Zack (Blue-Collar Billionaires 4)

“Your father is thinking about running for state’s attorney next year and we don’t need any more skeletons to deal with after your brother’s episode last year.”

Her casual mention of my brother sends my breath from my chest. My hand shakes as I set my teacup down on the tray. My older brother, James, has always gone overboard to win our parents approval. For years he succeeded, graduating at the top of his class at Georgetown University before entering Yale Law.

After that he moved to New York and worked for one of the top firms in the country. He was on the fast track to partnership until he had a breakdown from all the pressure. He was found wandering around his neighborhood in his robe and slippers in the early morning by the police.

The fact that my parents consider him an embarrassment is so heartless. He’s always done everything he could to be the perfect son and his desire to please them is ultimately what drove him past the breaking point.

“Okay, I have to go.”

I ignore her usual litany of complaints and kiss her cheek briefly before I head upstairs. My father is in his study just as I knew he would be. His desk is covered in documents and his lips move slightly as he reads. He looks up when I come in.

“Hey pumpkin. When did you get here?”

“About ten minutes ago. I wanted to say hi before I left. What are you working on?”

“Just a new case. Busy, busy. Tell me, how is Isabelle?”

“She’s great. Still in school, working toward her degree in library science.”

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“Excellent. She always did love her books.”

He’s already spacing out, his eyes darting back to his computer screen. My heart sinks a little but this is the way of my world. One parent who’s way too interested and one who isn’t interested at all.

“I’ll leave you to it, then.” I kiss the top of his head and pull the study door closed behind me. When I turn around, I’m yanked off my feet and twirled around.

“What the–“

When I see who it is, I let out a squeal. “Jamie! You’re here!” I grab him around the waist in a bear hug. “You sneak! I had no idea you were coming into town.”

“It was a spur of the moment thing.”

Now that I’m looking at him, I can see the lines around his eyes are more pronounced than usual and there’s a haunted look in his eyes that wasn’t there before. My brother looks like he’s been through some things since I saw him last.

“How long are you staying?”

“Actually I took a leave of absence. I needed one.”

He throws an arm around my neck as we walk back down the hall. Growing up, we weren’t as close as I’d have liked just due to the age gap. But once I was a teenager, the five years between us didn’t seem quite so great. Jamie always understood when I complained about mom setting me up with yet another eligible bachelor or belittling the things I care about. He understands better than anyone how parental pressure can drive you crazy.

“So where are you staying? Not here?”

He cringes. “I didn’t really think that part through. I haven’t even been here an hour and Dad already asked if I would be working with him at the firm. I shouldn’t say asked. Assumed. I don’t think a leave of absence is a thing he understands.”

I pull out my phone and text Izzie.

- - Okay if Jamie crashes in the guest room while he’s in town?

She replies back immediately.

- - Of course! Haven’t seen him in ages. C u soon

I turn around and drag Jamie back to his room. “Grab your stuff and come with me.”

“Where are we going?” He looks amused but follows my directions, grabbing a black duffel from the bed.

“I’m rooming with Isabelle now and she said it’s cool if you crash with us for a while. There’s no way I’m leaving you here.”