Free Beautiful Entourage by E. L. Todd Page B

company. He’s being a real pain in the ass about it.”
    “I don’t understand,” I said. “How did you turn out so amazing but your father is…not the best?” I tried to be sensitive since it was her father I was bad-mouthing.
    “The words you’re looking for are smelly douchebag.”
    “Smelly douchebag?” I said with a laugh.
    “And I don’t have an answer to that question. I suppose it’s because he spoiled Lance and made me work for every dime I had. Or maybe he has a mental disorder. Probably both.” She rolled her eyes in irritation.
    “For what it’s worth, I think you’re pretty amazing for putting up with their bullshit.”
    “Thank you.” She put her hands on her hips. “It’s about time someone said it.”
    I chuckled then put my arm around her waist. “Now what?”
    “I want to ditch,” she said. “Get some ice cream.”
    That was the most random thing I ever heard. “Ice cream?”
    “Yum…with chocolate syrup and whipped cream.”
    It sounded like she’d been thinking about it for a while. “Can we do that?”
    “No.” She deflated like a balloon. “Let’s stay for dinner then hightail it out of here. My dad might want to talk to you again. You guys discussed golf, cars, and money. Now women is all that’s left.”
    “That would be an interesting conversation…”
    We took our seats at the table near the front of the stage, and plates were set in front of us. I put my hand on Aspen’s thigh and noted how toned it was. Her legs were thin but they were tight. I wondered if she was a runner.
    Her father took a seat at the table and so did her brother.
    Lance glared at Aspen across the table.
    She ignored him.
    “So, what’s this about you pouring booze on a waiter?” Mr. Lane asked his son.
    Lance shot Aspen a hateful look, clearly pissed she tattled on him when she hadn’t. “Aspen was the one who knocked me into him. Then she tried to pour champagne on me but got the waiter instead.”
    Did he really think anyone would believe that?
    Mr. Lane gave Aspen a dark look. “Is that true?”
    “Absolutely not.” She kept her voice low so no one else would hear. “Lance brought his annoying friends along and they were just being jerks.”
    It didn’t seem like her father believed her. “You need to stop picking on your brother. It’s always something with him. Just let it go.”
    Aspen looked outraged.
    Lance grinned like an idiot.
    Was this a joke? Did the owner of a billion dollar company really believe his punk-ass son just because he was a boy?
    “You should just fire her, Dad,” Lance said seriously. “She’s an embarrassment.”
    Aspen looked like she might explode.
    Her dad started to eat like the conversation no longer interested him.
    I knew I should stay out of the argument because it wasn’t my place but I couldn’t let Aspen be knocked around like a punching bag. “Sir, Lance did pour champagne on that waiter. It was an unprovoked attack. I saw the entire thing.”
    Their father turned his gaze on Lance. “Rhett says you’re lying. What do you say to that?”
    “Who cares what he says? He’s just a punk.”
    I stared him down without blinking. This guy was a scumbag.
    “I do,” Mr. Lane said. “And you’re suspended from work without pay for two weeks.”
    I tried not to smile in victory.
    Aspen didn’t hide her joy. “Asshole…” she mumbled.
    “What the fuck?” Lance said. “That’s not fair.”
    “Do not cuss,” Mr. Lane hissed. “We’re in public.”
    Lance opened his mouth to speak but was cut off.
    “You want me to make it three weeks?” Mr. Lane threatened.
    It was pathetic that Lance had to be disciplined like a child.
    Lance threw his napkin down and marched off.
    Mr. Lane ate like nothing just happened.
    Aspen turned to her father. “When I say something you don’t believe me. But when Rhett, a guy you hardly know, says Lance is acting like a child, you believe him?”
    He sighed. “Don’t get started, Aspen.”
    She