Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Esteban
Mr. McNeal leans back in his chair after the server refills his coffee, cradling the cup in both hands like a man about to drop a major play.
“My company—McNeal & Co.—specializes in high-end, full-experience developments,” he begins. “We build destinations, not just buildings. Resorts, boutique hotels, luxury dining… places people remember. Places they want to come back to.”
He glances at all three of us before continuing, “This project near Honey Springs has been in the pipeline for a while. We finally secured the land, and the concept phase is locked. I need a crew that can handle the complexity of this build, someone local, with a reputation for solid work and strong leadership. That’s why I’m here. ”
I nod slowly, absorbing every word. Noah sits like a statue beside me, arms folded, his face calm but alert. Austin’s got that barely-there smirk he always wears when something’s going exactly as he planned.
McNeal continues, “Construction starts this fall. We’ve got a six-month prep window, and then it’s full steam ahead. You’d start with the main lodge. If that goes well, we roll into the cottages, the restaurants, the spa, the activity center—whole shebang.”
This is big. Bigger than anything Noah and I have ever done. I can already feel my brain starting to race through project timelines and staffing needs.
“I wanted to meet you personally,” McNeal adds, his gaze shifting between Noah and me. “I like to know who I’m working with. Austin spoke very highly of you two—said you’re trustworthy, hardworking, and invested in your community.”
Noah offers a small nod. “We appreciate that. We’ve been building up to something like this.”
McNeal smiles. “Well, Austin’s word carries weight. So I figured, before contracts and legal get involved, we’d have a sit-down. Man to man. See if we vibe.”
And we are vibing, until he sets his cup down and cocks his head.
“So, tell me a little about yourselves. Married? Kids?”
The second the words leave his mouth, I wonder, Does he need us to have that? A family, to prove we’re serious about our work?
Noah leans back slightly, almost like he’s bracing for what’s coming. Austin, ever steady, jumps in first.
“Yeah,” he says with a small nod. “Married. I’ve got two sons—Adrian’s in seventh grade. Plays soccer like it’s his job. And Ethan, he’ll be two months old in a few weeks. They’re my world.”
McNeal’s face lights up. “That’s great. My boys were the same way at the age of your oldest. There’s nothing like watching your kid hustle on the field, win or lose, it’s all heart.”
Noah joins in next, a soft smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Married too. We’ve got one beautiful little girl—she’s almost seven months now. She already has me completely wrapped around her tiny finger. I’d do anything for my girls.”
McNeal beams, the man actually beams. “That’s what I like to hear. I always say, if a man’s grounded at home, he’s grounded at work. Family men build differently. With purpose. With patience.”
The others keep talking, their stories flowing easy, but my mind snags on his words like barbed wire.
Family men. Purpose. Patience. What the fuck am I supposed to say when it’s my turn?
If I admit I’m single, will he write me off?
Think I’m unstable? Maybe he’ll decide I don’t fit the kind of man he wants to do business with.
I’ve got nothing. No wife. No kids. Just a string of half-hearted attempts that never stuck.
The truth sits heavy in my throat, but lying feels just as dangerous.
My knee jerks under the table, bouncing so hard I’m sure someone’s going to notice.
My shirt clings to my back, a bead of sweat sliding down my spine like a countdown.
Any second now, McNeal’s attention will swing my way, and I’ll have to open my mouth before I completely choke.
He turns to me next, his eyes kind and curious. “What about you, Esteban?”
My mouth opens before my brain catches up.
“I’m engaged,” I blurt out.
Noah chokes on his water. Austin’s head jerks toward me like I just announced I moonlight as a magician. I ignore them both and keep going, the lie growing legs before I can stop it.
“Yeah,” I say, forcing a big-ass grin. “She’s… amazing. We’ve been together for a while, and we’re finally tying the knot soon. I’m finally getting my chance at happiness like these tow.” I say, trying not to visibly sweat.
Noah’s knee bumps mine under the table, probably on purpose. I catch a sideways glance from him, his eyes screaming: What the actual fuck, bro?
Austin’s still doing the mental math beside me, probably wondering if I had a secret girlfriend stashed in some part of Honey Springs he’s never seen.
But McNeal seems satisfied. He shifts the conversation back to logistics: budgeting, materials, coordination with his Florida-based team. I nod along, offer a few intelligent-sounding comments, but mostly I’m just mentally spiraling over the fact that I now have a fiancée who does not exist.
But it gets worse.
“I’d love to have you all come down to Key West in a couple of weeks,” McNeal says, his tone casual.
“Nothing fancy, just a dinner at the house. You can meet my wife and kids. We’ll talk shop, but mostly I want to get to know you all outside the business.
” He grins. “Bring your families. The wives. The kids. Your fiancée, Esteban.”
I laugh—too loud, too fake. “Of course! She’d love that.”
“She’s gonna love the beach,” he adds. “I’ll have my assistant send over the details.”
And just like that, the conversation moves on, back to scheduling and expectations. I sit there smiling, nodding, my brain screaming one word on a loop:
Shit.
Once the coffee cups are empty and we’ve gone over every detail of the project, Mr. McNeal pushes his chair back with a smooth motion and stands.
“Well, gentlemen,” he says, flashing that same confident smile he wore when he walked in, “this has been a great meeting. I’ve got another appointment coming up, but I’m really looking forward to working together.
And don’t forget, bring the families when you come down to Key West. My wife loves to host, and our place has more than enough room. ”
He shakes our hands, one by one, gives a friendly nod, and heads out the door like he’s got the whole world in his back pocket.
As soon as the door closes behind him, I feel both Noah and Austin’s eyes on me. I turn, slowly, already knowing what’s coming.
Austin crosses his arms. “Are you for real right now?”
Noah raises an eyebrow. “Where is this fiancée you just announced out of nowhere?”
“What the fuck, man?” Austin continues, like I just set our whole business on fire.
I groan, dragging a hand down my face. “I panicked, okay?”
They both just blink at me.
“You two were out here talking about your perfect little families and your adorable kids—Noah with a baby that owns his soul, Austin over there in his suit with all his dad energy—and McNeal wanting people who are grounded and happily married. I didn’t want to look like the sad, single guy eating frozen dinners and talking to his houseplants. ”
“You are the sad, single guy,” Noah says flatly.
“Exactly,” I say, pointing at him. “And I didn’t want McNeal to know that!”
Austin shakes his head, laughing under his breath. “So you lied about being engaged?”
I throw my hands up. “I didn’t know what else to do! I didn’t think he was gonna invite us to Key West for a family weekend! I thought he’d shake our hands, sign a contract, and be on his way.”
Noah leans back in his chair, arms crossed like he’s watching a train wreck he can’t look away from. “What are you gonna do now, dumbass?”
I shrug, leaning back with the same energy. “I guess I need to find me a fake fiancée.”
Austin covers his mouth to hide a laugh. Noah just stares at me.
“This is gonna blow up in your face,” he says.
“Probably.” A grin plays along my face. “But it’ll be fun while it lasts.”