7. Merrick
7
MERRICK
“W ren, do you have a minute?” I ask, drawing the eyes of everyone else in the room as I lean into the break room. I’d put this off as long as possible, debating the pros and cons of even asking, but curiosity won out—that and my need to ensure I wasn’t walking into this meeting blind.
Annoyed, Wren gives me a nod. “Sure,” she says before following me to my office, closing the door behind her.
“I have a meeting tonight.”
“So not about my proposal then,” she mutters, and I ignore it for both our sakes.
“What do you know about Carter Hanes?”
The question surprises her, her eyebrows climbing up her forehead as she stares at me. “In what way?”
“He’s friends with my brother—and I use that term loosely—and before Shaun became indisposed, he promised Carter a meeting. That unfortunate task now lies with me.”
“Lucky you.”
“Any insight you have would be great.”
She sighs like this is the last thing she wants to do…and maybe it is. “He was more of a transplant than a local. His family was only here while he was in high school before they moved to Bozeman. His father is involved in something to do with clean energy in Montana. They made a lot of money which Carter thinks he had a hand in. And he was engaged to my brother’s girlfriend.”
“That was a very diplomatic answer, Miss Sterling,” I prod, meeting her gaze and crossing my arms over my chest. “Now I want the real one.”
She purses her lips, mimicking my stance, except when she crosses her arms, it pushes her tits up, all that skintight black fabric stretching against the swells.
Fuck my life.
“He’s arrogant. Chauvinistic. Someone in their family blocked Penelope from getting a reference or hired by anyone in their circle.” She shrugs, her breasts bouncing as she does. “That last one worked out for us, I think, but I’m not sure yet.”
“Anything else? He’s undoubtedly going to ask me for some ungodly amount of money or to partner on something.”
“And why are you so interested in my opinion?”
“Because you’re no nonsense and I trust your judgment.”
“Not that proposal though, huh?” The words are full of sass and I growl, making her huff in annoyance. “Carter isn’t very deep—you’ll know exactly who he is the minute he sits down.”
Turning on her heel, she makes for the door. “Wren,” I call after her, “Holly gave me pretty much the same presentation. Why is that?”
Anger flashes in her eyes, her expression absolutely livid as she seethes, “You’d have to ask her.”
* * *
MERRICK: You didn’t tell me Carter Hanes was such a fucking douchebag
WREN: I didn’t know that fell under my job description
MERRICK: But I asked you to be honest
WREN: And I was—not that it matters
MERRICK: What’s that supposed to mean?
WREN: You said you trust my judgment then immediately accused me of copying Holly
MERRICK: Your reaction confirmed everything I needed to know
WREN: How special for you.
MERRICK: Listen—I don’t want to fight with you, especially after dealing with that asshole
WREN: Why are you texting me then?
MERRICK: To make sure you know neither Mountain Side nor I will be doing business with that fucker and he can be removed if he steps foot on the property
WREN: Good because my brother is definitely gonna hit him
MERRICK: I’m glad someone gets to
WREN: Seriously why are you texting me?
I stare down at my phone, still amped up from meeting with Carter. I’d never get that hour of my life back. The guy was absolutely insufferable and overconfident that doing business together was a done deal.
My brother will have to answer to him and me when he gets out. I don’t know how many other bullshit deals he’s made, and I don’t have the time or energy for the amount of damage control that will require.
Still, Wren’s message stares back at me. Why had I texted her in the first place?
MERRICK: Am I bothering you?
WREN: That wasn’t the question
MERRICK: It is now
WREN: I’m still pretty pissed
MERRICK: I can deal with pissed
WREN: I don’t want you to deal with me
MERRICK: We’ll see