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CHAPTER 1
Glad to be of service
Seven years ago…
Zach
“I seriously fuckin’ hate being here,” I murmur in my date’s ear as she drags me through a row of tables packed with college students that are in various stages of drunkenness and states of undress.
“Come on, Z, take that stick out of your ass,” Amanda, the girl I made the mistake of asking out, chastises me. I can’t really remember why in this second. I think I thought she was hot when I first laid eyes on her couple of days ago. Now, not so much. Also, I hate it when people call me Z.
My issues definitely stem from my mother, as cliché as that sounds. She abandoned me when I was really young. Prior to that, she used to call me Z. So, I decided really early on that nobody would call me that in my inner circle. If that’s not a sign of where my future with Amanda lies, I don’t know what is.
Once we reach the bar area, I start looking around for my escape. A look across the shiny surface to the other end from where I’m standing shows me my salvation.
I don’t even care about Amanda at this point, but I still try to make an effort and let her down easily.
“Hey,” I try to get her attention, but she is way too busy flirting with the bartender to care. I get her message, but I need to make sure she gets mine. I don’t want any chick drama. “Amanda, it’s been really nice meeting you. Allow me to buy you a drink before we part ways.”
I finally have her attention now. Her eyes are as big as saucers, taking me in from head to toe. I can tell she likes what she sees, but she really killed the whole vibe with her behavior. Also, I’ve been out of college for four years now. I am over the drunken college scene.
I have a serious job and my focus is to make money. I may be working for my father, but that doesn’t mean that I have everything handed over to me. Quite the opposite. My father had me start from the bottom and work my way to the top. I am not where I want to be, but I am getting there. I will be there.
“What… Are you leaving?” Amanda looks around us, extremely surprised and confused.
“I am. This is not my thing,” I jut out my chin and look around us. “You are a beautiful girl, and I really appreciate the honor of you going out with me tonight.” With that, I slap a twenty on the bar and point to the bartender, “Couple of drinks for her, on me.” I slap a second twenty on the sticky surface. “And this is for your trouble.”
With all that out of the way, I turn my back to them and start looking around for the beautiful girl I saw not even two minutes ago. I give out a huge sigh of relief when I see she is still where I saw her last. There is a guy talking to her, but I can tell she’s not interested. I am going to make my move.
When I get closer, I hear what the dude is telling her, and he sounds like a total asswipe.
“My dad will get me a job at his company. I will be their new CFO.” I stifle a laugh when I see the girl forcing herself not to roll her eyes.
“Hey, sorry I’m late,” I get right in between the two of them, almost pushing the guy out of the way.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” He pushes at my shoulder, and I fall into the girl. Because of my size, I about crush her against the bar, noticing how big her eyes get in her face.
“Sorry, man,” I play stupid. “I’ve been looking for her all night long. So happy to finally have found her.” I give her a lopsided grin and am rewarded with a bright smile in return.
“Hi,” her grin grows bigger. “I’m Hunter.” She puts her right hand out to shake and I engulf her fingers in my own.
“Are you fuckin’ serious right now, Hunter?” Asswipe is fuming from behind me.
“Sorry, Johnny,” Hunter looks at him from around me. “It was good seeing you though…”
“Fuck that,” he gives us both a disgusted look and walks away.
Hunter lets out an amused snort, which only prompts me to give out a full belly laugh.
“So, who might you be?” she takes a sip from her bottle of water, taking me in as she goes.
“Zach,” now it’s my turn to put my hand out as I wait for her to shake mine. And she takes her time, giving me a coy smile.
“Zach what?”
“Hunter what?” I deadpan, and she holds back a laugh.
“Okay, I give. Zach Cavanaugh. I came here with a girl who I asked out couple of days ago. I was not aware she was still in college and loved the party scene.”
