Page 81 of Boss Abroad
“If you say another man’s name while in bed naked with me, I’m going to hear what he has to say to you. Put it on speaker or I’ll make sure he knows you’re not alone.”
She rolls her eyes at me but does what I ask.
“Hi, Pres. I just woke up. What time is it back home?”
“Fuck if I know. I’ve been drunk for days.” Preston’s voice is unrecognizable. Slurred, rough, dark.
April tears off the phone from between us and catapults herself from bed, away from me. She didn’t have to. I’m not that much of an asshole. I know I’m not privy to his confession.
I can’t reconcile that defeated voice to the man threatening me a few weeks ago.
She moves to the living room, poorly wrapped in the bedsheet that’s haphazardly pooling at her feet. I give them some privacy and go brush my teeth and wash my face in the bathroom.
I figure I’ve given them enough time and go back to the bedroom to scour the floor for my underwear.
That’s when I hear it.
“Of course I’ll come home, Pres. I’ll pack now and get on the next flight.”
Well, turns out I am that much of an asshole because I stand butt naked at the open door, drilling a hole at the back of April’s head, listening to her every word.
“Hey, now. Listen to me. We’ll figure it out. Together. I’ll be there tonight. I gotta go now.”
Tonight?
“Where the fuck do you think you’re going?” My voice thunders and April bounces from the sofa.
“Jesus Fucking Christ, Liam! You scared me to death.” Her hand clutches the sheet tighter around her breasts.
“Answer me.”
“There’s a situation back home. I have to go. Max is in great hands with Dominique, but I can send another doctor if you want someone by his side twenty-four-seven. I really don't think that’s necessary, though.”
It’s Dr. Hadden who answers me, not April. Which makes this really awkward since I’m still blocking her way to the bedroom, naked.
“The situation being Dr. Jett is so drunk he can’t swim his way out of the barrel?”
Feisty Dr. Hadden huffs and licks her front teeth. I can see the strength it takes for her to keep a leveled head right now.
“You were not supposed to hear any of that, so I’d appreciate your discretion.”
Appreciate my? “Cut the bullshit, April. Talk to me.”
“Can’t.” She tries to bypass me. Left, right, left again. She zigzags as she measures which side she has a better chance of squeezing by, but I’m filling every bit of the door frame I can. Hands on my waist, elbows out, legs spread open, and, of course, dick hanging. Where the fuck are my boxers?!
I grab her by the shoulders, lift her up, and sit her down on the bed we should’ve never gotten out of.
“You’re not going anywhere until you tell me what the fuck is going on.”
“Liam, your money can’t fix this.”
Ouch.
“Preston is my family, and he needs me right now. His pregnant wife is gone. She left only a note behind saying the baby is not his and he shouldn’t try to find her.” Fuck me. I tip my chin in, digesting that. “She also left behind an amazing five-year-old that he’s in no condition of raising by himself right now. So I’m going home.”
“Now? You can’t leave now.” Work, brain. List a thousand good reasons.
“I can and I will. I’m sorry, Liam, but I quit. Effective immediately. I appreciate all you’ve done. I do.”