Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 99918 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99918 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
“Cheapskate! Which is technically good for me since you’ll be in charge of our bottom-line,” Tristan said, waggling his eyebrows. “You’re more relaxed tonight.”
“Maybe because I know we’re alone. The guys have been gone for a while. I got a text from David. Your guys took them out fishing before the big poker night,” Dylan replied.
“That’s right. I forgot that. I hope Landry’s playing nice.” Tristan hadn’t meant to say the last part out loud.
“He bailed on the fishing trip and the poker night. He doesn’t like being on the outside of things, does he?” Dylan asked.
“No, not at all. We’ve been friends since junior high school. I should have run the changes past him, but I hadn’t formulated my plan until we all sat together and I got a really good look at what you built and what he planned to offer. He went against my wishes completely. I shouldn’t be telling you all this.” Tristan took the on ramp and merged onto the highway.
“Landry didn’t want David or Rob, did he?”
“No specifics please. I don’t wanna cause anymore tension before we even start.” Tristan looked apologetically at Dylan, who nodded.
“WilderNation’s been under him?” Dylan asked.
“Yes. It’s the only other time he went against my directive and look how things turned out. We’ll transition them out from under him. There’ll be crossover, but he’s basically a good guy. He’ll work with you in time. I promise.” Tristan actually hoped Landry would come around. He’d been pretty pissed off today in the legal department. They’d had a heated exchange, one his legal team felt compelled to document.
“Where are we going?” Dylan asked, watching as he weaved easily through the crowded lanes of traffic.
“I thought I’d take us down the Pacific Coast Highway. It’s beautiful there. I grew up in the desert of California. As soon as I hit it big, I moved out here and haven’t left. No other part of the world’s quite as appealing.” Tristan moved steadily down the highway even though the traffic was terrible. “You’ll see what I’m talking about.”
“It’s completely different than the Dallas-Fort Worth area,” Dylan replied, watching the scenery as they drove. “Everything feels a little freer here.”
“I bet. In every possible way. I met your governor once. How did he keep getting elected?” Tristan asked, focusing on the road.
“He’s the tip of the iceberg. I gotta get my kids out of there. I’m working on it. None of them are going to college in state.” Dylan looked over at him seriously.
“Sounds like you’re doing that, then.” Children were foreign ground for him. He didn’t really even know people that had kids and certainly none of them were as dedicated as Dylan and his wife were at raising them. Remembering Dylan had a wife added another layer of complication to them. He’d never been in any sort of relationship with a man who had a wife. How could she not complicate this more than it already was? Instead of letting that become another obstacle, Tristan immediately pushed those thoughts out of his mind. If he continued thinking that way, he’d say something, and Dylan always grew more serious and withdrew inside himself when they talked about his life.
“I packed a dinner. I know a good spot that overlooks the ocean. I hope you’re okay with that.”
Dylan just looked at him.
“What? Okay, I didn’t pack it. Maria did, but I get kudos for the thought.” Tristan kept his gaze going back and forth between the road and Dylan.
“What? You don’t like eating outside?” Tristan asked when Dylan just kept staring at him. He had no idea what that look meant.
“No, it’s fine. I prefer to be outside,” Dylan admitted, his focus still trained on him. Tristan kept his confusion to himself. He didn’t question Dylan’s look or silence as he pulled to the side of the road.
“Wanna drive?” he asked once he’d stopped safely on the shoulder. He shoved the gear shift into neutral and set the emergency brake as he looked out the side window and opened the door.
“Really?” Dylan’s whole expression changed. He’d have to get better at reading this man.
“I thought that’s why we were doing this, so you could drive her.” Tristan was already halfway out of the car.
“No, I mean, yeah, I’m good driving!” Dylan said, hopping out of the car, meeting Tristan halfway. “Anything I need to know?”
“Can you drive a standard?” Tristan asked, just to make sure.
“No, but I’ll figure it out.” Dylan started to move around him toward the driver’s side of the car. Tristan stepped back in front of him, stopping him with both hands on his chest. It was already taking quite a bit to let someone else drive his baby, but to grind the gears… That might be asking too much.
“Maybe we should teach you to drive a standard on another car,” Tristan said carefully.
“I’m kidding. I’ve got a standard. Get in the passenger seat. Stop worrying!” Dylan motioned for Tristan to get moving while giving him his real smile. Tristan stood staring. Dylan had played a joke on him, and it would be so easy to lean in and kiss him right now. He wouldn’t do that though. He didn’t want to freak him out, because he liked this teasing, laughing Dylan.
“You aren’t funny.” Tristan jokingly pointed a finger at Dylan’s smug-looking face. “I lost a few years off my life trying to figure out how to tell you no.” Tristan moved away, denying himself the kiss as he walked around to the passenger side. Dylan was already inside, adjusting the seat and caressing the steering wheel.
“It’s not your first time?” Tristan asked, watching as Dylan easily aligned everything for his driving comfort.
“Officially it’s my first time to actually drive a Ferrari, but I went to look at them a few weeks ago. I wanted it to be the car I was buying if I sold the company. I decided it’s just not a practical purchase with the kids still being home,” Dylan said, putting the stick in gear and slowly easing them into traffic. There was not one bit of grinding. Tristan’s worry eased, and he sat back and adjusted his seat belt.