Page 9 of Filthy Rich Ex's Brothers

Then, I tell Travis about the kinds of placesIwanted. How much I was willing to sacrifice when it came to making Alex happy. And forwhat?

“And then, I came home yesterday, walking in the rain so I could save the twenty bucks on an Uber, and findallmy shit on the lawn. Including my grandmother’s vintage, priceless record player. I’ve lugged that thing around with me from place to place after she died—do you haveanyidea how heavy it is? How much I?—”

I cut myself off.

My roommates know about the record player, that it’s important to me. But I’ve never really told them about the background. About the sting of finally having a family member, only to have her taken from me again.

I press the backs of my hands against my cheeks to try and cool them. A sense of doom blooms in my stomach, heavy. Now, not only is Travis Oakley going to end my contract, but he’ll probably make sure to call around and convince my other clients to drop me, too. Everyone in Manhattan will hear the story of the crazy photographer who wouldn’t shut up.

What thehellam I doing?

Quietly, I sit in the chair, face in my hands, breathing hard and warring with the wild impatience inside me.

Then, his deep voice cuts through the room. “My brother is an idiot.”

I whip my head up to look at him when I register what he’s said.

Oakley stands slowly, unfolding his tall body with a ridiculous amount of grace. Lacing his fingers together, he walks out from behind his desk. When he passes by me, he leaves a trail of his cologne, and I shamelessly breathe it in.

He moves to the window, standing there like a model, taking in the view of Manhattan that stretches out before him.

Then, the next sound in the room is my own voice, uncertain even to my own ears. “…he is?”

To my surprise, Oakley laughs, his shoulders moving under the expensive fabric of his tailored suit. “I don’t have to tell you that, Serena. Apparently, he had you and was stupid enough to let you go.”

Something thickens in my throat. I ignore it.

Right now, I’m discovering a sort of tenderness I didn’t know Travis Oakley possessed. I never would have expected this fromhim, but here it is. I’m sure it has absolutely nothing to do with me. Maybe he and Alex just had a fight about something.

“So,” I swallow, palms flattening against the tops of my knees. “You’re not going to fire me?”

Oakley turns, leans against the window, crosses his arms, and looks me over. Something ticks steadily in his jaw. Once again, his gaze is like a physical touch, and that thick thing in my throat catches, heating up. I try to ignore it, but it sends prickles over my skin, raking up the sides of my body like skimming hands.

Then, I’m imagininghishands. On me.

What the fuck? What’s happening to my brain right now?

“The only reason I would be ending Onyx’s contract with you is if you’re no longer the right person for the job,” Oakley speaks evenly, his gaze steady. “That’s what I told Alex before, and that’s what I’ll tell you now.”

My mouth opens.That’s what he told Alex before?

What does that mean? Alex tried to get me fired? When I didn’t follow his orders, do what he wanted, he took it upon himself to go behind the scenes? To sabotage my life?

A fresh wave of rage barrels through me, but before I can fully recognize it, Oakley is looking pointedly at the clock. My gaze follows his without question.

“Shit!” I jump up from the chair, hand instinctively going to my camera bag. I’m going to be late for the shoot.

Oakley and I look at each other for a moment. Something shoots between us, but I don’t know what it is. Maybe I’m imagining it.

I can practically hear my therapist.It would make sense to seek connection—real or not—following a break-up.

I should probably thank him for keeping me on. Giving me another chance. For not firing me just on the grounds of howunprofessional it was for me to hold him hostage and tell him the saga of my relationship and break-up.

How embarrassing.

Instead of thanking him, or doing anything that might save face, I just turn and walk away, push through the door, and start running down the steps to the main floor, hoping I can still make it to the shoot on time.

Chapter 6