Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 66511 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66511 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
“Hawaii?” Tristan asked. “That’s a nice trip.”
“Yeah.” His only reply.
“All right, son, I won’t keep you. I know you haven’t agreed to take the Wilder Sports position, but I’m moving forward as if you have. The benefit of working with family,” Tristan teased, needing no encouragement to laugh at his own joke. “Since signing Kai, we’ve had almost twelve hundred applications from athletes to be considered for sponsorship. We’ve vetted about twenty or so athletes as possibilities. I’m going to loop you in on these. I also assigned you as interim head of the department. I need this off my plate. I have too much going on myself. If you decide against the position, we’ll replace you as soon as possible. The responsibility and salary for interim head is the same as what I offered you.”
“I…” Chad sucked his lower lip between his teeth, looking down at the small divots and cracks in the concrete. He hadn’t even considered the position since working things out with Ducky. His whole focus was enmeshed in the two goals he’d made for himself with his mother’s help.
“Hey,” Ducky said, startling him. His gaze collided with the green eyes that filled his dreams and spoke of deep friendship, trust, and patience. Ducky’s easy grin slipped into place, and Chad had to fight the urge to lean in to kiss his friend. “Oh, sorry, I didn’t see you were on the phone. Traffic was a bitch.”
“Is that Ducky?” Tristan asked.
“Yeah.” The single word sounded guarded, probably more so to Tristan than Chad wanted it to.
“Are you two going to Hawaii?”
“Yeah.” Again, the single syllable spoke volumes more if Tristan dared to read between the lines.
“Huh.”
“Yeah.” He sounded like a broken record. The awkwardness between them elevated several notches. Think. Say something more to Tristan’s complete silence. “He was gifted a trip by his brother. He invited me to go.”
The crickets on the other end had Chad closing his eyes and waiting.
“Tell Ducky I said hello. You two have fun. If you can take a look at these candidates, it would help me out.”
“I can do that,” he replied, relieved nothing more was said. “I brought my laptop. I can head up WS, and I’ll let you know my decision pretty quick. I’ve been distracted.”
“Take your time. No pressure. I’m sending you a series of emails. One from Human Resources to get you set up.” Tristan was back to all business. “I’m assuming your father doesn’t know about your vacation or I would have heard. Don’t rat me out.”
“Got it,” Chad replied, feeling back on steadier ground. A porter came forward and spoke directly to Ducky who motioned for Chad to follow. “I’ve got to go. I’ll take care of it all once we’re settled in Hawaii.”
“Sure thing,” Tristan said, his teasing tone was back. “Let me know how it goes. I’m hanging up now before you tell me something I’ll never believe about you and Ducky. Bye.”
The call ended.
“Chad, over here,” Ducky called out, waving a hand to get his attention. “Did you want to keep your laptop bag with you?”
This sense of new beginnings hanging over him, empowered him to move forward, immediately finding his way back to his happy place. No matter how the next few weeks played out, when he stepped back on Texas soil, he’d be a different man. The change was filled with anticipation, growth, and resolve. Dare he hope that he and Ducky might find their way together. The last one landed squarely in the farfetched category, but a guy could dream.
Whatever happened, he looked forward to the new direction of his life.
CHAPTER 11
“They didn’t hold back, did they?” Ducky said, letting go of his suitcase. His laptop bag slid off his shoulder, the strap falling down his arm until it too lay on the tiled floor. He was barely inside the doorway as he soaked in his surroundings. Tranquility wrapped in opulence. The villa Dallas had leased might be the coolest home he’d ever seen.
The modern open-plan layout allowed anyone who entered to immerse themselves in the bright turquoise waters, enticing beach, and lush green mountains just beyond the living room windows. The light-colored tile and matching interior furnishings enhanced the tropical view. He’d love to own a place like this someday.
“Seriously,” Chad said, following Ducky deeper inside the villa. When Ducky stopped in the middle of the living room, Chad bypassed him, going straight for the patio. The back wall of windows retracted as Chad pushed buttons on the wall to open the living room to the lanai, making it one big room. “There’s a swimming pool that runs the length of the back deck. I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
Ducky followed, lost to the view of the ocean just feet away. Dallas hadn’t lied when he’d said they’d booked a private getaway. Landscaping decorated the length of either side of the villa blocking the view inside the home from anyone else to see. He took a deep breath, letting the clean ocean air fill his lungs. The sound of waves meeting the pristine shore along with the bright cloudless sky filled his soul, easing away the stresses of his life.