Page 1 of Off Sides

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Chapter 1

Raine

Istare out at the Las Vegas skyline, the lights twinkling in the distance and sigh, it’s been a long day.

Today I spun a tail that this man was going to lose his business if he didn’t get with the times. One would think that after a decade of doing this that someone would agree with me, let me help them, recognize the work I’ve done, but this man is stubborn. For close to ten years, I’ve helped failing businesses, and I’ve done it for nothing. I have enough money to live my life in luxury until I die, thanks to my grandfather. And I’ve put that money to use, helping others.

There are producers that want to do a show about me, film me for content. I haven’t said yes or no to that yet. I’m a very private person. The only thought that has me considering it is that it will help more people.

But I’m still plastered across pages in magazines and newspapers, all over social media. I’ve been photographed with so called friends, and women who carry weight in this world. And yet, I’m alone. My world gets lonely as everyone is only seen with me, hoping for a handout. Just once I’d love to meet someone that sees me for me.

The door to my penthouse opens, “sir, here are the details for the gala tomorrow.” Derek has been my confidant since I was a little boy. He was my father’s butler, and now he’s my assistant, though he does so much more for me.

“Thanks, I’ll say something at the office in the morning, remind them of what is expected.” He nods and heads to his room. Tomorrow he will get up to make my breakfast, drive me to get coffee, and have my tux ready for tomorrow night. He’d probably wipe my ass if I asked him. I need to give him a raise, and a vacation.

I don’t flip businesses by myself; I expanded to twenty employees. Every one of them does something different. I have photographers to post on social media; there are designers that pick out all the details. I have realtors that help look for better buildings. I even have a construction crew. When I first started helping the people in the shadier areas of Vegas, I was doing it all by myself. Derek suggested getting help.

Turning from the window, I close the blinds and head to my room, needing sleep. Tomorrow I will talk to Bob again, have Tommy show him the other places we’ve helped. He needs it, if not his business will fail in less than a year. He’s just too proud to ask for help. His wife is in the hospital; he has bills piling up. I need to make him understand that this is for his benefit.

And then I need to get ready for a party I don’t even want to be at, but I am the boss.

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Chapter 2

Dasher

Isit in my car outside of my house, dreading going in. My girlfriend is in there and I don’t want to be around her. She hasn’t done anything wrong per se, but I just can’t. Lately I feel like I’m just arm candy to her. She posts on social media about how she’s dating a pro athlete, and how our lives are perfect. But are they?

Every time I called her when I was at football camp she gushed about her boss. While I’m happy she’s happy about a job, one she didn’t even want to get, I just hate having to hear about him all the time.

If the calls weren’t about him, they’re about her and where she wants to go on vacation to or what new purse she bought with my credit card. Hello? I’m a person with feelings as well.Just because I’m making more money than I did working at the local diner growing up, doesn’t mean that I’m just a bank.

Last time I came home on a weekend visit, she opened her hand expecting money. I gave in, handed it over, and didn’t see her for the whole weekend. I’m feeling underappreciated, but if I bring it up, she blows me off.

Camp is over, the season is starting on Monday. I have a weekend to just chill out. But knowing Poppy it won’t be calm or peaceful for me.

With a long sigh, I climb out of my truck, the same one I’ve had since high school and head inside. What I walk into is chaos.

There are dresses everywhere, some strange lady standing in my living room.

“Oh, good you’re home,” Poppy says as I set my bag by the closet, I’ll take care of it later.

“Yep, just got here. What’s all this?” I ask, gesturing to the dresses. She gives me a look that I don’t understand and after being together since we were fifteen, you’d think I should know. I don’t. I don’t think I’ll ever understand her.

“My boss is having a party tonight. Your suit is upstairs.”

Party? “Party? What party?”

She stops trying to take the dress off and stares at me, “he’s having a party, important people will be there. I need you to go to make me look important.”

“You didn’t tell me.”

She nods, “I just did. Suit upstairs. We leave in an hour.” Well, there goes my weekend. I don’t want to go, but I will because if I don’t, she will scream at me for the whole weekend. Fuck my life.

Again, I’m glad she likes what she does, but I don’t want to be around people right now. I don’t want to be used as a trophy or whatever she is thinking of doing with me.