AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Idon’t. But I won’t say that to Cash. Instead, I gently encourage him to continue. “But?”
“I’m worried he’s on drugs again.” He looks down at our hands, my smaller hand pale against his golden skin. After a pause, he continues, “It’s nothing obvious, like before. But he’s more irritable, and his eyes are bloodshot. It could be nothing; maybe he’s not sleeping well, or he’s worried about work…”
I force back the anger already bubbling up inside me. “Have you asked him about it?”
“No.” He barks out a short laugh, then looks at me sadly. “I know I have to. I guess I was hoping if I waited a little, it would get better on its own. It’s stupid.”
“No, Cash, it’s not.” His eyes are so sad, I just want to hug him. “It’s notstupid. He’s your brother, and you want to believe what he told you. That’s being human. Not stupid.”
“He already asked for a promotion,” Cash says. Disbelief infuses his voice. “A raise. And he wanted to know when he’d get some shares of the company.”
“What?” It’s sharper than I intended, and I try again more softly. “What did you tell him?”
“I told him no. Not yet.” Cash gives me a rueful smile. “He wasn’t very happy about my answer. But there’s no way…” He takes a swig of his beer. “I may have a weak spot when it comes to Brett, but not to thatextent. Hundreds of employees rely on Chatham for their livelihoods. There’s no way I’m risking that.”
“Good.” It’s more blunt than I should be, but it’s the truth. “You made the right choice.”
“I need to talk to him about the drugs,” Cash admits. “And stop putting it off.”
God, I’m so mad at Brett. He could have had everything—a company to run, a relationship with loving grandparents, with Cash—and he threw it all away. And worse than that, he keeps coming back, hurting Cash over and over again.
“It’s going to be okay,” I reassure him.
But Cash’s shoulders are drooping, and his eyes are so sad. My heart aches for the man and the disappointed teenager he once was; wishing his brother hadn’t left him.
So I get up from my stool and hug him. With Cash still sitting and me standing, my head is level with his, and I rest my cheek on his shoulder. “It’s going to be okay.”
His arms come around me, and this time, he’s the one leaning on me. “Thank you.”
Chapter 10
CASH
“My skills aren’t being fully utilized as an editorial assistant, Cash.”
I knewI should have had my assistant tell Brett I was busy. It was only yesterday that I told him he couldn’t have a promotion, and he’s already at it again.
Brett is leaning over my desk, his fingers making damp smears on the polished wood. His bloodshot eyes are pleading.
“I’m much smarter than the guy you have me working for. He keeps making all these mistakes—I’m trying to catch them all but some slip through—and I’m worried he’s going to end up making an error that ends up costing Chatham a lot of money.”
“Richard has worked here for over ten years,” I explain, trying to keep the irritation out of my voice. “He’s an exemplary employee. That’s why I assigned you to work with him.”
“Maybe he usedto be.“ Brett leans in, giving me ajust between uslook. “But from what I’ve seen, he cuts corners. Did I mention how many mistakes I’ve seen in his work? He’s a decent guy, I guess…” He moves even closer, his breath hot on my face. “But I think he’s cheating on his wife with one of the illustrators. Not very professional, in myopinion.”
Don’t yell.Don’t yell.He’s yourbrother.
Tipping back in my chair, I level a stern look at Brett. “Don’t worry about what Richard does. He’s myemployee, not yours. And I’m not giving you his job.”
Brett scowls. “Cash—“
Then I’m saved by my phone. My cell is vibrating on my desk and I snatch at it, thankful for the interruption. Ian’s name appears on the screen, and I answer it, saying quickly, “Hang on, Ian. I just have to wrap up a meeting.”
Muting the call, I look back at Brett. “I have to take this.”
“Fine,” he grumbles. “We can talk more about this later.”
Or not.
