Page 67 of West (The Moral Compass 1)
God, this man. If I didn’t know about his stupid, sexy quirks, he’d be perfect. He is perfect.Myperfect.
“Okay, I’ll hear you out, but please remember I have a good job with West that I interviewed for and got fairly and openly. I do not want any special treatment because… you’re my dad.”
He nods, and so does Danika. She grabs my hands and pulls me in for another hug. “We are going to rule the tech world, Sutton. You and me together. We will be unstoppable,” she whispers so only I can hear.
“Ooookay,” I reply, a little disturbed by the pressure of ruling the tech world but, hey, I’ve struggled all my life. It’s about time I got a break.
***
Two months later, we are having one of our family catch-ups in the café. It became special to all of us. Tomorrow is my first real day at Technolabs as Chief Operating Officer working alongside Danika. We moved back into West’s apartment last week. It would be closer to work for us both, and a little privacy is nice. Kara stayed with Liz and the family, and she has taken the role I was going to have with West. I’m relieved, really. I didn’t want him having another new woman around.
What the fuck? Where did that come from? You absolute weirdo. You trust the guy with your life. What the hell, Sutton? Sort this head out pleeease.
I stand up from the table needing the bathroom. Have you ever stood inside a carousel or seen a film where the horses all fly past so quickly and everything becomes a blur and the noise levels start to get louder? That’s how I feel right now. I look at West and he is smiling back; Danika is talking, but I can’t hear her voice. Kara comes face-to-face with me, and she looks worried. I try to ask her what’s wrong and also what’s going on, but then it all goes dark.
I can hear voices. West is shouting to get an ambulance. And then, fuck, what was that? Cold water splashes my face. I’m trying to wipe my eyes, but all I can hear is West.
“What the actual fuck, Kara? What did you do that for? She was out cold.”
“I’ve seen it on the telly. And, look, it worked. She’s coming around,” she bites back.
“Ergh, fuck. What’s going on? Why am I wet?” I look at Kara and then West. His face is mixed, and I can’t quite read him. He’s angry and worried, but I don’t know what about.
“You fainted, sweetheart.” Liz comes in to view. “And then your so-called best friend threw a jug of water over you.”
I can hear Kara sniggering behind her hand, and it’s just enough to make me relax until Danika announces the bloody ambulance will be here soon, that someone needs to wait outside for it. She yells, pointing at the door.
Dramatic or what? Fuck, what’s going on?
“Listen, I don’t need an ambulance. I just need to go home and get changed thanks to Kara. It’s been a very stressful time, and I think my body finally gave up,” I try to reason, but they are all shaking their heads except for North.
“Yep, I get it, Sutton, I know how you can just faint when your body’s had enough. Yep. Totally get it.”
Everyone turns with eyes like daggers to face him.
“Erm, actually, Sutton, I think you should do what they say. Better safe than sorry.”
A complete turnaround.
Fucking chicken.
I try to argue more, but West clears everyone away and sits down on the floor next to me.
“You know how you said you would do anything for me, anytime?” I nod. I know what’s coming, and I know I should have never said that. He’s going to abuse it right now. Besides, I was thinking more along the lines of sexual favours.
“Okay, you win. I did say that, but I’m going to put a limit on the number of times you can use it. You get five times. That’s it. So think carefully, West. Do you want to use one today?” I think I’m being clever.
He takes my chin, lifts it gently, and places his lips to mine with a soft “yes” as his forehead sits against mine.
Oh, for fuck’s sake. Today was supposed to be a happy day celebrating new starts, and now I’m sitting on the cold floor waiting for the paramedics. The woman on the phone had said I wasn’t to be moved, just made comfortable. But this isn’t comfortable, and my white jeans are going to be filthy.
Just as I’m having my own personal rant in my head, the doors open, and two female paramedics walk in with bags of stuff. Shit, did they think I was dying or something?
“So, what do we have here, then?” one of them asks. West tells them and, as I look up, I catch Dad’s eye. He’s worried, and my heart breaks a tiny bit. I don’t want him to worry about me, so I do the only thing I can do. I smile as big as I can back to him and nod my head.
“I’m okay,” I mouth, and he nods in reply. The poor guy. He’ll wish he’d left well alone when he realises how many times I end up in hospital. I laugh a little at my random thoughts.
“You okay, Sutton? Were you laughing?” the other paramedic asks.
