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Right as the movie ended I pulled my phone out of my pocket, trying my hardest not to disturb Phillip. I hadn’t called Clay like I was supposed to, I didn’t even respond to his text.
Me:I meant to call you - sorry man.
He responded instantly, which wasn’t his norm.
Clay:You’re on vacation, I didn’t expect you to. However, I did send you an email. If you could look that over. It’s the appraisal of the company. Once you see that, we can move forward with an broker.
Me:Ok, perfect. I’ll check it now.
Swiping out of the text, I went to my inbox. Clay’s email was right there, right above the one from the talent agent. The two biggest things happening in my life right now have placed themselves together, all thanks to a tiny star.
I waited until the credits rolled and Phillip had woken up, relieving my leg of his head, before I opened the email. Clay’s appraisal was there, and it took the air right out of my lungs.
Fifteen Million Dollars.
Fifteen.
Million.
Dollars.
Fifteen Fucking Million Dollars.
My phone dinged.
Clay:Did you see it?
Me:You can’t be serious?
Clay:Oh I am. That’s all your assets and the building combined. And to think you were going to sell for only half a mill.
I locked my phone, not having the brain capacity to respond to that number. No way had I thought it was going to be worth that much. Never in a million years. The thought of what I could do with that money ran through my head. I could pay off any debts my mom had. I could make sure my dad was comfortable. I could fund some of Jacob’s research projects. I could give Sydney some money to expand her business, or at least pay off her schooling. I could buy a tour bus for the band. We could record on our own, no label needed. We could . . .
“Daxton?” I heard Jamie’s voice from outside the fort. All the kids had left, leaving me alone in the pillows. “Are you coming out?”
“Yea,” I said, crawling out of the fort. “You need to see this.”
“What?” Jamie lightly touched my elbow as I stood. I unlocked my phone and opened the email, handing it to her before I completely left her be.
I didn’t have to read the email again. I needed water. That or a stiff drink to help swallow the news. Since the kids were now in the kitchen with everyone else, I decided water would be the better option.
“Holy shit, really!?” Jamie shouted.
“Jamie . . .” Jillian’s mom voice echoed through the room.
“Sorry, Jill . . . just . . .” Jamie stammered, waving my phone in my direction. “That’s just . . .”
“What is it?” Mr. Gaines asked, furrowing his brow at us.
“Well, Dad . . .”
“I’m thinking about selling my company, Mr. Gaines, and I just got the appraisal. Kinda took us by surprise,” I admitted. There was no use hiding it. If I was going to spend two more weeks with the man, the truth was going to have to come out eventually.
My first thought was he was going to be angry, seeing as we had only ever talked about our similar careers, but instead his interest seemed to peak.
“You’re selling?”
“Thinking about it, sir.”
