Chapter Five
Jake
“ G ot a minute?” Nathan stands at the threshold of my office.
I look up from the pile of papers on my desk. “Yeah, man. What’s up?”
He walks inside, closing the glass doors behind him. Whatever it is, it seems he’d prefer not to be overheard.
I rise from my seat. “If this is about me kissing your sister?—”
“I’m way past that,” he growls. “I’m here to ask you about a certain piece of information I heard earlier today. Is it true you’re living with my sister?”
Shit, this complicates things a bit.
I play it cool. “Nathan, you know how office gossip can be. Look, it was a poor joke I thought was funny at the time. That’s all.”
His face turns the same expression of anger as his brothers. He crosses his arms over his chest. “You know I’d believe you…if I didn’t know you’d moved in yesterday.”
“No, I didn’t.” I do my best to lie.
“Cut the crap, Hall. I overheard Mia and Kami talking about it at lunch. At first, I didn’t want to believe it, but I decided to do some digging. You recently changed your primary address on your payroll. It’s the same as Mia’s.”
Someone had to find out eventually. I just didn’t expect it to be so fast. “It’s not what you think.”
“Not what I think?” He laughs. “You moved in with her and didn’t tell my brother, or me, about it. On top of that, you have her convinced Jonathan put you up to it. You’ve been fucking lying to my sister.”
“But Jonathan did give me a job to do.” I give him the same story I gave Mia.
He laughs. “Please. My brother may be overprotective of our little sister, but he’s not that crazy.”
“I’m just telling you what he?—”
“You may have Mia fooled but not me. I know you’ve had a thing for her for years.”
He knew? No. He doesn’t. He could be trying to manipulate me into telling the truth. “God no. She’s always been like?—”
“A sister to you? You know as well as I do that’s bullshit. You’re not the only one with eyes. I’ve seen the way you look at her. Hell, you still look at her like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like she’s a snack you want to devour. Another potential notch on your bedpost.”
I pause. “If you’ve known as long as you say you’ve had, why haven’t you said anything to Jonathan? What’s stopping you now?”
“I was hoping you’d be smart enough to come to your senses and stay away. Be the true friend I know you are. But clearly I was wrong.”
A moment of silence falls between us. If he’s caught me red handed, I’d expect him to blackmail me. To threaten me at least. “What do you want?”
“I don’t want anything. I just can’t, in good conscience, let you pursue my sister.”
“Why? Because it breaks some bro code?”
“Because I know you. Once you’ve had her, you’ll break her heart. And my brother and I refuse to let that happen.”
That’s what they think of me? I shouldn’t be surprised. I let that be my reputation for years. But still, that truth fucking hurts. “So that’s what you think of me. Heartbreaker and player all around. The commitmentphobe, huh?”
“I’m familiar of your track record with women.”
“That was then. I want something better for my life now. Something long-term. With her.”
“I’m glad you’ve decided you want something that lasts, but I won’t let you have my sister if you’re using her as an excuse to play house.”
“I’m not playing games with her. I care very deeply about her.”
He pauses for a brief moment. “If you truly mean that, you’d stop trying to fuck her and get out of her life. Before it’s too late.”
“Is that a threat?”
“It’s a warning. Trust me when I say this. You’d rather be dealing with me than Jonathan. I’m a much nicer version of him. I’m not the type to punch first and ask questions later.”
That may be true, but I’m still going to stand my ground. “Times have changed. We’re all older now. Mia is a grown adult who can take care of herself, not a helpless and fragile child.”
“Heed my warning, Jake. Once Jonathan finds out, there won’t be any stopping him.”
“So you plan to rat me out?”
“No. I’m giving you until Jonathan comes back from vacation for you to get out. No damage has been done yet. There’s still time to get out unscathed.”
He doesn’t understand. Until he’s found something worth fighting for, he’ll never understand. “I don’t want just a good fuck anymore. And I’m not going to set my feelings aside just because it helps Jonathan and you sleep better at night.”
“Fine. Do what you want. But when this all comes crashing down, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
What will Nathan do with this information in the meantime? If he won’t out me to Jonathan, what will he do? “Are you going to tell Mia on me?”
He scoffs. “Oh, hell no. This is not my monkey or my circus. I’m giving you the chance to figure out your own shit. I just hope you know what will be coming your way when Jonathan finds out.”
“I can manage Jonathan. And whether Mia wants to be with me or not is her decision.”
“Then I wish you the best of luck.” He turns to exit.
“If you didn’t come here to threaten me, then why are you warning me?”
He sighs, turning back to face me. “Trust me, I’m plenty angry at you. And if it weren’t for the fact Jonathan’s phone is off, I’d be telling him right now. But you’re also a good guy, Jake. The last thing I want to happen is for our friendship to end all because you decided to pursue my sister.”
“Jonathan does know she’s an adult, right? There’s also nothing in the company policy that says no fraternization.”
“Yes, he’s aware of both. But still, neither will matter to him. All he’ll be seeing is red. And once that happens, don’t be surprised if you end up with nothing.”
He’s right. I could lose my friendship, Mia, and even my place at the company in a matter of moments. Then again, I’ve known about the possibilities that I could end up with nothing since Mia was seventeen. And the more I think about making her mine, the more I don’t care. The more I’m willing to put everything on the line for this chance at winning her heart.