AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I shake my head then remove my glasses to clean them. “It’s just been a tough week. We are growing too big too fast. It’s hard enough to find proper real estate for us to operate out of in California, but trying to employ skilled people is a whole other story.”
“I’m afraid you’re right. Good talent is hard to come by these days. College kids don’t want to work in an office starting from the ground up. Social media has swayed them into thinking influencing is the way to go,” Mom carries on, equally annoyed by our industry of late. “If we’re after older people, they know their worth and dollar value. We just can’t afford to hire all top-of-the-tier employees. If we can find a balance with some internships, there’s our possible solution to this problem.”
“You’re right, Presley. Why don’t we meet with Lex soon to see what our options are? He’s been on the hunt for some commercial property and knows what’s on the market within our budget,” Dad informs us.
“Sounds like a plan.” Mom relaxes her shoulders. “I better start wrapping up since I have dinner with Charlie and Adriana tonight.”
Dad raises his brows. “Did I know this?”
“Yes, I told you several times.” She shakes her head in annoyance, then forces a smile. “Old age getting to you, Haden?”
“Nice comeback. You’ll pay for that later.”
I drop my head with a heavy sigh. My parents drive me fucking crazy with their arguing, which turns into sexual banter of some sort.
Mom says goodbye and leaves the two of us alone. I jump straight into some numbers since this is the best opportunity to get Dad to have a look before I start the frustrating task of asking HR to performance manage our accountants. There’s one guy I can’t stand, wondering why Dad even hired the fucker.
“Now that your mother has left, is there something you’d like to share with me?”
“Not particularly,” I drag, keeping a poker face.
“So, nothing to do with a certain Miss Edwards?”
As my upper lip tucks in, my eyes fall toward my hands, which tap the table. But, Mom’s voice replays in my head.
Addison is going on a date.
“It’s not what you think.”
Dad releases a long-winded sigh. “I think you’re fucking her and the two of you are in over your heads. Too many things at stake, including your brother.”
“Cruz has nothing to do with this.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. Cruz has everything to do with this,” Dad cautions, but his tone remains calm. “Take your brother out of the equation, and it’s just the two of you doing whatever you please.”
“Oh, really? You have met Lex, right?”
“That old fella?” He chuckles. “When Will and Amelia’s relationship came out, I’d never seen Lex so angry, and I’ve known the guy for quite some time.”
“Yeah, I remember.”
“As for Ava, Lex wasn’t angry. Disappointed initially, but you know him. He can’t be angry at a grandchild.”
“Daddy’s favorite girl can never do wrong,” I snicker.
“But you,” he stalls, then releases a breath. “As long as you don’t knock Addison up, you’re safe.”
“Jesus Christ, Dad. I’m not you, okay?”
Dad chuckles, then crosses his arms beneath his chest. “I got lucky with your mom. Damn lucky.”
“Yes, you did. According to her, you were off the rails, and she was the best thing to happen to you.”
“No argument from me. But as for you, be careful, Masen. Treat her right. Addison is like a daughter to me. All those Edwards girls are. So don’t fuck up whatever it is happening between you.”
* * *
My feet pace outside Addison’s apartment, knowing she isn’t here and only my brother is home. Inside my hand, I clutch the manuscript she forgot to take again last week because we were both distracted.
