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“Don’t you want to work with family instead of…strangers?” he said, waving his hand at Alex.
“He is family,” Danica said, and my chest squeezed. My father looked between us.
“Who are you again?” he asked, and my vision threatened to go black.
“My girlfriend,” I gritted out. “You can leave now. I have some business to discuss with Alex.” I tugged Danica with me to the other end of the table. David hurried to switch seats, letting her sit beside me.
“I can offer you more,” my father said. “Give me a few days–”
“We can do this today,” Alex said, cutting him off.
My mind was whirling. Everything was happening so fast, and panic was starting to squeeze my chest. I didn’t know what I was doing, what the right thing to do was. I just needed to breathe. I needed to think. I couldn’t fucking think with everyone staring at me.
“How about we finish this another day?” Danica said softly, her hand still wrapped tightly in mine. I was probably hurting her from how hard I was squeezing, but she didn’t complain.
“Son,” my father said, and something inside me snapped.
“Get out,” I breathed. Everyone went silent. The air in the room grew thick, but I kept my eyes on the table.
“Aiden–”
“Get out,” I repeated, my voice louder than before. “It was a fucking mistake to agree to even listen to you. Get out.” Danica squeezed my fingers gently, reassuringly.
“You heard him,” Sadie said. “I’ll walk you to the elevators.” Jon was already on his feet, clearly ready to be done with this, but my father–I should’ve fucking known he’d want a fight.
“This is getting ridiculous, Aiden,” he scoffed. “I let you have your tantrum, but it’s time to grow up.” I turned toward him, my eyes narrowed.
“What?” I breathed. “My tantrum?” My teeth threatened to crack from how hard I clenched my jaw. “You stole my inheritance. You made my first business go bankrupt. You–you went behind my back and got me fucking blacklisted. It’s taken me nearly a decade to get to this point. What the fuck do you mean, my tantrum?”
No one spoke. I didn’t think anyone was even breathing.
“Leave,” I said. “If you don’t get out of that fucking chair in the next three seconds, I will throw you out myself.” His eyes widened slightly.
“Your mother–”
“Is fine,” I snarled. “Get. Out.” His jaw worked to the side as he glared at me. Then he looked at the rest of the table staring at him, and he knew he was outnumbered. He knew he wouldn’t win. He stood, straightening his jacket as he looked down at me.
“Don’t come to me when this” he waved his finger between Danica and me, “backfires.” I stared blankly back at him. He expected a reaction. He expected me to blow up, but I didn’t. I didn’t know if I was just too tired, or if I just didn’t care anymore.
With a final look around, he lifted his chin and left. As the door shut, we let out a collective breath, all of us staring at the door.
“What a dick,” Sadie muttered, breaking the tension. We were silent for a moment, then I huffed out a laugh. Everyone glanced at each other, their laughter following mine.
I looked toward Danica again, finding her already staring at me, her smile wide.
“Thank you,” I murmured, and she shrugged like what she’d done wasn’t a big deal, but it was. I’d never forget it. I’d never be able to repay her.
She said she had nothing to offer me. She said there would be someone better than her, but she was so fucking wrong. I already knew she was, but after today, it solidified in my head how wrong she truly was.
There was no one like her.
“Well,” Alex said, letting out a long breath. “It looks like we’ll be working together again.” I slid my eyes to his, laughing again.
“Looks that way.”
I leaned back in my chair, running my hand through my hair as I stared at the roomful of people. My life was starting to feel complete.
It was really happening.
