on’s

stuffy office, looking a

siness. I know he pushed you to take some classes a

managers on board to teach you the ropes as well as a gre

nodded toward us. I was twenty-one an

parents but they gave me my freedom. I knew about the business before this but assu

k and we headed to a favorite corner bar of ours. We ordered beer

g a business?” I asked him as

he house and we’re not losing anything, so let’s keep the business going and set up a future for her and Ashley.

that. Mom took great care of us kids growing up while Dad wo

as she could without her soul mat

ht find love again, in a few years. I knew

, hang out with friends, and volunteer as she always had. I knew that Mom wo

e girls. Let’s go to the office next week and sit down with someone to get a fe

office, so we knew a little but I shuddered at the idea of ru

use dim and quiet. Brent led the way upstairs, where I show

rough my mind. I saw my childhood, teenage years, and the

p with now and then. She told me that she was sorry about Dad, having hea

run a business and still see people. My father managed, traveling

cation homes. I told her that we could hang out over th

room, though I kept that to a minimum. The plan was for Brent and me t

ouse was calming down by the weekend. I knew that Mom was str

e following Monday and life was go

r bed much later in the night. I fucked her hard, taking out a lot of my

asked as her green eyes looked m

I dropped beside her on the ma

week,” I admitted

needed to release some poison.” I winked at

for bein

M&P?” Carlie asked me a

hope there’s a good staff there that will let me

kly and I felt her roll onto her si

eepy voice as I looked at her in the dim light from her lamp. I debated

s well have some fun. I knew that my brother was across town wit

ley, making sure that they were doing okay. I k

y because things changed but I’d feel a

ace her and pull her against me. They would be fine. I woke up with her the following

liked her though I wasn’t looking for any kind of relationship. I headed ho

I walked into the kitchen to see the chef, Monica. Sh

oles.” Monica gave me a warm look with

ved my father as much as anyone else a

you can heat that’s healthy.” I knew that everything th

d as she glanced at t

that was mostly windows so Mom could h

s out there, but today I just saw her s

city silently for a moment. I finally looked closely at my beau

e you d

l of life, Bran. We had so many years left togeth

oing to have to grow up quickly with all of this responsibility, but it is wha

en she started to hear about all the women and parties, telling

es in the world, a lot of stories get told. They w

of us. He gave us everything.” I waved my hand ar

heads. It’ll be good.” I faked my confidenc

parties and women to working and runni

Brent a lot through this but I

s grieving and Ashley should finish school wit

ell, once upon a time. I don’t expect you to spend yo

work, not yet.” She shook her head

We drank our coffee and sat together in sil