Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
Valerie
Almost two weeks later, I was beyond frustrated. Not because of Lucas. Our relationship since Leavenworth had progressed nicely. We’d gone to dinner several times and spent Friday night together. I was happy.
My frustration came from looking at Rustic’s books. No matter how many times I tried to match things up, it didn’t make sense. I was beginning to suspect they had two sets of books and were giving me a little bit of each.
Josh and Dean had gathered all the Rustic invoices to FI for the last year. Nothing was matching up the way I thought it should.
“This doesn’t make any fucking sense.” I slammed my hand against the desk and instantly regretted it as pain shot through my fingers.
“When you start swearing, things can’t be good,” Lucas said from across the office.
“This is an accountant’s nightmare.” I threw my hands up in the air. “I don’t get how their accountant makes sense of any of this.”
“Want to talk it through?”
“No. I want to throw it all in a fire and burn it.” I appreciated Lucas’ suggestion, but talking this through at the moment wasn’t going to help. This company was a mess.
“That bad?”
I heard the humor in his voice, and it irritated me more. “I’m not kidding, Lucas. I can only get one out of every four invoices to match up. The others don’t match what Rustic has and what the invoice says.”
“That shouldn’t be happening.” He frowned.
“No shit.” I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. “Sorry, I’m just irritated beyond belief.”
He stood and walked over to me. “You’ll figure it out.” He placed his hands on my shoulders and massaged.
Oh man, that felt so good. I’d been hunched over the books too long. “I know, but right now, it’s bugging the heck out of me.”
“Maybe it’s time for a break.”
I didn’t move as he continued to work the knots out of my shoulders. Inch by inch, I started to relax.
“Maybe some coffee and food will help.” My cell rang, and I glanced at the screen where it sat on my desk. My mother. Just what I didn’t need, but if I didn’t answer it, she’d just keep calling. All the tension Lucas had just worked out returned instantly. “I need to take this.”
“Answer it. I’m going to keep massaging since you were just starting to relax.”
Relaxing on a call with my mother? That was anything but relaxing. “Hello, Mother.”
“Valerie. Good, I finally got you. I’m calling to remind you that you will be at Kendall’s party tomorrow night.”
I sighed. I didn’t want to go. I hated these types of parties, even more with how my family acted.
“I don’t want to hear any excuses,” my mother said, raising her voice.
Lucas’ hands tightened on my shoulders. My mother had yelled so loud he heard her. He turned my chair, leaned down, and mouthed. “Event?”
I shook my head, but his eyes narrowed. Damn, I didn’t need this. I was trying to keep Lucas away from my family.
“I’ll call you back.” I hung up before my mother could complain.
“Do they not want to meet me because I walked out on you?” Lucas asked, hurt reflected in his eyes.
“What?” I shook my head. “Absolutely not.”
“They why don’t you want me to meet your family?”
Oh, damn. I hadn’t foreseen this happening. “You know I’m not close with my family.” Admittedly, I’d never explained why. Maybe because I feared Lucas would see me as some “petty bitch” as my family would call me.
“I remember, but your mom wants you got come to the event tomorrow night, actually she’s insisting on it.”
“She is.” Now what was I going to do? It wasn’t like Lucas didn’t know about the event when he’d heard my call with my mother weeks ago.
The best I could do was explain what I had a feeling would happen.
My gut knotted. “Lucas, this isn’t one of those nice get-togethers like we have on Friday night at the pub.
It’s my family trying to show we’re one big happy family when we’re not.
To further their own agendas.” That was the best I could do without sounding bitter.
“I can deal with that.”
“I’m not sure I can.” The words slipped out before I could prevent them. My cell rang again, and we both glanced at the screen.
“Tell her we’ll be there.”
I opened my mouth to tell him no and stopped.
Maybe it was time he met the crazy family I came from, then hopefully he’d understand my fears.
“Hello again, Mother. I’ll be there, and I’m bringing a friend.
Bye.” I hung up before she could say another word.
This was a big step for me, and I didn’t want to listen to her question me, especially with Lucas standing here. Or worse, try to tell me what to wear.
My stomach turned over. What the fuck had I just done? This was a disaster in the making.
“Tell me where we’re going.”
“The club in downtown Seattle. It’s on Fourth Avenue.”
“I’m familiar.” He stroked my cheek. “What’s the occasion?”
“With my family, who knows. It has something to do with my sister, Kendall.” I hated the bitterness in my voice—even if it was justified.
“There is something I want you to understand. And this is hard for me to share.” I had to warn him.
It wouldn’t be fair to lead him into the lion’s den without at least some knowledge.
“Sweetheart, what is going on?” Concern spread over his features.
“They are the only family I have, but they can be self-centered. Especially my sister.”
Lucas nodded. “But there’s more.”
“My sister is the apple of their eyes. She can do nothing wrong, whereas everything I’ve ever done is wrong.”
“That’s not fair.”
The bitter laugh that escaped was not pretty.
I couldn’t help it. “My parents don’t even know what the word fair means.
A plate broke, and it was my fault even if I wasn’t in the room.
That’s just one example. Anyhow…” I waved my hand.
“I have a feeling this party is going to be all about Kendall and something special she’s done.
So don’t be surprised at how my parents act.
” Hell, maybe they’d just ignore me. I could only wish.
“Family is sometimes made by those we let into our lives. Remember, my parents more or less left me on my own with my sister.”
Remorse hit me. “I don’t want this to be triggering for you. I can go alone.” That was probably for the best. Dealing with my family could hurt Lucas, and I wouldn’t have that.
“Honey.” Lucas knelt. “Don’t worry about me.”
“But I do.” My breath caught in my throat. “Lucas, you’re so responsible, and I don’t want you taking me on as a responsibility.” I wouldn’t be able to stand that.
“Is that what you think I’m doing?” He tilted his head and stared at me.
“Not yet.” At least, not as far as I could tell, but Lucas was protective, and he needed to understand I wouldn’t become a responsibility to him. This wasn’t a one-way relationship. We were in this together.
His lips turned up. “The only thing I want to be responsible for is giving you orgasms and satisfying you whenever I can get you alone.”
Heat filled me, and my eyes closed. This man could disarm me so easily with some choice words. It wasn’t fair, yet I loved it. “That sounds like a challenge.”
His eyes brightened. “It is. Because you’re stubborn. Let’s finish this workday and go join the others at the pub. We can deal with tomorrow night later.” Lucas stood.
I wouldn’t argue with him. Turning back to my spreadsheets, I sighed. Nothing had changed there, but at the moment, I didn’t care. My mind was filled with Lucas and me together in bed. Lucas was the only one who could do this to me, and for some reason, I didn’t mind.