Page 25 of Pretend it’s Forever

My father was silent for long enough that I was afraid the call had ended, but instead, he growled.

“You’re a disgrace.”

“If you’re calling me that, it tells me that I have made progress. So why don’t you fuck off?”

I ended the call and nearly threw my phone. Instead, I calmed down and let out a deep breath.

“Still want to head to Progress?” Andy, my driver asked.

“Yes. I could use a drink. And since you had to deal with that phone call, you could probably use the night off.”

“Don’t worry, sir. I’ll pick you up. Maybe I’ll go punch something at your gym while I wait.”

“That sounds like a plan. I don’t know how long I’ll be.”

Andy pulled up to the three-story building in downtown Denver, and I smiled at the line already forming. “Dorian sure knows how to build an audience.”

“Yes, he does.”

“Have you been inside?”

“I don’t think it’s my kind of place.”

“You know it is, Andy. You like the finer things. And Dorian will let you in. He knows you.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yes. If you want to, bring a friend. Maybe that guy who I know you’ve been seeing for a while now.”

“I don’t know if that’s going to last,” Andy said before I could get out of the car.

“I’m sorry about that. He seemed nice from what you mentioned.”

Andy shrugged. “I don’t think he understands that I like being a driver, and sometimes bodyguard.”

“You protect my sister when you drive her around, that’s worth all types of salary. If your friend doesn’t understand that, then he doesn’t deserve you.”

“Thanks for that, Carson.”

“It’s just the truth.”

I nodded my goodbye and got out of the car.

I liked Andy and had known him for most of my life. His father had been one of the staff at my house growing up, and Andy had been in and out, helping where he could. When I had moved out, and moved on, I brought Andy with me. I’d offered him any place that he wanted in my company, but he liked driving around, and being the bodyguard for, my sister and other team members who needed it. It gave him time to read, and to catch up with different classes online. He had gotten his bachelor’s degree, mostly because I had forced him into going to college. The guy liked to learn and had wanted a degree but never thought he could afford it. Now, he took other classes to learn history and arts. Anything he could soak up. And in his current job, he was able to do that. It was a win-win for everybody.

I just hoped he found the person he wanted. Because some people deserved happiness.

Like my sister and her fiancée.

I nodded at the doorman, who let me in past the line, and didn’t bother to look over. They knew me here, because I knew Dorian, and I didn’t need to lord it over those who waited to get in. Dorian was particular who got into his clubs, but it wasn’t who knew who all the time. It was about fire codes and making sure people were safe.

Another reason why I liked the Cages.

Dorian stood by the bar, his arm around a cute brunette, and I realized that he had his wife with him.

I liked Harper, though I didn’t know her well. They were newly married, much like many of the Cages, and seemed happy.

What must that feel like?