“But with this change comes a new opportunity for you.”
“Me?”
“Yes, like you suggested, we’re interested in pursuing an internet series that we direct and produce, and we want your help with it.”
I stared dazedly at him. “I’m not…I’ve only completed one year of my marketing degree. I’m not, I don’t have the kind of experience you need.”
“We can hire the experience we need. But we need someone with the drive and the skillset to make it happen who also won’t fuck us over. And Dylan seems to think you’re the perfect person for the job. Was he wrong?”
Dylan. Again. I shook my head slightly. I didn’t get it honestly. Why had he gone AWOL with me if he was going to keep showing up in my life in these unexpected ways? “This is a lot to take in,” I said numbly. “Can I think about it?”
Austin frowned at me. That clearly wasn’t the reaction he’d expected. “Yeah, sure. Uh, you’ll be compensated for your expanded responsibilities of course. We have a non-compete clause in the contract with the network, so we won’t be able to get going on this for a few months as it is. But we’d like to have all our ducks in a row when the time comes.”
“I understand.”
“Good.” He sat back and crossed his hands over his washboard abs that his tight t-shirt only highlighted. “You excited about Fliss’ birthday party? It’s the first one for her and I know Ryan is trying to make it crazy memorable, so it’s guaranteed to be a rager.”
I laughed. “I’ve never been to a toddler’s birthday party. I’m actually looking forward to it. The last birthday party I went to got a little crazy at the end.”
“Crazy how?” Austin frowned.
“Most of the guys were gambling at the Hard Rock when Dad got into it with some guys in a restaurant where I was trying to sober him up. Security escorted us out, and I had to drive us home because he was too blitzed to drive. Hence his road name. My dad can’t hold his liquor apparently.”
Austin froze. “Road name?”
It was my turn to freeze. “I thought you knew,” I whispered.
He shook his head slowly. “Your dad is a West Coast King?”
“Yeah.” I gulped. “He’s currently in jail on drug charges. That’s why—how—I met Dylan. I was the one who tagged the side of your shop.”
I hadn’t meant to confess, but once the words were out, a sense of relief washed through me. Dylan had taken the blame for something I did and that had never sat right with me.
But it was probably going to change everything with the Burns family.
“I was mad. My dad had been arrested, and he told me it was all because of Dylan. Or blamed Dylan. Said how he wasn’t going to face charges because he was a rich prick who’d fucked over the club.”
“The feds used Dylan’s intel to turn some of the guys in the club, and they took deals that’ll get them new lives in witness protection. The feds are going after bigger fish. Dylan never even officially testified.”
I felt lower the longer he talked. I’d blamed Dylan for so much. “Umm, I’m guessing he also paid for a lawyer for my dad. Dad mentioned getting some sweetheart deal with the DA. He’s only up on charges with the state so far.”
“That sounds like Dylan.” Austin shook his head. “Too much heart.”
I gulped. “I understand if this changes your opinion of me or your offer. I’m more than willing to paint over the mural, and I can be out of Dylan’s house by tomorrow.”
“What? Why would you leave?”
I waited a beat. “Because of everything I just told you?”
“I’m not going to blame you for believing something your dad told you. Especially now that you understand that wasn’t true.”
I nodded.
“Good. And I don’t give a flying fuck who your father is. I’m sure you’ve heard about ours.”
I nodded again.
“Sins of the father is bullshit. You should only ever be judged on the shit you do.”
