AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Well, Elliot, I was actually hoping to talk to you about your company today before you left. I’d like to be considered when you put it up for sale . . . to buy it from you.” My dad laced his fingers together and rested his elbows on the table in front of him.
Elliot’s jaw slightly dropped, and his hand found my knee under the table. He gave my thigh a soft squeeze. I grasped his fingers with mine and looked at my dad. Jillian gave me a slight inkling that this was coming, but I had no idea he would bring it up now.
“I’m sorry, sir, you . . . you want to buy the company?” Elliot stammered.
“I’d like to be considered. I understand your accountant is going to be meeting with you to finalize everything, but once things are established with an agent, I’d like to put in an offer.”
My dad’s voice was steady, his eyes locked onto Elliot. Elliot’s leg was beginning to shake and his grip on my hand tightened.
“Yes . . . yes . . . I’d um . . .” he stammered. “I’d be honored. I’m sure my dad would rather the company be in the hands of someone he knew and trusted, versus a complete stranger. Plus, I know my employees would be well taken care of.”
“They would,” my mom added softly. “He’s been talking about coming out of retirement for a while now and when you mentioned selling your company . . . he hasn’t stopped talking about it.”
“You guys could really afford to buy a fifteen-million-dollar company?” I asked.
“Jamie.” My dad chuckled, reaching for his coffee. “It’s worth way more than fifteen million dollars. That’s just the value. But there’s so much more to buying a company, and I’m willing—and ready honestly—to put in an offer.”
Elliot froze, his eyes wide.
“Let the boy meet with his agent and accountant first.” My mom glared across the table at my dad. “No more business talk, I really want to get to know Elliot.”
Elliot relaxed as the conversation started up again, no more talking about buying a company, just simple talk. He told us stories about how he first met Bennett and Milo. Dustin was interested in hearing how Savaged Whittakers became a band, how they formed and how they got their name. The kid really was into the musicalaspect, and was still rather annoyed that he had to miss the show last night.
Elliot even talked about the time he first met me, how I didn’t show him any interest but all he saw was me. So, when he heard that I needed a boyfriend he jumped at the chance. Like he had said to me before, it was inevitable that we would eventually get together, he just had to be patient.
“It was so much fun being ghosted for five months after our first kiss, and then for a week after I agreed to this play.” He raised an eyebrow and gave me a side eye.
“I already apologized for that,” I defended myself.
“You were worth the wait,” Elliot whispered, creating those flutters I would never get used to.
Elliot’s phone dinged, causing a rift in what I hoped would be a moment. He shifted in his seat, pulling his phone from his pocket.
“Bennett . . .” he mumbled. “We need to get going,” he sighed.
I scrunched my nose, not wanting the morning to end. I wanted him to stay here, come to the auction, and sit next to me if, and when, I won an award. I wanted his help in packing up the car, and I wanted to sit next to him in the Jeep as I forced him to listen to my music. But I knew he was right. We had to go get Bennett and the others and I had to get them to the airport. He had packed his bag already, and he was ready to go—I just didn’t want him to.
Elliot said goodbye to my family, and each of them gave him a hug. The twins begged “Uncle Daxton” to stay longer, but with tears forming in their eyes they understood why he couldn’t. We packed up the car and rode to the hotel where the guys were waiting for us and then we began the forty-minute drive to the airport.
It was the fastest forty minutes of my life.
Bennett was the first to jump out of the car, a skip in his step as he began to unload the guitars and drums. Jameson was next, followed by Chase. The two said a quick goodbye to me and then ran to get their bags checked. Elliot slowly climbed from the car, and slowly shut the door, shoving his hands in his coat pockets.
Nerves.
I was starting to notice when he was nervous about something. He had his easy tells, and even though they didn’t show very often, especially when he was in his element and comfortable, there were times when the emotions got the better of him.
I took a step forward, sliding my hands along his waist, grasping them together once his body was pressed into me.
“You’ll text me when you get there?” I asked softly.
He raised his chin slightly, giving me that smirk I loved so much.
“I’ll let you know the moment I land, it’s not a long flight.”
“And you fly into Portland on Wednesday?”
He nodded.
