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“I didn’t spend all these years building this company to give it away to strangers. White Lace is our family. It’s in our blood. I certainly know I’ve bled for it.”
“Exactly, sir. Maxy will grow your empire, expand your legacy.” Ben smiled. “With my help of course.”
“You boys have your ears to the ground. You know exactly what’s going on out there. Who people are liking and friending and twitting.”
Ben and I both did our best to suppress our laughter. My father tried when it came to social media, but he had no clue.
“Max, between your business sense and exquisite eye for talent and Ben’s creativity, this company will double in size and profit. I know it.”
“Max doesn’t want to sell.” Ben shot a glare in my direction. “Do you, Max?”
I knew selling the business meant that Ben was shit out of luck, but maybe that’s exactly what he needed. Instead of putting his creativity on the line with his own work—he was hiding behind filming people having sex.
“It’s not all about us, Max. Our crew, our actors, they need us. There aren’t very many safe havens for men and women who choose the sex trade. Someone has to make sure they have a safe place to work and an opportunity to achieve their goals. That’s what White Lace is all about.” He eyed me from across the desk. “Randall Hunter isn’t going to make sure that happens.”
Cue the obligatory guilt. My father did it, so I would be expected to do the same when it came to our employees. But I just wasn’t on board with being a savior.
“Besides, what are you going to do with your life if you don’t have White Lace?”
And there it was. The question that I had been asking myself ever since…ever since I had met Everly. Since the day someone finally saw through my bullshit. It made me wonder if there was someone out there who would actually take me seriously if I decided to get into a more traditional business venture.
I had money, and in a few weeks I’d have more than I’d ever need. Enough to go out on my own if I had the balls to do it. There were few things in this world I was good at, and stepping out of my comfort zone wasn’t one of them.
I was in this for the long haul, so I was goin
g to have to figure out a way to be happy.
“Then I guess there isn’t anything for you to think about, Dad.”
“You’re great at what you do, Max. Don’t forget that.”
I had been hearing that all my life. How great I was. At everything. Until I’d met Everly, I had believed it. Something about the way she looked at me, as if she saw through that greatness, into the depths of my true self, and what she found was disturbing.
My father turned to leave, but stopped short. “Would you boys mind sending out the email about the wrap party?”
After every feature wrapped, my father hosted a party to celebrate. It was really just an excuse to let loose and have fun, without sex being the main focus.
Both Ben and I nodded.
I might take Everly to a charity event. I might even let her see my home. I definitely wasn’t taking her to a wrap party.
I knew she wouldn’t be judgmental, that wasn’t the problem. And I would be proud to walk in with her on my arm. But I didn’t want to subject her to some of the female actors. She just wasn’t like them and I had no doubt she’d draw stares and snarky comments.
I mentally slapped myself. That wasn’t it. There were very few mean girls who worked for us. Maybe I just didn’t want her to see me in my element. Maybe I wanted to keep the porn guy as far away from her as possible, because if she came with me, there would be no separating the two.
“Once he’s gone, it’s going to be you and me ruling this place,” I said.
“You sure about that?” Ben eyed me curiously, his foot shaking over his knee.
“Of course I’m sure.” No, I wasn’t sure at all. Not one bit. But I didn’t know how to tell my best friend that I was scared to death to take over the family business. That I was terrified of becoming, permanently, the persona I had crafted.
“Well, for the record, you, brother, will be ruling this place.” He gave me a wide-toothed grin, his teeth practically sparkling from the opposite side of my desk. “I’m just coming along for the ride.”
In no way did Ben ride my coattails. He was equally as important to this business.
With a sharp change in conversation, Ben asked, “Did you know Bryce is selling the Concord?”
I nodded.
