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My eyes welled up. Looking at my lap, I muttered, “Okay.”
A tear slipped down my cheek, and Hil’s hand reached out to comfort me.
“Why are you crying?” he asked softly.
I sniffled, meeting his gaze. “Why do you think I’m not good enough for your family?”
Hil sighed, his eyes filling with concern.
“That’s not it at all, Dillon. That’s not it at all. My whole life, I’ve felt trapped in my family’s crazy life. I don’t want you to join me in this cell.” He paused, reminiscing. “You don’t know what it was like growing up in that penthouse cage, where the only friend I had befriended me out of pity.”
I shook my head, denying his claim. “That’s not why we’re friends, Hil. We’re friends because I love you.” My voice trembled as I continued, “And I’m really tired of being your family’s charity case. I’m grateful for it. Don’t think I’m not. But I want to stand on my own.
“If I accepted Remy’s offer, maybe I could do that. And maybe if I earned my way, I could take you out instead of always depending on your generosity.”
Having heard what I said, Hil wiped his eyes, sniffling.
“I don’t want you to get involved with Remy, Dillon. And it’s not because you’re not good enough for our family. I already think of you as a brother.”
“Then, I don’t understand. Why don’t you want us together?”
“It’s because I need you, Dillon. And I know if you got involved with him, he’ll do something that will get you hurt. Once that happens, you’ll realize you’re too good for people like us, and then… you won’t want to be friends with me anymore,” he admitted as his tears continued to flow.
“I know it’s selfish, but I couldn’t stand to be alone again, Dillon,” Hil added, his voice cracking. “And you’re all I have. I don’t want to lose you.”
I reached out and squeezed his hand. “Hil, nothing will ever break up our friendship. And you’ll never be alone again. Not only do you have Cali but I’m not going anywhere. I promise.”
Hil smiled through his tears, nodding. “I’m so lucky to have you both. But please, promise me you won’t get involved with Remy. I’ll do anything. If you need more money, I can get the scholarship committee to increase your stipend.”
I shook my head. “I don’t want that, Hil. I want to start earning my own money. And I want to take Remy’s job offer with your blessing.”
Hil hesitated for a moment, then finally gave in. “Alright, Dillon. You have my blessing. But promise me one thing – don’t fall for my brother’s charms.”
I smiled. “I promise.”
“Thank you,” he said leaning in and hugging me.
Holding him, I looked around at the place we had once pretended to be adults and wondered if I had made a promise I could keep.
A week after accepting Remy’s job offer, I walked into his stylish Brooklyn brownstone for my first day. I didn’t know what to expect but when Remy stepped out of his office to greet me, my thin suit pants couldn’t hide my excitement.
Remy’s 6’2″ muscular frame filled out a crisp white shirt like it had been painted onto him. And with his sleeves rolled up, his forearm tattoos were on full display. I could barely speak, feeling a wave of desire wash over me. It was like I was 14 again, uncontrollable boners and all.
“Dillon, I’m so excited to finally have you…”
“… here?” I stuttered.
“Where ever you’d like,” he replied with a smile and enough suggestion to drop me to my knees. “Now, the first item on our agenda, come with me,” he said quickly changing to a serious tone.
“Where are we going?” I asked, my voice sounding weak as I barely had time to set down my belongings.
“We’re doing a walking meeting. That sounds professional, right? Yes, we’re doing a professional walking meeting,” he said, leading me back outside.
“Will I need to take notes?” I replied reaching for my phone and some semblance of professionalism.
As I pulled it out and navigated to my notes app, he looked at my ancient device and sighed.
“Nope. That will not do. The first thing on your agenda, get yourself a new phone. We’ll call it a company phone, but it’s yours. Get whichever one you’d like,” he said assertively.
