Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 89674 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89674 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
“I’m not mad at Beau. He’s got to work through his issues with Wesley on his own timetable. But you and Beau rarely see each other anymore,” she said. Her sweet smile and motherly concern almost made up for throwing me under the bus. “And that’s your deal. None of my business.” She lifted a hand and waved. “I love you both. I’m going. Beau, call me tomorrow.”
“Bye, Mom,” Beau said, certainly eager to end the call. My guy. He rarely gave an inch, and that only came when dealing with his mother. Carter didn’t ever stand a chance with Beau. His decision was made and set in stone.
“Bye, Linda,” I said and waved.
Her warm smile vanished when the screen turned dark.
“Beau, I don’t want this to sound wrong,” I started, turning to better face him.
“Then don’t say it.” Beau’s hand slashed between us, cutting me off. “My feelings about Carter are mine, not yours to share. So get off me about it.”
“We’re buying this house from him at a very reduced price—”
“I’m only in a place like this because of you. I’m not this kind of guy.” He stood up and straightened our mess on the coffee table. “How about we go for a walk before it gets too late?”
My guy was a seriously hardheaded man. I followed Beau as he carried the remaining pizza and popcorn into the kitchen. “Babe, you’re not seeing the bigger picture. We can sell this place for three times more than we’ll pay. It’s a great investment.”
“Leave it alone,” Beau said, and dismissed me. He left the room with his hands full of our snacks and glasses.
My heart did a flipflop in my chest. I was a successful attorney, winning cases for a living, but whenever I was with my mister, I eventually reverted to the young man who hung onto every word he said, desperately hoping for a smile or caress along the way.
I wasn’t sure which version of me I liked better, the younger man with ideals and dreams, or the new me who no longer wore rose-colored glasses. My life was spent calculating and arguing for a living. I took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, rising to follow Beau. The truth hit me like a ton of bricks, halting me in my tracks. I had new goals for the rest of my life, I wanted to be a man whose reputation instilled fear in his opponents. In order to do that, the rest of my life needed to mature, including my relationship with Beau.
With a spine built with steel, I was determined to be that man. I no longer planned to dress Beau up and pray for the best. My love needed to fill his life with the things he found interesting, and then be waiting here at home for my return.
17: The New Hire
Beau/Dash
Beau
Chicago, 2014
Late Summer
“I’m regretful that I couldn’t find time to spend with you before you leave,” Dash said, expertly handling his pan fried pork dumplings like a chopstick pro. Years ago, we dedicated several days, maybe even weeks, to mastering the art of chopstick use. Today, his skills were on full display for his entire firm to see, thanks to the glass walls enclosing his office. If he were to mishandle his choice of utensils and drop food on his crisp new business suit, he’d undoubtedly face relentless teasing for the rest of his tenure with the firm—his words.
“I understand.” I swallowed my lie down with a pretty decent-sized bite of the cheeseburger I’d brought for me. Technically, today marked the first day of my two-week vacation. We’d planned for Dash to accompany me on the trip. When that fell apart, he wanted us to have lunch then he’d drive me to the airport. Last night, that turned into me bringing lunch to his office, then driving myself to the airport and parking my truck in long-term parking for fourteen days due to another case Lon assigned him.
With great effort, I avoided sighing at the thought of another year, another life led alone.
Honestly, I didn’t like a lot of things these days. But, what had become our new normal, had me burying it all inside.
“I mentioned to you about the case I’m arguing. We’ve found something damning. If everything aligns like I hope, I’ll secure my client’s acquittal this afternoon. People are funny. They often believe they’re above being caught.” Dash let out a sudden bark of laughter. He quickly bent forward to ensure nothing landed on his tie or vest. That vest was part of his latest fashion trend of wearing a three-piece suit.
I glanced down at the outfit I’d thrown on for traveling, which I thought was completely normal attire for this time of year, early fall. A flannel button-up layered over a dark tee, a pair of well-loved jeans featuring holes in the knees, made naturally, and a comfortable pair of work boots. Of course, the firm had a strict dress code for everyone inside these offices, including myself. Today, I stood out in the crowd of designer suits and crisp jackets. The same style clothing Dash had laid out for me this morning. I’d been asked by Dash repeatedly to adhere to the firm’s silly rules. My frustration and loneliness had pushed me here to have lunch with Dash before I left but fuck the dress code.