Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 90972 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90972 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
This is the Easton I know. Always a fucking smartass. “That’s what you came here for? To bust my balls?”
“I haven’t had a chance to do it in so long.” Sliding his hands into his pockets, he sighs, standing on the other side of my desk. “It’s good to see you. We’ve all missed you.”
Now that I think about it, it’s been way longer than four months since I checked out. Everything became about Tamson. “I’ve been busy around here,” I settle for replying. “I wish I could be around. I do.”
“Funny you should say that, because I was going to invite you over right now.”
“You didn’t have to come all this way.”
“Well, you never answer your phone, so there’s only one way to get your attention. That’s showing up and getting in your face.” He looks down at the pile of work spread out in front of me. “This will still be here in a few hours. We have some porterhouse steaks back at the house—Preston’s going to grill them. There’s one with your name on it.”
Now I’m annoyed with myself, because I can’t remember the last time I had a solid meal. I’ve been grabbing what I can, when I can. The idea of a thick porterhouse makes my mouth water. “It sounds good, but—”
“No buts. I’m serious. Besides,” he adds with a grin. “Emma has got a friend over. You might be interested in her. She’s pretty cute. She’s nice. You could use a distraction.”
“I’m not interested in some girl.”
“I think you’ll be interested in this one,” he says with a mischievous grin.
That gets my attention. I know Tamson is friends with Emma. Could it be?
“Who?”
“You’ll have to come along and find out. Seriously,” he insists when I groan. “A couple hours. You can spare a couple of hours. It looks like everything is running pretty well right now. Business looked pretty damn good when I walked through.”
Business is good, maybe better than before. Because while I’m trying to legitimize Dad’s businesses, that means there’s no reason for people to avoid this place. I forgave all debts, wiped the slate clean. There was so much money coming through from all the different revenue streams, the debt he held over people’s heads was small change in comparison. I get that in the end, it was more the principle of the thing. Making sure people understood he was not to be fucked with.
Nowadays, customers can feel free to come in without being pressured by the prostitutes who no longer work here. No drugs, no rooms for addicts to crash in. All of that shit is in the past. We’re going legitimate. Dad would never believe how much more money we’re raking in now because of it.
Sighing, I stand, and I can’t ignore the stiffness in my back and legs after being in the same position for so long. He could be right. I need a short break. And the possibility of seeing Tamson tips my decision. “You’re not going to let this go until you get your way, are you?”
“Wow. It’s almost like we used to be good friends at one point who understood each other.”
He’s chuckling as we leave the office, taking the side door out of the building to cut straight to the parking lot. Being with him is good. I needed it. I almost forgot I used to have a life. Friends.
I don’t want to lose that. He couldn’t have showed up at a better time, even if I didn’t feel that way at first. As I follow him on the familiar route to the house he and Preston share with Emma, I think back on how isolated Dad eventually became. Uncle Joe was his last good friend, the last true ally. There was nothing beyond the business for Dad once that bridge was burned for good. He lost his connection to everything that should’ve mattered.
That’s not going to happen to me. I need to wake up and find a little balance in my life while my friends still give a shit.
Easton’s waiting for me by the time I park in the driveway, and we walk around the side of the house together. “It’ll be like old times,” he promises. “We’ve got a fridge full of beer. You need a break. Kick back, eat some beef, talk to people who aren’t employed by you.”
I would tell him to fuck off, but he’s hitting a little too close to the bullseye for me to pretend otherwise. That’s pretty much what my life has been.
He opens the privacy gate, and the sound of voices floats in the air. Her soft laughter carries my way, and a smile spreads across my face.
“Look who I found.” Easton strolls into the yard, jerking a thumb behind him. “I managed to convince him to take a break. Make sure we record this date for posterity.”