45. An Unexpected Crossroads

Chapter 45

An Unexpected Crossroads

Hunter

“ W hat can I do to help?” I ask Megan, and I can tell by the expression on her face I’m only annoying her as she buzzes around the place, assigning tasks to people.

“I’ve got it.” She smiles, patting the center of my chest with her hand.

I’ve given most of the people who work at the club the night off except for a few essential employees I’m paying to manage the party I’m giving for Lena at the club tonight. It’s her birthday and while I would rather throw her something elaborate with all the bells and whistles in a hotel ballroom, Megan reminded me that Lena would probably hate an over-the-top celebration.

“Did she pick out something nice to wear?” I ask her. “I didn’t see any credit card alerts from the credit card company saying that she shopped anywhere this week.”

Megan tells one of the servers where she wants the high-top tables placed in the main bar area, then turns back to me.

“That’s because she doesn’t want to use your money, Hunter.”

“She’s not independently wealthy, and I’m just trying to buy her a birthday gift.”

“No, you’re trying to make up for lost time, which is sweet, but if you want her to spend a little more money, then maybe you should pay her better,” she chuckles, trying to make light of what is a serious dilemma, in my opinion.

Megan wraps her arms around my waist and embraces me tightly in a comforting way. She knows I’ve been struggling with how to make a connection with Lena but continues to assure me that “it will come naturally.”

“Wait, forget I said that.” She smiles. “You’ll just pay her some ridiculous amount of money for being the club’s cook.”

I kiss Megan gently in the center of her forehead.

“That’s the great thing about being the boss; I can pay whatever I want. This would be much easier if she’d go to college like you do.”

“I’m a firm believer in not going to school until you really know what you want to study; otherwise, it’s a waste of time and money.”

“Is it too much to want my little sister to have a normal experience for once?” I bluster. “She’s been struggling alone in foster care and homeless shelters for a long damn time. I was working my ass off back when she was a baby so that we’d have a better life. It hurts my heart that all of it was for nothing.”

Her hand palms the side of my face. While her touch is always welcomed, it makes me uneasy to be this vulnerable in the open. My employees are watching, so I pull my head slightly back.

“I know you think I don’t understand how you feel, but in many ways, I do. I really like your sister, and I want her to have an amazing future as well, but I’m just saying that if you push her too hard, you might scare her away for good.”

“I’d never let that happen,” I say, not liking where this conversation is headed.

“Okay, listen, maybe you should have Christian talk to her since Lena’s future seems to be weighing so heavily on your mind. I’ve got to go check on the DJ and make sure she has everything she needs.”

My hands tighten around her upper arms.

“Why the fuck would I need to talk to Christian about my nineteen-year-old sister, Megan?”

Her eyes blink rapidly.

I think she’s nervous.

But why?

“I’m just saying that he’s been the one who’s been taking care of her the most. She trusts him.”

“And she doesn’t trust me?”

“That’s not what I meant, Hunter.”

“Megan, is there something you’re not telling me?”

“No, babe.” She checks her texts and scurries away. “We’ll talk later. The DJ needs me, okay?”

Neon lights flash, casting colorful reflections on the sleek surfaces of the club. A special section stands out, lavishly adorned with silver and gold balloons, twinkling fairy lights, and a banner boldly proclaiming, "Happy 19th, Lena!". Megan did a great job planning this.

Lena looks happy, surrounded by many of the employees I gave the night off. It’s nice that they chose to spend their evening here to celebrate with her. I’ll never know if it’s because they genuinely like her or if they’re trying to impress me, but it doesn’t matter. I’m just glad that she doesn’t have to spend the entire evening surrounded by people she doesn’t know besides my immediate circle.

It warms something inside of my cold chest to see her laughing and chatting animatedly with a few of the servers. I can't help but smile. She’s dressed in a tasteful black mini dress with spaghetti straps that I’ve recently discovered, much to my horror, she thrifted from a local consignment shop. I’m not even mad, though. She looks lovely.

Yeah, my little sister's growing up.

While the evening has been a roaring success, I can’t forget the exchange Megan and I shared earlier in the evening, which is why I’ve had my eyes on Christian all night.

The man has been staying in my house, he works for me, he’s one of my only friends. Is there a connection he has with Lena that’s impeding my ability to connect with her? Would she rather Christian be her big brother instead of me? Am I too aloof? Too cold?

I watch proudly as she dances to the thumping bass of the music in the center of the club with Megan, Naomi, and some of the servers who normally work here.

When the female DJ smoothly transitions into a popular tune, the crowd erupts in cheers, and the girls form a circle around Lena, egging her on to keep dancing.

From the corner of my eye, I notice Christian's gaze fixed on Lena, and I feel a twinge of unease. Immediately, I approach him. I’m not one for beating around the bush.

“You're staring, man.”

“Was I? Damn, I just... got lost in the vibe.”

But as the night wears on, I can't ignore the magnetic pull between Lena and Christian. It's in their stolen glances, the casual brush of hands, and the way she smiles when he speaks to her.

This is very fucking wrong.

Vaughn approaches me with two highball glasses of whiskey in either hand.

“Here.”

I accept it but keep my eyes on Christian and how he is now actively avoiding any eye contact with Lena.

“You've noticed, haven't you?” Vaughn says to me.

“How long has this shit been going on?”

“Nothing is going on,” he tries reassuring me. “I promise you.”

“So what is it that I’m noticing, Vaughn?”

“Your sweet sister has a crush on our boy and for very good reason. Christian has been her rock since your world turned to shit. Let’s not make a federal case out of it.”

“She’s nineteen.”

“There are nineteen-year-old girls fucking their professors in college.”

“You’re not helping!” I growl.

Before I can get into it any further, a spectacular cake makes its entrance. "19" candles flicker brightly as we all gather around, singing "Happy Birthday." Lena looks elated, making a wish and blowing out the candles. It doesn’t escape my notice how she gives Christian a brief glance afterward.

Once the applause dies down, I pull Christian to the side, and I feel the tension rolling off of him. He’s not his usual laid-back self. That bothers me more than anything.

“How long have we been friends?” I ask him.

“A long time.”

“I know all your secrets. I know where all the bodies are buried. That’s because we’re brothers.”

“Of course.”

“So let me be clear. That’s my baby sister over there celebrating her nineteenth birthday. A girl who’s literally been through so much alone out in the world without my protection. That is not how she’s going to spend the next nineteen years of her life, I promise you that.”

His eyes drop.

“That’s great, man. You know I’m glad you two are reunited.”

“I’m not saying you’d ever betray me, Christian, but if you are even the least bit tempted by her, then walk away now. Go home. I don’t want to have to ever pick between the two of you because I think you know what my choice will be.”

We stand there, locked in a stare-off, two old friends at an unexpected crossroads. The music blares, and the party continues, but there's a palpable shift in the air. Christian hasn’t admitted or denied anything, but his silence speaks volumes.

This is going to be a fucking problem.