His hands are up as if he wants nothing to do with this conversation. “This has nothing to do with me. And she really needs to talk to Pierce.”
“I guess I better prepare for the battle that’s about to happen.” Parker sighs and stands up. “I think he’s in the stock building. Please don’t break any of the merchandise.”
“I’m not dumb, Parker.”
I turn to head out of the office and Beau stops me. “Do you want me to go with you?”
Shaking my head, I give him a quick hug. “This is something I need to do on my own. It’s time I take a page out of my sister’s book and stand up to him.”
“Good luck.” He kisses the top of my head and lets me go.
That is the support I need right now and I’m grateful he has my back. Parker can stuff it. I have a feeling he’s going to follow me up there, though. Not to offer a helping hand, but so he can hear the details and tell the rest of the siblings. He’s so freaking nosey. Can I really blame him, though? When you have this many siblings, it’s best to know everyone’s secrets.
Pierce is putting together boxes when I open the door. I make sure it slams shut behind me. If Parker wants to know what’s going on, he’ll have to work for it.
“Can you tell me why my marketing plan was a good idea when it came from Beau and not me?”
“No, I can’t.” He’s not even raising his voice. What the hell is going on?
“Seriously, that’s all you have to say? Especially after you told Beau you were going to fire me if I didn’t stop live posting.”
“I was wrong.” Not a single emotion.
My shoes thud against the concrete as I stomp to the work table and slap my hands on top of it. “Dammit, Pierce, give me a real answer because you have no idea how bad it hurts to be shot down by my own brother. Then turn around and find out he okayed it when it came from a man.”
Now he meets my eyes and there’s a sadness in them. “I didn’t think you could handle the pressure. You’ve always been one to come up with these big ideas, but when they don’t work out, you’re crushed. I didn’t want you to fail.”
“It was the same exact plan Beau mentioned.” I point toward the door because I’m sure he followed Parker behind me. “Weworked on it together. So, if you didn’t want me to fail what the hell changed your mind?”
Pierce runs a hand through his hair and glances at the ceiling as if asking a higher power for patience. “I saw it was working. After you made those stories replying to questions, the orders came pouring in. I knew the reason.”
“Then why not tell me you were approving the plan? All of this could have been avoided.”
“Because I’m stubborn. It’s a shitty reason, I know. But there it is.” He sets the box he was building aside and leans his elbows on the table. “I’m supposed to be someone you look up to, and I keep fucking up at every turn. How am I supposed to run this business when I can’t realize what is a good time investment and what isn’t?”
Whoa. I didn’t realize how stressed he’s been about Dad retiring. I’m sure the accelerated time frame isn’t helping matters. Now I feel kind of bad for him.
“Last time I checked, there are six of us. Dad never meant for you to be the one making all the decisions. You’re at the top because you’re the oldest. But the rest of us can also carry some of that burden.” Well, except Paula, but I don’t mention her. She’ll come back into the fold when she’s ready.
“You shouldn’t have to, though.”
“Stop being a baby and let us take some of it on. It’s not like you’re going to win a prize for being the best boss and most asshole brother.”
“I should if there was actually an award for that.”
“Look, what you did was shitty. I’ll eventually forgive you for it. But…don’t toss aside my ideas because I’m the youngest. I do actually know what I’m talking about from time to time.”
I move around the table and give my brother a hug. Mom always made us do it when we got in disagreements as kids, and it seems like he might need some comfort.
“I’ll try.” He hugs me back.
“Good.”
Do I think he’ll change overnight? Not a chance in hell, but maybe he’ll actually work on not being such a dick.
“Aw, everyone has made up.” Parker runs to us and wraps his arms around the both of us. “Get in here, Beau. You’re pretty much family, too.”
Beau joins us, but his arms are only around me. It’s going to take a while for Pierce to get back in his good graces.
