Page 25 of Learning to Trust

"If you are doing this, you can get the hell out now, and don't expect anything from my will! It doesn't surprise me that you're thirty-six years old and still single. You're weak like your mother and give up as soon as things get tough. You've never been any fucking different."

He didn’t give me a chance to respond, instead slamming the phone down and ending the call.

I sat in my chair wondering if he'd meant what he'd said about me leaving right now. I didn't have to wonder for long. Around ten minutes later, Janice burst through my office door, her purse and laptop bag in one hand.

"You did it! I'm so proud of you." My sister dropped her belongings, rounded my desk, and pulled me into a rib-crushing hug.

“Dad said I have to leave right now, even though I offered to stay until he found someone else.”

"That's why the bastard called me, to make sure you leave. I told him certainly; I'll be leaving at the same time."

To say I was shocked by Janice’s words was an understatement.

“No—why?”

"I've been talking to Steve about leaving for a while, but I felt guilty about leaving you here alone. I love advertising and marketing, but I hate this company and its people. With all my contacts, Steve said I could build a successful business of my own if that was what I wanted. It's not as if we need the money since we have more than enough for many lives. I could stay home with the kids, but owning my own business would be a dream come true." She shrugged. "Welcome to temporary unemployment, little brother. I've asked Reagan to pack up our offices and send any personal belongings to our homes. How about lunch?"

"Sounds good to me, but I need to make a call first."

Janice nodded and dropped into a chair opposite to wait while I called Andrew.

“I promised to call Andrew after I spoke with Dad.”

Janice raised an eyebrow but didn’t question me about my new neighbor.

“How are you?” Andrew asked as soon as he answered.

"I'm unemployed, effective immediately. Well, effective fifteen minutes ago."

“It went that well, huh? Are you okay?”

"Yes. Janice quit too when Dad started reading her the riot act about my leaving. She hated it here as much as I did and told Dad she was done. She's here now and we're going to have lunch. Can I see you later?" I'd seen Andrew every day since Saturday and the club. I hoped he didn't think I was becoming needy.

“Yes. How are you managing?”

“How the fuck do you think?”

Andrew laughed.

“Asshole.”

“That sore ass you have?”

I groaned, knowing what was coming.

“It’s about to feel worse. My playroom will be finished today. My place at six. Be on time.”

"Yes—" Sir was on the tip of my tongue, but I swallowed it back.

Although I knew I could speak with Janice about the lifestyle I was entering, I wanted to have more experience and knowledge before she bombarded me with questions.

I hoped Andrew understood why I hadn't respected him as my Dom. "Six, David. Don't be late."

“I’ll be there.”

I hung up the call and pushed to my feet. Janice’s eyes locked on the cushion where I’d been seated.

“Sore back,” I explained.