Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 93307 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93307 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
I’ve spent the last two years preparing for this, but knowing this is the moment—where it either fails or succeeds, period—makes it feel like I haven’t prepared at all.
“This is really good,” Kline remarks after some of the longest silent minutes of my life. “It’s thought-out and reasonable in its goals. Not to mention, it’s a noble cause. When are you hoping to get the foundation up and running?”
“Once I get the investments I need, I think I can get everything up and running within six to eight months.”
“Ballsy timeline, but I like a man who knows how to step up to a challenge.” Cap nods. “You’re a music teacher, correct?”
“I am.”
“Will you be quitting that job to run the foundation?”
“No.” I shake my head adamantly. “That’s the last thing I want to do. I know myself well enough to know I belong in the classroom, and someone else, with a whole lot more business experience, belongs at the helm of Music in Motion. It’s my dream to be able to keep music alive, and in order to do that, I shouldn’t be in charge,” I admit with a laugh.
Wes searches my face but eventually nods. “I’m actually glad to hear that. A lot of people start foundations in the name of filling their own pockets.”
“True that,” Cap agrees.
“I’m not looking to fill my pockets. I don’t want to draw a paycheck or anything. I have a passion for what I do for a living, for the support I got in pursuing music growing up, and this foundation is a way to make sure the kids in our city can experience the music education they deserve. I honestly think it’s vital in childhood development and growth. Music allows kids to express themselves in ways that they normally can’t. It also cultivates imagination and creativity.”
Thatch smiles at me like a proud father. “You’re a better man than most, Mackie. Proud of you. Proud of what you’re trying to do here.”
We chat for another ten or so minutes, each guy in the room asking me any questions that come to mind. And even though no one openly agrees to invest, I do feel like this meeting has things heading in the right direction.
The vibe is good. It’s lighthearted. It’s relaxed. And I sure as shit hope it means all four of their deep pockets will be opening for my foundation soon.
“Mack, do you mind making sure Gunnar gets home from school Monday?” Thatch asks as the conversation starts to drift away from Music in Motion. It’s the perfect opening for my news, and I don’t waste the opportunity.
“Yeah, of course,” I agree. “It’s the least I can do to repay you for agreeing to speak at Career Day on the twenty-second.”
“Excuse me?”
“Did I forget to tell you?” I ask innocently. “Sorry about that.”
Kline, Cap, and Wes all snicker to themselves, glancing between one another when Thatch’s hackles rise.
“Cute plan, Mack, trying to trap me into something I didn’t agree to, but it’s not going to work.”
“It’s no big thing. You just come in and speak to the students about your career. They might ask some questions for a few minutes. I just thought you’d be a good addition to a crowd of people with regular jobs.” I shrug. “I mean, you’re a billionaire, you know?”
Thatch’s eyes narrow. “Are you buttering me up?”
“It’s ten minutes tops where you get to command a room, T. You won’t even have to prepare, you know? You’re such a natural leader.”
Kline snorts as Cap whispers, “Oh, he’s good.”
“I really did mean to ask you about it. I’ve just been so busy lately with work and the foundation and helping you and Cass out with Gunnar whenever you ask me…”
“You’re such an ass,” Thatch comments through a groan.
Both Cap and Wes start laughing.
Kline smiles like the Cheshire cat.
“Wow. That’s real good of you, Thatch,” Cap comments with a big-ass smile. “Speaking at your son’s school. What a great dad.”
“Yeah,” Thatch mutters. “Anything for the kids.”
I grin. “My thoughts exactly.”
“Speaking of your school, how’s the pretty little math teacher you shacked up with for the week?” the dick fires back shamelessly.
“What pretty teacher?” Cap asks, his eyes far too intrigued.
“My man Mack here spent the whole week in Destin with his coworker Ms. Katy Dayton. My son Gunnar loves her, by the way. Says she’s the prettiest teacher in the whole school.”
“You guys dating?” Kline asks.
You fucking wish you were dating.
“No.” I shake my head. “We ended up double-booking the same rental and had to stay there together for the week.”
“No shit?” Wes questions on a laugh. “Talk about a coincidence.”
“Right?” Thatch chimes in. “Some real forced-proximity kind of vibes, huh?”
“Man, I love a good forced-proximity romance,” Cap agrees, and Wes’s groan is loud enough to bounce off the walls of the office.