AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yeah, because she’s pissed you hurt me. She loves both of us for different reasons. We’re the reason why she’s hurting now. I don’t want to hurt her anymore. I love her and always will. It’s why I’m going to try my best to get picked, then move on with my career.”
I hate the truth to his words. My anger displayed at the club resulted in me punching his face, knowing Addison disapproves of such violence. She studies psych, and how I reacted goes against everything she believes in.
So, I swallow my pride.
“I’m sorry I hit you.”
“Eh, it was a pretty pussy punch.”
The corner of my mouth curves up slightly. “Same goes for you, brother.”
We both sit on the leather couch to pour the remnants of the bottle. It doesn’t take us long to finish between the two of us.
“How do you feel about trying out for the big guns?” I ask, knowing how important this is to him.
“Ready, nervous, I dunno,” he responds while shrugging. “I’ve waited my whole life for this.
“Show them the real you. That’s all there is to this.”
“Yeah, you’re right. I just gotta be confident, like you,” Cruz professes but pauses briefly. “I know we don’t exactly get along, but for what it’s worth, I’ve always looked up to you.”
I cock my head in confusion. “Me?”
“Yeah, I mean Dad and Mom are proud as fuck over you. You’re destined to be the next Lex Edwards.”
A small chuckle escapes me. “C’mon, no one competes with him.”
“Will does.”
“Eh, he thinks he does, but Lex is the king of the throne.”
Cruz laughs. “Yeah, I guess.”
“But listen,” I continue, placing my hand on his shoulder. “You can do this, okay? If you think Mom and Dad are proud of me? They’re equally proud of you.”
“You really think so?”
I squeeze my baby brother's shoulder. “I know so.”
* * *
The receptionist leads me down the long corridor toward Lex’s office.
His new building is quite an architectural eyesore. Glass windows everywhere with panoramic views of LA.
She knocks on the door then opens it. Lex is sitting behind his desk on the phone.
“Gordon, I need to call you back.”
He hangs up the phone to stand up, extending his hand to shake mine. I do so to be courteous but remain standing rather than sitting down.
“Please, sit.”
“I’ll continue to stand if you don’t mind.”
“If that’s what you prefer,” he simply says.
My hands move inside the pockets of my navy pants. I begin to pace the area in front of his desk, followed by nervously removing my left hand to run through my hair.
