on Dad, leaving him to raise three kids on his own.
“Dad doesn’t know it yet, but I handed in my resignation,” I said, coming clean. No secrets between us. It was the pact we’d made when we were thirteen.
“What?” He spun his head around and eyed me in shock. “When are you leaving?”
“My vacation is up in two weeks. I’m not going back.”
“Shit. Nobody else knows?”
“I told Summer just now.”
His lips shot out in a pout, and his eyes filled with hurt. “Before me?”
“I kind of needed to practice on her before I told you, Oscar. I wasn’t sure how you’d react.”
“I think you’re making a big mistake, that’s what. It’s the dungeon, isn’t it?”
I frowned at him. “What about the dungeon?”
“That man, Heath, is there, and he was your mentor. He runs a club here, and I bet that’s one of the reasons you’re staying. For all the action you’d get in your bed.”
“Come on, man. You know I don’t fuck around like that.”
He snorted at me. “I feel like I don’t know you anymore. I thought you were happy in Columbus. Now you say different.”
Here we go again.
“I was happy in Columbus. Just not as happy as I could be here.”
“Whatever, dude.” He rose to his feet and Lucky alongside him. The Italian Greyhound had grown used to us, but he favored Oscar, and it showed. If Oscar didn’t have to return to work, I would’ve advised Declan to leave their pet in his care.
“You’re not going to make it difficult for me, are you?” I trailed after him along the flagstone pavers toward the huge glass sliding doors that led inside the house.
“Why would I?”
“Because you’re pissed I’m moving back here without you.”
Oscar paused at the doors and looked back at me. “I’m not gonna lie, man. I’m a bit pissed that I won’t have you back in Columbus, but I should’ve expected this. It was bound to happen sooner or later. I just thought I’d be the one to go chasing after some guy and leaving you stranded.”
Just like that he’d lightened the mood. The weight of his sadness about me leaving still hung around him, but his eyes begged me not to delve into it.
“That’s what we all figured. Did Lucky already do his business?”
“Yeah.”
“Good. Summer and I are gonna watch a movie. You up for it?”
“Sure. Sign me up.”
Relieved, I nodded. We’d have this night. No parents or outside influence to intrude on our moment. Just the three of us one more time before my siblings returned to Columbus tomorrow, leaving me here. Was I really making the smartest decision?
Chapter 5
Charles
As I straightened my tie in the standing mirror, I smiled at my reflection. I’d stand out at the cocktail party tonight. Just the idea of going out and socializing put me in good spirits. I was no good at being alone, but when I was around other people, I was in my element.
Charles, the Entertainer. I could make people comfortable, charm both men and women alike. Over the years, I’d used that charm to give me a cutting edge in the business world. Everyone loved this side of me. It always promised a good time for all. I got generous, lifted spirits, and made people feel special for being in my presence.
For the couple of hours these events lasted. But I wasn’t focusing on the result right now. I had a long evening ahead of me. I was holding my own at the office since Declan left for his honeymoon three days ago.
More importantly, I hadn’t had any fights with Poppy in all that time. Although that probably had more to do with her current lover, Manuel, who collected her in the evening and brought her back the next morning.
The nights she spent out brought me relief. It put her in a better-than-usual frame of mind, and we’d found a good enough rapport for me to ask her to accompany me to the cocktail party tonight. I’d even bought her a beautiful expensive dress and diamonds to go along with it. She’d been excited about going out to a high-society event with me when I’d given her the dress this morning before I left for the office.
This was exactly how I’d pictured our marriage after I found out she cheated and was pregnant. August might be naïve enough to believe that marriage meant love. Poppy had something I craved, and I could provide her with the kind of lifestyle she wanted.