Jayded by Shevaun Delucia

much more. I think he ’ s always resented me for it. Because of my bad behavior, I was constantly getting the attention; even though it wasn ’ t good attention, it was attention, plain and simple.
    Once I cleaned up my act and decided to go off to college, I think that was the happiest I ’ ve ever seen my brother. He was able to be seen again without any distractions. He had my parents ’ undivided attention and obviously took full advantage of it career-wise. Even though I now have a piece of paper to show that I know what I ’ m doing in this business, he has the experience. And now, I almost feel the tables have turned a little; I sort of envy him now.
    I head into the conference room and take my seat next to Max again. I can feel the thick tension around us, and once Junior enters the room, it magnifies by ten. We spend the next couple of hours going over numbers and statistics. I have to admit, by the time the meeting is over, my head is spinning. I don ’ t know how people do this all day.
    By six o ’ clock, almost everyone has left the building. It ’ s quiet; there ’ s only a small humming noise coming from the voices that are still here. I punch out on my time clock and shut my computer down. I take a quick glance toward Max ’ s office and can see her back to work already. I almost want to stop by before I take off just to see her for a split second, but I think twice and head out.
    Working with my family just may be the death of me.
     

CHAPTER TEN
    Max
    The last couple of days have been packed. By the time I get back to the hotel, it is a little past midnight. The lobby is alive and vivacious on a perfect Friday night. Laughter and conversations are flowing, and there is dancing throughout the halls. Even though I am exhausted, it feels a little magical. Couples are holding hands and groups of friends are hyped up and ready for a fun night out on the town. The buzz is almost addicting.
    Once I close the door to my room, all sound and reality disappears. I power off my phone and all connection to the outside world, and I ’ m sucked into my cave, burying myself under my covers for a much-needed sleep. I don ’ t care what it takes; I am sleeping in tomorrow morning.
    I crack my eyes open in the morning and glance at the alarm clock next to my bed. It ’ s now eleven thirty. The room is still dark, with slices of light creeping through the curtains. I feel as tired as I did when I laid my head down. These damn beds. Now I understand what people mean when they say they ’ re homesick. I wouldn ’ t care where I was, though, as long as my bed was there with me.
    I forgot I turned off my phone last night. When I power it on, it sounds like the coin board on the Super Mario Brothers game. It ’ s ringing and dinging non-stop. I go through my text messages and see one from an unfamiliar number. I open it and see that it ’ s a text from Kyle. Shit! He ’ s going to be here in an hour and a half. Look at me: I ’ m a hot mess!
    I spring out of bed and immediately jump into the shower. I turn it to boiling hot, standing for a moment and letting the hot water hit the back of my neck. I ’ m trying to relieve all my tension from the week and lack of sleep. It feels wonderful. Just what I need.
    Today ’ s temperature is in the low forties. It ’ s sunny, but looks are deceiving — especially in Rochester. This weather is definitely something I ’ m going to need to get used to. I ’ m going to have to go on a major cold-weather-clothing shopping spree if I decide to move here for good.
    I finish with my makeup and hair. Today, I ’ m going with a nude, natural look for my makeup with large, loose curls. This hair will look cute with my beige winter cap and my tan boots. I hear a knock at the door. My stomach drops. I take one last look in the mirror before answering.
    I glance through the peephole and take one last deep breath. I have no idea why I ’ m so nervous. I feel like a teenager going