Page 9 of Bound to the Daddy

I’d no doubt be pampered, never wanting for anything. It would be so easy to give in and let him shoulder this burden. It would be so relieving, so fundamentally life-changing…

It would be catastrophic. A heavy sigh flits through my lips as I face the very real reality threatening to cave in. Dreams are nice, but they’re just that… dreams.

I can’t allow myself to depend on him or anyone else in their family. A favor turns into another and another. Soon, I’ll be beholden to them. And what happens if I decide to actually break up with Brody?

Will all these favors suddenly turn into loans that I’ll never be able to repay? No. I’ll make do. I always have, and I always will.

I wait until I get into my car, and the guard leaves, before fully breaking down. Sobs wrack my body as all the emotion justpours out of me. With shaky fingers, I call the one person I can think of to help calm me down. After several rings, a message pops up.

Brody

In a meeting. Can this wait?

Of course, he’s in a meeting. He already told me he was with the DCC today. Fuck.

Stephanie

I just lost my job. Can I maybe stay over tonight?

Oh, man. That seriously sucks. I’d totally say yes, but I’m not going to be there. I’m flying out for a conference soon after this meeting.

Oh.

I didn’t realize.

Didn’t you see the calendar?

I thought those were just meetings.

No, babe. Why would I have meetings three weeks in a row? You gotta think for yourself sometimes. I can’t spoon feed everything to you. I’m flying out today, coming back in a few days, then flying out again.

I suppose you might be able to catch me on the weekends, but I’ll probably be busy with the boys.

Sorry. I just misunderstood. That’s all.

See you in three weeks.

And, hey. Don’t worry about the job. Something will open up. I know it will.

I drop the phone in my lap and stare out the window for a few minutes. Everything goes numb as I try to think through my list of friends. Unfortunately, it’s far shorter than it should be. Many grew up and left, leaving me with Brody and Mr. Rothsbourne.

But it’s not like he and I can go grab a pizza and I can bitch about how bad my day is. Now, more than ever, I regret not reaching out and putting an effort into getting to know my coworkers a bit better.

Still though, maybe the few I have will want to do something after work? Even after going through my list, they all seem to be busy. Word must have gotten around that I’m bad news or something.

Gritting my teeth, I grab my check. Maybe it will be enough to cover rent and get something nice for myself. I could do with a pint or two of chocolate chip cookie dough.

My heart sinks as I study it. There has to be something wrong. This isn’t nearly as much as I was expecting. Hopping out of the car, I make my way back to the building. The guard stops me, his fierce frown making my insides quiver.

“I need to speak with HR. Please. It’s important.”

“You’re no longer allowed in the building. I’m sorry, but those are the rules. There is sensitive information that you no longer have access to.”

“I didn’t fucking do anything wrong,” I screech, finally losing my cool.

He steps forward and places his hand on his hip. “You will leave quietly, or I will have to call for assistance.”

“Please,” I beg, finally losing all sense of self-pride. “Can’t you just escort me? I just need some help. Just a little help. Please.”

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