Chapter 46 Chapter 46 Maddox I stood in my home office, the floor-to-ceiling windows giving me the beautiful view of the city beneath me. While the night lights and stars in the sky were quite the sight to look at, they didn't hold my attention the way they usually did and it was because of Harper. Friday was just a few days away but it felt like months. That was how much she made me want her. She shouldn't have been in those jeans in the late-night video chats. They'd gotten in the of everything she could've shown me. way I was glad she was coming but my patience was already running thin. After the previous night, I needed her under me, surrendering to my control. I turned away from the window and reached for my glass of water. I needed to focus. My father was on his way and I didn't want to keep thinking about Friday while he was present. It was going to be his first time visiting me in my new home and while he made it sound like a casual visit, that was so unlike him. I was certain he wanted to talk to me about something important. Could it have been what we had discussed the day we played golf? At the sound of an engine pulling up into my front yard, I took the elevator to get to the ground floor faster, even clearing my throat like I was about to make a speech in a boardroom. He still made me want to act like that. The doorbell rang right as I got to the door and when I opened it, it wasn't just my father standing there. Grayson, Tiffany and Margot were with him. Why the fuck had they come? The thought of the unpleasant visit made me tighten my grip on the doorknob. "You're the only one I was expecting," I bluntly said to my father. "I didn't know you'd have company." "We all wanted to surprise you! It's good to see you, too, dear." Margot faked a laugh in her annoying voice. "Speak for yourselves." Tiffany rolled her eyes with crossed arms. "Being here already suffocates me." "If that's the case, why did you bother coming here?" My expression was blank but my tone was a little sharp. "Ugh! Do you actually think I want to be here? I came because mom forced me." 16:07 Tue, Sep 16 Chapter 46 55 vouchers I almost laughed. Of course she had a part to play so she could keep up appearances in front of my father. "Are you going to let us in, or will you keep us standing here?" his voice cut through the standoff. With a clenched jaw, I stepped aside and swept my arm toward the living room. Grayson was the last one to come in and as he walked past me, I had a small smirk, thinking about everything Harper had said to me late at night. He noticed it and even stopped in his tracks, but I shrugged and said, "What?" "It's nothing," he said, continuing in his steps so he could sit beside Tiffany. I sat right across from the two of them, my single seat not so far from where my father had taken a seat. Unlike the rest of us, Margot didn't yet take her seat as she was too busy looking around the entire living room. "This is very impressive. You have such excellent taste a-" "Anything to drink?" I cut her mid-sentence as I looked around at everyone. I didn't have time to listen to her fake compliments. "Thanks, but that can wait," my father said, his tone firm and businesslike. "We're here to talk about what happened between you and Tiffany at the party." "That's right, honey!" Margot annoyingly added, dropping herself next to him and right on the side where she would be close to me. "That argument should've never happened," he continued. "The way I see it, what's done is done and the best we can do is move forward. Now, both of you are going to talk about this, right now. By the time we all get back to San Francisco, everything should be back to normal." Tiffany pursed her lips, shooting me a glare. "I have nothing to apologize for." I leaned back in my seat with a faint smirk. "Neither do I." "Maddox." His tone was sharp and the kind he used when he wanted obedience. "You're the older one. That's why I don't expect you to be so emotional over what happened. Tiffany's your sister and one day, my wife and I will be gone from this world. When that happens, the two of you will only have each other." I had to press my lips together just so I wouldn't laugh. But I wasn't about to say anything. I didn't care what anyone present thought of me. My eyes were still on Tiffany while she kept glaring at me, but just for a second, I caught her 16:07 Tue , Sep 16 ... Chapter 46 : 36 55 vouchers glancing at Margot and when she looked back at me again, she uncrossed her arms with a warm smile and a fake softness in her eyes. "Dad's right." Her voice was now sweet. "We shouldn't let things from the past come between us. Can we start over?" I didn't miss the act for a second, but I decided to play along. I knew that was what my would've wanted. My lips curved into something that looked like a smile, even if it wasn't. "Sure. " father Margot loudly clasped her hands together. "Excellent! How about the two of you spend some time together tomorrow? You know, a little sibling bonding?" "I'm too busy," I said, not even glancing at her. "Oh, then how about next weekend?" "I can't." My eyes were now on Grayson who was looking down at his phone. "I already have plans with Harper." His head shot up towards me with shock written all over his face. He blinked rapidly to compose himself, but I had already seen it and loved every second of it. He looked like he wanted to ask me about it right away and even opened his mouth, then shut it quickly as he had to play it cool in front of everyone else. "I can't believe you're still giving that girl your precious time," Margot said with genuine disapproval. "I thought what you had with Kate was-" "Real?" I cut in. "You know how it goes with me. Anyway, Friday's not possible because I'm not cancelling on Harper." I thought it was over with Grayson, but I was wrong because he couldn't hold back anymore. "I thought you'd be spending time with Juliet or Claire." I let out a humorless laugh at how he brought them into the conversation. "I haven't even met up with them in a while. I'm too busy for that." "Not busy enough if you're meeting up with Harper." Title: A Boyfriend on Loan, A Real Love on Way Author: CrushReels Genre: Romance, Modern Status: ongoing In "A Boyfriend on Loan, A Real Love on Way" by CrushReels, Felix Lloyd finds himself in a predicament as he seeks to pacify his family's marriage expectations by renting a girlfriend for the holiday season. However, a serendipitous airport mishap leads Kendal Scott, the wrong woman, into his life. As Felix and Kendal navigate this unexpected twist of fate, the novel delves into themes of familial pressure, mistaken identities, and the complexities of modern relationships. CrushReels intricately weaves together elements of romance and contemporary dilemmas to create a compelling narrative that resonates with readers seeking a blend of heartwarming moments and unforeseen connections. What sets "A Boyfriend on Loan, A Real Love on Way" apart is its ability to balance light-hearted humor with poignant insights into the intricacies of human emotions. With its engaging storyline and relatable characters, this ongoing romance promises a captivating read for fans of modern love stories. Experience the unfolding tale of Felix and Kendal at CrushReels and immerse yourself in a world where love finds its way through unexpected avenues. Read online at CrushReels today to discover the enchanting journey awaiting within these digital pages.