Rogue Ever After (The Rogue Series Book 7)

by Tamsen Parker

  “Whatever. You all might too. Who cares? I’ve been suspended like half the year. This is bullshit, and we all know it.”

  “Language, young man,” Gloria admonished Matt. He rolled his eyes, but his posture straightened considerably.

  The student walkout got Christensen’s attention. True to form, he refused to speak to us directly, sending out Vice Principal Perez in his stead. Unfortunately for our fearful leader, Perez decided we were in the right and picked up one of the extra solidarity signs. The walkout also garnered the attention the local media. Apparently a student had Tweeted footage of the walkout to WPGH. It didn’t take long for news vans to line the curb in front of the school. Reporters wove through the crowd, firing off questions and narrating in dramatic tones.

  Joey stood in front of the brass doors, hamming it up for the camera as he explained our unified list of demands. Mia was talking to a local NPR reporter, her voice confident and clear. I raised my sign high in the air. We were doing the right thing. Change was going to come.

  And it did. By the time my fingers were cold-numb and I’d drained the last sip of coffee from my thermos, the union officially sanctioned our strike. More than 80 percent of teachers across the city had walked out. The last thing the district wanted, apparently, was an extended strike drawing national attention. A number of parents stood behind us too, concerned about racial equity and the overall decline in attendance district-wide. Christensen never showed his face. But that was okay. The school board sent an email inviting each school to nominate a teacher to come in for a two-day roundtable discussion.

  It was swiftly decided that said representative would be me, as long as I pushed hard for Christensen’s resignation. I envisioned his stupid blond head ducked in disgrace, the sound of his fake-deep voice yelling at students in the halls fading away forever. I could certainly do that.

  Finally, as the light turned golden and the shadows lengthened, the students began to filter off campus in higher spirits than I’d seen most of them in months. The same contagious hope had infused the faculty too. There were high-fives and fist bumps all around. Joey hip checked me, then glanced down at my hand. My face heated. My fingers had been interlaced with Mia’s for god knew how long. So much for being discreet.

  “I knew it!” Joey punched the air. “Well, drinks and dancing on me next week. We have to celebrate getting our school back. And Ruth finally meeting someone good enough for her.”

  I turned to Mia. The setting sun turned her hair to molten gold. She beamed at me and the sound of her bright laugh flowed through the cold air. I wanted to kiss her but settled for brushing my fingers over her cheek. “I couldn’t have done this without you.”

  She glanced around quickly before tapping a kiss to the tip of my nose. “You could have. But I’m glad we did it together.”

  Also By KD Fisher

  “Nature’s Heart” in Rogue Passion

  Acknowledgments

  To all of the other Rogue authors, thank you for your stories. This community is diverse, progressive, and inclusive and it is exactly what I want to see in the world. A special thanks to Tamsen Parker, Amy Jo Cousins, and Zoe York for all of their hard work to make this series a reality.

  I’m so grateful to Sionna Fox, M.A. Hinkle, Hudson Lin, SM James, and Rebecca Vaughn for their thoughtful beta feedback. And shout-out to my writing group! I appreciate our semi-weekly check-ins and mutual support.

  To my friends and family for helping me believe in myself.

  About the Author

  KD Fisher is a queer, New England based writer of authentic, heartfelt LGBTQ+ narratives. As much as she loves the Northeast, she daydreams about one day moving to a cabin in the desert.

  When KD isn’t writing she can usually be found hiking with her overly enthusiastic dog, mooning over other people’s gardens, or being really bad at yoga.

  For the occasional updates about new releases, pictures of KD’s labrador retriever, and exclusives, you can sign up for her mailing list here: http://eepurl.com/dyr9-X

  Find KD on social media:

  The Blundering Billionaire

  Chace Verity

  About This Story

  Billionaire Jayden-James Hancock has spent his life in his fashionista mother’s shadow, wondering if he’ll ever be anything more than her awkward son, but an opportunity for change arrives with a new, cute, bubbly, cappuccino-loving assistant. Tired of debt struggles, Isla Dyer spends her free time attending rallies for student loan reformation and promoting the cause on social media. Inspired by Isla’s determination, Jayden-James decides to join the movement. While changing his clothes has always been easy, changing the world--and falling in love--might be a whole different catwalk.

  For everyone who has struggled, is struggling, or will struggle with student loans. You are not alone.

  The Blundering Billionaire

  Millions of people around the world bought coffee every day. The task of purchasing a beverage surely came as easy as breathing to most people. Jayden-James Hancock, however, was not most people, and he wanted to sink into the earth when the bastion of caffeinated options greeted him during his first trip inside a coffee shop.

  If only Jay knew what his old assistant used to order for him. Jay craved that sweet drink. What the hell was it?! Caramel, soy, espresso, Colombian? Why did the menu have so many words?

  The shop itself was bereft of people save for a lone customer in the corner. The Monahan’s barista must have been in the back, leaving the flustered 32-year-old without anyone to consult for advice.

  Jay turned to his phone. As embarrassing as it would be to admit to his 30 million SuddenPic followers he had never been inside a coffee shop before, he could crowdsource them for recommendations. His followers always had suggestions for restaurants and hotels, though it was his assistant who set the itineraries.

  Losing his assistant had been devastating, but Jay hadn’t thought twice about firing Caleb after discovering his disgusting secret. Caleb had sold numerous risqué images of Jay’s half-sister to tabloid magazines. Jay wasn’t a particularly useful part of the Hancock-Strauss family, but he was good at being a big brother.

  “Excuse me!”

  Jay glanced up to meet the eager, sweet voice’s owner.

  The woman greeting him had six or so inches over him. The first thing Jay noticed in people was their height. At 5’2”, most everyone towered over him. His supermodel sisters, having been blessed with height from their skyscraper-shaped father, were giants compared to him. Lifts could only give Jay a couple of inches before he started tripping over his shadow.

  The woman held a sheet of paper in her hands. “Do you have a pen I could borrow? Mine just died.”

  Ah. The customer in the corner. An autograph seeker, no doubt.

  He soaked in the rest of the woman as he fished out his pen. She was as cute as her voice—round, rosy, freckled cheeks and big, plump lips as pink as her parka jacket. The jacket didn’t pair well with her frizzy red hair she had pinned in a bun, but it highlighted her soft, earthy brown eyes.

  His gaze flicked down to the rest of her. Jeggings were the bane of his family’s existence, but he liked the way this pair hugged the woman’s curves. Jay didn’t recognize the brand of her running shoes, but their worn out condition suggested this woman valued comfort over appearance.

  That wasn’t a bad quality to have.

  Jay held the pen, waiting to sign her paper. He was curious what kind of name this bubbly lady possessed.

  The woman took the pen. “Thank you! I’ll bring it right back.”

  Jay kept his hand positioned to sign an autograph, despite no longer having a writing utensil. “Huh?”

  She dashed off to her corner of the coffee shop, leaving Jay to nurse his confused, bruised ego. Did she not recognize him?

  It wasn’t that Jay wanted to be recognized by the masses. After a lifetime in the limelight, though, he expected it. He grew up being photographed. Even for a simple thing like c
offee, Jay had to dress his best. Today’s outfit involved an oversized scarf and a slim, navy wool suit embroidered with golden flowers.

  Jay took another gander at Monahan’s menu. Not like coffee was simple.

  With no sign of the barista, still, Jay drew in a large breath and approached the pen-borrower. “Excuse me.”

  Her gaze shot straight up. “Oh, do you need your pen? I’m almost done! Please let me have another minute.”

  “Oh, uh, it’s okay.” Jay scratched the back of his neck. “That’s not what I wanted to ask. I was wondering if you would tell me what you’re drinking? I don’t know what to order.”

  The woman broke into a relieved smile. Her increased adorableness sent Jay’s pulse fluttering.

  “It’s a butterscotch cappuccino with two shots of espresso, and it’s so good, especially if you get whipped cream on it! I almost never get to order it, but I treated myself today since I’m putting in fifty applications.” The woman blushed and turned back to her paper. “I might be feeling the espresso. I’m not usually this loud.”

  Jay worked his jaw. He wanted to laugh, but he worried she would misconstrue it as him mocking her. For whatever few seconds he could be in this lovely woman’s presence, he wanted to leave a good impression. “I’ll order one of those. When does the barista come back?”

  “You have to ring the bell.” The woman pointed to the counter. “She’s doing inventory. Gosh, I might be a barista the next time you come here.”

  “This is a job application?” Jay craned his head to the side. He had never seen one before. Resumes and CVs, sure, but a form asking about useless stuff like high school diplomas? It was interesting to take a gander at how most people found gainful employment.

  “It’d be awesome to work here, wouldn’t it?” The woman grinned at him. “Imagine all the discounted coffee I could get.”

  Speaking of... He really needed to order before the caffeine headache arrived.

  God. Ordering coffee. Alone.

  His mother’s secretary had offered to hire someone for him. Anybody Noreen hired would have been an excellent replacement for Caleb, but it was difficult to explain his hesitancy. An assistant was a trusted member of the family. Caleb had violated that trust.

  Hopefully the job-seeker’s recommendation would suit his tastes so he didn’t have to worry about trying something else.

  The barista came out and took Jay’s order. Minutes later, after struggling to remember his debit card’s PIN and taking a selfie with the barista who did recognize him, Jay finally had his caffeinated beverage.

  Jay fixed his gaze on the job-seeker in the corner while he took a sip. The drink was as sweet as he wanted. Not what Caleb used to order for him, but Jay could get used to this.

  The woman scrambled from the table. “Thank you! I’m all done.”

  Jay watched her as she set the application on the counter. Wisps of escaped hair curled around her ears. Everything about her screamed vibrant and wholesome.

  It would be a mistake to never see her again.

  Maybe she would like dinner in Milan next Friday night? If Jay could figure out how to buy a plane ticket for her.

  “Do you like your cappuccino?” asked the woman.

  “Yes, thank you.” Jay gestured for her to keep the pen. “Are you good at other, uh, decisions?”

  Jay groaned internally as the question fumbled passed his lips. His romantic encounters with people never started with any semblance of grace. For all the money and status available to him, he couldn’t buy confidence.

  “I suppose I am.” The woman held out her phone. She had it opened to a notes application, filled with a list of places. “These are all the places I’m going to apply to. I’ve written out why I like each of these places, in case I get an on-the-spot interview.”

  Jay peered at the screen over the rim of his round spectacles. Her attention to detail was interesting. She had the places listed geographically and ranked them by which job she wanted the most. Monahan’s had the coveted number one spot.

  “Are you always like this?” Jay asked. “Organized?”

  The woman nodded. “I have to be. I have a lot of medication to take and bills to pay. It’s important to get a job today.”

  Determined people had always caused sparks to fly in Jay’s chest, sparks no amount of money could ever buy. These sparks often turned Jay’s brain off and made him more impulsive. No less clumsy, of course, but certainly more proactive.

  She reached for the bell, but Jay blocked her hand.

  He took the application from the counter. “Do you like Milan, Miss Dyer?”

  Isla Dyer. What a gorgeous name.

  She blinked. “Milan? Like Courtney Milan? Yes, I do.”

  “Er, I meant Italy. I have to go there for a conference next Friday.” Jay folded the application in half and took a deep breath. “Perhaps you would like to come with me?”

  “Why?” Isla’s brow wrinkled with concern.

  Jay’s nerves bloomed to newfound heights, and it had nothing to do with the two shots of espresso. “I’m not a serial killer, if that’s what you’re thinking! I’m Jayden-James Hancock. Like, you know, from Hancock-Strauss.”

  “So you’re a businessman?” Isla’s frown deepened. “Serial killers can be businessmen, too, for your information.”

  Jay bit his lower lip to stifle his laughter. Did she really not recognize him? “I’m more of a professional son.”

  Before he could press on with this awkward attempt at securing a date, Isla gasped and brought her hands to her cheeks. Her cute, surprised pose made him forget what words even were.

  "Are you offering me a job?" she asked. "Like you need an assistant?"

  That...wasn’t entirely inaccurate. Jay did need a new assistant.

  He clenched his jaw. If this lovely, sweet person didn’t know Jay or his family, that meant her impression of him hinged only on this cringe-worthy encounter. Who would be interested in a short, socially awkward man that got overwhelmed by a coffee shop menu?

  Perhaps the only reasonable way to continue spending time with Isla would be through a business arrangement.

  However, did he trust her to be his assistant? She could pick a delicious beverage, but one conversation wasn’t enough to instill the trust Jay required.

  Jay kept his gaze on her. The hope shining in Isla’s stunning eyes made him want to trust her.

  “Yes.” Jay tucked Isla’s application into his coat pocket. “I’m offering you a job.”

  * * *

  Isla Dyer was used to going to work. She wasn’t used to work coming to her.

  A tanned woman with long, ebony black hair who introduced herself as Noreen had shown up at Isla’s horrifically messy apartment before dawn, armed with a metallic briefcase. Gold chains sparkled like constellations around Noreen’s neck.

  Isla gaped at the clean, stunning secretary as Noreen opened the briefcase. How could anyone be so well put together at five in the morning? Isla wasn’t often conscious of her clothes, but her off-white flannel pajamas certainly paled in comparison to Noreen’s sleek hot pink suit.

  “Do you, uh, want any coffee?” Isla winced as she asked the question. Instant coffee was the only kind they had in this duct-tape-covering-holes apartment, and it wasn’t even hers to offer. Garrett might be irate if he found out his powdered manna had been taken without permission when he woke up.

  Neither of her roommates had believed her last night when she told them about her new job. Would they believe it if they saw Noreen and her gem-studded high heels in their kitchen?

  Truthfully, Isla had scarcely believed it herself when she searched Jayden-James Hancock on the internet and got 220,000,000 hits.

  “Thank you, but I prefer we get right to business.” Noreen handed an expensive-looking platinum rectangle to Isla. “This is the tablet you’ll be using to make Jayden-James’s daily itinerary. I input the family’s schedules into the cloud, and it automatically populates on the calendar a
pp. It will be your responsibility to organize those schedules plus any appointments Jayden-James privately makes. It is also your responsibility to ensure he gets from point A to point B.”

  Isla nodded, fighting back a yawn. Would she have to get up this early every day? She had turned into a night owl since she got laid off from the bookstore three months ago. She picked up a few hours here and there at gay clubs as a barback, but the gigs were notoriously unreliable.

  Curiously, before she came out as trans, she never had a hard time finding work as a barback.

  Isla unlocked the tablet as soon as Noreen gave her the password.

  An article about the Hancock-Strauss spring show flashed across the screen. Fashion magnate Dee Hancock appeared in the photos with her children, decked in her signature violet sunglasses. The 60-year-old with a short crop, and rich, dark brown skin looked like she belonged in a spy movie.

  Isla’s gaze roved to the lone man in the picture. Where everyone else in the group photo stared directly at the camera, daring the world to challenge them, the lean, handsome man with light brown skin and black twists swept to the side studied his sleeve. His large, dark eyes couldn’t be seen well in this particular photo, nor in any of the millions of images available on the internet.

  Isla had enjoyed looking at photos of her future boss last night.

  Noreen held up a platinum smartphone. “This is the phone you will use for business. It has all of Jayden-James’s business contacts, including my number if you have questions. You will also use this to pay for all of Jayden-James’s expenses.”

  “Pay?” Isla blinked.

  “There’s a credit card linked to this phone. You tap the phone’s screen on the point of sale terminal. The device has face recognition, meaning you will be the only person who can access the phone.” Noreen set the phone down on the kitchen counter.