Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 106298 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 531(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106298 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 531(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
“I appreciate that level of pettiness.” He hands me the box. “This is it, huh? My career didn’t amount to much.”
“Your career is sitting in bank accounts. This is just a box of knickknacks that didn’t make the mantel at home.”
It’s a good perspective. With more money than I thought possible for one person to have, I never need to work another day in my life. That’s not the path I’m interested in taking, but I’m financially comfortable to do what I want.
Which is? I have no fucking clue.
I’m not even in my mid-thirties. That’s too young not to be productive, not to transition my career to a new company, work toward a new dream, or figure something else out. But what?
Looking up at the skyscraper, most of my career has been spent here. I had stability and growth in this building. It’s incredible that one event changed everything.
Do I have regrets in the aftermath? One. I didn’t hit him. That would have felt good. Though my reward on the car ride home felt better. Guess it’s good I controlled my urges.
Shifting the box under my arm to shake his hand, I say, “I won’t keep you.”
“You’re not. I started putting out my résumé last night. I don’t think this is the company for me either.”
“Wherever you land, they’ll be lucky to have you. You have a rare talent in this industry. Good instincts. You have to follow no rules, only laws in our business. You can always go out on your own. You don’t have to work for someone else.”
Mickey squints when a reflection off the mirrored window hits his eyes. Maneuvering closer to the building, he says, “I’ve been considering it. I learned a lot from you. I know you’ll end up where you’re supposed to be, but I enjoyed working with you, Baylor.”
“Same. If you need anything, just text.”
“Same. And I’ll let you know if I find anything else before they clear it out.”
“Thanks. I’ll be seeing ya.” I’m not entirely sure that’s true, but he’s a good guy. Maybe we’ll grab a beer one day when I return to the city. I start down the sidewalk, walking straight into the sunlight and letting it cover me. This feels like I’m taking steps in the right direction. Shortcake would probably call it destiny. I’ll let her win that argument.
“Hey, congrats again on the marriage.”
When I turn back, I see him shielding his eyes as he looks in my direction. I reply, “Thanks. Best thing I ever did.” Every step away from this building and company is lighter and easier to take. It’s time for a new start.
Without much time to take this box back to the apartment, I order a car to the airport. I don’t want to be late. It also gives me time to call my girl. Unfortunately, it goes to voicemail. “I love you.” That message feels like it sums up everything I wanted to say nicely.
“We got hot dogs like we used to when I was little,” Beckett tells his dad. “And Uncle Baylor said we can meet my friends at the park tomorrow. But he didn’t get the ice cream. He said he forgot.”
I chuckle. “Is it that bad, Beck?”
He puts Tagger on speakerphone. “Can’t believe you forgot the ice cream.” I can hear him laughing.
“I’m ordering it now.” There are a few things I want to discuss with Tagger regarding the bet and how it played out, but I think it’s best to do so in person when I fly back with his son on Thursday. “How’s my car doing?”
“Sitting on rotting rubber in the garage where we left her. You aren’t expecting me to work on it, were you? That’s all you, man.”
“Like the fort,” Beck adds, calling me out.
I look up from my phone after ordering his favorite New York ice cream to be delivered. “I see you talk crap like your father.”
Beck laughs. “He always says I get it from you.”
Figures, the fucker. “I’m sure he does.” I laugh as I sit on the couch to watch the game even though it’s on mute. I used to sit here and watch with my best friend. Now I have my buddy here to keep me company. It’s only a few days, but the timing was good, so it worked out to fly him here. I’ve broken a few promises. I don’t want to break my word again, or I’ll have nothing left to give.
They wrap up their conversation, leading Beck to join me in the living room. I ask, “Do you watch much baseball at home?”
“No. More football in the fall season.”
“How’s tackle going?”
“Rough.”
He doesn’t laugh, but I do. “Yeah, it’s like that until you build a tolerance to being hit. You know what I was taught growing up?”
Slumping in the leather chair, he glides his eyes to mine. “What?”