Chapter 27 #2
“As for me . . . well, in all honesty, as I wrote this speech, a lightness came to my heart. Because I realize that there’s something more important to me.
” I don’t say her name, but it’s readily apparent who, not what, I’m talking about.
Dad blinks rapidly a few times before his eyes narrow as his lips twitch.
I wonder what Mom’s told him about my conversation with her.
Does he know that he was right, after all?
That his ‘suggestion’ that I settle down might have gone so shockingly wrong, but also so amazingly right?
“So effective immediately, I’m resigning from both the board of this company and as a vice president.
I thank all of you for your years working with me and wish this company success in all its future endeavors.
I am looking forward to setting out on my own and directing my own future where I see fit. ”
Without taking any questions from the board, most of whom look more than a little shocked, I walk out and go back to my office. I’m surprised to see Abi in my seat, her feet up on the wood and her lips pursed.
“Falling on your sword?” Abi asks, taking her feet down. “Didn’t think that was your style.”
“Guess you watched it, huh?” I reply, sitting down on the couch Violet ordered. She was right, of course. Even unfinished, the casual seating area does make my office feel more welcoming. Too bad it’s coming right as I’m leaving. “What’d you think?”
She shrugs evasively and gets up to pour two glasses of scotch. She hands one over and sits down beside me. “It’s eleven o’clock in the morning, Abs. A little early for scotch, don’t you think?” Even as I argue, I take a small sip and swirl the liquid, looking for answers in its amber depths.
She takes a sip too, though she winces, and I remember that she’s not much of a drinker to start with, so straight scotch has got to be downright disgusting to her. She’s doing it for me.
“It’s to celebrate,” she says, lifting the glass to clink with mine. She looks for someplace to set the drink down. “You need a table.”
I huff. “Violet ordered one. I think it’ll be here next week, not that it matters. Celebrate what?”
She side-eyes me. “You finally stood up to Dad. It’s about damn time.”
“What the fuck are you talking about, Abs? I argue with Dad all the time. It’s literally what we do most here, lately. I’m just taking my ball and leaving the playground.” I shake my head, sure I’m doing the right thing by leaving the company but in shock that I actually did it.
“God, you are so blind sometimes. Please promise me that you won’t go open some hot-shot venture capital day trading multi-marketing pyramid scheme. You’re not cut out for it.” She rolls her eyes, and forgetting, takes another sip of scotch. She hisses out loud this time.
I don’t have a chance to argue because Courtney pops into the doorway. “Celebrating or commiserating?” she asks, lifting her chin toward our drinks.
“I’m not sure,” I say honestly.
Courtney pulls a chair over to sit across from Abi and me.
The new ones haven’t been delivered yet.
“I think you probably gave me the biggest endorsement ever,” Courtney says, her face a mask of confusion.
“Why’d you do it? You could have just said fuck this place, popped a peace sign, and walked out without a single fuck given. ”
“I could have,” I admit, “but I do care about this place, and about Dad and you, Court. And I meant every word I said. I would have even said more, but I didn’t want to spend ten minutes kissing your ass in front of the board.
A big brother’s got to have his line in the sand.
Simple truth . . . this company’s in damn good hands when Dad steps down. ”
“Weren’t you just saying you were taking your ball and leaving? It doesn’t sound like it to me,” Abi says, inserting herself into the ‘Courtney’s the best’ lovefest.
Court looks at me, fury in her eyes. “Is that what you think you’re doing? For the love of fuck, Ross. How stupid are you?”
Okay, there are things in life that will make you feel like less of a man—screaming like a little girl at a bug, cringing away from a punch, and . . . having your two little sisters call you out back to back.
“What the hell are you two mouthing about? It’s not like I’m leaving on good terms or even know exactly what I’m leaving to do.
But I just can’t stay here. It’s not good for any of us, and it’s going to end up destroying the company, and more importantly, our family.
” My voice is getting louder, not in anger but frustration that they don’t see what I see.
Courtney claps her hands, accenting my name. “Ross Andrews, you listen to me and you listen good.” Even Abi shuts her always-running mouth at Court’s don’t-fuck-with-me tone.
“You just said some really sweet things about me in that meeting, but you have no idea why Dad works with me the way he does, do you?” She pauses for a nanosecond then dives back in. “News flash. It’s not because I’m some yes-man who does what he says at every turn.”
I raise a brow sardonically. “Seriously?”
She laughs big and bold. “Dad and I fight like cats and dogs about virtually everything—analyzing angles, negotiating percentages, calculating and strategizing in every way we can. It’s what we do for fun because we are two peas in a pod.
And then, once we reach a resolution behind closed doors, only then do we open the floor to discussion, knowing damn well what direction we’re heading.
Just because you only see me agree with Dad doesn’t mean that I do.
It means that I know when and where to argue and when and where to play nice. He taught me that.”
I look at Abi, who’s looking at Court with thoughtful eyes. “I can see that,” Abi says, nodding. “You’re good at managing everything but protecting the image that needs to be presented.”
“Thank you.” Court dips her chin graciously. “Abi, why don’t you work for the company?”
I’m spinning at the random direction change after Court drops a bombshell like her and Dad fighting all the time about work stuff. Okay, maybe it’s not fighting, exactly, but I guess I did think Court went along with Dad most of the time. I guess not. I had no idea, literally none.
Abi grins. “Uhm, because this” —she waves her hands around my office— “is not me at all. I don’t care about shareholders and making millions.
I like losing myself in a beautiful arrangement, seeing someone’s face light up when they get flowers, and the small potatoes style of my shop.
Janey and I work damn hard, but I feel like I’m in control of my own destiny there. Here, I never would be.”
That I knew. I remember Abi telling Dad that she was going to open a boutique flower shop after she graduated from business school. He’d been aghast, but she’d proven him wrong with hard work, dedication, and her own rebellious spirit.
Court smiles like that was exactly the answer she was going for, but I still don’t get it. Shit. Could my sisters be right, and I’m an idiot? Evidence is pointing to that being the case with the way they’re both looking at me like a bug in a jar, but I’m not sure why.
Abi rolls her eyes. “So, Dad wants what’s best for us?
Agreed?” I nod slowly, realizing that though he might’ve gone about it in the wrong way entirely, his intentions were good.
Court said the same thing before. “He puts Court at his side, knowing she can hold her own there.” I nod again, looking at Court, trying to picture her arguing with Dad.
“I might need proof of that,” I suggest.
“He lets me go wild and open a flower shop.” I smile, because Abi is a bit wild, but she’s smart about it.
“And you . . .” I hold my breath, afraid of what she’s going to say, of what failure she’s going to point out because she’s got several to choose from.
“You, he puts in charge, but away from his shadow to let you shine because he knew you needed that space. You have always been the golden child, the one who worked his ass off to make Mom and Dad proud, but Dad wants you to grow up and be your own man. He was trying to help you stand on your own two feet, Ross.”
My brows furrow in denial.
Court jumps in. “What would’ve happened if Dad had told Abi or me to ‘settle down with a good boy’?”
I scoff. “Well, first off, Abi would’ve told him to fuck off, and you would’ve probably said you’re too young. And then I would’ve killed him.”
She laughs. “But when he told you to, you marched right out there and got yourself a bride. Fucking overachiever.”
Abi and Courtney both laugh, and I’m reminded of the years at home, the two of them having each other’s back, but me always watching over them.
I feel like those roles are changing. That maybe we’re on equal footing now, protecting each other, and their attempt to knock some sense into my head is done with love.
“So, you two think my leaving is a good thing?” I’m trying to put pieces together here, but I feel like everyone else had the puzzle finished long ago and I’m just getting the box opened.
“Give the man a cookie,” Courtney says.
“Well, that’s what I’m doing,” I say, throwing my hands up. “Why are you giving me such a hard time if I’m doing what you think I should?”
“Because you need to do it for the right reasons,” Abi says, chill as a cucumber.
“Yeah, well, I’ve been doing all sorts of things for the wrong reasons lately, haven’t I?” I say morosely.
They’ve given me so much to think about—my own personality, my history with Dad, my work here at the company—but I was telling the truth earlier.
It’s really all about Violet right now. The rest can wait.
“She hates me. Look what happened to Papa. That was why she was doing all of this, and I ruined it.”
“Pretty sure that was Colin,” Abi says drolly. “But she doesn’t hate you. She’s just struggling right now. Papa had surgery Sunday, and he’s still in ICU.”
“They’re moving him to rehab today,” I interject, and she gapes. I shrug. “The hospital talks to the financial guarantor to arrange payments. What insurance didn’t pay, I am. It’s the least I can do.”
Court and Abi both grin. “Good move,” Court says with approval.
“Well, it’s the only one I have until she talks to me again. I just want to be there for her. I know she’s hurting and I don’t want her to go through this alone.”
“You really do love her, don’t you?” Court says, and I nod.
Abi whispers something, looking at the ceiling, and I get the impression she’s praying for forgiveness. “Uh, Abs . . . you okay?”
“I’m going to break a cardinal rule of friendship here, and that’s something I don’t take lightly.
I want you to know that.” Her build-up is making me nervous, but then I fly with her words.
“Violet loves you, Ross. She always has, I think, but more importantly, she really does now. She didn’t want to tell you before the wedding, but she’s in love with you. Disgustingly so.”
I stand up in shock, getting in Abi’s face as I grab her shoulders and shake her. “Are you serious? I love her too, but I figured I could make her love me after she’d married me.”
She laughs. “Figured a captive audience would be in your favor, did you?”
“Holy shit, I have to go to her. Now. Where is she?” I grab for my phone, already looking for her number. No, Archie’s number. Violet won’t answer, but I’ll get him to tell me where she is.
“Whoa there, cowboy,” Court says. “I think this is the time when you don’t go rushing off half-cocked—wait . . . some other expression because I can’t talk about my brother’s cock. Anyway, what you need is a plan.”
Abi claps happily. “Ooh, you’re speaking my language, Sis.”
“Scheming?” I ask, worried. “Isn’t that how we got into this mess?”
Abi laughs. “Yeah, but sometimes, the only way to get out of the mess of a scheme . . . is another scheme. This one’ll be different, though.”
“How so?”
“You’re going to make a complete ass of yourself while being totally honest. We combine that with enough romantic over the top gushing and you may have a chance.”
I nod and wrap an arm around my sister’s shoulders. “Okay, if we’re being all honest and shit, I love you guys.”
“You’re all right sometimes,” Court says with a smirk that looks so similar to my own.
Abi hugs my ribs, grinning. “Love you too, big brother.”