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Three
Cash
We gatherat Levi and Jodie’s, all of us crowding in their living room, including Killer. Their cat, Sebastian, isn’t too happy about Killer, and Killer’s not too happy about Sebastian. I guess they’ll figure it out.
“Now,” I say from my position on the sofa, my parents, Levi, and Jodie crowded around. Cindy is also here. I go through a ton of legal jargon and dole out assets. I’m pretty excited that he left me his jet ski, although there’s not much I’m going to be able to do with it back in Texas. Cindy’s been left with a pretty hefty payout even though they weren’t married. Grandpa also left her the condo, so she’ll be sitting comfortably. Luckily, my family’s not the type to get all crazy over money, so there aren’t any protests.
Except when we get to the businesses.
“That’s got to be a mistake. Grandpa knew I was running Wild Hearts. This will must be old,” Levi says when I announce that Grandpa’s rental business in its entirety has been left to Levi.
“He updated this thing just last month. He meant for you to get everything,” I say.
“You did talk about helping with the rental business once we got Wild Hearts running,” Jodie notes.
“Yeah, but I didn’t plan on all of that now. And when we talked about that, I never planned on Wild Hearts growing so much.” Levi readjusts the hat on his head, exhaling.
“Son, death doesn’t really leave room for plans. You know that. You’ve got it under control,” Daddy says.
Levi shakes his head. “I love Grandpa for leaving me the business, but honestly, I can’t handle this right now. Not with Wild Hearts.”
My brother’s horse-riding ranch just outside of the beach town was a booming attraction now. It kept him and Jodie busy every day of the week. I could sympathize with his worries because Grandpa’s rental business was more like an empire at this point.
I look over to Cindy. “Any chance you can help out?” I ask. I know she and Grandad were close. Maybe she knew enough of the ropes to help out.
“Sorry, I just… I can’t. I really can’t.” Her face is still tearstained like it’s been for days. Grandpa and Cindy might have been a fast-burning flame, but there must have been some depth there too because Cindy is just broken up over this.
“I’ll help as best as I can,” Jodie whispers, stroking Levi’s back.
The room is silent for a long moment before Levi looks up, staring at me as I thumb through the will, making sure I didn’t miss anything.
“Cash?” he asks.
“Yeah, brother?”
“Why don’t you stay and help.”
I scoff at the idea, shaking my head like I must’ve heard him wrong. “What?”
“Stay. Just for a while until I get things situated. I mean, come on. You’ve got a legal mind and even though I hate to admit it, you’re pretty damn smart. Running a business will be child’s play for you.”
“I wouldn’t call it child’s play,” Daddy adds.
“Still, come on, Cash. Couldn’t you use a change of pace? Where’s the wild, live-it-up brother you claim to be? Why not do something different, try something new?”
I shake my head. Grief must be really warping Levi’s mind if this is a serious offer. “I love you, brother. But you know I’m busy back in Texas. I can’t just leave everything behind. And I can’t just come up here and run a rental business I know nothing about.”
Levi raises an eyebrow. “I know you could do it. I’m sure you could be spared for the summer. And besides, there are plenty of gorgeous things to keep you busy here, too.”
I take a deep breath. Levi must’ve lost his mind. Me? Running a rental business in Ocean City? Sure, I’ve got a knack for contracts and legalities, but this is a whole different game. “I don’t know, Levi. I don’t think I’m the guy for the job.”
“Oh, don’t be silly,” Mama adds now. “Cash, you know you’ve got a great mind. You’re charismatic and levelheaded. You could really be an asset for Levi here. And maybe he’s right. You could use a change of pace.”
“Mama, are you forgetting that I’m your employee?”
“Come on, son. It’s summer. There’ll be interns pawing at the doors. Your mother’s right. Sometimes a change of pace can do a man good.” Dad leans back in his chair, arms crossed like the decision has been made.
I stare at Levi, a little wounded by my family’s willingness to let me go and replace me so quickly. Still, I think about how it might be nice to get a change of scenery. I don’t know much about rental properties and all that, other than the legalities behind the contracts. Still, I do know my way around a bar of scantily clad women, and this town doesn’t seem to have a shortage of that. Maybe a fresh set of women to chase, a new town could do me good. If nothing else, it could be fun. It’s been a while since I’ve had a summer vacation of sorts, even if it is a working summer vacation.
