Bedwrecker(22)

Brooklyn gives me a hard shove. Man, is he grown up. The skinny teen from the hit MTV reality series Chasing the Sun is a man. And by the amount of women eyeing his James Dean look, he’s a real panty dropper. “Don’t ever disappear like that again, asshole,” he hisses.

Fuck, I guess he really does care.

Moving past the shitty feelings I have about my life, I take a breath and give him a smirk, knowing that what I’m about to say is going to make all his anger disappear. “You know, this was just a pit stop on my way to California.”

“No fucking way.” Brooklyn smiles.

When I swing my gaze over to Cam, his jaw is hanging open. “Catching flies?” I ask.

“Absolutely fucking not. Just please tell me you are finally going to take me up on my offer and come work for Simon Warren?” Cam asks, his enthusiasm breaking down the wall I’ve had up.

Feeling overwhelmed, I have to pretend I’m unsure to hide my emotions, when fuck yeah—if after all this time the offer is still on the table, I am taking it. And besides, Maggie is there, and maybe she’ll be willing to forgive me for going off the radar while I figured my shit out.

Putting on a show for Cam, I tilt my head to the side in contemplation. I hadn’t really considered it, totally forgot about it to be honest, but fuck, it just happens I need a job. And getting out of New York City for a while wouldn’t be such a bad idea.

Cam’s wheels are turning in true Cam form and I know I’m screwed unless I say yes anyway.

Swinging my arms around my brother and my best friend, I answer. “I’m willing to give it a try. Just a try. Nothing permanent out of the gate.”

Cam looks over at me. “How about this? We label it as interim. I’m in over my head right now and could really use the help. If you can just stay onboard until I pull all my assets together and align proper management, that would help. And then if you don’t like it, you leave. If you like it, you stay. But no pressure.”

No pressure—now that’s a deal I can handle. “Just so we’re clear, I don’t know shit about running a men’s apparel division, but if you’re willing to put your faith in me then you’d better fucking believe I’m ready to find out.”

“C’mon, you’re Keen Masters. I have no doubt you can turn this company around.” Cam grins.

“Thanks for the confidence boost. I appreciate it. Now what do you two losers say to a few drinks while we sit at a blackjack table? And then maybe hit a strip club a little later?”

With a move I have to say I didn’t see coming, Cam untangles himself from my hold and wrenches my arm behind my back.

Over my shoulder, I whine, “Fine, you can skip the strip club now that you have a girlfriend, but that doesn’t mean you have to ruin it for Brooklyn and me.”

Thought I’d test the waters, see if Brooklyn would back out because he has a lady at home, but looks like that plan has been shot down and I’m going to be left hanging.

Cam hisses in my ear, “The only place you are going is in the back of my Jeep.”

“But my car,” I protest.

Brooklyn dangles a set of keys in front of me. “Already had the valet pull it around. And I’ll be happy to drive it.”

“Yeah, well all my shit is up in the penthouse.”

That smirk on my brother’s face tells me he already took care of that too. “Shit’s loaded and in the Jeep.”

Cam lets go of me and removes a tin of breath mints from his pocket. He pops one in his mouth and then shoves the tin my way. “Here, you need the whole pack. In fact, if there’s a self-service car wash anywhere nearby, I think I’ll stop and hose you off.”

After giving him the finger, I run a hand down over my stubbled jaw. Yeah, I could probably use a shower and a shave.

Brooklyn is laughing so hard that he has to hold his stomach.

Sizing up my best friend and my brother against my drunken condition, I consider my options. I could run. Or try to. Probably not the best course of action right now. Or I could just go with them.

Fuckers.

Honestly, my liver could use a period of detox.

Snatching back my shades, I slide them on my face before I turn and head for the exit, muttering over my shoulder, “You two are assholes.”

Their response comes in unison. “And so are you.”

Just as I reach the glass doors and step out into the hot Nevada weather, I turn back and look at what might have been my kingdom.

When my gaze lands on Cam and Brooklyn, I realize I didn’t lose everything in my life.

And for the first time in six weeks, I take a deep breath and feel like I’m able to breathe.

It’s all or nothing.