Figured this reaction was coming. Hoped for something less complicated like an easy nod and a pat on the back so I could get to finishing Syd’s breakfast, but I’ve never been lucky.

I cut the heat on the stove, not wanting to burn the grease, stepped back until I hit the island, and leaned against it, arms crossing on my chest.

“You …want me to buy you out?” Jamie asked. “What the fuck? Why?”

I pulled in a deep breath to explain.

“Figured I’d continue doing what I was doing at Xstasy, the solo shit, until I could give that kid enough to get by for years, taking some of that burden off and letting that family breathe easy. I need that for them. It’s important. I think you know that.”

Jamie nodded, letting me know he understood.

“That being said,” I continued, “there is nothing more important to me than that girl upstairs. Not one damn thing. Can’t explain why she has me like this but she fuckin’ does and it’s good, the kind of good you’d change your life for. So solo or not, I won’t have ties to something that could hurt her. I won’t chance her feeling this, which puts me in a fuckin’ bind ’cause I need that money and doing shit like I was doing for Xstasy was the only way I could think of to get it fast like I needed and in that quantity without risking getting arrested.”

Jamie shook his head.

“It’s not lost on me what this girl’s doing. I see the good she’s giving you but there’s gotta be something else,” he said. “Another way you can get them that money. A loan or something. Fuck, Dash, this was our dream, owning Wax. It’s something we’ve worked our asses off for and you wanna sell out?”

“No other choice, man.”

Jamie clenched his jaw, nostrils flaring as he looked down.

He was upset and I got that. Appreciated where he was coming from, too. This wasn’t an easy decision for me, but at least I’d still be connected to Wax somehow. I’d still work there.

I wouldn’t have to give up that dream completely.

I watched Jamie set his mug down and hop off the counter, then take a step toward me, hands raised seeking peace.

“Hear me out,” he requested. “There’s another option and it’s one you can take without giving anything up.”

“No,” I said, shooting it down before hearing him because I already knew his suggestion. “It’s not going down that way. I’m not taking your money unless I sell.”

“Come on. What’s the difference?”

“Don’t fuckin’ ask me that again,” I hissed, impatience burning in my throat. “You wanna help me? This is how you can help me. Buy me out.”

He lowered his hands.

Silence settled between us.

Jamie wasn’t going to give me this. He didn’t understand. I could tell by the look on his face.

I shook my head through an inhale, jaw tight and shoulders tensing.

“Forget it,” I mumbled, moving back to the stove with heavy steps. “I’ll figure something else out.”

What the fuck that was gonna be, I had no idea. Last night this seemed like my only option.

I stared down at the pan, hands braced on either side of the stove and head down.

Maybe I could sell everything I had. Might get a little over ten grand for my Jeep. Not as much as selling my share of Wax, but it was better than nothing. I could take the bus or bum rides, that or walk everywhere. Getting the exercise wouldn’t hurt.

“I’ll do it.”

I slowly lifted my head and turned my neck.

Jamie held my eyes when he said, “I’ll buy you out. Get the figure and let me know.”

Tension poured out of my limbs. I breathed a sigh of relief.

“Thanks, man. Seriously. Means a lot,” I told him, straightening my back.

He nodded once, twisted to grab his mug, then took a sip.

I could get in touch with our accountant today, no problem. The guy worked seven days a week. As for Xstasy, that shit could be handled with a simple text. I’d get on that as soon as I got Syd back home in case Mike decided to be one dumb motherfucker and call me to discuss.

There would be no discussion.

And this was going to work out.

Thank fuck.

“But your name is staying on all the promotional shit. I don’t care if you want it removed, it’s not happening,” Jamie informed as I was clicking the burner on. “It would be a pain in my ass getting it changed so deal with it.”

I kept my head down and focused.

“I’m good with that,” I said through a smirk.

“Not asking your permission,” he replied shortly under his breath.

My smirk twisted into a smile.

I was feeling good again.

We talked more about the party and some work shit while I cooked the eggs. I was on my second cup of coffee, keeping the food warm in the oven, when I heard quiet footsteps on the stairs and I stopped listening to Jamie, turned my head, and watched Syd step with sleepy eyes and finger-twisted hair into the room wearing nothing but the shirt I was wearing yesterday.

I’m sure she looked slamming in a lot of things, but that might’ve been a top look for me.

She froze, bare feet and pale limbs pressing together and her hands tugging on the hem of my tee, which was funny since it almost reached her knees hanging loose.

“Mornin’, Wild.”

I smiled at her, sat my mug down, then made my way across the room.

Her eyes danced between me and Jamie.

“Uh, mornin’.” She settled on me. “Should I go put something on?” she whispered when I reached her.

“No. You look sweet,” I said, bending to kiss her mouth.

She broke it fast and shyly, explaining, “I haven’t brushed my teeth yet.”

“And?”

“My breath isn’t kissable right now. You’ll keel over.”

Her one hand acted like a barrier between our lips as she blinked up at me.

I laughed and kissed her forehead instead, which she allowed and seemed to enjoy, moaning quietly as I did it, then tucking close when I draped my arm around her and moved us back into the kitchen.

Jamie smiled at Syd, lifting his mug.

“What’s up, Sunshine? Sleep good?”

I looked down and watched my girl shoot daggers at Jamie.

Right. Legs.

Syd had her girl’s back.

“You got a problem?” Jamie asked with humor in his voice.

“Nope,” Syd snapped, looking away sharply, making her point known that she did indeed have a problem, possibly several, but she wasn’t interested in hashing it out right now.

Her attitude was another cute thing about her.

Jamie didn’t seem to care. He laughed under his breath while pouring himself a second cup of coffee, then moved to the pantry next to the fridge, pulled out a pack of Pop-Tarts, closed the door, and turned, winking at Syd as he walked around the island.

“Gotta head upstairs and wake up my guests,” he said on his way out of the room. “Ten o’clock is checkout.”

Sydney made a soft grunting noise.

“That’s disgusting,” she commented quietly when we were alone. “I can’t believe not one but three women wanted to have sex with him. They must’ve been paid off.”