24. Corporate Heartbeat
Chapter twenty-four
Corporate Heartbeat
Brody
Go to her…Mason’s advice gnaws at me.
The look Chloe gave me when she told me to leave? That’s on a constant loop in my head. It’s as though she’s still standing here, daring me to make things right. But shit… where the hell do I start?
My office is a black hole of productivity. I can’t focus on anything, so I do what any grown adult would do—I head out for a walk, hoping the fresh air will clear the clutter in my head.
The sun’s beating down, making it clear how out of place my office clothes are for a town like Bluepeak.
Every step feels like a reminder that this place wasn’t made for men in suits.
It’s a town that lives for flannel and boots, and I’m walking through it, looking like I belong in a corporate boardroom. The irony’s not lost on me.
And to top it off, I keep seeing the same faces from that shitshow argument Chloe and I had.
They’re probably whispering to each other, "There’s the guy who's destroying Bluepeak, and oh yeah—he sucks at relationships too.
" That’s right. Here comes the corporate monster, ready to rip away your childhood memories.
I shrug off my jacket and toss it over my shoulder. The sweat collecting on my forehead isn’t doing me any favors. A sweet lemonade from Tony’s cart would hit the spot right now, and I’m only a block away.
But wait. Because today loves screwing me over. I notice a bunch of people around Tony’s. Fuck me. It’s a full-blown protest, nothing like a bunch of pissed-off locals armed with slogans and their very own righteous fury.
The mayor’s daughter is there, her voice booming as she organizes her troops. “Green Over Greed” and “Nature NOT Tech”.
“Shit,” I mutter, coming to a slow stop. I’m walking straight into their target zone, and all I wanted was some damn lemonade.
The last thing I need is to walk through a group of angry people, especially when I’m already sweating like I just finished a hot yoga class in hell.
Public enemy number one, drenched and guilty.
To the left, “closed” signs mock me from every store window.
To the right, there’s a black wrought-iron fence and a park that could be my escape.
I size up the fence. It’s high, but not high enough to need an ambulance if I try to climb it and fall. What a brilliant idea. I can add ‘trespassing’ to my growing list of questionable life choices.
A quick memory of Chloe’s ninja-like escape from my office balcony flashes through my mind. The way she dodged disaster was impressive as hell. I almost laugh at the thought, but then I remember I don’t get to enjoy happy thoughts about her. Not anymore.
I groan inwardly and turn around, dreading the walk back to my office.
Retracing my steps sounds worse than a root canal at this point.
The cool shade of the park looks more and more like a solid escape plan.
I edge along the fence, praying to find a gate or some exit route.
There has to be one somewhere, and I hope it shows up before someone in the crowd recognizes the suit-clad villain.
“Yes!” I hiss quietly when I spot a narrow gate cutting through the iron bars. I slip through, a rush of relief flooding through me.
For a moment, I forget about my potential sunstroke, as I leap across little grass squares forming a path up the hill. Once I’m on the other side, I’ll be in the clear. Nobody will be able to see me from there. Freedom. It’s almost too easy.
Naturally, disaster strikes.
My feet slide out from under me, the damp grass offering no traction. I scramble, trying to catch myself, but it's too late. I hit the ground hard, letting out a grunt as I land on my ass, inches from the pond.
“Smooth. Real smooth,” I mumble to myself.
Thankfully, the protest means the park is empty, with only a lone toad watching my fall. He croaks, probably giving me a little toad side-eye as he leaps into the water with a splash. I have an idea.
Suddenly, I’m ten years old again, ripping off my socks and rolling up my pants.
I make my way to the pond’s edge and stick my feet in.
The cool water feels good against my skin, and I wiggle my toes to chase off any critters.
I half expect some fish to come nibble. Wouldn’t be the weirdest thing to happen today.
Then, out of nowhere, a little bluegill swims up and nibbles at my toes, the toothless tickle makes me chuckle. In an instant, everything clicks into place, hitting me all at once.
This peaceful, quiet beauty is what Bluepeak is. This is what Chloe and all those protesters are fighting for.
And for the first time since I set foot in this town, I feel like the corporate douchebag they’ve been making me out to be.
Chloe’s face flashes in my mind again, the hurt and betrayal so vivid. I can’t sit here and not do anything.
I pull my phone from my pocket and scroll to Harper’s name. If anyone can help me untangle this clusterfuck, it’s her. The phone rings too many times for me to feel hopeful, but I bite down the panic twisting inside me.
“Hello?”
My heart rate spikes. “It’s Harper, right?”
“What do you want?” Her voice is cold, flat. Chloe’s definitely filled her in.
“I need your help.”
Silence stretches on the other end.
“Harper, please,” I say, my desperation slipping through. If she doesn’t help me, I’m officially fucked —and not in the fun way.
“I don’t know what you think I can do for you,” she says, her voice dry as dust.
“Is she with you?” It’s the only explanation for her speaking so quietly. What am I doing? Am I really begging Chloe’s friend to help me fix this?
Yes. Yes, I am.
“She doesn’t want to talk to you,” she says bluntly.
I drag my fingers through my hair and fall back onto the damp grass, the sun burning my retinas. Why the fuck don’t I have sunglasses?
“ I know . I know I messed up.”
Harper’s humorless laugh filters through the line. “Go figure. So you’re calling me to fix your problem?”
“Sort of,” I answer quickly. “I need help getting to her. She’s not taking my calls. The last time we talked…”
More silence. Fuckkkk , this woman loves suspense. But then—there it is. A shift in her tone. I sit up, hope sparking to life.
“It’s going to take more than an apology, Brody,” she says, her voice soft. “No amount of sweet-talking is going to fix this.”
Good. I’ve got her. I can feel it. I’ve spent enough time negotiating to know when someone’s about to cave, and Harper’s almost there.
“I know. That’s why I’m talking to you. Please. Can you get to the park this afternoon?”
The words spill out before I can second-guess myself. But now that I’ve said it, I know it’s the right move. What better way to fix this mess than with nature? Maybe sitting her in front of a tree, she’ll be less inclined to kill me.
“So?” I nudge, bracing for whatever’s next.
She lets out an irritated sound, before she speaks again.
“I don’t think she’s up for seeing you today,” she says, doubt creeping in. “In fact, I’m pretty sure you’re the last person she wants to talk to.”
“What did she tell you?”
I can’t take it anymore. Curiosity is eating me alive, and I need to know.
“It’s bad enough I’m agreeing to help you. Now you want me to rat out my best friend too? Get a clue, Stirling. I’m helping, but I’m not on your side.”
“So, you are helping me?” I yank my feet out of the pond, jump up, and fist-pump in the air. Progress. Finally. “ Please , get her to the park in the next hour. Deal?”
She sighs heavily, and I can practically hear the eye roll. My grip tightens on my phone until the plastic creaks. One wrong move and it’s snapping in half.
“Come on, Harper. Say whatever gets her here. Free wine tasting, dog parade, UFO sighting—I don’t care. Just don’t say it’s me.”
“You’re in the park?” Her voice drips with judgment. “It’s the middle of the workday.”
“I could say the same to you.” I shoot back, deflecting like a pro.
“Yeah, well, I had an emergency to take care of. No thanks to you,” she adds, with a hint of venom in her tone.
“So, she’s with you…” I trail off, trying not to sound like I’m interrogating her.
“No shit, Nancy Drew,” she snaps. If sarcasm could punch me in the face, that’s what this would feel like.
“I’m trying to clean up the mess you made.
And believe it or not, I actually advised her to talk to you.
But now you want me to go a step further and…
I swear to God, Brody, if you screw this up, I’m coming for you.
Because this time it’ll be my fault. I won’t stop until I’m satisfied you’ve paid your dues. ”
“You have my word,” I say sincerely. “And Harper… thank you. Tell her to come to the flowering arch across the pathway. ”
I end the call, and hurry to get my socks and shoes back on.
The pressure’s on now, I don’t have time to waste.
It’s not enough that Chloe meets me here.
I have to make it special. Sure, the natural beauty and tranquility might soften her up, but if I want any shot at not getting slapped again, I’m going to need a special edge if I want this apology to swing in my favor.
“This is going to work,” I say aloud, hearing the desperation in my own voice. I undo my top button and roll up my sleeves, hoping this ‘casual’ look will make me seem less like a corporate asshole and more like a guy who deserves forgiveness.
With my half-hearted confidence, I march back into town, dodging the last few stragglers from the protest. I pray none of them recognize me as the enemy.
I step into the little café, relieved to get out of sight. The door swings shut behind me, cutting off the noise outside
“Can I help you?”
Shit, what’s her name again? I’ve been in here a hundred times. The owner watches me with a smile.
“Uh, yes, please.” I walk over to the glass counter, eyeing the freshly baked goods. Muffins, cookies, croissants—all perfect peace offerings.
Simple, but thoughtful. Enough to make Chloe at least hesitate before she throws them at me. Then I’ll grab some roses from the flower shop and pick up some lemonade from Tony’s cart. Easy enough. What could possibly go wrong?
“Sir?”
I look up at the owner, realizing I’ve been standing here, completely spaced out, as if I’m expecting the pastries to solve all my problems.
“Sorry, I’m trying to make up my mind.”
“Well, what’s the occasion?” she asks. “You tell me, and I’ll give you the perfect treat to match.”
Struck by a sudden surge of boldness and a heavy dose of panic, I answer, “What pairs well with telling someone you’re in love with them?”