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 feel better. Thank you,” I said. She nodded like she completely understood and went back to tackling her bowl of cereal. “I’m pretty sure he’s in trouble with the firm. I wore my blue jeans into the office, which is against the dress code,” I explained, turning my bagel, eyeing a good next bite. “I rented a pontoon boat and a couple of jet skis for the length of our stay. The company I rented them from will have them docked outside the place. We don’t have to do anything.”
I glanced up at the silence, taking a bite of my sandwich. Both my mom and Carter held concerned stares. I had to tick back over what I’d said and came up with nothing that should cause their worry. “What?”
“Son,” Carter said, the word sounding like fingernails running down a chalkboard. “Your refusal to abide by his office’s dress code causes him problems.”
Right. I nodded, confused. Why did it matter to him and how did he even know that? “I’m rarely at his office. Three years ago at a Christmas party, I was dressed in a suit and pretty much stayed quiet the entire night. Since then, they’ve locked me out of the company pretty solidly.”
“Wesley, he and Dash aren’t doing well,” my mom added, choosing her words carefully.
Carter flipped a confused stare at me. “Who? You and Dash?”
“Daddy, I’m done,” Kailey announced proudly, diverting the attention off me. As if materializing from thin air, Jenna appeared beside Kailey to tend to her needs. Mom and Carter had hired the early twentysomething college student as a nanny for Kailey and she’d quickly become like one of the family. Or so my mom had told me.
“Let’s get you ready for the drive,” Jenna said, gathering her from my arms.
“You’re going with us, right?” Kailey asked in the abundance of love she seemed to have for the young girl.
“Yes, I am. We need to get dressed so we can get on the road.”
“Yay,” Kailey said, clapping as she scurried away.
Since the conversation had diverted, I wanted to keep it that way and swept a hand over all the remaining food. “Are we taking this for the ride?”
My mom chuckled and shook her head. “We can do that. I believe you’ll have it eaten before we leave the state,” my mom teased.
“I’m off. I’ll see you guys this weekend,” Carter said as his cell rang. He answered while rising and giving a kiss to my mom. “Hang on,” he told the caller and stared down at my mom. “You guys be safe. Let Beau drive. He does it for a living.”
“Absolutely,” she said in the same playful tone as before. “Beau’s doing all the driving.” Carter chuckled and waggled his eyebrows at me while lifting the phone to his ear. He left us with long strides out of the room.
“Come on, babe. I’ll have this loaded up. Let’s be on the road early so we don’t hit traffic,” my mom said, sliding from the bench seat. I stayed in my spot, finishing my cup of coffee. No matter what she said, it’d take her another hour before we ever managed to load into the SUV and start driving down the road.
19: The Pintail
Dash/Beau
Dash
One week later
The click of the camera’s lens drew my attention back to reality. Overwhelmed by the emotions assailing me, I glanced at Chandler to see his phone in his hand and him snapping my photo. He sat in one of the two comfortable chairs that Beau and I used while staring out at Lake Michigan. Those were happier times, when I was home more, and life’s joy came from being in the other’s company.
Tonight was meant to be a celebration. Chandler was the only one to make time for me after another case ended in my favor. The multi-million dollar gangbuster trial ended in a fizzle before we ever made it to the courtroom. But wins weren’t the same without Beau here to listen to me regale him with all the details. Though, honestly, it had been a couple of years since I’d included him in my successes, putting the firm above my guy. Shame closed my eyes for a few long seconds.
“It’s a good look on you,” Chandler remarked, his finger air tracing the outline of my body. I assumed he meant the black-on-black slacks and turtleneck sweater I wore and not the shame I’d just had coursing through me. I brought my scotch glass to my lips, doing my best to savor the rich flavor as it lingered like the warmth of the alcohol. Too bad I’d never grown to appreciate the drink.
“Be honest with me,” I said. “Why’re you here?” I stared directly at Chandler. “Are you here on my father’s behalf?”
Chandler was in the depths of his drinks, edging on his way toward drunk, and gave a slight pause, confirming what I suspected. At this point, no matter what was said, I knew the truth, but I needed a friend, even if it came by way of a wolf in sheep’s clothing.