Dash’s level of ambition was a foreign concept to me. I would never understand the way Dash’s “work buddies” constantly undercut each other on their climb up the ranks, yet, somehow, they still remained friends. I was regularly ready to knock their lights out for putting Dash in various risky situations. However, he only brushed off my irritation, assuring me it was nothing more than good-natured ribbing.
“Give me a minute to change clothes,” I said, pushing my palms down the front of my T-shirt. I was damned nervous and needed to remove myself as Lon let go of his first throw.
“Beau,” Lon said. “Is the camera set up at the end still on?”
“Yes, I can switch it off,” I said and started that direction.
“No, no. When I master this, I want the video.” Again, my unsteady gaze skidded to Dash’s face, who had gone blank as he walked across the living room to the stairs leading to our bedroom. His head cocked toward the staircase, directing me to go with him, before he turned and trotted up.
Dash
My thoughts raced ferociously, which said something given the fact I typically processed information at lightning speed. I’d made a mistake, but dammit, there was no escaping Lon’s decision to stop by the house to gather Beau up. I walked fully inside our bedroom and pivoted around to face Beau as he slipped inside. My hands splayed in front of me as he quickly shut the door behind him.
“Beau, babe, we talked about this,” I hissed.
“I know.”
I’d have to give it to him, he looked remorseful.
“Why didn’t you call first?” he asked, finally heading to the bathroom to get dressed.
“I tried to call you multiple times,” I said, trailing behind him. I headed straight for his closet to pull appropriate clothing for him to wear. “He’d like you to join us to keep the women occupied. Lon wants to sign a large construction company to the firm. They want to meet Carter for some investment opportunities. Lon’s shooting for sole representation and wants a commitment before we leave tonight. It’ll be my account to handle and will count toward my billable hours. Hurry and get dressed.”
Beau paused while shaving, casting a glance at me through the mirror. “I’ve already told you that I’m not involving Carter in anything.”
I shook my head in frustration. We’d discussed this countless times. No one understood Beau’s position better than me. He wanted nothing to do with his new stepfather, whether it be with his business, his money, or the man himself.
“Nothing’s changed. I handle Carter,” I snapped, unable to hide the irritation in my voice. “I thought you were getting a haircut this morning.”
A primal battle cry echoed from downstairs, sparing me from waiting for whatever excuse Beau gave. We both turned our attention in that direction.
“He probably landed a ball in the cup. It’s thrilling. You wouldn’t understand unless you’ve done it.”
Okay, he was poking at me about doing nothing more than working anymore. Before an argument ruined our afternoon, I left the bathroom.
“We have a car waiting, please hurry.”
Just beyond the closed bedroom door, I pressed my fingers against my eyelids. I asked so little of Beau, and only that small amount of interaction to avoid my company’s judgment. Not that I’d ever said those exact words to my guy. Regardless of how much I tried to refine his image, my firm had a specific type and wanted nothing beyond that. Representation was everything, and spouses and significant others mattered. Most of the partners at the firm considered Beau a step above a hillbilly.
The only reason they tolerated his unkempt appearance and rural demeanor was due to his intimate connection to Carter. If they discovered Beau had no intention of ever speaking to Carter again, they’d sideline my guy from any other company sponsored events, leaving me to make decisions about him I wasn’t ready to face.
If I could maintain my balance while handling the firm, my clients, and Beau’s needs and emotions for a few more years, I’d land a senior partnership position.
But then what?
No, I wasn’t going there. I summoned all my mental strength to shove the uncertainty aside and steel my resolve. Within moments, I was trotting down the stairs as if I hadn’t been on the brink of a nervous breakdown.
“Well, that was great fun. It brought back all those good youthful times,” Lon said spiritedly, shrugging on his suitcoat. “I was surprised at the level of precision involved. I felt exhilarated. A true sense of accomplishment when the ball landed in the cup.”
“Beau and his childhood friend enjoy these games together. Beau’s also an avid fisherman. We have a boat moored at the dock. He and his friend often go fishing together while online. They’re always competing,” I explained, trying to find the words to make the scene we’d walked into okay. “Can I get you a drink?” I asked, maintaining my pace until I reached the small bar in the kitchen. I sensed him trailing behind me. I poured myself a shot and downed it as I felt Lon’s hand gently squeezed my shoulder.
“I understand that you face challenges due to him. Lawyers can be ruthless. We exploit people’s vulnerabilities then pounce, especially when you’re climbing the ladder as fast as you are. In your case, your weakness is Beau. Naturally, the vultures will try to undermine him to provoke you. Don’t allow them to create issues for you. You work for me, no one else.”
“Thank you.” I nodded, craving the comfort of those words. What Lon didn’t know was my growing ire with Beau’s complete unwillingness to help me navigate our lives. While I had grown into a man with duties and responsibilities, always fighting to be seen older than my years. Beau remained determined to live the life of a younger man. And since I loved my guy more than life itself, I hadn’t said these words to him. Instead, resentment was building for me. “What would you like to drink?”
“A vodka tonic,” he requested and pointed past me toward the bottle of Grey Goose I had purchased for occasions like this. As I poured the drink, Lon browsed through the pictures we had on display to give our home a personal touch. Most of those photos were of Beau, highlighting his rock-climbing escapades and moments when he proudly held a big catch before releasing it back into the lake. He was living his best life. The only photo ofme showed me toiling away in my new office. A picture Beau had snapped after I received my junior partner position, and then missed our celebratory dinner. He’d come to my office late one night, surprising me with a meal, and his company.
I gave my head a slight shake to dispel the special memory. I heard Beau’s approach. He clomped around like a yeti in dress shoes.
