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“I’m here to ask you not to accept Clark’s deal.”
“As who? You, or your father?”
“As your friend and Clark’s.”
I don’t turn to look at him, because my eyes are fogging for a second time tonight. I’m starting to lose my grip on who my friends really are.
“I’d like you both to drop out of this tender. I’m speaking as the CFO of Layton Oil and someone who gives a crap about whether you make a loss for SP.”
“I might not make a loss with that well.”
“True. If anyone can turn a profit, it’ll be you.” His voice is softer now. He leans forwards on the balcony next to me, his shoulder pressed to mine. “I don’t doubt how good you are, Dayna, but the timing is bad, really bad.”
I feel the dams that hold back the water in my eyes starting to crumble. I open my eyelids wide and let the wind take away my impending tears. I’m so incredibly fed up of crying. “Teddy, you know this isn’t about a profit for me.”
He nods. “I know. It’s about the Gulf, it’s about Caspar. This isn’t the right time, Dayna. You don’t win if you buy the well, and I think you know that. Caspar will win when he watches you fight to stay afloat or, more likely, crumble under SP’s losses.”
I breathe out heavily, hearing the truth in his words.
“Clark was going to pull out. We discussed it this weekend. He knows this isn’t the purchase to make his name. If he won the well, there’d be a significant risk of him making a loss. He wants something that’s his; he wants to prove he can make something of Layton Oil without Harold. But imagine if his first big investment turns a loss.”
“He does the exact opposite.”
“Exactly. He looks like an idiot.”
“Then why offer the deal?”
“Because he loves you that much. He’s blinded by you and the need to protect you.”
I gulp my wine. “Why does everyone feel like they have to protect me today?”
“Stop being petulant, Dayna. I almost think you like to believe you’re alone. You’re not. You have me, you have my father, and you have Clark, if you want him.”
There’s no fighting the rogue tear that rolls down my cheek.
“Clark wants you as far away from Hassan and Caspar as he can get you. So much so, he’s willing to put an idea to the board that makes him look like a dick.”
I laugh through a sob, and I sniff. “He really can be a dick.”
Teddy laughs too, softly, but I suspect with a heavy heart. “He can, but he’s changing, Dayna. Hell, I’m not sure I’d want him for you, but the new version of him loves you. I think he always has.” I rub my cheek with the back of my hand.
“If you win with a joint bid, Caspar won’t go away. Not now. You know that, don’t you? He won’t just come for you — he’ll come for your venture, he’ll come for you and Clark, and he’ll come for SP and Layton Oil.”
“Clark knows that, and he’s still willing to go through with it to get me the well.” He’s willing to risk everything. For me.
“I think he’d do anything for you, Snot Face.”
I drain my wine. My father or Clark? That’s the decision I have to make.
