Page 6 of Wreck Me

I take a deep breath, suddenly fearful about what could happen to Carter if my dad found out that I hooked up with him last night. Dion is as ruthless as my father is, and I don’t need him poking around in my business, either. He’s an eager little shit and loves to suck my dad’s dick. Metaphorically. Although I wouldn’t put it past him if my dad whipped it out and told him to get on his knees. A sudden image of Carter on his for me flashes behind my eyes. I feel an odd sense of protection over him. I’ve never met anyone like him, even if we didn’t exchange many words. I can’t let my dad or Dion sink their claws into him. There’s no way he’ll come out unscathed. I’ve been surviving his wrath for my entire life, and I can continue to take it.

“Dad, I’m sorry I’m a disappointment. I will get it to you soon.”

Another audible huff, his breath whipping through the speaker of the phone, making my skin crawl. At least we’re not face-to-face where the scent of scotch and cigars mingles on his breath, as drops of spittle fly from his mouth when he yells. My stomach rolls at the thought. My own father disgusts me, a deeply physical, emotional, and mental response.

“Last chance, Griffin. And do not forget aboutdinner tonight,” he barks before disconnecting the call. My dad’s an epic prick. Love our morning chats; sets the day up for success and a real positive attitude. My door opens after a quick rap of someone’s knuckles, and even though I can already anticipate who it is, I’m still not happy about it.

“What?” I snap as Trey walks in. He raises his eyebrows at me, his only warning that he isn’t going to take my shit. I take a deep breath, letting my rage simmer before giving him a fake, patronizing smile.

“Much better,” he replies, walking into my office and taking a seat across from my desk. Trey has been my personal assistant, which he hates being called, since I was promoted to a travel writer. We’ve been best friends since high school, and when I got back from California, we picked right back up where we left off. At twenty-eight, he still has no idea what he wants to do with his life, so he’s doing this until he figures it out. “Now, we still haven’t replied to Carter Hayes’ email on that meeting that he was promised. . .”

My heart stammers behind my ribs at hearing his name. I’m so thoroughly fucked when it comes to him. How is that even possible? Trey reads the change in my expression, which is the reason he brought Carter up to begin with.

“Why are you raising your eyebrows at me like that?” I ask, unamused, rage still simmering right at the surface.

“For real? You’re gonna make me ask? You’re such a little fucker. How did last night go? Did you find him?”

Damnit. Why do I tell this asshole everything? I let loose a breath and relax further into my chair, putting my hands behind my head, knowing full well he won’t leave until he’s been given a bone.

“Yeah. I found him.”

“The sex club?”

My face must say it all.

“No, you didn’t,” he says through a deep chuckle. “Damn, that’s some serious commitment, my guy.”

“Not what you’re thinking, buddy. At all,” I lie, and he knows it. I’m openly gay, and Trey was the first one I came out to in high school. He said he figured, especially since I wasn’t chasing girls the way he was, and that I looked like I was trying not to gag when I was making out with Bianca Lyman in the eleventh grade. I wrongly and unfairly assumed it would bother him, but nothing’s ever changed between us.“I don’t have to compete with you for chicks, man, this is awesome. They think you’re way hotter than me.”And that was the end of it.

“I can read you like a book. You hooked up with someone last night, but it wasn’t Carter Hayes?”

“It was my first night at a sex club, Trey, of course I hooked up with someone. Who the hell wouldn’t?”

His phone buzzes in his hand, saving me from having to come clean to him about the specifics. He’ll pull them from me eventually, but I need to hold out until I figure out a plan. Trey’s shoulders drop, and he rolls his eyes at his phone.

“We’re not done with this shit, ’cause I want details about what the club was like. What do you want me to say to Carter?”

I sigh. I want to meet with him, but I know my dad has ways of tracking every email that goes out and comes into this company.

“Let it sit.”

“Real professional,” he deadpans.

“We made contact last night, but I didn’t tell him who I was. Let him sit and stew for a bit. He’ll figure out who I am eventually, and then I’ll deal with it.” Trey raises his eyebrows at me as if he knows there’s more to the story that I’m not telling him. I continue to keep my mouth quiet and grin at him in return.

“There’s that cocky arrogance we all know. Alright, fine. I’ll let him sit. I’ve got your trip planned to Emberleigh.” He scans the tablet in his hands, looking for the information while I wait. “You leave in two weeks. Three nights, staying at the beach house. Is this a good idea while your dad breathes down your neck about literally everything right now?”

“I go that weekend every year, I’m not changing it. I have to get away.”

“Okay, fine. I’ll handle shit here.”

“Oh! One more thing.”

“Yeah? I’m not packing for you, dipshit, that is way above and beyond what you hired me for.”

“I’m taking Carter with me.”

I don’t know how, but I’m getting him there. I need to. I have to.

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