‘Oh,’ I reply. ‘Well, at least I don’t have to worry about punching some fucker out for groping my arse, I guess.’ This time Josh laughs. I’m glad he finds it funny. I don’t think he’ll ever let me live that night down.
‘Your arse is safe today, big brother,’ he says with amusement in his tone.
‘Good to hear.’
‘So, I’ve been meaning to call you, but time got away from me. Mum called me this morning.’
‘She did?’ That surprises me. I wonder if it had something to do with what I’d said to her?
‘She did. She just wanted to see how I was going. It was weird. She hasn’t spoken to me in years and then calls like nothing’s happened.’
‘How do you feel about that?’ I know how much our parents have hurt Josh, but I also know this would’ve meant a lot to him.
‘Honestly, it was nice. Weird but nice. She’s not dying is she?’
‘What? Fuck, no.’
‘Okay. That’s good,’ he says. ‘Her call had me worried. She wants to meet for lunch next week, Brock. She actually said she misses me.’ I hear his voice crack and it tugs at my heart. I hate the way he’s been treated. She better not hurt him again. For his sake, I hope my father doesn’t get wind of this, because he’ll put a stop to it, I’m sure. I’m proud of my mother for finally taking a stand and doing the right thing.
I end the call just as I arrive at Theo’s mansion. There’s an array of expensive cars parked in a neat row along the eastern wall of the property. Navigating the long driveway, I come to a stop outside the entrance to the house, where a valet is waiting.
One of the staff members at the front door takes my name before escorting me through the house and out onto the back patio. I find the other guests milling around the large in-ground pool. There must be close to a hundred people here. My gaze takes in all the bikini-clad babes. I’m suddenly feeling a little overdressed in my jeans and shirt. Only a few short weeks ago, this would’ve been my type of party. Losing myself in some random pussy tonight might be exactly what I need to help me forget Jade. A sinking feeling in my gut tells me it’s going to take a lot more than that.
Scanning the partygoers, I search for Theo in the crowd. I can’t see him anywhere.
‘Would you like a drink, sir?’ A waiter stops in front of me with a silver tray crowded with champagne flutes and bottles of imported beer.
‘Thank you,’ I say as I reach for one of the bottles. Wrapping my lips around the top, I take a pull. That’s when I notice a leggy blonde eyeing me from beside the pool. I give her a wink as I set off in search of Theo. The blonde can wait. Business first.
The arse of a woman who’s standing on the far side of the pool draws my attention. She’s wearing a skimpy red bikini. Fuck me, what an arse. Of course I can’t see her face, but from behind she’s sexy as hell. Her legs go on for days. This one seems to have an instant effect on me. There’s hope for me yet.
My gaze travels up her lean back to her long brown hair and thoughts of Jade flicker through my mind. Christ. Thanks but no thanks. I’ll be steering clear of that one. I’ve had my fill of brunettes to last me a life time.
I only make it a few metres more before someone’s hand lands on my shoulder. ‘Brock,’ Theo says. ‘You made it.’
He’s dressed in a pair of fluorescent pink swimming shorts and no shirt. He has matching pink zinc cream on his nose and aviator glasses place strategically on top of his head. I have to try to contain my amusement. It’s wise to be sun smart, but he looks ridiculous. If he’s trying to act straight, he’s failing miserably. Pink zinc is for little girls.
‘Hey,’ I say, extending my hand to him. ‘You forgot to mention it was a pool party.’
‘I can see that. Sorry, mate. I can lend you something if you like.’
‘All good,’ I say, holding my beer up. ‘Fluoro’s not my thing.’ My gaze moves back down to his coloured shorts. ‘You know how it is, that colour clashes with my eyes.’
He slaps me on the back and laughs. ‘I like you. Your brother said you were a cool guy.’
Theo leads me to a group of board members and introduces me. A few mention their concerns about the recent thefts, and that’s my cue to explain what my company has planned to combat them. They’re a tough crowd, and I can see why Theo thought it important for me to come here today. These men don’t realise who they’re dealing with, though. I’m Brock Weston. I’m a natural charmer. My mum always said I had the gift of the gab when I was a child, and she was right. It doesn’t take me long to have them eating out of the palm of my hand.