Dirty Bad Boys Box Set: Forbidden Romance Collection

“Nothing much. He has a gig two Fridays from now, and one of the executive producers of Platinum Records will be there watching them.”

I have no clue, but happy Flynn will finally get this opportunity. That is until I realize I’ll be in Vancouver.

“Shoot,” I say. “I think I’m in Vancouver for work.”

“Oh, honey, I’m sure Flynn won’t mind. Vancouver sounds exciting.”

“It’s not that, Mama…” I yearn to tell her what’s going on, needing to get it all off my chest, requiring some guidance as to whether or not it’s possible to fall head over lust for a man in such a short time. But instead, typical me bottles it all up, not wanting to burden her with my troubles.

There’s a slight muffle in the background, voices amongst some music. Mama asks me to hold on for a moment, returning a minute later. “Milly, I have to go. We have this dinner thing tonight, and I promised to help set up. It was nice talking to you, sweetie. I’m glad you answered for once.”

“I called you, Mama.”

Mama laughs, quick to correct herself. “That’s right. Silly me. I love you, honey. Take care, will you?”

“Always, Mama.”

I hang up the phone, holding it against my chest and letting that lonesome tear fall graciously down my face. Closing my eyes for just a moment, I listen to her voice inside my head, opening my eyes in what only feels like minutes later.

It’s dark, and the clock on the car says it’s eight-fifteen.

Shit! I’ve fallen asleep in the car.

In a state of panic, I turn the ignition on and speed out of the street and onto the freeway toward home. By the time I reach our apartment, it’s just after eight-thirty. Joe’s out on the pavement, playing a game of backgammon with an undefeated Clifford from across the street. They’re both ranting, as usual, something about their fathers in the war and ungrateful children of today.

I quickly say hello, then run upstairs urgently needing to pee. When I open the apartment door, Flynn is lounging with some redheaded chick—a face that doesn’t look familiar, and therefore not the woman from the other morning. I wave hello before bolting to the bathroom, relieving myself, then exiting in a happier mood.

“Have you guys eaten?” I grab a menu off the table, realizing only now that I haven’t eaten since lunch.

“We can grab some pizzas,” Flynn suggests, eyeing me cautiously. “Kail, my sister, Milly.”

“Hey,” she mumbles, unimpressed.

“Hey…” I respond back with a quick smile. “Sure, order me my usual. I’m just going to get changed.”

I begin tearing my blouse off as I walk into my room. All of a sudden, I halt when the image of Wesley sitting on my bed startles me.

How?

Why didn’t Flynn tell me he was here?

My brother is a significant pain in my backside.

Wesley is anything but happy.

He’s grinding his teeth with his nostrils flaring at the same time. He’s dressed in a pair of shorts, tee, and sneakers, looking rather casual. His hair appears like it’s grown since this morning, which is impossible, yet, limp against his face until he combs it back with his fingers in a frustrating move.

“Oh, you’re here.”

Silence falls. I throw my bag onto the bed, and the second it lands, he grabs it unzipping the zipper and fumbling around removing my cell.

Holding it up, he gestures with an agitated expression. “Would you look at that? You do have battery… and your cell does work. Did it not occur to you to respond to any of my calls or texts?”

“I fell asleep,” I tell him. “I was exhausted from last night.”

“You fucking read my texts,” he yells, erratic and throwing my cell onto the bed. “Don’t give me that bullshit, Milana.”

“Bullshit?” I question, equally annoyed at his childish behavior. “Last week, you didn’t speak to me for days.”