Chapter 124: Stay with her
1035words
As I stared at the email on my computer, I blew out a breath and tried not to freak out. I had several actors and actresses willing to join my studio, but my old boss was trying to destroy me before I could even get started.
The prick was trying to sue me for trying to make his employees breach their contracts. What that prick clearly failed to remember was that I was an employee of his once too. There was always a way out of a contract, but I wasn't trying to make anyone leave their position there. They all came to me willingly. You wouldn't find a help wanted ad for my studio anywhere. I knew enough people in the industry to cast my own films.
I jumped when my cell rang and cursed beneath my breath for being so damn jumpy. One glance at the screen told me that it was Dakota and I answered it quickly.
"Hey, how did your appointments go?" I greeted her.
"They were just fine. Me and the baby are perfectly healthy, but..." she trailed off and I knew instantly that she was about to tell me something that I wouldn't like.
There was always something going on with her or my other siblings, but she was the only one I was willing to put up with. My family was just one of the many reasons I tucked tail from Chicago and ran as far away as I could. But I wouldn't think about them right now. Actually, I tried not to think about them ever.
"What is it, Dakota?"
She was clearly stalling to tell me and that just annoyed me even more. It couldn't be good if she wasn't talking and then I think I figured it out.
"No, Dakota. That's the worst possible idea you could have."
She scoffed into the phone.
"You don't even know what I was going to say!"
"Yes, I do. You were going to tell me that you've been speaking with... with-" I had completely forgotten her baby daddy's name, and I still didn't care what it was. "Going back to him would be the worst decision you ever made."
"You just don't know him like I do, Drake! He's the father of my child and he always took care of me. I just... I need his support now more than ever and I can't live in your guest room forever. Besides, with Lynn moving in now, I don't want to put a cramp in your guys' relationship."
I groaned while I pinched the bridge between my nose, feeling a migraine coming on. "You aren't putting a cramp between us, Dakota. I told you that you could stay here as long as you needed to. Don't be stupid and make hasty decisions without thinking them through first."
"Like you did? Running away from home at such a young age and getting into-"
I cut her off. "And see where that landed me? If I could go back and change things, I would have. I didn't have anyone watching out for me like you do."
"I'm a big girl, Dom, and I'll do whatever the hell it is that I want to do."
"Then why are you even calling to tell me if you don't want my opinion?" I snapped.
Silence greeted me on the other end and pissed me off even more. She knew how I felt about that dickwad and if she went back to him, I wouldn't feel sorry for her if something stupid happened. It was called tough love. I was her brother, not her father.
"Whatever, Dakota. You're a big girl, right? Then do whatever the fuck you want." I hung up on her before she could say anything else.
It had been a very long time since I'd spoken to anyone like that, but my nerves were all over the place. I thought starting my own studio would be a breeze but it wasn't, and now I had to deal with this drama bullshit Dakota thought would be good for her. Give me a fucking break.
When the phone rang again, I almost ignored it because I couldn't have another conversation with Dakota so soon. My temper was hot and she wouldn't like what I had to say, but one look at the screen told me it was Oliver.
"Hey, man, what's going on?" I answered.
"Wondering where the hell you are, Nick. I've got some shipments here that need signatures and a crew of builders staring at me with hammers in their hands."
Fuck. I squeezed my eyes shut and blew out a breath.
Time had gotten away from me and I had completely forgotten to get back to the warehouse. I was just glad Oliver came with me. If it weren't for him, I'd be lost right now.
"I'll be right there, man. Shit!" I hung up, shut my computer down, and grabbed my keys.
Thankfully the warehouse was only fifteen minutes from my place because I couldn't lose these contractors. They were the cheapest I was able to find in the whole damn state of Florida.
But as I jumped in my car and opened the garage door, luis's Honda Civic bumper greeted me in the rearview mirror. At least something was going right today. I could really use lynn by my side right now.
I watched them get out of the car as lynn looked in my direction with confusion on her face. I'd have to get used to letting her know where I was going now that she lived with me or she'd come home confused and worried all the time.
"Hey, how did shopping go?" I asked as they both approached my car.
"Great!" Luis cheered while lynn groaned.
I knew she wasn't the type of girl that enjoyed shopping and I got a kick out of her reactions. Now that she was loaded, I had a feeling that luis would take her out on more shopping trips and she'd come back complaining to me about it. She could complain all she wanted as long as she bought something that I would enjoy seeing her in.
