Chapter 8
CHAPTER EIGHT
ELLIOT
S o much for I’m only passing by.
It’s been almost seven months since I arrived, and I’m still in San Francisco.
Luckily, I found someone to replace me on the Brentwood community project.
I’m ready to leave. Okay, so I assigned someone from North Bay to take my place.
That was the only way I could leave knowing that everything will continue working as it has since we started.
Fern refuses to hire anyone outside the volunteers—she wants to use most of the money the foundation has for those who need it. Someone has to tell her that she’s running herself down by trying to do everything herself. Having her brother’s assistant pitch in twice a week isn’t enough.
Have I thought about telling her brothers that she’s taking on more than she should? Of course, but I don’t want to butt into their family dynamic.
But for fuck’s sake, someone should be taking care of Fern. She’s looking after everyone. There are times when I help her in the evenings, even when she says, “I can handle this myself.”
She can but at what cost?
I don’t understand why I feel so protective of her. Maybe she reminds me of my sisters or my nieces. No, that’d be weird. I’m not attracted to them. Fern though… I’ve been fighting the pull between us for some time.
Someone should add it in the Guinness record books. Seven months of not acting on the lust I carry for a beautiful woman.
Fern Spearman isn’t my only problem. The entire family is starting to get too close to me. If I doubted that I need to pack my things and leave, the envelope in my hands confirms it. The Spearmans are trying to assimilate me as their own.
I’m invited to Gatsby’s wedding. I’ve been at the Spearmans’ man cave multiple times to hang out with them. They’ve invited me to other celebrations, including the Tuesday family dinner—which I’ve skipped.
I should have kept to myself. The problem is that when I’m not in Brentwood Harbor, at the foundation with Fern, or in the offices of North Bay, I’m here, at their house, helping with the renovations.
I glance at Maia’s finger and remember that I helped Gatsby design her engagement ring.How could I not when he’s so in love with Maia he’d do anything for her. He accomplished the one thing I couldn’t, recover his childhood sweetheart.
Out of all the Spearmans, Gatsby and Lysander are the ones I’m closest to. I guess it happened during my interview with Gatsby for the project manager position. Even though I’m volunteering, they wanted to ensure that I’d be a good fit for the foundation and JS Charities.
I’m still trying to figure out the difference between the Spearman Foundation and the other place. Both are run by Fern, who could use an assistant and several other people to help her manage them.
Maybe that’s why I’m here, because I think she needs me. But how do I leave before the wedding without abandoning her?
The invitation doesn’t have the answer, only the choice of fish, vegetarian, or meat. I almost snort when I read that instead of gifts the couple would appreciate a donation in their name to the Spearman Foundation.
“You’re going, so don’t try to make something up.” Maia gives me a challenging look.
“What?”
“I know that face. My father makes it often.”
“Which face?”
“The one that says, how am I going to get out of this situation when I don’t have a good excuse?”
I laugh. “There’s a face for that?”
She nods. “Yes, and you do it often.”
“She’s good at reading people,” Gatsby says, almost apologetic.
He knows that I like to be on my own. I have never told him why, but I guess that’s the thing about him. He respects who I am, only asks what he knows I’m comfortable answering, and most importantly, he’s a good friend.
“But you’ll be there, right?” he asks. “It’ll mean a lot to us.”
I look at the date again. It’s in just three weeks.
The ceremony and reception will be at the family winery in Paradise Bay.
Even when I already have a replacement in place, the project I agreed to do doesn’t start for another month, and it’s only a month long, it’s all planned around my sister’s pregnancy.
Fuck, I can’t believe my sister is going to have another baby. I love kids, but I can’t imagine having six.
Six.
Don’t get me wrong, I like being an uncle, but that’s a lot of children, isn’t it?
Actually, the best part about being an uncle is that I get to just hand them back to their parents and forget about the responsibility.
And to think that twenty-five years ago I was okay with having a half-dozen children.
“So?” Maia gives me an expectant look.“Blink once if you’re RSVPing.”
I chuckle. Maia is a hoot. “Of course, I’ll be there. Count me in.”
“We really appreciate you,” Gatsby says. “You’ve done so much for the family and the foundation. JS Charities’ community is a reality because of you. I still don’t know how you convinced so many people to help. The first stage should be done sooner than we expected.”
There’s so much I could say, like, It was nothing. I didn’t get anyone to do anything I didn’t order. It’s a pleasure to be a part of the project and to donate the man-hours and material . But I won’t.
“You’re going to the annual Spearman Gala, aren’t you?” Maia cuts in. “It’s important that you’re there.”
And there’s another issue. A gala. The only one I went to turned out to be a clusterfuck. I thought I was getting the girl, and that’s the night when I realized I lost her. That might just bring back bad memories.
“Umm.”
“Babe, let the man breathe,” Gatsby says.
“No. As I said, he’s like Dad,” she insists. “If we don’t get him to commit now, he will make an excuse, and then he’ll be in his studio apartment watching another bad action movie.”
“Or I can be here, finishing your house,” I offer.
She shakes her head. “Nope. That’s why we hired North Bay Construction. We want you there. I might convince Fern to do a bachelor auction. You and the single Spearmans will be the main attraction.”
Gatsby laughs and shakes his head.
“We hope you make it to the wedding and the gala,” Gatsby says.“I promise you won’t have to do lap dances for the rich ladies.”
“But that’ll be so much fun,” Maia says. “Can you imagine the stuffy women of San Francisco hollering to a group of semi-naked guys? We should hire the Magic Kings.”
I freeze when she says that. Gatsby growls. “We’re not hiring strippers for a gala. No offense to the guys. It’s just not appropriate.”
Maia gives him a mischievous grin. “Fine, we won’t hire them, but you should learn a few moves. I heard they have lessons—it’s part of their business.” Then, she turns to look at me. “So, you’re going to be there, right?”
I’m thankful that she doesn’t say something like, maybe we should ask the Magic Kings to hold a charity event in their headquarters or do you know them ?
I’m not ashamed about that part of my life, but if I don’t tell them about North Bay, I refuse to confess the rest. It all comes down to the fact I have to leave immediately.
Gatsby better keep quiet about everything he knows. I’m glad Fitz made him sign an ironclad NDA.
“Count me in for all these parties but don’t expect me to be here for the little one,” I warn her.
She gives me a mischievous grin. “Now, our next goal is to make you stay.”
“Ha, you wish.”
“We do,” she confirms.