Page 124 of Addiction

“Get the fuck out of my office,” I growl.

“Interesting read.”

“What is?”

He grins. “Tell me, Asher. Did your sister not want her spleen or did you just decide it needed to go when you drove your car into her and almost kill her?”

My fists clench and my jaw tightens. “You say one more word about my sister and it will be your last.”

“Oooh.” His eyes light up as if my response has just sent a thrill through him. “Threatening behavior now, is it?”

“You have two minutes to leave this building before I throw you out with my bare hands.”

He removes his legs from the desk, and just when I think he’s leaving, he leans back in the chair. “This won’t take long. I’ve got a plane to catch anyway. I just wanted to speak with you about Wade. I have concerns, and I feel there’s only you who will be able to get through to him.”

“I’m not interested in what you have to say about Wade.” It’s bound to be trouble-causing lies to make himself look better.

“Not even if it concerns his welfare? It’s important, Asher. Please.”

There’s a seriousness in his voice, and my back straightens. If it concerns Wade then I should hear him out.

“Fine. Start talking.”

I step further into my office but leave the door open because even though I’m letting him stay, I still don’t trust him.

“As you know, Wade and I have had a few disagreements over time.”

I fold my arms. “I hardly call cutting him out your life because he’s gay and not letting him attend his brother’s funeral a disagreement.”

“Believe whomever you choose—”

“I will, and I believe him.”

He glares at me like I’m a schoolchild for cutting him off before he continues. “Anyway, as I was saying. My concern is regarding what he chooses to do with his life from here on out—"

“Why does it bother you what Wade does when you treat him like crap and don’t want him in your life?”

“Because no matter what, he’s a Rodriguez.”

“He’s a Johnson,” I snap, wishing he’d get to the point and get the fuck out of here because I can’t bare looking at him any longer.

“Only on paper. He is still blood, and I do not want any sort of comeback or damage brought to our family name because of whom he decides to share his life with.”

If I hadn’t been pissed before, I am now. I know exactly where this conversation is headed, and my temper rises with each second that he remains sitting in my fucking chair. “Meaning.”

“Meaning you. You threaten to change everything for him and his family.”

“His family is not you! You made that clear, so why are you bothered—”

“Oh come on, Asher. Look at you. You are an alcoholic, a felon. You are nothing. You will always be nothing, and if you have any decency in that soul of yours, you will do what is right for Wade.”

I step forward, leaning over my desk to make my point clear, gritting out the words when what I want to do is add a busted lip to the injuries on his face. “What is right is that I stay with him, and you get the fuck out of my gym and our lives for good. You made your point very clear that you didn’t want to be a part of his life, so fuck if you think coming here is going to change anything. You’re not going to win this time, Raymond.”

“What is right is you walking away and letting him live his life.”

“He wants a life with me!” I yell.

“What he wants and what is right are completely two different things. Do the right thing, Asher.”