Addicted

by Claire Adams

  Jon stood up as his face turned red. "What? Are you fucking kidding me?"

  "No, Jon. They have his order list from his room service, and they have cameras that they've checked. The guy is a fucking weasel. I told you that before I left for the trip. I wasn't being an ass. He's a really shitty guy." I pressed my hands to my knees. "I'll write up everything I witnessed and transcribe the conversation with Jeffry, too. We'll just get him to sign off on his portion of it so you'll have the right amount of ammo to let Kevin go."

  "Aww...fuck." Jon slumped down in his chair. "Do you know how hard it is to find a food critic? It's damn near impossible. We had this conversation already, too."

  "I know, but I'm going to help out. I know I haven't been here but a few years, but I'm looking to spend my career here, which means helping the company grow in all areas." I stood and slipped my hands into the pockets of my pants. "I think I might have found someone that would be great for us. She's going to work on putting together some reports for you. Would you be willing to look them over and maybe bring her in to talk to you?"

  "Is she green, Easton? You know that I can't put someone fresh from the streets in Kevin's position. The press would never go for that." He ran his fingers through his salt and pepper hair and shook his head. "Why is it when everything seems to be going good that the rug just has to get pulled out from under you?"

  "I'll let you get to your wife, but don't sweat this. We'll figure it out. I can critique food until we find the right person." I shrugged. "I'd do that for you."

  "You're already killing yourself for us." He stood and extended his hand. "Thanks for bringing this into me, Easton. I really appreciate it. It just shows your loyalty to our brand. Get that shit typed up for me and give me the reports so we're covered when I bring Kevin in. What a fucking waste."

  "I will, and promise me that you'll read over the girl's reviews." I lifted my eyebrow, not willing to let him off the hook that easily.

  "Alright. Shit. I'll read them, but you know how I feel about newbies." He picked up his phone. "Be safe on your flight and check in later this week sometime."

  "Will do, boss. Tell Bethany good luck for me. I'll be thinking about you guys." I turned and walked to the door as he picked up a call and started yelling at some poor schmuck about stock values.

  I waved to Sherry and walked to the car as the notion of bringing Vivian into the company shifted from a possibly good thing to maybe not my best idea by a long shot. I figured we'd start dating after my trip to L.A. if she was being straightforward about wanting to give it a shot, but maybe I was doing too much. She didn't seem like the kind of woman who would be overly appreciative of a man ruling all areas of her life.

  Maybe I needed to let her land her own job and not stick my nose into her business until I talked to her a little about it. I huffed loudly as I reached the car and dismissed the whole idea. It wasn't unlike me to start taking over bits and pieces of some girl's world to make them secure for her. If something happened between us, like a fallout, she wouldn't feel like she was just losing her man, but her job, her apartment.

  "Leave it be," I grumbled to myself as I got into the car and drove out of the city to see my folks. The ranch was beautiful and sat nestled into the hills forty minutes out of town. I didn't have more than an hour before I needed to head to the airport, but it was enough time to check in with my folks.

  I pulled my phone out of my pocket as I walked to the door, half expecting to see a text or missed call from Vivian, but I had nothing. I texted her quickly that I hoped she had a great day and to call me later. It wasn't overbearing and it made me feel better to reach back out to her. Most girls would have read into me leaving a note after a long night of sex as something negative. I didn't figure Vivian the type, but now that I was away from her, I wasn't so sure.

  "Hey, handsome. I was wondering if you forgot us." My mom walked out of the house and wrapped her arms around me, pulling me into a warm hug and kissing the side of my face several times. "Why is your skin so soft?"

  "I've decided to invest in skincare products?" I lifted my eyebrow playfully.

  "You big, hairy girl." My father walked out of the house and extended his hand to me. "Good to see you, son."

  "You too, Dad." I gave him a hug and pat on the back before walking into the house. The smell of bacon wrapped around me, and I breathed in deeply. I should have brought Vivian with me for breakfast. My mom and dad would have loved her. The sooner I introduced them, the sooner she would know how serious I was about trying to make our lives mesh together.

  "So tell us about your trip to Miami." My mom rubbed the top of my back as we walked into the kitchen.

  "Where are Clint and Jake?" I glanced around before moving to the stove and picking up the tongs.

  "They're on a last minute hunting trip. Clint called to see if they should invite you, but momma told them that you were on a business trip." My dad sat down at the breakfast counter and pulled a coffee cup toward him. "You need to take some time off, Easton. You've been going at it for two years. We barely get to see you at all anymore."

  "Yes. I agree. Having off on Christmas day and Easter on occasion isn't going to work." My mom took the tongs from me and bumped me with her hip. "Get a cup of coffee and go sit by your dad. He misses you."

  My dad pressed his hand to his face as he fake cried in his usual dramatic fashion.

  I rolled my eyes and moved up behind him, wrapping him in a hug and digging my chin into his shoulder as he screamed like a woman.

  "Oh yeah? Is that the one tear you cried for me, old man?" I laughed as he twisted violently, trying to shake me off.

  "Don't hurt him please. You know he's getting old." My mother sat a cup of coffee in front of me as I slid into the seat next to my dad.

  "I'm not old. I'm a freaking spring chicken." My dad glanced at me, waiting.

  "I'm not making the chicken sound." I swatted at him as he turned to attack me.

  "Boys. Stop it. I want to hear about this girl, East. I know you're on a tight schedule. Warm your mother's heart and tell me that she might be the one." My mom stopped and glanced over at me. Funny enough, my father did too.

  "Yeah, she might be her." I shrugged. "Actually, she is. I'm just not sure if she thinks I'm him."

  "She will, son. Just be yourself and pull back some on your damn job. Women need attention, and if she's a looker, then some old dog's waiting for a chance to steal her from you." My dad elbowed me in the side. "Ain't that right, Mary?"

  "Yes. It is." My mom moved toward us and placed a big plate of bacon down. "Don't eat all that. I'm working on eggs now, and listen to your father. Your job should be important, but there comes a time when everything has to play second string to your family, baby. Now is that time."

  She was right, but I wasn't sure how to readjust things or if I was ready to make that deep of a commitment. Surely Vivian would understand and give me a few more years to get ahead. I was so close to being invited into the executive inner circle. A few more years and I'd be there. We could get to know each other and slowly move toward the next level of commitment.

  "No girl worth having is going to hang out and wait on you to choose her over that job. Hear me now. You'll lose her." My dad rubbed my back. "Is she worth giving up a few of your dreams for?"

  "I don't know, Dad. I think so, but if I'm being totally honest, then I really don't know yet."

  Chapter 28

  Vivian

  My phone buzzed beside my ear, pulling me from the best night of sleep I'd had in months. I jerked up and grabbed it, checking the time on the alarm and jumping up.

  "Shit! I'm going to be late." I rushed through the apartment, gathering my clothes and trying to get dressed while forcing panic back down my chest. "Easton? You here?"

  Nothing. Where could he be? Asleep on the couch?

  I finished getting my dress on, but couldn't get it zipped without some serious acrobatics. I walked into the over-sized master bathroom and turned,
leaving my back to the mirror as I contorted in an effort to get the dress zipped.

  "Where are you?" I finished up and jogged through the living room into the kitchen. "Easton?"

  The note by the stove caught my attention, and I read it quickly, realizing that he was either too sweet to wake me up or didn't want to see me that early in the morning. Casey would force me to see the positive in everyone, so I did.

  He'd left a plate of food for me in the microwave, but undoubtedly forgot that I didn't have a car with me. It was still at Jaspers. I grabbed the key that hung by the refrigerator and walked out with my heels dangling from my fingers, hoping like hell that the key would lock the front door. It did, much to my relief.

  I made my way down the elevator, my fingers tapping frantically on the wall behind me. The door opened and a nice-looking bellman nodded.

  "Morning, Miss."

  "Good morning. Is there any way that someone can call a cab for me? I think Easton forgot that we left my car at the restaurant last night." I ran my fingers through my hair, realizing how incredibly slutty I must look.

  The guy's eyes held no condemnation or question as he smiled at me. "We have several drivers for our guests. I'll have Frank take you back to the restaurant or anywhere else you want to go."

  "Thank you so much. It's Jaspers." I moved to the lobby and sat down, tugging my heels on before standing up on wobbly legs. The night of making love with Easton not only left my body humming for more of him but left the stark reminder that he was a big guy.

  "Right this way." The bellman held the door open for me as I jogged through it.

  "I can't thank you enough." I gave him a tight smile, still waiting to see the judgment in someone's face.

  "No problem at all. Mr. Parks is a good man. We'd do anything to help him or his friends out." He waved at me, and I returned the gesture before getting into the back of the car.

  "We going to Jaspers this morning, ma'am?" The driver turned and caught my attention.

  "Yes. Thank you." I sat back as he pulled the car out into the street. I put my phone to my ear and called Casey, wanting to know what time she would be back into town.

  "Hey. Where are you? I just got back to the dorm and you're gone. I was hoping like hell that your date with Mr. Big Stuff went well and you were wrapped up with him somewhere." She snorted.

  "Yeah, well I was at his place, but now I'm trying to get back to Jaspers to get my car. I'm going to be late to my first class, and you know the prof is a total ass." I let out a sound of frustration. Why everything good had to always be accompanied with the bad was beyond my ability to think through.

  "What can I do to help? Want me to meet you in Langington Hall with jeans and a t-shirt? I decided to come up there for classes since I'm back already."

  "That would be incredible. And bring panties, a bra, and my tennis shoes."

  "Right. I'm not even going there. I'll just bring the full outfit." She chuckled.

  "Why are you home already?"

  "Long story. We can have coffee after class at that little corner store bakery you like. They still have that bacon grilled cheese right?"

  "Yeah. I'll see you at Langington around ten-forty. Don't be late. Class starts at eleven."

  "Okay, but I want the full details on last night. Every single minute. Play by play. Not a–”

  "Alright. I get it. I'll tell you all about it, even the part where I woke up to a damn note instead of the hot guy." I dropped the call before she started a fresh wave of questioning. I wasn't sure what to think about the note. I knew that Easton had to make a flight to L.A., and there was a strong possibility that he had woken me up to say goodbye, and I had simply forgotten. There had been countless times that I'd done that to my mom in high school and Case in college.

  He'd get the benefit of the doubt for now. Innocent until proven guilty.

  "Here you are. Have a great day, Miss." The driver pulled me from my thoughts.

  "Thank you." I pulled a twenty from my wallet and tried to tip the guy, but he wouldn't take it. I thanked him again and got out of the car, jogging toward mine and praying that traffic would be light. I had twenty minutes to make a twenty-five minute drive free of traffic. My professor for my senior literature class loved to crucify students for being tardy more than anything else. The thought of having to face her made my stomach ache.

  "Yeah right. Your luck stinks on the good days. This should be fun."

  *****

  I made it to Langington with two minutes to spare. I'd never dressed so fast in my whole life. Casey stood outside the stall, barking at me to hurry until I wanted to punch her in the mouth.

  "Done." I moved out and smiled. "Wait. What day is it?"

  "Monday, silly." She opened the empty bag she'd brought my clothes in. "Put your stuff in here."

  "Monday? Crap. I must have been out of it this morning. My first class was at nine. Tomorrow it's at eleven." I pressed my back to the stall and let out an exasperated sigh. "Fuck my life."

  "Not happening. So...when is your next class?" She smiled and moved toward the mirror, leaning over the sink and checking her teeth.

  "I only have one class on Monday. Tomorrow is my long day."

  "Cool. I didn't want to go today, anyway. Let's go grab some food and gossip. You owe me a juicy porn story and I owe you the same-old-shit story." She shrugged and turned to face me.

  "Oh no. Your folks were on your case again about school?" I took the bag from her and walked out into the mid-morning sunlight as my stomach grumbled.

  "Aren't they always?" She pointed across the street. "Hey they opened that new sandwich shop. Can we go there instead? I've been waiting for it to open."

  "I know you have, and yeah. That's fine." I slung my bag over my shoulder as momentary gratefulness washed over me. My parents had a lot of issues, and them getting a divorce was going to be painful, but neither of them ever once tried to shit on my dreams.

  "So, how was the night with Easton? I assume you spent the night with him."

  I chuckled. "Yes, and it was amazing. He's an incredible guy, but him leaving me a note this morning is a stark reminder that his career comes first."

  "He couldn't help that he had to go out of town though." She gave me a cocky smirk. "You're being ridiculous if you're upset over that."

  "No. I get it, but he could have woken me up. I felt like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, walking from his complex with my heels in my hand, no car, and my hair a fucking mess." I growled, not realizing how pissy I was over the situation until I started sharing it with Case. "It just irks me. I'll get over it."

  "Did you guys talk about a relationship at all or was it just pure carnality, rip your clothes off type stuff?" She opened the door to the sandwich shop and moved back, letting me go in first. A few guys from the football team waved at us, and I returned the gesture before grabbing a menu and getting in line.

  "He wants to date exclusively, or he thinks he does. Most of what was said was uttered in the middle of us making love, so who knows how much of it is legit."

  "I would assume all of it, but then again, I'm an optimist and you–”

  "Aren't. I know." I scanned the sandwiches and pointed to three that looked good. "I'm getting all of these. Share them with me so I don't look like a fatty?"

  "Yeah, whatever. I just want to get two bags of chips. That okay?"

  "Yep. My treat." I pulled out my wallet and stepped up to the counter, ordering for us and moving back as Casey grabbed the soda cup from in front of me.

  "What do you want?" She glanced over her shoulder as she moved away.

  "I don't care, just nothing diet."

  After paying, I found her sitting at a booth in the middle of the football boys and joined her, not really interested in fighting over where we were sitting. She loved their attention, and I knew most of them from playing every sport available to me in intramural.

  "So are you going to date him exclusively?" She asked me as she slid the drink to my
side of the table.

  I took a quick sip and shrugged. "I'm not interested in dating anyone else, and I'm pretty into him. He's everything I want in a guy and then some."

  "I think he's a safe bet, but make sure you figure out if his career really would come before you. That doesn't sound like the kind of guy you want to invest your future in."

  I leaned back as my phone buzzed. "Maybe not, but again, there aren't many prospects on the horizon, nor would I pay attention to them if there were."

  The text from Easton was simple and sweet.

  Easton: Have a good day, baby. I'm thinking about you.

  Me: You too. Thanks for the ride this morning.

  Easton: Oh fuck. I'm sorry. You figured it out, I guess?"

  Me: Yeah. I'm resourceful like that. Have a safe trip.

  Easton: I will. I'll call on Friday when I get back in.

  "Why not sooner?" I pressed the off button and dropped the phone back into my pocket as Brett, a handsome linebacker from our football team, winked at me.

  "Why not sooner what, pretty girl?" He turned his attention on us, as did several of his friends.

  "My new boyfriend is on a business trip, and isn't going to call until he gets back. I was just wondering why he'd want to wait all week." I shrugged, not thinking much of it.

  "Because you'd interrupt his time with the other women in his life. Duh." Brett pushed at my shoulder playfully. "Naw, I'm just kidding. I'm sure he's the one guy in the universe who doesn't cheat. Right?"

  I nodded as my stomach turned. There was no way I was going to start judging Easton based on what some dumbass meathead thought, but that didn't mean Brett's words didn't bury themselves deep inside of me and fester.

  "He wouldn't do that, right?" I glanced across the table at Casey.

  "Hell no." She looked over at Brett. "Shut up, dude. Not all men are pigs."

  "Right. Only the breathing ones." He laughed and turned back to his friends, leaving me to stew in the possibility of Easton not wanting to talk simply because it would get in the way of him seducing some other woman.