Page 65 of Alex

Will Alex answer my questions if we leave right now?

Will Adam and Bianca fill me in on their past?

Will the two of them lie and make Alex seem like the villain while they are the victims?

Without glancing at Alex, I give Adam a small smile. “I truly appreciate the offer, Adam, but I think Alex and I should have a chat first before the four of us sit down together. Is that alright?”

I use my patented friendly customer service voice that I’ve perfected over the past six months. It seems to work on Adam because he nods his head as he beams.

“Sure, no problem. Bianca and I will be at the bar. Come find me when you’re ready.” He winksbefore turning away and walking down the hallway towards the bar and dance floor.

Alex stretches his neck and lets out a long, frustrated sigh. I turn to face him and gently place my hand on his face.

“I don’t know what happened in the past, but I can promise you that Adam is the last person I’d leave you for. Can we get out of here? Can we go outside and get some fresh air while we talk?”

“Yeah. Fresh air sounds good right about now.”

“We can head back to the hotel and pretend this weird conversation never happened.”

I won’t be able to forget about it that easily, but I can see there is still bad blood between the three of them and I deserve to hear Alex’s side of things.

Besides, from the sounds of it, Adam is planning on taking over the company that I’ve put way too many hours into helping Mr. Strickland gain, and I’ll be damned if I let that arrogant asshole fuck with my work.

Alex glances around before pulling me toward the emergency exit. “I can’t drive when I’m this upset. I won’t risk your safety or your life. You deserve to know the truth about why I wanted to leave the city.”

Chapter Eighteen

ALEX

Fuck my life.

I should have known that coming here tonight was a mistake. Just like I should have known that Bianca is still dating Adam.

He made one thing clear, though. He hasn’t moved on from that mistake filled night and he’s hellbent on fucking up this merger.

If anyone can hinder or stop the acquisition from happening, it’s Adam. After all, he’s dad’s business associate’s son.

Adam has never liked me. We were always in competition with one another. We both wanted to be top of our class, captain of the school’s hockey team, and the one to have the most girls on our arms.

At the end of the day, neither of us was top in our class. I made captain. And he had the most girls.

But none of that matters now.

He hated me from the beginning and probably will until the day he dies, especially after the night I met Bianca.

I push the emergency door open and pull Elise outside, letting the door slam behind us. The cool night air feels refreshing. It instantly cools some of the anger burning inside of me.

I reach into my pocket and pull out the tiny bag. Reaching inside, I pull out the pre-rolled joint and the lighter. Putting it between my lips, I light the end of it and take a long drag.

I inhale until my lungs are full, enjoying the familiar sensation.

Elise crosses her arms and frowns.

Blowing out the smoke, I say, “Don’t be a goody two shoes.”

I fill my lungs again, feeling my muscles beginning to relax. Holding onto the tip of the joint, I offer it to Elise.

She nervously glances around the empty parking lot before reaching out and accepting the joint.

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