“Personal calls, not business,” Miles said, as if that made complete sense. “Why are you quitting?”
“Passing off the project to Rashid, who is my lead engineer by the way, is not me quitting,” Max said. “I’m delegating. Right now I’ve got too many irons in the fire so Rashid is taking over. It’s that simple.”
It was also a lie, but Miles didn’t need to know the truth, which was that even if Stella wasn’t in the equation, Max never should’ve agreed to work with his brother. Max loved Miles, he did, but he remembered the feeling of freedom he felt when he went to college and knew he didn’t have to worry about his little brother every day anymore.
Max had never been logical when it came to Miles, who was the only blood relative he had left. If Miles got in trouble, whether it was in school or at home with their parents, Max was there to make it better or pick up the pieces.
Max didn’t know how to say no to his brother or how to stop protecting him, often from himself. And when Stella had asked him about Miles’ motives for Sparky, Max’s defense of Miles was almost instinctual. He didn’t believe that Miles’ plans were truly as nefarious as Stella and her coworkers thought, but he also knew deep down he would’ve defendedMiles anyway. Because that’s what he was supposed to do as Miles’ big brother.
It was why, if he was being honest with himself, he didn’t call Miles. A part of Max feared that if he had to talk through the decision, Miles would’ve convinced him to stay on, and Max knew he couldn’t do that.
“But why?” Miles asked in a tone that bordered on a whine.
Max avoided the question, saying, “Rashid is one of the best. He’ll do a great job with this. What’s the issue?”
“Is it because I named it Sparky?”
Max was so flabbergasted by the question his mouth fell open and then he started laughing. He didn’t mean to, but once he started he couldn’t seem to stop. He was laughing so hard he grabbed his stomach, feeling a pinch at his side as he tried to breathe.
“It’s not funny, Max,” Miles said.
But when Max looked up to find his brother with his arms crossed, pouting, Max had to disagree.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” Max said once he was able to catch his breath. He wiped his eyes. “But in answer to your question, no, it’s not about the name. I think the name is fine.”
“So then what’s the problem?”
Max shook his head. “Miles, I’m not saying it again. There is no problem. Now, if you’re worried that Rashid won’t be able to handle it—”
“Of course I’m worried,” Miles said. “I came to you for help, not for you to shuck me off onto someone else.”
This was exactly what Max was worried about.
“Miles, I’m not shucking you off onto someone else,” Max said, more gently this time. “You are not this project. I’malways going to be here foryou. And I’ll still be around to help with Sparky if needed.
“And you’re right, email wasn’t the best way to handle this. I should’ve called a meeting and talked this through with you before springing it on you. I’m sorry. Truly.”
Miles eyed him for a moment, and Max held his breath. The truth was that this shouldn’t have been a big issue. Sparky was all set up and running for the Yellow Sparks staff to use, even if they weren’t using it. Rashid was perfectly capable of handling any issues that might arise, but Max could also step in if necessary. He just wouldn’t be a part of the day-to-day stuff.
But Max knew Miles wasn’t thinking about this rationally. He was feeling abandoned, and Max knew that was a deeper issue.
“Ugh, fuck, I’m sorry man,” Miles said finally, shaking his head. “I’m just stressed about this. I’ve invested so much into getting this tech, and barely anyone’s even using it. I’m worried it’ll be a waste.”
“Have you tried talking to your staff?” Max asked. “Try to figure out what’s holding them back?”
Max already knew the answer, of course, but he couldn’t tell Miles that. Maybe he could lead him to it, though.
“I have a meeting with all the editors this week, so I’m going to talk to them about it,” Miles said. “I’m thinking I may need some kind of incentive to get everyone to at least try Sparky, but I’m still noodling on what exactly that will be.”
“An incentive?”
Miles nodded. “I figure if they can just start using it they’ll realize how beneficial it is, so I need to give them a push.Something they can’t ignore. Or I’ll have to figure out a way to make it so that they have to use Sparky to make content. Is that something you can do? Reconfigure the CMS like that?”
Max was struggling to keep up with this conversation, so it was a beat before he said, “I’m not sure. I don’t think forcing them to use the AI is the best way to go, though. They may become even more resistant if that’s the case.”
“Right, right,” Miles said. “See, this is why I need you!”
“I’m still here,” Max said. “But try talking to Rashid about all of this. He is good at his job, you know.”
