means something—I hate seeing them upset.

“I will deal with it. Just keep fucking our girl and I’ll see you tonight.” With another sigh, I end the call.

I told them I’d given him a week off, but the week has come and gone. I pick up my phone and dial Theo.

“Mr. Ellington, what can I do for you?”

“Did Mr. Kross come into the office today?”

“Actually, he did. He just walked in. Would you like me to send him up to see you?”

“If you wouldn’t mind.” I end the call and wait. After about fifteen minutes, there is a knock on my door. “Come in.”

The door swings open and Arlo steps inside. I see the appeal, not that he’s my type, but I can see what they likeabout him. He avoids eye contact as he moves further into my office.

“I’m glad you’re back,” I say, and he looks up at me, nervously picking at the hem of his shirt.

“Thanks,” he says and looks around my office.

“They are not here today. I told them you didn’t come in, but you know I can’t keep them away forever.”

He looks over at me, wide-eyed. “What do you mean, keep them away forever?”

I sigh for what feels like the umpteenth time this morning. “I asked them to give you space and time to process this on your own. If it were up to Zee, he would have been on your doorstep that first night, forcing you to hear him out. And Aspen sits in the game room holding the headset in her hands. It’s actually a little pathetic if you ask me.”

“They wanted to contact me?”

“Kidnap you would be more accurate. Please sit.”

He flops casually into the chair opposite my desk, and I clench my jaw. What is it with these people Zee gets attached to and their lack of respect? No one else would dare come to my office dressed the way he is and just slouch like that.

“I want to apologize for the part I played in all of this. I let it go on for far too long. I baby Zee sometimes—his happiness makes me feel like I’m actually happy. Since Aspen came into our lives, we have both been happier, and I let my guard down.”

“Why didn’t you touch me... when the masks were on?”

Maybe I should give the kid some credit—he has some balls on him. “You’re not my type. But don’t take offense, few are. I don’t have time for any more distractions either, and those two create enough chaos for me.”

“I miss them,” Arlo murmurs, “but I’m still so angry. It confuses me.”

“Maybe you need to hear them out. At the very least, it could give you some closure. Their intention was never to hurt or deceive you, even if it ended up that way. Just know that the first time was before they really knew you, the second was because they did, and the third was so they could touch you one last time in case this happened.”

He nods and gets up from his chair. “Thank you. I didn’t think you gave me this job because of me.”

“If I’m being frank, at first I didn’t. And before you get the wrong idea, it was because your resume is a mess. It wasn’t until I looked into you, I saw your name was in our system, and when I actually looked, I was impressed. Your resume didn’t stand out among the hundreds and hundreds of applicants, but your work speaks for itself. You are a valuable part of the team.”

“Thank you. That means a lot coming from you.”

I nod, and he walks toward the door.

“Hey, Arlo.” He turns back as he places his hand on the doorknob. “I want you to know they are worth it, both of them. They might be a lot, and they will both probably screw up so many times. They are both so impulsive—Aspen with the crazy shit that comes out of her mouth, and Zee with his flirty nature. But they areworth it.”

He walks out after that, and I don’t bother telling Zee or Aspen that he is here. I’m hoping he goes to them on his own.

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