Chapter 17

SEVENTEEN

The sun basks on my face forcing me to wake.

A begrudging groan slips out of my mouth, and simple tasks like opening my eyes become all too much. Turning my head, I bury my face into the silk pillow, attempting to fall back to sleep.

That is until the memory of last night comes flashing back.

“Argh …”I complain again.

After returning to the room, I’m ashamed to admit I took things into my hands. I can’t remember the last time I’d done it, nor come that quickly. The truth is, my head is not pounding, and Hunter’s advice worked.

Maybe, I should thank him.

Yeah, sure. How awkward would that be?

Unable to sleep any longer with my stupid thoughts, I lean over to grab my phone, only to knock it over onto the ground.

“For fuck’s sake,” I mutter, attempting to half-hang over the bed to retrieve it. This weekend is not starting off to be the greatest, not to mention I still have the issue of my car. Considering I’m trying to save money to get my own place, throwing money at a stupid car is going to set me back.

As I lay back down, there’s a text message on the screen, but I don’t recognize the number.

Unknown: Your car is fixed. Just in case you’re wondering why it suddenly starts.

Me:Who is this?

Unknown:Is that how you talk to your boss?

My eyes widen when Hunter reveals it’s him, but I can’t help but grin, then feel guilty for doing so.

Me:Technically, I don’t report directly to you. However, I can be on my best behavior, Mr. Cash.

Hunter: You’re dangerous …

My stomach flutters reading his message. So, I didn’t imagine things last night? Surely, I’m not that naïve. He is a man, a man with needs. I’m a woman, a young one at that.

Though he has a point, this is dangerous. I don’t know how to respond, but I have to before this escalates.

Me:Thank you.

Shit! Why did I hit send so quickly? Why has no one invented an unsend option yet?

Me: I meant to say thank you for fixing my car.

Me:Have a good weekend.

The text messages end. At least, he doesn’t respond. My last message sounded stupid, especially if I ran into him somewhere in the house. I pull the bed sheet over me, wishing to crawl into a hole and die.

With a sense of urgency, I grab my phone again with this urge to google him. Quickly typing his name, the screen fills up with results within seconds. Most of what appears are articles on his company, stuff which bores me. There’s nothing on his personal life except for his grandfather and his passing about two years ago.

I switch to images mode, but it’s mainly pictures of him in a suit. Frustrated, I abandoned my search, unsure of what I was looking for.

My finger taps on my phone, dialing Millie’s number. I need perspective, and if anyone can give it to me, it’s my sister who fooled around with a guy ten years older than her.

“Alexa,” she greets. “What’s up?”

“Are you home?”

“Yeah, Will took the boys to watch some baseball game.”

“Great,” I tell her. “See you soon.”

* * *

Millie’s house reminds me a lot of Mom and Dad’s house. There’s a more homely feel, Herringbone floors, and white furnishings even though she has three boys. It’s that Hamptons vibe, unlike Ava’s place, which is much more modern.

“How’s the new job?” Millie asks, placing a fruit platter down between us.

“It’s good, challenging, but I’m managing.”

“I’m glad to hear. First corporate jobs are massive learning curves. Still, I was lucky to work at Mom and Nikki’s firm.”

“Yeah.” I nod, picking on a piece of melon. “So, can I ask you something?”

“Anything.”

“When you first started having feelings for Will …” I slowly speak, but then rephrase my question. “I mean, when you started looking at him differently, did you think it was weird because he was older than you?”

“Of course,” Millie tells me, her emerald eyes bright as she fondly remembers their past. “It felt wrong, you know. I was still kind of going out with Austin, and feelings for Will just started to take this turn. I’d always looked at him like some older cousin, then all of a sudden, he’s this sexy man in a suit who I imagined doing dirty things to.”

All of what she said is exactly how I feel right now. The only difference is that he wasn’t her boss or bestie’s stepfather. I do remember when Dad found out about Will. They were in New York, and Addy was back home with me. Addy said Mom told her she’d never seen Dad so mad in her entire life. It makes sense. You find out your business partner is screwing your young daughter behind your back.

“You tried to talk yourself out of it, right?”

“Many times,” Millie confesses. “I felt like some dumb kid with a crush. Will was more experienced. You know, he was adulting with Dad.”

I stare at the table, then release a sigh. “Please don’t say anything to Ava, promise?”

“Promise.”

“Hunter, I mean Mr. Cash.” I shake my head to gather my thoughts. “There’s this weird tension between us.”

“Oh,” Millie mouths. “I see.”

“Nothing has happened. It’s just …”

“I get it, I really do. Alexa, just be careful. He is your boss, right?” She questions then I nod. I’m not at all offended by her warning since Millie is a logical thinker. If this was Ava, she’d be telling me to take my clothes off and report back. “And isn’t he married?”

“Yes to everything. I knew you would give me the reality check I needed.”

The back door opens, and all three boys come running in, covered in dirt.

“What happened?” Millie asks in shock.

Will lets out a huff. “There was a swing incident. Someone fell, another one tried to rescue him, then they got knocked over into the dirt.”

Millie crosses her arms. “How do you explain your third son?”

“He just thought it would be fun to play with his trucks in it.” Will rubs his face with his hands. “I’ll take the car later to the car wash. You should see the inside.”

“Boys,” Millie yells. “Straight in the bath.”

Millie disappears to bathe the boys, leaving me with Will. The morning must have exhausted him since he makes himself a coffee and adds three shots to make it super strong.

I’ve watched over the years as their family dynamics have changed. I truly admire them for adopting Ashton, given the circumstances of Will sleeping with Ashton’s mom when he and Millie were broken up. In the end, Ashton deserved a family who love him, and he’s so lucky he has that.

Even though it’s chaos in this house, Will and Millie just make it work. They also make it look so effortless, which I know it’s not. Three boys are three boys. I was tired from looking at them run around with endless energy.

As for Will and Millie’s age gap, no one would even know. Will looks young for his age, and Millie is more mature, so it somewhat evens out. They’re both career driven but also put their family first. They remind me so much of Mom and Dad.

“I heard about the new job,” he mentions while the coffee is brewing.

“Yeah, news travels fast in our family …” I trail off to then remember my father. “Does my father know?”

Will rubs his chin. “What answer will make you happy?”

“He knows, doesn’t he?”

He simply nods, then removes his glass mug from the coffee machine and leans against the countertop.

I press my lips flat. “Was he mad?”

“Unless you go to college, always assume he’s mad.”

“Of course.” I sigh, wishing things were different. “So, you’re a CEO and all in the know with business. What do you know about Hunter Cash?”

Will drinks his coffee, thinking carefully before he speaks. Something he’s good at doing.

“He’s innovative and has some great ideas on the future of media.”

“And that’s it?”

“What else would you like to know?”

I shrug. What else did I want to know? Like, how is Will supposed to know about Hunter’s personal life?

“He’s married to April’s Mom, who is five years older than him. She had April at a young age,” I begin with, then continue. “But they don’t kinda spend time together.”

A knowing smirk graces Will’s lips like he knows something.

“Okay, why the face? What do you know?”

“There’s been talk of his marriage being of convenience,” Will reveals.

“I don’t understand?”

“Hunter inherited a lot of money from his grandfather. Some believe his grandfather had a clause. To access the inheritance, he needed to marry.”

My brows furrow in confusion. “That sounds like a plot to a bad movie. People think this?”

Will simply nods. “Trust me. It’s not unusual. Old people think marriage is the only thing one should do in life, even if it’s with the wrong person.”

“How much money are we talking about? Because if what you’re saying is true, then there must have been a large pot of gold waiting at the end of the rainbow.”

“An extraordinary amount,” he suggests with a sneer. “His grandfather inherited a large sum from his own father. They owned farming land in the South. I might be mistaken, but Hunter was raised by his grandfather. I’m not entirely sure about the parents.”

When I think back to my conversation with Hunter, he was very dismissive when it came to talking about Kathy. As for Kathy, she was living her best life by spending money. April said their marriage was different, but she never asked questions and just went with the flow.

It makes sense if, in fact, what Will said is true.

“Hey, can I crash here this weekend? I’m happy to take care of the boys tonight if you want a date night or something?” I offer, just to avoid going back home and running into Hunter.

“You’re always welcome to stay here. You know that,” Will assures me as Millie walks back into the kitchen. “Hey, how about a date night tonight?”

Millie tilts her head in confusion, then glances at me. “Babysitter?”

I nod, with a grin, then put more fruit on my plate.

“God, yes,” Millie cheers. “Dinner without anyone interrupting us.”

“You know, I can stay here until Monday morning. I can watch the boys if you want to go away for the night.”

“Don’t tease me,” Millie drags.

“I’m serious.” I laugh. “Look, I babysat before. Mom and Ava aren’t far if I need help, but trust me, I got this.”

“I know, but—”

Will interrupts Millie. “I’ll organize the plane now. Palm Springs, just you and me, baby.”

Millie purses her lips to then break out into a smile. “Okay, but don’t get too excited. I have my period. Sorry, sis. I know, TMI.”

I laugh, poor Will.

“But your mouth is okay, right?” Will questions with a serious expression.

Millie smacks his arm. “You’re such a guy!”

I have spare clothes and my toothbrush in Millie’s guestroom, and she says it’s fine to borrow work clothes for Monday. This way, I avoid going back home.

As for the boys, when they found out it was just me for the weekend, their eyes lit up, and they didn’t care their mom and dad would be gone.

Aunt Alexa is apparently the funniest aunt ever, according to them.

I’ll take the challenge. Anything to forget about Hunter Cash.

At least for this weekend.

* * *

When Monday rolls around, I find myself in a much better headspace. Playing Pokémon all weekend does that to you.

The boys were well-behaved, enough that I didn’t need to call for backup help. Mom video called to ensure everything was okay and even offered to come over and cook, but I had it all under control. Dinosaur nuggets for the win.

Running into Hunter at the office is inevitable. I brace myself for it, but he is traveling out of state, according to Meredith.

“You must be relieved when he travels,” I mention, careful not to raise any concerns on her end over my questions. “Gives you a break, right?”

“Not really. Mr. Cash was scheduled for meetings this week inside the office. All of a sudden, he changed his schedule so now he is away. If anything, it’s more work for me.”

“I’m sorry.”

“My dear.” Meredith smiles politely. “Why on Earth should you be sorry? This is my job.”

“I know you like things organized,” I rush, trying my best to lie even though I wonder if his disappearance has anything to do with Friday night. “If there’s anything I can assist with, please let me know. I’ll just get back to my reports before lunch.”

As I leave her office, Josh catches me in the corridor and reminds me about lunch. I happily accept since it’s at the café downstairs.

The week passes with no sign of Hunter. No text, no email, or anything, like he disappeared off the face of this earth. At home, April mentioned he was home on Sunday for a bit and mentioned traveling again.

I didn’t pry, again, not wanting to raise suspicion.

Eric insisted I still celebrate my birthday next weekend. Surprisingly, I’m excited to turn twenty. Maybe people, in general, will take me more seriously since I no longer have the word ‘teen’ attached to my age.

The plan for my birthday involves some Japanese restaurant where they throw food at you. To be honest, I’m surprised Eric suggests this since he only ever dresses in designer clothes. Imagine his Gucci silk shirt being ruined in a food toss, the outrage of such a disaster.

As much as dinner would be nice, I want to do something more fun.

“You’ve come to the right person.” April grins as we sit in the den and finish binge-watching Gilmore Girls. “Oh, do I have plans!”

I chuckle, digging my hand into the bowl of popcorn. “I’m excited. Should I get bail money ready?”

“Nah, but what are the chances of you wearing leg warmers?”

“In the Californian heat? Zero.”

April doesn’t say another word as we both argue over which guy Rory should have ended up with within the show.

The week drags on, so when Friday finally appears, I breathe a huge sigh of relief. There are a few more reports I need to email out before I call it a day and start the weekend. Mom wanted to spend some time with me, suggesting breakfast tomorrow. Apparently, Dad is in Atlanta for some work thing with Will and Uncle Noah.

Saturday night is a birthday party of an old friend from school. I wasn’t too excited to go, but since no one else from school was invited, I accepted not to be rude. As for Sunday, I planned a much-needed day by the pool to soak in the sun and finish the book I’d been reading.

“Alexa, may I speak with you?”

Meredith motions for me to follow her to the office she uses. Closing the door behind her, she requests I take a seat.

Her tone sounds cold like I’m in trouble or something. I start to panic, given I can’t afford to lose my job.

“There’s going to be a change in your workload next week.”

“Oh, really. What’s the change?”

“Mr. Cash, as you know, is quite a busy man. The company is in the middle of acquiring a few businesses. There’s a lot of work involved, and Mr. Cash has requested you assist him.”

She stares at me avidly, waiting for me to respond, but I don’t understand what is happening.

“I don’t understand, Meredith. I’ll be assisting Mr. Cash with what exactly?”

“Mainly project work. Any tasks he might need,” she adds, keeping her tone professional. “If Mr. Cash thinks you’re up for the job, then Mr. Cash thinks you’re up for the job.”

“What if I don’t think I’m up for the job?” I state, panicked. “I’ve only been here for, like, what? A month. I’ve only just learned how to work with you.”

“I’ll be here to assist you should you need anything.”

“But what about you? What about the help you need?”

“Alexa,” Meredith calls softly, removing her glasses. “I’ll be okay. I’ll always be okay. It’s your turn now. Show him what you can do.”

I continue to sit here, speechless.

“Enjoy your weekend. I’ll be heading off shortly. My sister is coming to town, so I must be home when she arrives.”

From the bits and pieces Meredith has revealed about herself, she is married but has no children. She said it’s why she’s able to dedicate her time here since her husband likes to fish, and she doesn’t.

“Okay,” I muster up while standing. “Have fun with your sister.”

As I walk out, the panic is suddenly replaced by anger. Why would Hunter change my job after what happened on Friday? I pull my phone out and send a text.

Me:Why did you change my job?

Hunter:That’s no way to talk to your boss.

Me:I don’t understand why you must make this more awkward.

Hunter:I don’t understand why you think there’s something to be awkward about. Is there something you want to share, Alexandra?

I don’t know how to respond. He’s playing some game to which I don’t know the rules in order to play fairly.

At home, I check my bank balance to see how much I’ve saved. The only places I found that I could afford to rent were run-down studios in very questionable neighborhoods. If my mom found out, I’m pretty sure she’d have a heart attack.

All I need is to save for another three weeks, and I should be able to afford something nicer.

Problem solved.

Three more weeks of living in Hunter’s house. After that, he has nothing to hold over me.

Nothing at all ….