Stanton Bliss(27)

Ben comes to the door. “Can I see you for a moment, Stan?”

My eyes flick to Brock. “Yes, we are done here.”

“So, we have a deal?” He asks.

I blow out a breath in frustration. “All except Miller.”

Brock’s eyes flick to Ben. “Miller would be good working for me, don’t you think?”

Ben nods in agreement. “Yes.” He looks around nervously. “I wanted to speak to you together, actually.”

I frown.

“Brock.” Ben swallows as if nervous. “I would like to take up the job offer to come and work for you.”

My face drops.

“Yes.” Brock smiles.

“No.” I snap.

“Joshua, I’m handing in my resignation. After everything that has happened, I just feel…”

“You are not going anywhere!” I snap. “This has to do with Bridget.”

Ben drops his head.

“Why? What’s going on with Bridget?” Brock snaps as his eyes flick between the two of us.

Oh, shit! He didn’t know. Here goes that protective f*cking brother act again.

“Nothing,” Ben says with a snarl.

“Yeah, good. There better not be.”

“Can you just get out?” I roll my eyes. “You are so f*cking annoying.”

“You are kind of f*cking annoying yourself. I’m hiring Miller.”

“No, you are not.” I point to the door. “Get out.”

“I’m ringing him now.”

“Don’t you dare.” I snap.

My brow furrows as a thought crosses my mind. “Did you hook up with Abbie last night?”

He stills. “Possibly.”

“And?” I question. Abbie has been the topic of many conversations in the past between Cam and Ben.

Brock winks mischievously.

My eyes meet Ben’s. “I knew it.” He smirks.

I shake my head. “Don’t tell Tash and Didge. They will lose their shit.” I sigh.

“Yeah I know. I told Abbs not to say anything.”

“Good,” I reply.

Ben smiles. “Cam’s going to be filthy.”

I laugh. “He so is. I haven’t let him near her.”

“Yeah, well, keep it up. Hes not having her.” Brock snaps

I put my hands on my hips. God, this is going to end badly, but I don’t care as long as it isn’t my brother. My attention turns to Ben. “Take a seat, mate.”

Brock goes to walk out. “Come and work with me Ben. Miller is coming,” he calls over his shoulder.

“Out!” I bark, before I sit on the edge of my desk. “What’s going on?”

Ben looks at the ground. “I think it’s best if I resign.”

“Best or easier?” He doesn’t answer. “Why can’t you make this work with Bridget. You care for her, right?”

“She deserves better.”

I shake my head in annoyance. “That’s not your decision to make. Ben, your old life is over. You need to let the past be the past and focus on the future.”

“I don’t see us working out in the long run.”

“Why not?” I ask.

“We’re too different.”

I pause, knowing that’s bullshit. “So, you are going to throw away your job, just because of some chick?”

“She’s not just some chick,” he warns me.

“That’s not what you just said.”

He rolls his eyes in frustration.

“You are contracted to me for another twelve months, and you will be fulfilling that contract.”

He shakes his head in annoyance.

“Bridget is going to be staying with Murph. You can stay away from her if needs be.”

He inhales in an attempt to stay calm.

I stare at him. “The paparazzi are going to go ape-shit when we get back and, between you and me, Tash is not doing so great. I need my team tight.”

His eyes meet mine and he frowns. “Is she ok?”

I shrug. “I think it’s just a time thing. I don’t know.”

“Anything I can do?”

“You can stay with me when I need you the most. We can look at your contract in twelve months but, right now, I do need you.”

He gives one quick, curt nod. “Yes, ok.” He stands and goes to walk out.

“Ben?” I call.

He turns back.

“She loves you.” His eyes drop to the floor and I shake my head. “You’re making a mistake, man.”

“I’m doing this for her. My past will eventually catch up with me and she deserves better.”

Natasha

Its mid afternoon and I lie on the lounge with my head on Joshua’s lap. He’s reading.

Nicholas comes to the front door and calls out. “Joshua.”

“Come in, mate,” he tells him.

He walks in and smiles. “Hello.”

I sit up and smile brightly. “Hello.”

His eyes dart around as if he is stuck for words and buying time. “I fly out tonight.”

My heart drops. I was really hoping he wouldn’t go.

“Where are you going?” asks Joshua.