Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 102549 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102549 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
I’m in so deep with them. And I already miss them. I was tempted to text that to them in between classes, but I don’t want them to think I’m still being whiney and annoying about the time apart. I am, but I don’t want them to know that.
“Brady, have you met Camden Wheeler from our LA office?” Uncle Damon asks.
“Not in person, but I recognize the name from email chains and calls.” I hold out my hand for him to shake.
“Great to meet you in person.” Camden smiles at me, and I get the impression I’m missing something. Like he knows something I don’t. “I’ll let you two talk. I should call Xavier and make sure he’s not getting into trouble back home while I’m not there.”
“You can’t let him take control of anything, can you?”
“Lies. He controls everything in our relationship. I just can’t let him know that I’m aware of it.”
Uncle Damon shakes his head. “I’m not going to comment. I’m sure there’s a line between boss and employee where if I ask for more clarification, it might become a sexual harassment lawsuit.”
Camden makes a “Pfft” noise. “Considering it was your fault we even found each other, you should be honored to know that when it comes to sex—”
“Do not finish that sentence. Go phone your boyfriend.”
Camden leaves the office, and Uncle Damon gestures for me to take a seat.
“You set him up with another agent? I thought those kinds of relationships were frowned upon.”
Uncle Damon points to where Camden disappeared. “They’re the reason it’s frowned upon. They hooked up at the first-ever corporate retreat and blame me for them falling in love.”
“Blame?”
“It’s a whole competitive rivalry thing. But anyway, seems you’re alive and well. Thanks for the text.”
I shrug. “I was coming by the office today anyway. I figured I could tell you in person how miserable I am. I can sell it better when you look into my sad puppy dog eyes.” I lower my head and pout but don’t take my eyes off his.
“That’s why I asked Camden to come to New York.”
I’m confused. “Huh?”
“Well, if you’re going to be moving out West, you’re going to need a new mentor. Someone I trust to get the best out of you.”
“Again … huh?”
“Didn’t your dads and I teach you better manners than to say ‘huh’?”
“I’m not moving out West. As much as I want to.”
“Why not?”
“Because Kit and Prescott won’t let me quit law school. Or transfer … for some reason. They don’t want me to rearrange my life for them.”
“That’s sweet, and the move would be a pain in the ass, but anything is doable. You already prioritized them once. I figured I’d help.”
And as Uncle Damon gives me permission to do the one thing I’ve been fighting for, the momentary excitement is dimmed by the crushing weight of realization. Moving to California would be giving up an opportunity others in this industry would kill for.
Damn it. Damn Kit and damn Prescott. They’re not allowed to be right. They’re not allowed to know me better than I know myself.
“What’s wrong?” Uncle Damon asks.
“I’ve been arguing with the guys because I keep mentioning moving back to Cali as soon as possible, but now that you’re giving me the option … I can’t imagine not learning from you. I don’t want to learn from Camden. I don’t want to move back to California. At least, not yet. I have until graduation to learn everything I can from you, and then I’ll move. That’s what the guys want for me, and as much as I thought I didn’t want to postpone moving, I can acknowledge it is what’s best for me.”
Even if I’ll miss the guys like crazy. Even if I’ll be miserable for most of the year. Or until at least Kit comes to stay.
It will be difficult. It will suck. But if I don’t milk Uncle Damon for all his worth, that will be a wasted opportunity.
“I’m sure Camden’s great, but he’s not you,” I say.
Uncle Damon puts his hand on his heart. “If I didn’t know you any better, I’d say you were sucking up to me to ask for something outlandish.”
I laugh. “Nope. Just asking for all your knowledge and wisdom so one day I can shove you off a cliff and take over this place for you.”
“There it is.” He wipes away a fake tear. “But if we’ve only got one more year to teach you everything I know, we need to knuckle down and get to work.”
“I’m ready for it. If for no other reason than to let the full workload distract me from missing Prescott and Kit.”
“Normally, I’d frown upon unhealthy work habits like that, but who am I kidding. I would do the same.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
kit
Even though we talk to Brady every night, we can tell the distance is already getting to him. So much so that Prescott insists I leave him in Virginia and go to Brady. We’re having dinner at my place, and he’s still in that stupid walking boot, but he’s gotten word from Coronado that they’ll be calling him back soon.