29. Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Justin
I slept the whole ninety-minute ride to Kansas City. Clay had sucked the life out of me, and then he teased me for the first five miles when I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I needed to build up my stamina for sure because the man was going to keep me on my toes.
When we arrived at my apartment, I stopped to listen at Eve’s door, hearing sound inside that surprised me. I pounded on her door as Clay unlocked mine. When she opened, she threw herself in my arms as I expected she would.
“Where the fuck have you been? Did you block me? I called you all day yesterday.”
Of course, I couldn’t get cell service wherever the hell we were, but I wasn’t explaining any of it to Eve. “It’s been a few long days. I’m busting my lease and moving to Sterling City with Clay.”
She squealed and jumped up and down, holding onto my shoulders. Clay came back out in the hallway and laughed at her hyper behavior. I was thrilled that she took the news so well.
Finally, Eve calmed down. “What about your job?”
“Well, I’m going to go talk to Steve in a couple of hours and resign. If he’ll let me work from Sterling City, I’ll help with anything he needs, but my only client is actually Clay,” I said.
Eve put her right hand over her heart. “Oh, that’s so romantic,” she gushed.
Clay put his arm around me and grinned. “It is, isn’t it?” He kissed my cheek before he went back into the apartment.
Eve waited until he closed the door before she stepped closer. “So, uh, did you get that little issue taken care of?”
For an instant, I thought she meant Ramon Blanco, but then she glanced at my dick and raised her eyebrows, I figured out she was referring to my virginity.
“Many times over, my dear. I’ve gotta change into a suit and get my laptop and other workpapers to take with me. By the way, why are you home so early?”
“Oh, uh, I’m going out of town for a few days.
I met a guy from St. Louis and he invited me to go with him to his lake house in the Ozarks.
I can cancel if you need me to help you pack your stuff.
He’s really nice so I’m sure I could reschedule our weekend.
” Her pretty face transformed into a pout, the little schemer.
“Yeah, I call bullshit on that. Tell me he’s a decent guy. Where does he live in St. Louis?”
I still remembered everything Ramon told me about the different groups who were involved in illegal activities in the city. I damn well didn’t want my best friend getting involved with someone like Ramon. I worked to redeem his soul, but I wanted him nowhere near those for whom I cared.
“Oh, he lives in a small town called Clover Bottom. He’s an IT engineer for a brokerage house in St. Louis.
His office is in a fancy part of the city, but he lives in the suburbs because he has horses.
We're taking them with us to the Ozarks to go for a trail ride. I’ve never ridden a horse before. ”
I couldn’t hold the laugh. Clay stuck his head out the door to check on me because I was cracking up. “What’s going on?”
Eve snarled at me. “The jackass started laughing when I asked him if he’d ever ridden a horse.”
Clay stared at me for a moment before he smirked at Eve. “He’s ridden a grade-A stud a time or two.”
We both held onto each other as Eve went into her apartment and slammed the door. An hour later I got a text from her.
You’re both disgusting, but I love that you have someone who loves you the way Clay does. I’m calling maid of honor for the wedding. Don’t be a stranger or I’ll have to come out to God’s country and kick your ass. Love you!
“Hi, Sharmaine. Steve’s expecting me.” I’d left Clay in my office to keep Viviana company while she packed up some of my personal items. I would miss her and Eve, and even Sharmaine, but not really anyone else. What I had waiting for me once Kansas City was behind me was so much better.
“Hi, Justin. Go on inside. How’ve you been?” Sharmaine’s smile was definitely one of the things I’d miss.
“I’m great, Sharmaine. Thanks for asking.”
I knocked twice on Steve’s door and went inside. He held up his finger as his desk phone’s receiver rested in the cradle of his neck. “So, it was just a vagrant?”
Whomever was on the other end of the line responded, though I couldn’t hear it.
“Yeah, I’m going to list it. I can’t have people breaking in, even if they didn’t do any damage. Thank you for calling. If you don’t mind, keep the house on your watch list, please, Chief. I’ll reach out to the realtor tomorrow.”
He hung up and turned to me. “Hi, Justin. How was your vacation?”
“It, uh, it was g-good.” In my mind I heard Clay telling me what a strong person I was, so I sat up straighter in the guest chair and swallowed down the rush of nerves.
“It was good. I went to”—don’t say St. Louis.
Someone just broke into his mother’s house in St. Louis—“New Orleans for a few days. Anyway, I’d like to discuss Clay Fines’ portfolio.
You see, I’ve met someone, and I’m going to be moving.
I’ll be turning in my resignation today.
I’m available to work remotely for the two weeks if there’s something you’d like me to help with, and I’d like to take Clay’s portfolio with me.
You see, he and I are a couple n-now.” I hung on almost all the way to the end.
“Oh, good. I mean, I’m happy for you. I guess he told you about his relationship with my late son, Hunter.
The guy was so crushed when my son was killed, and we felt bad for him even though we didn’t—.
Uh, that doesn’t matter. When he asked if we’d manage his portfolio, I didn’t want to say yes, but I felt bad for him.
“Look, Justin. I’m not going to speak badly about Clay.
He’s a hard worker and a hell of a nice guy.
I don’t believe my son would have become a veterinarian if it wasn’t for Clay, but that’s a moot point now.
You may definitely take his portfolio with you, and I’ll have Sharmaine email you a termination of service letter for our files.
Have him sign it, and please mail it back.
We’ll send the file to you after you return the signed letter. ”
“Thank you, Steve. I appreciate how much of a role model you’ve been for me.
If you hear of any small businesses looking for a financial planner, send them my way, will you?
I mean, only clients who are too small for Korr Financial Services.
It’s been a pleasure getting to know you and learning the business.
You’ve taught me things I didn’t learn in business school, so thank you.
” I stood to leave, shocked when Steve stood up too.
“Wait, Justin. I want to say that it’s been a pleasure working with you.
You’re a very bright young man with an amazing intuition for good investments.
That’s nothing I can teach anyone. If you ever want to come back, I’d take you in a minute, and I’m happy for you and Clay.
I like him, but I just didn’t see him and Hunter as a good fit.
I hope I haven’t offended you, but I had hope that Hunter would take over for me when it was time for me to step down.
” Steve extended his hand for me to shake and I did.
I wanted to tell him that his little speech didn’t absolve him of his bigotry, but I wouldn’t waste my time. I had a wonderful man waiting for me and a beautiful future to start. Steve Korr wasn’t worth my time anymore.
I took the stairwell to a lower floor and headed toward my office, smiling as I walked the hallway and suppressed the urge to flip the bird to all the pompous assholes in offices along the way.
When I stopped outside my door, I heard laughter coming from inside. It was amazing how all the people I held dear to my heart had seemed to fall in love with Clay, too. He was absolutely perfect, and it seemed like a lot of people agreed with me.
I opened the door to see Viviana wrapping a stapler in tissue paper before putting it in a box. “That’s not mine, Viv. That belongs to the company.”
She smirked and turned to Clay. “See, honest to a fault.” She then turned toward me. “You’re going to start your own business, and you’ll need supplies. I can promise you nobody will know or care that I’m giving you a few office supplies. Now, how was it with Steve?”
“He was very nice about it. He accepted my resignation, and he’s going to send Clay a letter of termination of service so he can sign it and then the file will be released to me. Can I give Sharmaine your name to forward it to me?”
Viv walked over to where I stood and tipped up on her toes to kiss my cheek. “I’ll do anything you need, Justin. Please stay in touch. I’d love to come see your farm someday.”
“Oh, uh, it’s not—”
“I’ll make sure he does, Viv. It was a pleasure to see you again.” Clay and Viv shared a quick hug before she let herself out.
“Do I need to go through this and see what she’s gifted me?”
Clay laughed. “Nothing too expensive. Anyway, you ready to go? We have an apartment to pack up.”
“Yes, but first, let’s go to Smokehouse Q KC and get something to eat. For old times sakes?”
Clay grinned. “That sounds great. I’m hungry anyway. Hell, do you think EZ and the hounds will show up?”
“Fuck I hope not. I don’t want anything getting in the way of my happily ever after.”
No lie.