Their Boy (The Game 2)

“Mad and I had a blast decorating our condo,” Abel said. “I say go for it. It’s about time you move out of your parents’ place and into your own house.”

He was so right.* * *I’d never understood why some people who ran charity organizations had to have massive offices in the most expensive part of a city. I liked Linda very much, but I had to side with my dad here. He used to joke that the rent on this place for one month would provide for a whole village in Africa for a year.

Right now, she was going through checks for a fundraiser. When they were short, they had a list of people to call, and I was on it.

In the corner of the office was a rollup banner for the cause they were raising the money for this time. It was about putting more girls in developing countries through school.

I sat in one of the chairs on the other side of Linda’s desk, and I tried not to scratch my elbow. Fuck. I’d forgotten to use the lotions again, despite Lucas’s reminder this morning.

“There. Sorry you had to wait, sweetie.” Linda put the stacks of checks into the top drawer of her desk and faced me with a smile. “How are you doing these days? We always miss you at holidays, you know.”

I nodded. “I’m doing better, actually. I’m meeting more people.”

“That makes me very happy to hear.” She looked it too. “So. Do you want the spiel, or would you like Richard and me to handle this like before?”

“You can handle it,” I replied. I’d had Richard put most of the family money aside for charities they were passionate about. Thanks to Dad, there would always be an influx I hadn’t earned whatsoever. “I have a question, though.”

“Of course.” Linda waited patiently.

I cleared my throat and felt a bit nervous. This would be new to me. “I, um…I was wondering how I might go about finding a job. Like a volunteer thing.”

Her brows knitted together. “Is something wrong, honey? You know you don’t have to work, right?”

“Yes.” I shifted in my seat. “I want to, though. I want to learn something.”

“Oh. Well.” She raised her brows, then let out a little laugh. “I wish my daughters would want that too.” Her gaze softened. “I will be happy to help you, Kit. In fact, we’re starting a new project in August, and I think I know just the position for you. Something you can ease into.”

I let out a breath in relief. “Thank you, Linda. I appreciate it.”* * *“You’re in a good mood today.” Vincent pulled away from the curb.

“I am.” I smiled and hummed along to a tune in my head. Damn country song! Taking out my phone, I chose the perfect “Lucas way” to announce something. I took a silly selfie with a thumbs-up and went to Instagram. I uploaded the photo with a black-and-white filter and wrote a caption about me getting a job today. “Life is good,” I said, grinning. To all of my seven followers. Aside from Colt, Lucas, and Abel, one of Richard and Linda’s daughters had followed me, as had Vincent. I didn’t know the other two.

Colt and Lucas clearly got notifications whenever I posted something, because just like the other three photos I’d uploaded, they liked and commented very quickly.

Lucas’s response made me blush and feel all warm.

Guess who’s spilling all the details at dinner when his Daddies come home more than a little curious, not to mention proud? You! Congratulations, darling boy.

I giggled under my breath at Colt’s comment.

What the hell? You were crawling a second ago, and now you’re getting a job? They grow up too fast. (This is where you pick up the phone and call your favorite Daddy.)

I replied to him.

You want me to call Lucas? ;) (I’m out with V. We’ll talk later. Kisses!)

“Yeah…” I sighed and pocketed my phone. “Things are finally happening.”

Vincent snorted. “I noticed.”

Did he have to ruin it? “I know you don’t like Colt and Lucas, but—”

“I don’t know them.” He shrugged.

“You know me,” I said, irritated. “You could try to trust me. You could be happy for me.”

“I’m fuckin’ thrilled.” He was lying, and he didn’t even try to hide it. “I’m also fully aware of how this is gonna go. You’ve got your guys now, so it’s only a matter of time before I’m out.”

I clenched my jaw and looked out the window. I was angry and—fuck, I felt guilty. I hated it. He was right, wasn’t he? This whole thing hurt.

He stopped at a red light. “Do you have more errands, or am I taking you home?”

“We have errands, and I want us to have a nice time,” I said sharply. “Okay? I’ll need you a lot. I don’t know anything about redecorating, so I thought we could look around while Colt and Lucas are at work. Will that freaking work for you?”