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  “So, Devin. Since I’ve been having some trouble settling back into being in Chicago, maybe you can help me out.”

  Huh? “Do you want money?” Is that what all this has been about? An ember of anger starts to burn in me.

  “No, no. That’s not what I mean at all.” He looks unhappy. “I was thinking about the hotel.”

  “What?” What’s his game this time?

  “What with you being so important there. Maybe you could help me find some work there too. And I’m not asking just for the job, although I need it. We could work together. Spend some more time together. I really want you to see that I’ve changed. And I was thinking that’s one way I could show you that I have.”

  It’s like the wind gets knocked out of me. That’s the very last thing I expected him to say. He barely worked at all during my entire childhood.

  Maybe he really has changed. He didn’t order anything with alcohol in it when we got here, even though he had his chance. We both picked out soft drinks and nothing else.

  I think for a minute. “There might be something. I don’t do any of the hiring. But I can talk to the person who does. See what’s available.”

  He smiles at me. “I’d appreciate that, son.”

  Son.

  It doesn’t actually irritate the hell out of me like before, when he used to call me that.

  “You want something to eat?”

  “Yeah, sure.”

  He waves at me to stay in my seat. “I’ll get it. What do you feel like?”

  “I don’t care. Surprise me.”

  “Will do.”

  I pull out my phone as he works his way out. No harm in asking the question now. I shoot a quick email off to Human Resources to see what might be available.

  By the time my father gets back, Sheila’s already replied. Shielding my eyes from the sun, I look up at him as I take the cardboard tray from his hands. “There’s a couple openings at the hotel. HR says they’re very interested in having you come in.”

  “You asked already? That’s great. Thank you, Devin.”

  He’s never thanked me for anything. It’ll be different, having him around at my job. I’ll probably see him more than I did as a child.

  Maybe he will be able to make up for lost time. Tearing open a packet of ketchup, I about drown the fries in it. I hold them out to offer him one.

  He takes some with a smile and a wink at me. “Good game, huh.”

  I settle back into my seat, getting comfortable. “Yeah. Really good.”

  Chapter 17

  Dev

  Drumming my fingers on the table, I shift around in my seat. I can’t control my restlessness. Of course, neither can anyone else. The morning meeting should’ve already started. Instead everyone’s still waiting for Mr. Palmer to arrive.

  It’s supposed to be just our regular weekly staff meeting. But it’s going to be so much more than that. Rumors have been swirling for days about the location for the new hotel. This morning, it was confirmed. The email I got less than an hour ago made it clear. The official announcement is going to happen now.

  If the meeting ever gets underway. I’ve just refilled my mug with coffee and I’m on my way back to my seat when Mr. Palmer strides in.

  “Let’s get this party started.” He takes his position at the head of the table. “We’ll get to new business at the end.”

  One after another, people start giving their usual reports. I try, but I’m not paying attention. I end up missing half of what’s being discussed.

  And then finally, finally we get to the end. Mr. Palmer stands up to deliver the news. The atmosphere changes immediately as everyone snaps to full attention.

  “As you know, we’re moving forward with our expansion plans. The purchase of our newest hotel has just been finalized. We’ll start hiring immediately, and mostly from within. For everything from staff to management.”

  I catch myself trying to will Mr. Palmer to say it’s going to be in California. But that’s so unlikely. All anyone can talk about is which one of the many, many Chicago hotels is the one they acquired.

  “I know you’ll all be as excited as we are about the new direction we’re going to be taking. The next White Stone hotel will be located in London.”

  London.

  What the fuck?

  The room’s buzzing all around me. No-one expected this. Everyone’s floored. Mr. Palmer’s still talking. I try to listen to what he’s saying.

  “You all have your individual meetings already scheduled with me, and more details will be given then.” He walks out before anyone can ask any questions.

  The meeting’s over. I veer away from the elevators when I spot the small crowd that’s already formed there. I take the stairs instead. I don’t want to be forced to hear any more about what’s just been revealed.

  Cora calls when I’m back in my office. “How’d it go? Are you a hotel manager yet?”

  I swallow hard. “Not yet. They only announced the location today.”

  “And? Where is it? Is it a nice place?”

  “It’s in London.”

  “Oh.” She sounds like she’s had the wind knocked out of her.

  “Actually, not even. I found out the actual location and looked it up. It’s a couple hours south of London. West Sussex.”

  “So, what now? Are you going to go?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “What? Really? You want to move to London?”

  “I don’t want to, Cora. But the position I’d have there is something I really, really want. What if you guys could come with me?”

  “Oh, Dev. I don’t know how that would work. My whole band’s in LA. And Bryce gets most of his gigs from the people he knows here.”

  “Yeah.”

  We’re both silent. I’m trying to think of a way to work this out. “We can still do the long distance thing. It can still work out.”

  “That’s quite the long distance. I guess we could try.” She sounds doubtful. “How long would you have to stay in London?”

  “I don’t know. A year at the very least. Really, probably two at the minimum. I’ve never worked at a hotel that’s being remodelled and reopened before.”

  “It wouldn’t be so easy for you to come with us when we tour, would it.”

  “No. It wouldn’t.” I can’t believe I’m having this conversation. What the fuck.

  “Dev, why don’t you move here instead. You could get back into sound engineering. Work with Bryce. He’d set you up. Think of how great that would be.”

  “It’s been so long since I’ve done that kind of work. The technology alone changes so fast. I’d be starting all over again.”

  “What’s wrong with that? We could be together if you did.”

  “Cora. I can’t start over again in what would basically be a new career. It’d take years to get established. I want a stable career where I know I can go somewhere with it. You know how things change so fast in the music industry. It’s chaos so often. I don’t want to live that way. Never knowing exactly when I’ll get work. Or even where.”

  I swallow hard. “I need to go with this opportunity. See where it leads. If I don’t, I’ll regret it.”

  “I get that, Dev. But I just can’t see how we can have a real relationship if you’re that far away.”

  “Me neither. Maybe we can see where we’re all at, sometime in the future.”

  She’s silent for so long, I wonder if we got cut off. “Maybe.”

  My heart’s in knots as we end the call. But I know I’m doing the right thing.

  Chapter 18

  Dev

  “I think my room is haunted. Can you switch me to a new one?”

  I glance up at the guest standing in front of Austin.

  Did I just hear him right?

  Austin’s expression doesn’t even change. “Sure, I can do that.” He starts tapping away at his terminal.

  “Could you check the new room first? Make sure there’s no bad energy?�
�

  “I’m afraid I can’t leave the front desk, Mr. Martin.” Austin looks over at me, his expression still carefully neutral.

  I clear my throat. “I can help you out with that.”

  Riding up in the elevator alongside the nervous man, I’m trying to decide what to do when we get to his new room. How do you detect bad energy?

  And what do you do when you find it?

  If I knew how to figure that out, maybe I could clear out my own life too.

  “Here we are.” I slide my keycard in and the lock clicks open.

  He shifts from foot to foot, trying to peer around the door as I hold it open. “I’ll wait out here until you’re done.”

  I let the door fall closed behind me. Absently I take a walk around the room and check to make sure everything’s in order. At least I can take care of any physical concerns, if not the energy ones.

  Everything’s in place and ready. The tidiness and order does give the room a peaceful feeling. I open the curtains and stare down to the street below.

  I haven’t heard from either Cora or Bryce in awhile now. Makes sense, but still. I thought Cora would at least keep in touch. Every day I think about calling her, in the hopes that maybe we can at least get our friendship back on track.

  Every day I change my mind. I can’t bring myself to talk to either one of them.

  Does everyone have ghosts from the past that keep stopping by to mess with the present? Maybe Mr. Martin’s onto something, and checking for bad energy is a good idea.

  But what are you supposed do when you find it?

  Abruptly I tear myself away from the window and head back out. Standing around thinking about ghosts isn’t going to help anything. I have work to do.

  Mr. Martin hasn’t calmed down a bit. “So? How is it?”

  “It’s just fine. Let us know if you need anything else.”

  I go down to my office. I really need to have some uninterrupted time to catch up with the work that’s been piling up. This is what I need to focus on anyway. My career. Something that I actually have under my control.

  Settling at my desk with some reports, I end up reading the same lines over and over without taking in their meaning. Nothing’s making sense.

  And I can’t seem to care.

  All I can think about is Cora and Bryce.

  My ringing phone cuts into my thoughts. The call’s coming in from the front desk. This better be an issue that I don’t have to settle in person.

  Austin’s voice comes down the line. “There’s someone here to see you.”

  “Can you take care of it?”

  “No. This is about you specifically.”

  “Fine. I’ll be right down.”

  When Austin sees me approaching, he tilts his head towards someone sitting on a nearby bench in the lobby, casually tapping away at his phone as if he belongs here.

  I stop short in disbelief. “Bryce. What’re you doing here?”

  “Hey, Dev. Surprise. I know you’re working but can you spare a few minutes when you have a break? I can wait upstairs in that lounge.”

  I glance back at the front desk. Austin’s busy checking someone in.

  “Sure. Yeah. I mean, I can take a few minutes now.”

  “Great.”

  I take Bryce up to a floor that I know is mostly vacant. I unlock one of the rooms at the end of the hallway. It’s already been serviced, so no-one will be disturbing us here. Unlike in my office. There’s no way I want to take a chance of anyone overhearing whatever Bryce wants to talk about.

  “Everything alright? Where’s Cora?” I walk over to the desk by the window, but I don’t sit down.

  “She’s fine. But she didn’t come with me.”

  I rub at the back of my neck, trying in vain to release some of the tight knots I find there. “Why didn’t you call me before you got here?”

  He shrugs. “I knew where to find you. Besides, I didn’t want to give you the chance to say no to talking with me.”

  “So, what’s up?”

  “You know, back when you and I were living in Seattle. I thought about turning down that job I got offered in LA.”

  I frown at him. “Why?”

  “I didn’t want to leave you.”

  “What?” My head jerks around so fast I wince from the pain in my stiff neck.

  “Look, Dev. Before Cora and I started seeing each other, I was just screwing around. Not in a relationship, not really dating at all. It was a lot of fun. When I met her, I gave it all up. She’s the one I want to be with.”

  I pick up the White Stone pen that’s sitting neatly beside the note pad and tap it on the desk as Bryce keeps going.

  “I’ve never wanted to get involved with another guy. Not before you, and not since. You were the only man I ever wanted. Back when Cora and I met up with you that night at the bar. Every feeling I used to have for you came back. It was all I could do to keep my hands off you, even with Cora there.”

  Bryce starts pacing around. “At first I thought it was just memories. And it was fun to sleep together, for sure. Being with you and Cora at the same time? Nothing better than that.”

  “What’s your point, Bryce?”

  He exhales heavily. “What I’m saying is that I can’t imagine not being with both of you now. I want all three of us to be together. It’s right. Nothing’s ever felt so right as all three of us, even me and Cora on our own. I’ll get over whatever people want to say about me being in a threesome. I don’t care what anyone thinks. It’s worth any price to be with you both. And so I want to know if you feel the same way.”

  I stare at Bryce, who meets my gaze without flinching. “What if I do? Then what?”

  “Then no messing around. We go for it, like we talked about before. Start up with the long distance thing, and when the timing’s right, we all move in together. I’m ready for that right now and so is Cora. But we’ll wait until you are, too.”

  Bryce sits down in the big chair next to the desk that I’m leaning against. “She and I were even talking about how we can maybe relocate to London after my next tour is done. That might overlap with Cora’s next tour, and she needs to be near the band, but we’re trying to figure something out.”

  “That doesn’t sound like we’d end up having much time together at all.”

  “Maybe not. But she and I are willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen.”

  “Bryce, I can’t really get into this right now. I have to get back to work. How long are you in town for?”

  He shakes his head. “I leave in a few hours.”

  I don’t know what I should do. But I know what I want to do. Bryce is about to say something more but I cut him off with a kiss. Our mouths meet and my hand goes to his crotch.

  Bryce’s hands go to my zipper. We’re still making out as our bare, hard cocks grind together.

  Electric shocks shoot through my body. I love this feeling. Bryce’s stiff shaft rubbing against mine. But urgency overwhelms me. We shouldn’t be doing this. We should stop.

  I don’t want to.

  I push Bryce backwards towards the bed, climbing on top of him as he falls onto it. We kiss for a moment longer and then I flip around.

  I suck Bryce’s throbbing cock between my lips and he does the same thing to me.

  Licking up his rigid shaft, I tease the swollen head, swirling my tongue over it. We’re mostly clothed and somehow that makes this even hotter. In the back of my mind I’m thinking about all the reasons we shouldn’t be doing this. I ignore them all, filling my mouth with Bryce’s cock.

  I can’t get enough of having a hot, hard cock in his mouth. The way it pushes against my tongue. The taste. If I could do this every day, I’d be more than happy.

  Bryce shudders, groaning as I suck him fervently. My hips rise up as he works me over, pushing for more.

  My cock pulses in Bryce’s mouth, swelling and throbbing. My orgasm hits me hard, coming out on fast and unexpected. Bryce joins me, erupting into my mouth
.

  The only sound in the room is both of us panting hard. I crash back to reality. I’m supposed to be working. No-one knows where I am. As good as this was, it was the wrong thing to do.

  I’m barely recovered as I force myself to get up. I straighten my clothes, trying to get my uniform in order. Bryce still lies there, watching my every move.

  “So, what do you say?”

  “Huh?” I stride over to the mirror so I can adjust my tie. “About what?”

  “What we were talking about before.” He gets up and starts fixing himself up. “About the three of us making it work.”

  “The thing is. When I go to London, it’s going to be an incredible amount of work until everything’s up and running. Even after the opening, the hotel will be taking up most of my time. Trying to be in a relationship won’t work. It’ll just be a distraction. And until then, I want to spend as much time as I can with my father. So it’s not going to happen.”

  I smooth out my shirt as best I can. I look good enough. Bryce comes over and slides his arm around me.

  He’s grinning at me like he didn’t hear what I just said. “Are you serious?”

  “Yes, I am. I can’t do it, Bryce. It wouldn’t be fair to any of us to even try.”

  He pulls away from me without a word. As if a thunderbolt hit him.

  “I have to get back to work.” I walk away from him. I almost look back before the door closes behind me, but I change my mind.

  There’s no looking back now.

  Chapter 19

  Dev

  Bryce is gone. I shouldn’t have been so harsh with him. I know it.

  But if I didn’t do it that way, I might’ve caved.

  I need to focus on what I’ve got going on here in Chicago. I can’t be missing anyone in LA. Everything has to keep running smoothly, right up until I get transferred to London.

  And I want to spend as much time as I can with my father. Seeing him at work most days is fine. But it’s not enough. I don’t want to leave him now, when we’ve only just reconnected.

  So I’ve come up with a plan. I’m going to tell him about it today. As soon as I start working at the new hotel, I can get him hired on right away. He can move too. We can still see each other at work, and outside of it.