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I cut them all with my gaze.
“It’s more complicated than that. For instance, what about my professional ambitions?? Rex, of all people, you should know about sacrificing everything for your career.”
Rex laughs. “Oh, you wanna make it about that? What about them? You promised me that you would see this project through. Yet you’re supposed to be leaving with it mostly unfinished. You got the committee’s ear. They are willing to work with you, or at least they’re willing to work with Savannah to figure this whole thing out. You’re leaving us all high and dry!”
“You’ll find a replacement,” I say with a sigh.
“I don’t want a replacement! I want my brother to do what he said he was going to do. You might not be aware of it, but everyone else has their own stuff going on. You can’t be flimsy when the time comes for one of us to call on you.”
My jaw drops. “I… hadn’t thought of it that way. I figured you could replace me easily.”
“I can’t replace you. You’re a vital part of the project. Besides, you do realize that I could sue your ass for… something legal-sounding that I don’t really know about. But I could text Walker and find out in two shakes of a rabbit’s ass.”
I give him a warning look.
“Are you planning to sue me, Rex? Is that what I’m hearing?”
“Maybe.” Rex smiles devilishly. “If I have to, I will.”
“No he won’t,” River sighs. He eyes Rex. “Remember what we discussed? No threats. We are just pointing out the upsides to staying in the country. Namely, the fact that Cole is obviously completely Looney Tunes for Sav.”
“You guys have been talking about me?” I ask. It’s not a denial of his words. I don’t have the strength to lie to my brothers.
River turns to me. “Sorry, Cole. But it’s true. She sent me a text message saying it was nice to work with me, but since then she’s been radio silent. So what the hell did you say to her that caused the rift?”
The engine cuts off and I hear Dad clomping down the stairs. He comes into the room, pushes Rex’s feet off the couch, and takes the seat beside him.
I focus on River. “Who said that I caused the rift?”
My dad snorts. We all look at him and he waves us off. “No, go ahead. You’re doing fine.”
I scowl at Dad. “In case none of you actually thought this through, I do not appreciate being kidnapped for this shitty intervention.”
I’ve been a mess all week, but I thought I was holding it together. Having my whole family tell me otherwise is embarrassing and frustrating in equal measure.
Rex splays his fingers.
“No one wants to be here, Cole. But the fact is that you are making yourself unhappy by stubbornly trying to move across the Atlantic Ocean. Even though you’ve built your life here. Charlie is comfortable here. You met a girl that makes you less of a cranky asshole. You have a billion-dollar business opportunity if you stay here and build this damn sports camp.”
River cuts in. “But none of those totally valid reasons, apart or together, are enough to stop you from insisting that you’re going to move to England and have a fresh start. Why is that, d’you think?”
I open my mouth to fire back, then pause. I have been so laser-focused on what I could do. I’ve never really stopped to think if I should move to London for business, though. It’s the logical next step.
I grate out, “Because I NEED a fresh start! My relationship fell apart, my wedding was called off, my son lost his mom… I don’t want to be in the place where it all happened anymore. I want to go somewhere where I am not the guy who failed!”
My brothers’ mouths hang open. My father squints at me. You could’ve heard a pin drop in the silence that followed. It’s like a shock wave just rolled through my family.
“Son, I had no idea that you felt that way.” My dad leans forward and pins me with a stare. “You are so much more than just the bad things that have happened to you here. You know that, right?”
“Then why does it feel like if I don’t escape, I’m doomed to repeat the past?” I ask. Frustrated, I swing my gaze to both my brothers. “Tell me what to do! Tell me how to do things differently than I have done so far. Please, if you think you know better.”
River snorts. “Three of the closest men in your life are in front of you, telling you that you’re making the wrong choice. The question is, can you listen?”
“And keep your word,” Rex says, a sour grimace playing over his face.
My jaw tenses. “I can still plan every single build that I would plan here when I’m in London. It’s not as if we don’t have the technology.”
“But son. You don’t have to scramble for any more clients. You can rest on your laurels.”
