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“Wait, I thought your dad was a lawyer?” I asked.
Dodge closed his eyes and nodded his head. “He is.”
“Okay, so you said you have to go back to a job you hated. What did you do for your father?”
Dodge looked away. It was almost as if he didn’t want to acknowledge what he used to do for his dad.
“I was a lawyer, Ryn. I worked for my dad for a year before I couldn’t take it anymore. It was bad enough my father pushed me hard in high school and college, working for him was worse.”
My mouth dropped open. As Tristan asked, “You . . . were a lawyer?”
Dodge glared at Tristan. “Yeah, I was. Don’t act too surprised.”
Holding up his hands Tristan said, “Hey, not judging dude, that just threw me for a loop.”
Looking at Tristan and giving him a smile, I wanted to say I was thrown too. But I didn’t. I did however have a million questions. Dodge was a lawyer. “What did your dad do that made you hate it so much, Dodge?”
“First off, he made me a partner, almost immediately, which didn’t sit too well with the other established lawyers. Nothing like walking into a party and having everyone moan because the party pooper just showed up.”
“Damn, that would suck,” Tristan said.
Pinching his lips together, Dodge agreed. “It did. Then he stuck me with the stupidest cases. Shit that a first year law student could win. It was frustrating.” Dodge dropped his head back against the headrest of his chair. “I don’t know what to do.”
Tristan leaned forward and put his elbows on Dodge’s desk. “Don’t go work for him. Why are you letting him have the upper hand, Dodge? I mean, unless daddy is sending you a shit load of money every month, the last time I checked you were a grown man. Don’t let your old man run your life.”
Dodge’s eyes filled with sadness and for some reason my heart broke for him. I knew Dodge well enough to know he wasn’t just rolling over and letting his dad walk all over him. I also knew what it was like to have parents who tried to control your entire life.
“I don’t have a choice,” Dodge whispered in the saddest voice I’d ever heard.
“Why?” I asked.
Looking away before I could see the tears forming in his eyes, he tried to talk but his voice cracked. Clearing his throat, Dodge began talking.
“My mother was thrilled when I told her I wanted to be a lawyer. She was a lawyer herself, but she was also a CPA. She loved her job and wanted me to love mine as well. I breezed through high school and graduated early, making my mother proud and my father ecstatic he had something to brag about to his partners at the law firm. I knew right away I wanted to do business law. My father specializes in family law.” Shaking his head and laughing, he looked away. “Really my father specialized in everything. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him lose a case. Any case.”
Looking back at Tristan and me, Dodge continued talking as he messed with a piece of paper on this desk. “When my father showed he had no faith in me being a real-time lawyer, I told him I was leaving. If he couldn’t give me the cases I deserved and the experience I needed to be a good lawyer then I’d go manage a damn club. He laughed and told me I’d never make it without him. I got pissed and walked out of his office, never looking back. Two days later, I changed my hair color to dirty-blond and was general manager of Red 7. My mother was heartbroken and my father was just downright pissed off that his son would walk away from one of the biggest law firms in Austin and be a bartender.”
“Oh Dodge, you’re more than that.”
Nodding he said, “I know, Ryn. He doesn’t though and he convinced my mother I was doing it just to piss him off. I told him it would take hell freezing over before I would ever return to law. As much as I missed it, I wouldn’t go back just to be spiteful.” Letting out a gruff laugh, Dodge’s face fell into his hands. “Hell has frozen over and I’m walking right in the middle of it.”
Dragging his hands down his face, when someone knocked on his door, he turned and looked at a young girl standing there. “Hey, are you okay? Chase is out here saying some serious shit right now.”
Giving her a weak smile he nodded, “Yeah, she’s just pissed our . . . time. . . . got interrupted.” Dodge looked at Tristan and gave him a dirty look, eliciting a laugh from Tristan.
“Did you need any help?” the girl asked. I could see it in her eyes. She had a thing for Dodge. I wondered how many of his employees he actually fucked. If I were to guess, I’d say Chase, the blonde from earlier, was his first.
“We’re good. Will you please shut the door on your way out?”
The girl’s face dropped as she nodded her head. Turning to Tristan and I, she gave us a weak smile. Poor thing. She had it bad for Dodge. In the ten months or so we had been together, I’d seen my fair share of girls giving Dodge that same look. He on the other hand, was oblivious to all of it.
Tristan cleared his throat. “Okay, so I’m still confused as to what your dad has over you to make you go back to work for him.”
Tears filled Dodge’s eyes and I sucked in a breath of air. Looking away from us, he quickly wiped his tears away. “It’s a long story. The short version is my mother has lung cancer and I’m only doing it for her. I’ll fill y’all in on all of it sometime.
My eyes filled with tears. “Dodge, I’m so sorry this is happening to you. Your poor mother, I wish there was something we could do.”
Pushing his hand through his hair again, a clear sign he was stressed, Dodge chuckled. “There is nothing anyone can do, Ryn. I’m not going to let my mother down. I love her too much. If going back and working for my prick father will make my mother happy and hopefully help her fight this, then that’s what I’m going to do.”
“Damn, Dodge, I’m really sorry to hear about your mother. Please let Ryn and I know if there is anything we can do. Anything.”
Smiling, Dodge stood and held his hand out for Tristan. “I appreciate that, Tristan. More than you know.”
Looking back at me, Dodge gave me wink. “Enough of this downer bullshit. Let’s go get you two a drink.”
The rest of the evening at Red 7 was spent visiting with Dodge, dancing, and having a great time.
Sitting at the bar, Tristan leaned over and spoke in my ear. “Are you ready to head to my condo, baby?”
My heart dropped. I’d never been to Tristan’s condo. I had always figured he didn’t want to seem like he was bragging, so he just never brought me there. We always went to his house, which was now officially sold. Giving him a smile, I slipped off the chair. Giving Dodge a wave goodbye, he smiled.
“Y’all be safe! Talk to you soon,” Dodge shouted from behind the bar.
Ten minutes later we were pulling into the underground parking for Tristan’s condo unit. My mind was brought back to Azurdee telling me how her and Lark had sex out in public on his motorcycle. It had been the hottest thing she had ever done.
“Why don’t you have a condo at the Austonian like Lark?” I asked as I watched Tristan pull into a reserved parking spot.
Giving me a wicked smile he said, “Because that bastard took the best unit in the building. He beat me to it, so I had to one up him. I love living at The Milago, though. It’s a better fit for me.”
“Oh,” I whispered. I’d been to Lark’s condo. I could not imagine anyone one-upping that thing. It had three hundred and sixty degree views. Solid windows all around.
Jumping out of his car, Tristan walked around to open my door. Dragging in a deep breath, I couldn’t shake the fluttery feelings in my stomach. I knew I was picking up Tristan’s vibes and I had no idea what he was nervous about. The only thing I could think of was he was having second thoughts about me moving down to South Texas. Closing my eyes, I said a quick prayer that was not the case. I didn’t think my heart could take it if he was telling me he changed his mind.
Taking my hand, we walked to the elevator. “So, how long have you had this condo?” I asked.
Pushing t
he button, Tristan looked my way. “About three years I’d say. I bought it when they were still building it. I had it designed exactly how I wanted. There are a lot of . . . custom things added to this unit.”
“Oh, that’s nice,” I said nervously. “And you’re keeping it? Not selling it?”
He looked at me with a serious face. “No, I figured we’d want a place to stay when we come to Austin to visit or for your work.” His face dropped a little as he added, “If you don’t like it though or it makes you feel uncomfortable, I can sell it.”
Pulling my head back in surprise, I wanted to ask him why his condo would make me uncomfortable. “No, Tristan I’m sure I’m going to love it.”
The elevators opened and Tristan motioned for me to get it. He paused for a few brief seconds before he finally stepped into the elevator. Running a card in front of a reader, he hit the top button that read, penthouse.
Oh. Shit. I’m beginning to think the Williams boys have plenty of play money.
“Ryn, I’m about to show you another side of me. I’m scared to death, baby, that you’re going to run away from me.”
Looking into Tristan’s eyes, I swallowed hard.
Oh holy shit.
THE COLOR IN RYN’S FACE disappeared. I don’t think she meant to whisper oh holy shit out loud, but she did. I was beginning to sweat and my stomach was in knots. I had no idea how Ryn was going to react to what I was about to show her. A part of me didn’t want to show her. I’d just sell the condo and we would buy something new. I could live with handcuffs and a flogger.
The elevator opened and the smell of leather hit me in the face. No. No, I knew I wouldn’t be happy living a lie. I wasn’t going to hide this part of who I was. Maybe Ryn wouldn’t be upset. After all, I wasn’t into hardcore BDSM at all. I had a few suspension things in my room, the x-cross with the shackles. I guess those things might come across as scary. If Ryn doesn’t turn and walk away, I will be able to quickly explain to her. If she’s anything like Liberty, she’ll quickly turn away and tell me my days of needing sexual pleasure like that are over. Liberty thought I had found love with her, and that I could leave all this behind because I would be satisfied with just her.
Would it take just meeting the right girl to walk away from this?
If Ryn asked me to give up this side of me, would I? I had already said I would entertain the thought. Ryn meant the world to me and I knew deep in my heart I would do whatever it took to make her happy.
Ryn stepped off the elevator and I followed. It opened right up into the massive open floor plan. “Oh my gosh.” Turning back and looking at me she smiled. “Tristan, why were you not living here? It’s amazing!”
