Bad Boy: A Stepbrother Romance(34)

Tonight, I was going to be working at Helvetica, which was having an especially busy night. It was our annual club Christmas Party, which was held around two weeks before Christmas Day every year. The party always attracted hundreds of club-goers in the mood for festive celebration, and as such, it was almost always one of our busiest nights of the year.

Getting ready in my room, I showered and put on a simple pair of jeans and a black shirt. My reflection showed me that I looked totally normal, but my heart and mind were messing with me, and I could have sworn the evidence of that was written all over every facial feature. Thoughts of Rory consumed me as always, and lately it seemed like I was only living for those short moments when I bumped into her in the hallway.

I headed down to the club, my hands forming fists as I tried to stop thinking about her. With every step, every erratic heartbeat, I knew it would be impossible.#p#分页标题#e#

Who would’ve thought...Aurora Villanueva, a girl I hadn’t even known a month ago, had claimed me. If only I were able to take her for myself and claim her in the particular way I so desperately desired.

Unfortunately, I knew it wasn’t right, and that’s what stung the most. All that potential, gone to waste because our fucking parents had decided to hook up.

“We have a situation.” Elijah greeted me as soon as I walked into the club, shouting over the pumping bass blaring from the speakers. He usually dealt with the hotel, but on big nights like this, he’d help out at the club as well.

“Hello to you, too, dearest manager,” I said bitterly.

He gave me a strange look as I scowled at him. Realizing I was being a prick, I sighed and waved for him to go on. “Sorry. Tell me what’s happening.”

“Well, first of all, a bunch of people sneaked extra alcohol into the club so they didn’t have to pay at the bars, and they’re drunk out of their minds already, even though the bars only opened an hour ago,” Elijah said, counting on his fingers. “Second, some girls threw up all over the bathrooms and we can’t get a hold of any of the cleaning staff. They’re probably drunk too, knowing our luck.”

“And what else?” I asked, already tired from all the bullshit that came with running the club during big events like this. Elijah’s eyes grew wider and I gave him an impatient look, waiting for him to go on with the problems. I knew there were more. There were always more. “Come on, I don’t have all night.”

“And third...err…” Elijah muttered, voice trailing off. I stared him down, only then realizing that he was looking over my shoulder. I quickly turned around, looking down into a familiar face.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” I groaned.

“Hi, sexy,” Candice purred, twirling a long red strand of hair around her finger. I figured she was trying to be all seductive, but my attraction for her had died long before the scene with Rory in the restaurant.

And by died I mean jumped off a cliff, screaming for death’s mercy, which would still be preferable to her advances. Even the awful dubstep remix of an old Christmas song which was currently playing would be better than the sound of her voice.

“What do you want?” I asked her in a curt voice, taking a clipboard from Elijah and checking out some stuff as he disappeared faster than the speed of light. “And how did you get in, anyway? Thought you were firmly on the blacklist by now.”

“I have my ways.” She giggled, a sound so syrupy sweet it almost made bile rise in my throat. “Anyway, just wanted to check up on you, you know…see how you were doing.”

“Candice,” I said, my voice cold as I finally looked into her eyes. “Can you not take a hint? I’m just not interested anymore. So please, do both of us a favor and leave.”

“Why?” she asked, her voice high-pitched and whiny. “We’re so good together, Finn. We’re fucking perfect.”

The curse word sounded filthy coming from her pouty mouth, and I couldn’t help but think how Rory would’ve never said it. I shook my head, trying to push the thought aside and focus on the situation at hand….and if I knew Candice, which I did all too well, I knew there was going to be a situation any moment now.

“Candice, I’ve made it really fucking clear,” I growled. “I don’t want to be with you. I want you to leave me the fuck alone and move on with your life.”

“But—” she cut in.

“But nothing.” I raised my palm in the air, my brows furrowing together as I stared her down. “I can’t be any clearer than that. It’s a no, Candice. For the last fucking time, I don’t want to be with you, and I don’t want to see you in Helvetica or around the hotel, either.”#p#分页标题#e#