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The look he aims at me screams I don’t believe you. With a sigh, he continues reading. “A polyglot is a person who can speak or understand many languages.” He frowns at his phone.
“Fascinating. I swear someone said that was the wrong word.” I hold out my hand. “Pay up.”
“My grandpa told me once not to have kids because they’d bleed you dry.” He digs out his wallet. “Should’ve listened to him.” He counts out the cash, far too much of it in his wallet for anyone in the modern century, and hands it over.
I hold up the bills. “This is your own fault. The word you’re looking for is polygamy.”
“Well excuse me, Mr. Dictionary.”
This time I burst out laughing. He joins me after a moment, not even offended at losing the bet. I get a hold of myself, subduing the laugh as best I can. “I don’t know that this relationship is technically polygamy because we’re not married, but for the sake of discussion, yeah, I guess we’re polygamous? I mean, I don’t want to date anyone else and neither do the guys.”
“But she can date all three of you?”
I nod, catching the hint of fatherly concern. “Yes, but it’s not like that. She’s exclusive with the three of us. She’s not going out with just anyone.”
“You and Gage and Cole were always close like brothers. Matt too but he was always a little difficult.” He rubs his chin. “Your mom and I used to joke about how maybe you, Gage and Cole were separated at birth. Had I not been there to witness you coming out–”
“Please stop.”
He chuckles. “It’s nature, Son.”
“I don’t need to hear about that.”
“Well, all right, but you’re sure you’re happy? I don’t want you to go along with something you’re not comfortable with.”
His concern is well received. He’s always looking out for my best interest, and I’m not upset at him questioning me. “I promise I’m comfortable. The guys and I are on the same page, too.”
Nodding, satisfied, he leans forward. “Well, is that all?”
“Trying to get rid of me?”
“No,” he says quickly. “I had something to discuss.” Gathering up a stack of papers, he slides it across the desk.
I pick it up, eyebrows jumping to my hairline as I read the Assignment of Ownership document. “I thought you weren’t ready to relinquish control?”
“I’m not, but I’m tired. If you read, you’ll see that I’m still to be consulted about the big decisions and I retain a piece of ownership, but it’s mostly passive.”
This is a big deal. Everything I’ve been working toward. Dad’s worked since he was sixteen. After the divorce, he worked even harder, so much so that I think he forgot there was an entire world outside of this company. I’m more than ready for this next step in my career, and he’s long overdue to treat himself to some leisure time. “I’ll make you proud.”
He nods. “I know you will, but there’s one catch.”
“What’s that?”
“Well outside of all the legal and state fees, there’s the matter of paying for the company itself.”
“And how much is that?” I ask warily.
“After careful consideration and disregard for my lawyer’s advice, I’ve landed on a number that I think is fair.” He pulls off his glasses, face suddenly severe.
“Okay. What’s the number?”
“Three hundred dollars.”
Shock ripples through me, but my mind catches up to his bullshit and I bark out a laugh. “You’re such a shit.”
He smiles, all too proud of himself as I hand back the money he just coughed up. “Pleasure doing business with you.”
“Yeah, yeah,” I grumble, though I’m not mad.
