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“It’s okay. You’re tired and it’s late.” When he continues looking at me and not saying anything, I speak up. “Tell me what the hell is going on, Conrad.”
He sighs. “Not really sure where to even begin.”
“How about from the beginning?”
20
CONRAD
My body is fighting sleep with the late hour, and I want nothing more than to collapse into bed and never get out. With the team getting a week off from practice for spring break, starting up daily sessions in the last five days has taken a toll on my body.
“Well, you know how my last name is Dugray?” I ask Emree after she tells me to start from the beginning.
She raises an eyebrow with a muddled look. “Yeah…what about it?”
“One of the many things I liked about you from the moment we met was that my last name meant nothing to you. When I told you what it was, there was no reaction, and I knew you didn’t know who my family was.”
“Conrad, you’re starting to make me nervous.” Her voice is more alert.
“Baby, my family is rich. Old money rich. My dad’s family started a small hospitality company over a hundred years ago, and since then, it has spiraled out. Now my father is the CEO of several companies, but the most notorious one is The Dugray Group. It includes hotel chains, clubs, and—”
“Oh my god, hotels,” she cuts me off with a shocked gasp. By the look in her eyes, I can tell it is all clicking together. “Your family istheDugray family? Like they own the Dugray Hotels that are across the nation?”
Nodding, I continue. “Yes. They’re the most pretentious and selfish people you will ever meet, but that is my family.”
Emree leans back against the cushion, watching me. “Why did you never tell me?”
Resting my elbows on my knees, I rub my eyes with my palms. “Because, Em, I didn’t want to be a Dugray for five fucking seconds.” I stand, frustrated with my family name. “It’s exhausting living with a family name like that. Moving here, meeting you and the guys, it was nice to finally not be recognized because of where I come from. Everyone in my life up north treats me differently, thinking they can get something from me because of my father.”
“Wow…just wow. I’m not sure what to say right now.” Emree is staring at her lap as she fiddles with her fingers. “Basically, you’re saying that you come from this millionaire family that is well known, and I’ve been blind to it for the last six months?”
Billionaire, but I won’t correct her. She doesn’t need to know just how much money my family is worth.
“Basically,” I agree. “There is more to it than that, though.”
“Jeez, I can’t wait,” she expresses with an eye roll.
Ignoring the sarcasm, I take a deep breath and prepare to tell her the part I’m even more ashamed of. “I’m the oldest of two sons and a daughter. In my family, there are expectations that come with being the eldest son.”
Emree bites her full bottom lip as she takes in what I am telling her.
“From a young age, I’ve been taught the family business and have been told I needed to get a proper education at only one of the best schools and the moment I graduate college, I’m to join my father to prepare to take over when he retires. Part of all this means marrying a woman who comes from our way of life, preferably someone whose family has something for the family business to gain.” The words taste like metal as they come out of my mouth.
“That someone not being a poor girl from a small town and a single mom,” she states, her voice small, and her shoulders drop. Emree’s expression has shifted from the hardened protective shell she created at the beginning of the conversation to something softer. Sadder. Her eyes are cast down as she nervously bites her bottom lip.
“Unfortunately,” I tell her honestly. “I wish it didn’t have to be this way, but this was the hand I was dealt when I was born a Dugray. My life has been mapped out since before I was born, and none of it has been my choice.”
Emree’s eyes darken and her nostrils flare just the slightest. “That’s bullshit, Conrad. Everyone has a choice in their life.”
Pinching the bridge of my nose with my fingers, I struggle with an oncoming headache from exhaustion. “Em, if it were that simple, do you think I would even be entertaining the idea of having a fuckingarranged marriage? It’s not. Nothing in my life has ever been simple. The only time I have felt like a normal goddamn human being has been the last three years at this school with the guys and…and you.”
She stands and begins pacing as if she can’t handle sitting still. “Listen, I may not know all about rich families and obligations, but I do know what free will is, and you have that. Tell your dad there is no way you’re marrying a complete stranger. Tell him you’ll take over the family business, whatever that means, but your life is your life, Conrad.” Her eyes soften as she looks at me. “You should be able to fall in love with whoever you want.”
While a laugh fights its way out of me, I control it. “Baby, that’s not how it works with Howard Dugray. If I ever went against him, he would cut me off from everything. I’d no longer be a Dugray.”
We stand there, mere inches between us, staring at each other. Emree’s chest heaves with each heavy breath she takes. Looking at her, I know for a fact that this is the woman I love, not only for her exterior beauty but for what is inside her as well. Even after I hurt her only a week ago, Emree was willing to listen to me explain myself. Not all women would do that after being burned, especially with how many times I’ve fucked up when it comes to us.
“I hate your dad,” Emree whispers.
