AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“This is for you. Happy Birthday. At least, I think you can call this a birthday present, only, maybe you wanted something else… shit… just open it?”
Charlie mumbled in his crib, and for a moment, I was distracted, until Arlo pulled out the paperwork. He read the cover letter, frowning, and then, he glanced up at me, and I hurried to explain before the questions appearing in Arlo’s eyes could be voiced.
“I’ve had this legal paperwork since March,” I began, my voice steady, but filled with emotion. “It never seemed like the right moment to bring it up, because I had all these feelings for you that weren’t business, and I didn’t want to wreck our friendship, and I got in my own head, and ended up nearly ruining it all. But… today, on your birthday, I wanted to give us both something that means something.”
I paused, reaching out to hold Arlo’s hand, and for a moment, he didn’t move, and then, he laced our fingers.
“You want me as a partner in Byrne Construction?”
“Marshall-Byrne Construction,” I corrected. “The lawyer said there’s some investment you’d need to make, but I thought we could use whatever you invest into a new truck, and I know you were looking for something to do when you sell the house, and then you said about buying another house, but what if we got something together. Or is that too soon?” I was rambling, then I caught a breath. “You'd be entitled to a cut of the profits, but then, I know you’d lose the constant income but, the Gibsons loved the summer house project, and they emailed me yesterday to say they wanted to feature our construction on their Home Network show, and that could mean more work. Then , we’d be set, and anyway, we have projects lined up through next year. I had to be sure the company was stable, that this was a sensible step financially for you before I asked you. And I tried the other way for the company name, Byrne-Marshall, but it doesn’t sound right. I want you to become my business partner, Arlo, and this paperwork makes it legal if you sign.” I breathed out after that huge run-on info-dump.
Arlo’s eyes were wide and bright with unspoken emotion as I talked at him for the longest time, tripping over what I really wanted to say, and I searched them for any hint of what he thought. Had I made him angry? Had I overstepped? Did he even want to sign himself up for a commitment to a company that was growing, but that still had months when the profit margins were so slim?
“It’s a fifty-fifty split,” I continued, my thumb rubbing circles on the back of Arlo’s hand. “Full partnership. Because you make us better, and there's no one I trust more, and no one else I'd want by my side, in all things. So, what do you say?” With my heart in my throat, I waited for Arlo’s answer.
“‘In all things?” he repeated as a question.
My breath hitched. “We could start with the business, the house, and then, if you?—”
He kissed me, and I melted into his hold, and we stayed that way for the longest time, until at last he eased back after Charlie squawked his hello to the day.
“Yes.”
“You should get your family lawyer to look it over?—”
“I will.”
I kissed him deep, partly in celebration, mostly because I could, and somewhat because it was his birthday.
Charlie burbled, and we knew it was time to stop, but that was okay.
We had the rest of the day.
ChapterTwenty-Four
Arlo
Jax wasin charge of breakfast this morning, telling me to sit down, and that he’d take care of everything. I wasn’t good with sitting still, but—thank God—I felt phone vibrate in my pocket, signaling an incoming call. Glancing at the screen, I saw Trace's name. “Trace,” I murmured with a soft chuckle, and Jax nodded.
“Hey,” I greeted, heading over to the chair at the table, nudging the tiny Christmas tree out of the way as Charlie attempted to reach it.
“Happy birthday, big bro! How does thirty-one feel?”
“No different to thirty,” I replied, leaning back, and smiling at Charlie, who was cross-eyed focusing on picking up a random spill of baby rice. “It's just a quiet morning here. Jax is making bacon. Charlie is playing with his breakfast.”
We chatted for a bit about this and that, and it felt good, as always, to catch up with him. I hadn’t seen him since August, and that was way too long. The Christmas tree lights cycled through the rainbow, and this birthday felt special.
But as the conversation began to wind down, Trace's tone shifted. “Listen, Arlo… I wanted to talk to you about something.”
I sat up, sensing the seriousness. “What's up?”
“I'm sorry I couldn’t make it back for Thanksgiving,” he began, his voice thick with emotion. “And the thing is, I have an opportunity come up, and it's looking as if I might not be back for Christmas either.”
I let out a long breath, understanding, but still feeling the sting of the news. “It's okay, Trace. We all have our commitments.” I met Jax’s concerned gaze and shrugged. “I’ll miss you, but it’s all good.”
“I miss you too, big bro. And Sutton, and everyone,” Trace said. “The recruiters want to see me work the room, y’know, get my face in front of people.”
“Okay.”
