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“You can trust us,” Wes protested. “We always get the job done.”
“Running a business isn’t just about the labor. It’s about perception. Potter Landscaping needs to be a respectable business. Wes, this isn’t the first time you’ve acted without thinking, so until I see some evidence that you’re ready to be a responsible adult, I can’t risk giving you the business. I’ve had an offer from Greener Gardens in Riverton. They want to buy our operation so they can expand into Granville.”
Wes dropped his fork. “You can’t be serious. Beck and I have worked our asses off for this business!”
“Sure, and so has the rest of my crew,” Dad said. “I have to think about the bigger picture.”
Wes sat back, looking so defeated that my heart hurt for him. Nathan was never going to give the business to me. I’d known that ever since the day Wes came home, all excited because his father had given him the team leader position.
“Man, I thought he’d keep us waiting for another five years!” he’d said. “We’ve finally got our shot to show him we can take over the business. With your brains and my beauty, we can’t lose.”
He’d simply assumed we’d lead the crew together, and eventually the business, and I hadn’t wanted to rain on his parade. It was enough that Wes respected me and treated me as an equal. It had to be enough.
Nathan Potter might have welcomed me into his family, but that didn’t mean he wanted to pass on his legacy to someone who didn’t carry his name. It hurt, but I understood. He’d had a plan to give Wes the business before I was even in his life.
But Wes? Wes deserved better. Wes deserved everything.
“What kind of legacy will you be leaving if you sell to Greener Gardens?” I asked.
Dad’s attention fixed on me. “Not a very good one.”
I nodded. “Wes has devoted his whole life to Potter Landscaping. Maybe he’s made a few mistakes. Maybe we both have. But the name Potter Landscaping means something in Granville. If it didn’t, you wouldn’t be so upset.”
He sighed, a grudging respect entering his eyes. “That’s true. I don’t want to throw in the towel yet.”
Wes straightened in his chair. “We made a mistake, but like Beck said, it’ll blow over.”
“Until the next one.”
“There won’t be a next one,” Wes said quickly.
Dad snorted. “That’s easy to say right now. But when I’m not there and you’re feeling drunk and stupid, who’s to say you won’t make another, even bigger mistake.”
“Because I won’t.”
“I’m gonna need more than just your word.”
“Like what?”
Dad exchanged a look with Mom, who nodded, and then let out a gusty sigh. “All right, here’s the deal. Beaver Hole is big. We need to work with the Dix owners to satisfy everyone.”
I could feel Wes’s desire to pop off with a sex joke, and I kicked him under the table before he could ruin this deal before Dad finished speaking.
Wes kicked me back, making me jerk in my seat.
“If you can manage this project and all the aspects of it,” Dad said, “meaning liaising with Dix as well as working Beaver Hole and coordinating with the city on their five-year plan so we can nail down future projects”—dear god, he was really testing our fortitude with these innuendos—“without a single hiccup, and I mean one goddamned problem, then and only then will I feel comfortable fully retiring and letting the Potter Landscaping name carry on with you.”
“Done,” Wes said quickly.
Dad smiled ruefully. “Don’t get cocky. I’m not bluffing on this. I hate to say it, but I’d rather let the company end with my retirement than live with the embarrassment of what you might do the next time you get a dumbass idea. It’s time to grow up.”
CHAPTER6
WES
I was halfwaythrough my morning jerkoff in the shower Friday morning when Beckett banged on the door. “Wes! We’re gonna be late. Get your ass out here.”
“Say it nicer!” I called, stroking a little faster.
