Chapter 9 #2
“For Tollide,” I say.
Immediately the room chants back, “For Tollide!”
From there, Coach blows his whistle and starts hashing out plans for practice.
Not wanting to get caught up in whatever these guys are about to do, I hop off the stool in an attempt to make my way through the crowd to the door.
I'm almost there when I feel a hand on my elbow.
I whip around so fast the other person startles.
It's Kenneth.
He jumps back, hands lifted in the air as if I'm a police officer.
I take a deep breath, calming my heart rate.
It's been years since I've had someone stop me in a locker room with a hand on the arm.
Back then it was for miserable reasons. It's hard to differentiate between past and present with things like that.
“I’m sorry,” Kenneth rushes to say. “I just wanted to make sure I caught you so we could go talk.”
Clenching my jaw, I nod once before tilting my head towards the door. “Let's go.”
He manages to keep in step with me all the way to the elevator. When we reach our shared office space, I shut the door and move over to the chair across from the desk. I can't sit beside him right now. I'm too keyed up.
Kenneth notices the distance. I watch as he frowns but doesn't say a word. When he sits in his chair, he leans forward, his hands clasped tightly together. His knuckles are white, and his face is downcast.
“I’m sorry if me touching you was unwarranted.
I didn't want to yell and draw people's attention since you seemed to be in a hurry to leave.
I understand why you might be that way too.
The situation down there just now… I appreciate you handling it.
I kind of choked up because the conversation with Bardot didn't go well.”
Shit.
Now I have to pretend like I don't know what happened.
I quirk one eyebrow. “It didn’t?”
When attempting to lie, it's best to leave as much open for interpretation as possible. Also saying as few words as you can is a good idea.
Kenneth's shoulders drop as his hands reach up to hold his head. “Yeah,” he mumbles. “It was a shitshow. Poor guy lost his cool. Started shouting and immediately wanted to know what had happened.”
“He wasn't in the meeting either.”
At my observation, Kenneth drops his hands. I can tell he's trying to recall all the faces that were there, but I don't need him to confirm what I already know. Bardot left. I watched him leave.
Kenneth grunts. “Shit. I guess he did sneak out. Maybe one of us should try to call North or the hospital to see if he went there. I don't think I have North's number yet.” He shuffles around some papers on his desk. The chaos of it makes me cringe.
Reaching out, I lay a hand over his. He freezes at the touch. I don't let go until he looks at me.
“Neither of us has North's number, but we can call the hospital to confirm if Bardot is there.
Or we could go up there ourselves to see.
I'm not sure what else you have on the agenda for today.
I feel like I'm getting a good handle on things so we might be able to step away for a while if you want.”
That's when he smiles at me. My heart does that tightening thing again, and I mentally put myself in time out.
Granted, I haven't been put in time out since I was a toddler, and that was really only once for trying to explain to someone that they were going to be charged tax for their lemonade at my lemonade stand. I wound up getting into an argument about how they shouldn’t be doing illegal things with their money if taxes were such a problem for them.
My little brother and father didn't find it as amusing as I did so time out it was. Jake because we lost a sale. Dad because the man I’d inadvertently insulted was a bit of a hothead.
Now though, I have to mentally kick myself because the thoughts I'm having for Kenneth are not ones I need to have again.
I slowly let go of his hand and lean back.
He does the same, mirroring my movement.
I don't know if he even understands that he's doing it.
To find out, I slowly raise my hand to my mouth and wipe it as if anything's there.
A second later, he does the same. I shift my shoulders and again he repeats it.
“What's on the agenda for today?” I ask instead of continuing the game.
We could probably go for hours without him even understanding, unless someone interrupted us, of course.
As if the universe wants to play a trick on me, there's a knock at the door. Kenneth turns to look at it as if he can see through the thick wood.
“Come in,” I call out to whoever's on the other side since Kenneth doesn't want to answer. What is it about him needing me to do things for him, and why do I enjoy it so much?
The door opens, and an unfamiliar face steps through.
Kenneth springs up from his chair moving to greet the woman.
She's dressed in what would probably be considered a ball gown to others but since my mother has exquisite taste, I don’t find it as jarring as others might.
The woman’s hair is done up in a loose chignon.
Her makeup is expertly applied as well. Just heavy enough to be noticeable, but not so heavy as to look commonplace.
“Mother, what are you doing here?” Kenneth asks.
They do that air kiss thing, then she leans back holding on to his elbows. “My son! Look at you, alive and breathing. And clearly able to use technology.”
Her voice is almost malicious. Nothing like the teasing tone my mother takes when I forget to call her.
Kenneth giggles nervously. “Yes, I'm sorry. We've been dealing with some things. You know, with the transition and all.”
She clicks her tongue softly. “Ah, yes. The transition away from the baseball team you fought so hard to buy and manage. Now look at you. Without it, this thing you supposedly built from the ground up, whatever will you do? Is that why you won't answer my calls? Because you don't have a plan?”
Rage engulfs me at her taunts. I don't want her to be like this to Kenneth. He doesn't deserve it.
Well, maybe he does, but I don't want to witness it. Deciding I need to interfere, I slowly rise from my chair and walk across the room. My heels clack against the hardwood, drawing her attention.
“Oh! I didn't realize you had company,” she says.
I put on a wide, charming smile and say, “Why, it's lovely to meet you, ma'am. I am Royce Bellport. I'll be taking over for Kenneth, though taking over is a bit of an exaggeration considering Kenneth is going to stay on and help me quite a bit. The shift in position really just kind of gives my family an in, you know. Sometimes you’ve got to use the money to buy your way, right?”
I make the joke like I've seen plenty of my father's business colleagues do through the years. It's a self-deprecating tone, yet it's relatable for rich people.
The woman titters as if I'm the funniest thing in the world, waving her hand in my direction.
I take it from her and plant a gentle kiss before straightening again.
It's then she takes me in from head to toe.
I watch her expression change from cheery to judgmental.
She won't dare utter a word considering I'm a Bellport.
The Meyer family may have money, but no one is as rich as us. It's not boasting if it's true.
“It's so wonderful that you've joined us today. Was there any reason in particular you stopped by? I know we've got a jam-packed schedule of meetings today. We just had two already this morning, and it's not even,” I glance at my watch, “nine in the morning.”
Amusement lines her face as if she understands what I'm doing. She reaches out to pat Kenneth on the cheek. I bristle, noting how much tighter his shoulders get.
Stop fucking touching him. I want to growl.
For his part, Kenneth is frozen. He’s a statue, letting her do as she wishes. There's terror and confusion written all over him. I’m even more furious seeing his response. What kind of fuckery is this?
“I just wanted to come see my precious baby is all, but if he's busy I understand. Maybe you'll give me a call later this evening, right, Kenneth?” She asks, tone pointed.
I make an apologetic noise.
“Actually, we have dinner plans tonight. You know business never sleeps when you're successful. I'm sure he can give you a call later this week though. I'll make sure he checks his calendar and pencils you in. How about that?”
Unable to tell me no, she nods, then gives him another set of air kisses and leaves.
The minute she's gone, and the sound of her heels no longer echoes around us, Kenneth turns my way. His eyes are glassy, and his lower lip quivers. “Y-You just…”
I shake my head, taking a step back and moving towards the chair I evacuated. I stop though and decide fuck it. I've already gone this far. I move myself around to sit beside him and wave him over.
“Come on. We've got shit to do, and if we're going out for dinner, I need to go home to change. You will not catch me dead out there looking like this for an evening meal.”
Kenneth rushes over, scooting into his chair comically fast. “Okay, yes, let's get started.”
He straightens the papers on his desk as he starts to rattle off the plan for the day.
Internally, I smile at making him nervous. I also scream a little inside because what the hell am I doing?
None of this makes any sense at all.