We were at the door then, so I let go of her and pulled the door open. Mom went inside, and they seated us before she said, “Don’t be your father.”
“Huh?”
“I love your daddy. He’s the best man I’ve ever known, and I’m so damn proud of him for what he’s accomplished. He came from nothing, and he built something—a pretty amazing something—and we have a great life because of it, but all work and no play isn’t good for anyone. He’s learning that now, even if grudgingly so. I don’t want you to spend your life thinking school and your career are the only important things. I want there to be guys, lots and lots of guys.”
“You want me to be a slut?” I tried to make light of the situation.
“Okay, well, at least one guy. A really nice guy, and I want there to be fun and adventures. It’s great to be smart, Jameson, and it’s great to want success, but remember, there’s more to life than school, Kira, and Ali.”
“I know,” I told her, looking down at the tablecloth. She was right, and that’s what I was trying to do with Will, but nerves were there too because I was already starting to feel attached.
“How did your date go the other night?”
She for sure didn’t want details about that. I shrugged. “It was all right. It’s nothin’ serious.”
Mom nodded. “Your dad has an event coming up in a couple of weeks.”
“What kind of event?”
She waved her hand and rolled her eyes. “Whatever your daddy thinks he needs to have a party about. You know how he enjoys his social events. I don’t even know, to be honest. It’s important to keep your name in people’s mouths. That’s probably what it’s about. Anyway, you and your sister are both expected.”
I dropped my head back and tried not to whine. I hated my dad’s parties. I always felt so out of place at them. They were a reminder that I wasn’t him and that this company he built from nothing but his sweat and hard work wasn’t something I ever wanted to be mine, which made me feel like the world’s shittiest son. “I suppose there’s no way out of this?”
“Not unless you want to piss me off. If I gotta be there, you guys have to as well.”
“Misery loves company?”
“Something like that.” Mom smiled, reached over, and put her hand on mine. “Plus, I like spending time with my boy.”
“I know, Mama.” I liked spending time with her too.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Will
I hadn’t seen Jameson all week. It was crazy busy at Crane, the busiest week we’d had since I started working there. I was helping plan Leon’s party, which he’d said was basically to remind people he was the top dog. I fucking loved that attitude. It fitted me and steeled my resolve that one day I’d be the top dog too. Even if it wasn’t in the entertainment business the way he was. I didn’t want to be an actor or anything like that, but I did want to be involved in it in some way—or, you know, in Leon’s way, but even if not that, I’d be the best at something I loved.
But Leon was out of town this weekend, and it was Saturday, so I was taking my ass to see my professor. Blowjobs were next on the list, and they happened to be one of my favorite things ever, both giving and receiving them. Plus, I just wanted to see him. It had been…nice the other night. Jameson had given me something I needed, and I didn’t know if he even realized that, or if I wanted him to. Maybe I was a little emotionally available. Who knew? But even if he didn’t know why, I sure as shit could thank him for the other night with my mouth.
I knocked on the door to his condo. The second he opened it, I was on him. My lips covered his, and my tongue slipped inside. Jameson made this shocked sound before he moaned into it, the way he always seemed to melt when I kissed him.
He stumbled backward, and I followed him, kicking the door behind me and dropping to my knees. As soon as they kissed the carpet, there was an unexpected, “Kira, we gotta hurry before Jameson’s man gets here—oh shit. My eyes!”
I froze with my fingers at the button on Jameson’s shorts.
“What is it? Oh shit,” Kira added.
“Damn, boy. Check you out.” This from Ali.
I looked up at Jameson, who was biting his lip, and damn it, that wasn’t going to help my hard-on. “I’m going to die!” he mouthed.
I peeked around his waist to see the two girls standing in the hallway. I could be embarrassed, and I felt bad because Jameson was, but I just shrugged. “Sorry, ladies. It’s been a while, and I was excited.”