Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 81843 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81843 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
No, I didn’t … but I probably should have.
I should’ve known you can’t take a man out while he’s at the top of his game and give him nothing to do. Idle hands being the devil’s playthings and all. Renn has always been able to find mischief, even if his hands are full.
“Can he put it off for a while? A year?” I ask, groaning. “Maybe two?”
Tate shrugs again.
“Gannon will probably love this. It’s good to diversify,” I say, mocking our eldest brother’s inevitable tone. “Why do I feel like I’ll be the only holdout?”
“Because, my guy, you will. I’m with Gannon. I think it’s smart to show our investors—and the world—that we’re united. That it’s business as usual over here.”
Dammit.
“Strength garners support,” he continues. “Everyone wants to support the strongest. And it’s a whole hell of a lot better to walk into a room with everyone talking about your business deals than have them talking about your father’s transgressions. That’s what they’ll remember at the end of the day.”
“True.” I run a hand down my face. “I hate it when you make sense.”
His brows pull together, studying me. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I’m just … tense. I’ve had a headache for a week.”
He stands, yawning. “Me, too.”
“You’re probably just tired from chasing women all weekend. We are not the same.”
He lifts his chin and grins. “You underestimate me.”
“Oh, really?”
“Really. But that’s an expected take from someone so old,” he says, heading for the door. “I’m going to grab another coffee from your break room. It’s infinitely better than ours because Gannon is cheap, and then get back to work. I’m heading to San Antonio tomorrow to smooth things with a few Arrows investors. It’s a good thing I like golf.” He pulls the door open. “I’ve golfed so much the past six months that I swing in my sleep.”
“Must suck to be you.”
He winks. “It never sucks to be me. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Bye, Tate.”
I wait until the door latches before I blow out a breath. Then I sink back into my chair and try to sort through my thoughts. But instead of thinking about my conversation with Towlin, Renn’s impending proposal, or the hundred calls I need to make, I let my mind flow elsewhere … to the one place it goes when I need to decompress.
To Chloe.
“I’d give Jason Brewer whatever he wants.”
A smile immediately splits my cheeks. Because no matter how shitty or stressful of a day I’m having, Chloe makes it better.
The past three years with her in my office and the past seven months with her as my EA have been the best of my professional life—despite my family drama nearly paralyzing my personal one. Knowing Chloe is here, waiting for her iced coffee and ready to support me through the day, is a relief. It gets me up in the morning.
It’s also my last thought most nights before bed.
I didn’t give much attention to settling down before all this shit happened with Dad. There wasn’t a gaping hole in my life that needed to be filled. I traveled, explored, and did my own thing on my own time—and I liked it that way. Autonomy equaled peace.
But I’ve started reassessing things.
Dad’s failures required us all to step up and work together. We rely on each other like never before. Our bond is tight, our relationships are valued, and I can’t fathom going back to only talking to my siblings once a month.
Unbeknownst to me, I’ve become a man who doesn’t feel burdened by family obligations. I don’t feel the need to make something of myself. For the first time in my life, my role in the family is clear, and I’m comfortable there.
Maybe autonomy isn’t vital to my happiness. The inner tug-of-war I experience daily isn’t my gut telling me to retract from others. It just might be telling me to lean into it.
To start a family of my own.
But therein lies the problem. The only woman I can imagine in my world every day is Chloe.
And that can’t happen.
Not only would I never risk our friendship and working relationship, but she and I don’t want the same things. She’s young and beautiful—and at the age to have fun and discover what she wants from life. That isn’t a man ten years her senior who’s eyeing marriage and children in the near future.
How do I know? She’s said so.
And that fucking sucks because I’d give Chloe Goodman whatever she wants.
And that’s not me.
Chapter 4
Chloe
Ishove the key into the lock and rattle it around a few times. It takes a certain finesse—a jiggle to the right while lifting the knob until it’s pointing at my boobs—to free the door. It swings open like it’s waited all day for the opportunity.
“Chloe? Honey? Is that you?”
Mimi’s voice travels through the small apartment. It’s weaker than I’d like it to be. But the fact that I can still hear it, that she’s still here—both alive and at home with me—is a blessing. It’s a blessing I don’t take for granted.