Page 53 of The Hang Up

Mitch had deserted me. Actually, he’d just gone to the restroom, but she took that as permission to be even more forward, running her foot up my leg. I shifted away from her.

“I would love to meet with him to discuss it more,” I said.

“Well, yes, I think that can be arranged. My people will call your people.”

I laughed because it was expected, but I was already done with this meeting. I had a headache from her perfume, and I just wanted to escape. When I glanced up, Brock was standing there holding a plate and staring at us and looking devastated. I realized several things. He had not seen my texts, Mitch wasn’t back, and this woman was still touching me. I pulled my hand away and started to stand. I just needed to talk to him. Explain. But Nevaeh was there taking the plate from his hand and giving it to the table next to them before pulling him into the kitchen. His shoulders were slumped. Defeated.

Would it be better or worse if I stormed into the kitchen and told him—what? That he was the only one I wanted? But I wouldn’t risk his internship. But I had the feeling he wouldn’t be coming home…my home tonight.

“Joshua? Is everything all right?” She touched my arm again, and I jerked it away.

“Did I miss anything?” Mitch asked, looking from me to Greta and back.

She laughed nervously. “I’m not sure.”

I smiled at them both because this was business. And we needed Greta’s support. “Everything’s fine. Mitch is making a list of everyone involved on our end and how it’s going to work if you and Blake want to go over it and get back to us on any changes needed.”

The meeting lasted another half hour, and while I wanted to leave, I also wanted to stay. Maybe I’d get a chance to talk to Brock. We escorted Greta back to her car and said goodbye. She leaned in and kissed my cheek, and I hoped to hell Brock didn’t see it.

“I was gone for ten minutes. How did you mess this up?”

I glared at Mitch. I wasn’t in the mood for his crap. “I didn’t.”

He held up his hand. “What happened?”

I shut my eyes and composed myself. None of this was Mitch’s fault. “While you were gone,” I said, trying to keep the accusations out of my tone. But he narrowed his eyes, so I didn’t think I was successful. “Brock came out and saw that woman touching me. Why was she always fucking touching me?”

“Two reasons. One, you’re hot. You know this. You give off this Daddy vibe that boys and girls all love—”

“Mitch,” I said in a strangled voice.

“And two…and this is the most important reason, Joshua. You didn’t ask her to stop.”

“It was business.”

“No. You are not included in the deal. And you aren’t part of that world anymore. How would you like it if someone had their hands all over your boy? And I don’t mean Sean.”

I rolled my eyes, and he lifted a brow. “Fine,” I said. “I’d break their fingers.”

“Jesus.” He held his hands up in a why-do-I-even-bother gesture. “You’re missing my point. Does Brock have to accept hands touching him? Or can he say no?”

I wanted to say he’d better say no, but that would make me a hypocrite. “He can say no,” I finally said because Mitch wasn’t going to let it go. “And I can say no.”

“Poor kid,” he said. “Why didn’t you warn him?”

“I did.” That got the attention of the people wandering the streets of downtown. “I did,” I said in a quieter voice. “He must not have checked his messages.”

“Problem solved. He’ll check his phone, see that you tried to warn him… Why are you shaking your head?”

“It’s not that easy.” I rubbed the back of my neck. “Brock hates hiding. And the fact that someone else can touch me in public—it’s been an issue.”

Mitch checked his watch. “Todd is on his way. Come have a drink with us.”

I shook my head.

“Have you thought about not hiding?” Mitch asked. “Telling Sean about you and Brock?”

“He’s at this point where he no longer hates me.”

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