AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Eighteen
Richard
I hated not calling Joyelle back, but I needed time. The text message in the middle of the night informing me that Chance had passed away had left me shaken. It was a reminder of how fragile life was. And how much I have taken for granted.
When I thought about my future, my success, it was purely based on my financial gains. But as my family expanded, with my siblings all talking about children, I was left to re-evaluate my life. A few weeks ago, I would’ve argued with anyone who said a person cannot have it all without sacrifice. But all I can do right now is think about Tyler and what he had lost. I knew the type of hours he had been putting in. When I left my office at eight, some nights he’d still be in his office. Never once did I tell him to go home to his family. Damn it. I should’ve.
But how do you change who you’ve always been?I wasn’t accustomed to asking for advice, but it was time to get help. Clark wouldn’t be any help. If anything, he was worse than I was. The only time he wasn’t working was to go to the gym or for the company of a woman. I can’t believe I actually got him to go camping with us. Probably because he wants something and now I owe him.
I could call Phillip. He’s the eldest and also the most recent to take the plunge. But I knew he’d turn this into a lecture and that wasn’t what I was looking for. But he had managed not to walk away from Boston, not to give up everything he had worked to build, for love.
Damn. Even thinking about asking for advice has me all fucked up.I needed to get this over with, because Joyelle expected to see me tonight. She was too close to picking up on my emotions last night. I wasn’t going to risk that happening again.
I sent Phillip a text message.
CAN I COME BY YOUR OFFICE?
We never just stopped in, but when asked, we always made time for each other.
Phillip responded. I’M FREE FOR THE NEXT HOUR.
That was more time than I needed. BE RIGHT THERE.
Our buildings were only three blocks apart and at this time of day, it was faster to walk. I let my personal assistant know I’d be gone for the remainder of the day and I headed off to meet Phillip.
When I arrived at his office, the door was open. He was on the phone, and from his comments, it sounded like he was talking to Linda.
“Honey, don’t worry about dinner. We’ll go out and you can relax. You can tell me all about your day then.” Phillip waved for me to take a seat and I did. Then he said, “I love you, too. And don’t worry, it’ll be okay.”
“Problems on the home front?” I asked. If so, maybe talking to Phillip wasn’t a good idea.
“No. She has a client who stiffed her for payment. Even though we don’t need the money, she is proud and likes to contribute what she can. She insists on buying me an elaborate camera for my birthday and is working extra just to afford it.”
“I didn’t know you liked photography,” I said.
Phillip laughed. “Neither did I. Linda thinks it will be a great way for us to capture all our special moments together. I would tell her that is what my phone is for, but if this is what makes her happy, then I’ll do it.” I nodded and he asked, “What brings you here?”
I wasn’t sure where to start. “Got a lot on my mind.”
“So I gather. Mother told me you’re bringing a guest Sunday.”
“Figures. Did she say anything else I might want to know?” I asked. My mother had a way of talking to everyone but the person the conversation was actually about.
“Not that she mentioned to me. If you really want to know anything, you might want to talk to your sisters-in-law. They always seem to know more than we do.”
Ain’t that the fucking truth.
“I take it you are here to talk about Joyelle?” he asked.
And you even know her name.
“Yes and no.”
“Let’s start with the yes. What is the issue?”
I shook my head. “That’s the problem. There is no issue. I have racked my brain trying to come up with a reason she and I shouldn’t be together and I can’t find one.”
“You’re here for me to find a reason for you not to be with her? I would like to say that is odd, but with us Heart men, it seems to be our M.O. We don’t do commitment and relationships very well. It’s not our fault. We do what we’ve been taught. But even if we follow that training, when something is right, when something is meant to be, we change.”
