“You should let Julian decide what he wants,” she counters. “Have you considered calling him?”
I shake my head. “I can’t hear his voice. It will kill me.”
“Have you considered sending the check to him?”
“Yes,” I admit.
“If you care more about Julian than the money, it would make a statement to him. It sounds like he’s been controlled by money for most of his life. Maybe he needs to see that he means more to you. His father never puts him first. None one does. But if you do, it could help repair your relationship with him.”
“I don’t want to ruin his life,” I say for what feels like the hundredth time.
“You have to let him decide what he wants.”
She’s right. I have to stop worrying about what I think is best for Julian and let him make the choice, whether it’s the money or me.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Julian
“Rivers,” Harker yells from the living room, his deep voice protecting up the stairs. “Get your ass down here, bro.”
With an irritated groan, I slide off my bed and open the door.
“He’s still moping around,” Harker tells someone.
“So is Briana,” a female voice says. It must be Sadie. “She’s been so miserable all week.”
Cole must like Sadie more than he lets on. He never keeps women around for this long.
I shuffle downstairs in gray sweats and no shirt, stopping at the bottom landing. “What’s up?”
Sadie walks over to me and hands me a rectangular gift box with a wide grin. “This is from Briana. She wants you to have it.”
Eyes narrowed at her, I take the box, wondering why Briana would send me a present after refusing to speak to me all week. She ran away after my father shoved a check in her face. I still have no idea what to think about that. But I’ve left her alone just in case I’m wrong and she cashed the damn check.
My mouth falls open when I flip open the lid of the silver box. Inside is the check my father wrote to Briana. She turned down ten million dollars… for me.
I let out a sigh of relief. “I knew she wouldn’t cash it.”
Beneath the check is a slip of pink paper that has my name scrawled on the front in Briana’s handwriting. On the other side, it says, I love you, Julian. I choose you. I’ll always choose you.
I have to blink back the tears flooding my bottom lids, swatting them away with my hand as I stare down at the handwritten note. The paper even smells like her. I didn’t realize you could miss a scent this much until now. Not once has anyone ever chosen me over money. I was so sure I meant more to Briana, but I also know this much money could change her life. After everything she’s gone through, I wouldn’t have blamed her for keeping it. But I’m glad she didn’t.
“You okay, Rivers?” Harker pats my shoulder.
I nod, unable to meet his gaze. I feel like such a pussy for crying in front of Harker and Sadie.
“I have to see her.”
Harker stops me as I reach for the front door. “You might want to put on some shoes.”
“And a shirt,” Sadie adds.
I glance down at my sweats that I’ve worn for the past two days. “Maybe I should get a shower first.”
“Good idea,” Harker says with laughter in his voice. “You smell kind of ripe.”
Laughing, I rush upstairs, taking several steps at a time until I reach the top landing. After I shower and fix my hair, I look like my old self, dressed in dark jeans and a fitted navy shirt that Briana says makes me look even sexier. Every time I wear it, I can’t seem to keep it on for long. So, I guess that makes it my lucky Briana shirt.
Before I leave my bedroom, I stop myself. I have to call my dad. All of this mess started with him and will end with him. Hands shaking, I dial his number. I’ve always told my dad off, but I’ve never had the nerve to completely walk away. I was too scared of the repercussions. But Briana’s words mean everything to me. My dad would have cashed the check and so would my mother. Most people would have taken the money.
My dad answers on the second ring. “What now, Julian?”
“She didn’t cash the check.”
“I know. Are you calling to gloat?”
“No, I’m calling to tell you to keep my trust fund. I don’t want it. And I don’t want anything to do with you.”
He laughs into the receiver. “And what do you think you’re going to do for money?”
“Get a job,” I point out. “Like a normal person.”
“You won’t last a day working with the kind of people who’ve waited on you all of your life.”
“No, I’ll last, Dad, and I’ll do it without complaining.”
“You’re going to pick that white trash girl over your father?”
“Yep. Already did. And she’s not white trash. Don’t you fucking talk about Briana like that.” I shift the phone to my other ear and lean against the wall, thinking over my next words, because they’re going to be the last ones I ever say to him. “You’ve never cared about me. So, let’s not pretend that you do. You never did anything for my benefit. It was all to make you look good.”
“You’re my son.” His tone is defensive.
“Yes, but I’m done being your property. You were never proud of me for anything I ever accomplished. You never showed me you cared about anything important to me. You shipped me off to boarding school before I was old enough to take care of myself. You never visited me at York Military Academy, not even on Parents Day. You were never around when I came home for the holidays. We never went on family vacations. You never even watched a hockey game with me. It was like you couldn’t stand to be around me. Money has, and always will be, more important to you.”
“That’s not true. I love you. I gave you everything.”
“And that’s the problem,” I snap. “You use your money to control me. You give me things. I don’t need things. I didn’t want those things. For the longest time, I thought you had to buy people to show your love. I had no idea what real love is until I met Briana, and you tried to take her away from me.”
“You’re lucky, son.” He breathes loudly into the phone. “Most women choose money. Your mother did. That’s all she ever wanted from me.”
His words don’t surprise me. I already knew my mom was a gold-digging whore. But he thinks I’m lucky. I almost feel sorry for him. For a second, I wonder if he would be a different man if my mother were more like Briana. I’ve never met anyone like her. She’s special, even if she can’t see how special she is.
“I have to go, Dad. Take away my trust fund. I don’t care. Money’s not important to me anymore.”
“Julian, wait.”
“What?”
“I love you.” His tone softens. “And I’m sorry. I hope that one day you will forgive me.”
I end the call, unable to carry on any longer with him. After I stuff the phone into my pocket, I jump down the stairs, taking them two at a time until my feet hit the hardwood floor in the living room. Harker and Sadie are on the couch making out. Both of their heads snap in my direction.
“I’m getting my girl back,” I say with a crooked grin. “Wish me luck.”
“Good luck, Colonel.” Harker tips his hand to his forehead and gives me a mock salute like we’re still at York Military Academy.
“You guys are weirdos,” Sadie says with a chuckle.
Ignoring her, I leave the house and blow past Ramon, who’s parked out front in the black Escalade. I’m done with my dad and all of the privilege that comes with his lifestyle.
Briana chose me.
And now, I’m choosing her.
I run across campus like I’m on fire without stopping to talk to anyone who tries to steal my attention. No one and nothing matter more than Briana right now. I have to tell her how I feel and what I just did. She has to know the money will never be more important than her.
When I knock on her door, no one answers. I try a few more times, pressi
ng my palms to my knees as I bend forward to catch my breath.
“Shit.” I stare down at my shoes and shake my head. “This is just my luck.”
“What’s just your luck?” Briana’s voice snaps me back to reality. She pokes her head out the door that I didn’t hear her open. “And why are you out here talking to yourself?”
“I thought you weren’t home.” I blow out a deep breath of air, relieved to see her beautiful face, and smile. “Can I come in?”
Her smile mirrors mine as she steps to the side to make room for me to enter.
“I knew you wouldn’t cash the check,” I confess as I shut the door behind me.
She leads me into her bedroom and sits at the edge of the mattress, staring up at me. “Your dad can buy anything he wants. But he can’t buy me. I’m not for sale.” She pats the open space next to her.
Sweeping her into my arms, I press my lips to hers. “I love you, Briana Bloom. No one ever chooses me.”
“I know,” she whispers. “But this time, I did. I meant what I said, Julian. I will always choose you.”
“You sure you can handle dating the poor Julian Rivers? I’m not sure what that looks like now, but I can promise we’ll be happy together.”
She chuckles, brushing her fingers along my chest. “I don’t need money to be happy. I never did.”
Taking her bottom lip into my mouth, I suck on it. “That’s what I’ve always loved about you. I love you so much, Bri.”
“I love you, too,” she says in a hushed tone. “So, what happens now?”
“I don’t know,” I admit.
“Do you even know what it’s like to work for a living?”
I tap her on the arm. “Hey, don’t be mean.”
“I’m not. Just stating a fact. Rich people don’t know what it’s like to work like a dog for very little money.”
“I’ve worked before.”
She raises an eyebrow at me. “Uh-huh. And where was this? And please don’t tell me about your caddy job at the country club your dad owns.”
“Okay,” I sigh. “Then, I won’t tell you about that.”
“I’m waiting,” she says, pressing her lips together to stifle a laugh.
“Fine. I’ve never worked anywhere other than the country club. And that was only for one summer before my dad told me I sucked at golf and should find another sport that I’m good at.”
“How about hockey? Can you do that for a living? You’re good at it.”
“Not compared to some of my teammates who are all trying to get a spot on an NHL team.”
“You’re smart, Julian. You’ll have a college degree in a few weeks. It’s not like you have to work in a coffee shop.”
“Well, maybe I want to work in a coffee shop.”
She turns red from laughing so hard. “Right. You wouldn’t last a second working with me. I’m used to dealing with rich snobs who want their fancy coffees brewed at the perfect temperature, but you’re not used to being on the other side of it.”
“I’m not a snob,” I challenge. “I can and will work at Broad Street Beans with you.”
“Okay,” she laughs. “If you say so.”
And then, my lips are on hers, my tongue slipping into her mouth. Rolling onto my back, I move Briana on top of me, sliding her shirt up as she wiggles on my lap.
“Take this off,” I order, impatient and needing her naked and riding my hard cock.
She strips off her shirt and bra, intentionally shaking her big tits in my face. I cup both of them in my hands, sitting up to shove my face between them, kissing, sucking, and licking until she’s moaning in my ear.
“Julian,” she breathes. “Stop messing around. I want you inside me. Now!”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Don’t ma’am me.” She playfully smacks my arm and slides off my lap to take off the rest of her clothes.
“So bossy,” I tease.
A smile stretches across her beautiful face, and I wink.
Memorizing every curve of her delicious body, I lean back on my elbows and watch as she undresses. She bites her lip as she approaches me, slipping between my legs to pop the button of my jeans. Seconds later, my clothes join hers on the floor, and she climbs onto my lap, straddling my thighs with hers.
We both groan when she shoves my cock inside her, taking every inch of me painfully slow.
“Fuck,” I grunt, closing my eyes as she moves again.
My hands fall to her hips, and my thrusts match hers, our bodies so perfectly in sync with the other.
“Thank you for choosing me,” I whisper.
She bends forward, her breath warming my lips. “Always.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Briana
Midway through my shift at Broad Street Beans, Julian strolls through the front door dressed in the same hunter green shirt I’m wearing. He’s glowing with delight as he enters the cafe. One of his signature smirks is plastered on his face.
“What are you up to?” I say.
“What does it look like?” He points at his shirt. “I’m working today.”
I shake my head. “Oh, no, you’re not.”
“Oh, yes, I am,” he challenges. Julian waves to Carla, the general manager, and she ushers him behind the bar.
That little shit. When did he get a job here? I thought he was joking about working at a coffee shop.
Carla talks to Julian for a few minutes before they walk over to me.
“Does he work here?” I ask Carla. “Or am I part of some stupid reality TV show?”
She laughs. “It’s not a joke. Julian’s our newest employee. And since you two know each other already, I thought you’d be more than happy to teach him.”
One eyebrow raised, I give her a confused look. “He’s going to be a barista?”
She nods and then taps Julian on the shoulder. “Good luck.”
After Carla leaves, I can’t stop laughing. “This is hilarious. Do you even know how to make a latte?”
“I can learn,” he says with a smile that reaches up to his bright green irises.
“You know, normal people don’t run out and get a manicure after a hard day of work, so you’ll have to get used to getting your hands dirty.”
He laughs. “I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty. And who says I get manicures?”
I take his hand and look at his perfect nail beds. “You play hockey, and I can't even tell.”
“Okay, fine,” he hisses. “I get it. I don’t know what it’s like to not be rich. But I’m going to learn.”
“Because you have to.”
He nods.
“You could have chosen differently,” I point out.
“I chose you, Briana. I’ll always choose you. No amount of money or privilege could ever make me walk away from you again. You don’t understand how much it means to me that you sent the check back.”
“So, what are you going to do for money? We won’t even be able to afford a studio apartment if both of us are working at Broad Street Beans.”
“I have hockey as an option.” He rolls his big shoulders. “I don’t know. Stop grilling me, woman. I don’t have it all figured out yet, but I will. Whatever it takes to make you happy.”
“Such a charmer.”
I flash him a goofy smile, and he hooks his arm around my back as he smacks a kiss on my forehead.
Sam clears her throat behind us. “Less kissing and more drink making,” she jokes.
“Carla hired him,” I say. “Can you believe her?”
Sam chuckles. “This will be interesting, that’s for sure. I couldn’t imagine Tucker working with us. He wouldn’t last an hour.”
“I tried to tell him,” I say. “But Julian swears he can hack it.”
“I wish you guys would have a little more faith in me,” Julian interjects. “You’re talking about me like I’m not even here.”
“Before I forget,” Sam says, “the shipment you worked out with Lou is in the back room. The box has yo
ur name on the top.”
I smile so wide it hurts. “Thanks.”
She winks. “Good luck.”
Julian touches my hip and breathes against my neck. “You’re gonna do great, babe. I know you can do it.”
After months of talking to the owner of Broad Street Beans about expanding and selling their coffee online, I finally got Lou to agree to give me a shot. He ordered a case of their morning blend coffee for our trial run. I created an online store called Beans-to-Go. I’m starting with local coffee shops and hope to expand over time. It’s a start, one that could be profitable down the road.
“I’m nervous,” I say.
“About the store?” Julian sounds confused.
I nod.
He cups my shoulders in his big hands and gives them a good squeeze. “Don’t be. You got this. And I’ll help you in any way I can.”
I touch his right hand, and his warmth leeches into my skin. We stay this way for a minute, not speaking and enjoying this moment together. But after I catch a pointed look from Carla, I snap out of it.
“Okay,” I say, moving behind the espresso maker. “Time to show you the basics of making a latte. Then, we’ll move on to the harder drinks.”
“I hate the smell of coffee,” he says, his nose wrinkled in disgust.
“Our apartment is going to smell like it with this new business. Or at least until I can figure out a better way to package and distribute it.”
“It reminds me too much of my dad,” he confesses with a dejected look on his handsome face.
“Is he still calling you every day begging you to talk to him?”
He nods. “Yeah, but I’m done with him. He won’t change. As far as I’m concerned, I’ve wasted enough of my life trying to gain his approval. And after he treated you like trash, I could never let him back into my life.”
“I would do anything to see my dad one more time,” I say. “You should see if he’s willing to change.”
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