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“You mean you don’t know what you’re even apologizing for?” he spat.
I shrugged.
“You’re always doing that shit, you know,” he started, getting more fired up by the second. “You assume that I’m going to make an ass of myself or say something stupid to a client.”
“Carter—”
“No, you treat me like I’m still some dumb kid, Luke. I get it. I fucked around a lot when I was younger, but I’m a grown man now. And I’m good for this business. So stop acting like I’m going to destroy the company every time I open my mouth.”
I blinked, stunned that he’d actually been perceptive enough to pick up on that. I was scared of Carter offending or pissing off a client with his immaturity or crassness, but I thought I was subtle about it.
“I’m sorry, Carter,” I said, more seriously this time.
“Whatever. I’m done for the day.”
He tried to push past me and leave the break room, but I stopped him.
“I’m really sorry.”
“It’s fine. I don’t want to make it a thing,” he insisted.
“It’s already a thing, man,” I said. “What can I do to make it up to you?”
“What does it matter? You’re not going to do it.”
“Try me. Come on.”
“Fine,” he conceded. He crossed his arms over his chest and glared at me. “I want to be in charge.”
“Of what?”
“Of the fucking company,” he told me, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “The only reason Dad left it to you is because you’re the oldest. But that’s bullshit. I’m the one who actually wants it.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. Carter took a job with Kane Construction after dropping out of college. Academics weren’t his forte, and I assumed that he started working with Dad out of convenience. Or because he was out of options. I hadn’t accounted for the fact that he might actually like this work.
“I know what you’re thinking. You’re going to ask why the fuck you should let me run a company, aren’t you?”
“I feel like I should. You seem to have a reason,” I pointed out.
“I do. Before I left college, I was taking business and management classes. I’ve been paying attention to the way this company runs for years. I’m one of the best guys on your crews,” he stated. “And mostly, I actually like this work. I don’t walk around my dad’s company fucking miserable all the time.”
“I’m not miserable.”
“Yes, you are,” Carter insisted. “And if you hate it so much, you should quit.”
I sighed heavily, feeling like he was seeing through something I thought I’d hidden pretty well. “I can’t just quit.”
“Why not?”
“Because I promised Dad.”
“Bullshit. Try again.”
“Carter…”
“No,” he said, “Dad wanted his sons to take over his company. He never specified that it had to be you. So, if I took over and Dad’s legacy was safe, you could quit.”
“No, I can’t. Because I have no idea what else I’d do with myself,” I admitted.
