Page 49 of King of Hearts
“She wants to be proactive and have Urban Pulse release a statement.” I admitted.
“And what do you want?” He asked.
It was times like this that reminded me why I paid him so much when I could get an agent for half the price. He never pushed anything that he wasn’t certain was in my best interests. On the odd occasion he wasn’t entirely confident with a decision, he always sought my opinion, and I appreciated the autonomy more than he knew.
“I don’t know, man. I think I really like her. Fuck. I think about her all the fucking time and when I’m with her, she is all that matters, you know.” I tapped my fingers against the marble of the bench.
“Leave it with me then.” He answered decidedly. “I’ll speak to Urban, and we will put out a response.”
“Saying what?”
“Nothing. But enough. It’s none of their concern but unless we give them something, they will be everywhere, including all over yournot-girlfriend.” The thought alone made my hands clench into fists. The last time I felt rage on behalf of another person was when Mum was hurt. I was resigned to the bullshit they pulled on me, the inability to have anything even remotely close to a personal life, but I didn’t want this for her. She didn’t deserve this intrusion.
The intercom buzzing cut through the air, and I reached for my phone. “Pup, I gotta go. Release what you need but just keep it tight, yeah?”
“Of course.” The line went dead as I headed to greet my guests.
I knew of all people, both Pup and Arna would work to compose a statement which was tactful yet appealing, but it was hard not to let the constant trash written in the past play through my mind.
“Mr. Gloss, you have some approved visitors.” Graham’s voice informed me.
“Thanks, send them up.”
I grabbed a few more drinks from the fridge as I heard the door to my apartment open and laughter echo through the entryway.
“The party has arrived, old man, where the booze at?” I couldn’t stop my smile when Dylan entered first, his arms spread wide, ever the confident dickhead.
“Happy birthday, bro. Can’t believe you’re twenty-one.” I ruffled his hair like always, knowing it pissed him off and handed him one of the beers I just opened. We clinked bottles and each took a sip as Sebastian, Cooper and Jack appeared.
“So, this is what it’s all about? Been waiting to join the Outback Aces for years.” Dylan said, circling the table like a shark.
Cooper’s laugh thrummed around the room, and he stepped forward to put my younger brother in a playful headlock. Seb and Jack both watching with matching grins.
“I would have let you join earlier but been waiting for you to reach puberty.” I retorted.
“Fuck I’m glad you came, little Gloss. Outback Aces. Classic.” Coop was still laughing as he took the outstretched beer from my hand and knocked it gently against my own.
“Cheers, Captain. Saw your ugly mug all over my phone today. Who’s the lady?” It was good to see Coop smiling again. It was obvious at our last meet up he was struggling but Seb had assured me he was on top of it all so I didn’t need to dig any further. This invitation for banter was welcomed and it was clear he was fucking giddy at the photos, hoping I lost my shit over him mentioning them.
“Surely you’re too busy with the distillery to be sitting on your phone all day.” I snarked. You wouldn’t have known it from the way he presented himself, but Coop came from money. His dad was a well-known name in the real estate market, helping me and plenty of the other boys in the team, but on top of that pretty fortune, Coop had coin courtesy from his own hard work and perseverance. That little pot of dollars was something I loved to chip away each time I beat his arse at poker.
“I’m never too busy to see pictures of you and your latest piece. What’s she like?” He grinned as Dylan, still standing next to him, laughed.
“Cooper Dane, you have a death wish. He almost knocked me out when I met her because I kissed her hello.”
“Piss off, Dyl, you practically came in your pants when you saw her.” I said, moving towards the table where Seb was already arranging his area, ensuring everything was perfectly organised.
“You need a ruler to make sure it’s all evenly spaced?” I joked.
“Fuck off.” He replied and I laughed watching him move the snacks evenly into the centre of the table. He always had little idiosyncrasies and one of them was an obsession for detail. Depending on his mood, moving his shit a few centimetres to one side was enough to evoke an eye-twitch. Other times, it could earn you a right hook – it was a gamble, but that was why we were here.
“How’s the club?” I asked Seb.
“Yeah, good. I was saying to the boys on the way up, we’ve got a new DJ playing on Saturday nights. Finally found one who doesn’t leave the booth to prey on the customers. She’s good, you should come in the next weekend you’re off.” Seb pulled his chair out and sat down, and I followed.
“I’m in for sure.” Jack said, throwing a few bags of snacks down on the table before cracking a beer.
“You’re always in, fool.” I spoke. The kid loved partying and it was part of the reason I kept him close. At twenty-two he was susceptible to enjoying the high-profile life more than he should and he had far too much potential to risk it over foolish impulses.
