Chapter 16 #2
I nodded. “Yeah. He explained that technically it’s really close, and we might be okay if all we’re looking at is when everything is on continuous power.
The problem is the inrush when stuff is getting powered up.
That’s where we’ll run into an issue, so he said the simplest fix is adding another panel to handle the load. ”
My father jerked his chin down. “Seems simple enough, even if it delays things. But I’ll admit that I’m surprised.”
“By what?”
He sat back in the chair, chuckling. “I would’ve expected something like this to send you spiraling. That you’re sitting here, seemingly calm and collected, is shocking.”
I shrugged. “There’s not much I can do about it. It’s going to cause a slight delay, but it’s better we deal with it now.”
Eyeing me curiously, his lips twitching, he said, “I understand that. I just don’t understand why you haven’t lost your mind over it. I mean, this is the first big project you’ve tackled on your own since taking over. If anything would frustrate you, I think this would be it.”
Suddenly, it dawned on me that my dad knew precisely what he was doing. He didn’t really care to discuss the warehouse. He was digging to get answers about someone. So, I was honest. “It’s her.”
“Pardon?”
I rolled my eyes. “Like you didn’t already know.
It’s Olivia. Knowing what she’s been through, everything she’s endured, and seeing how she can still find ways to smile and look at the world in such a positive way, I have nothing to be angry about.
She’s… She’s made me see things differently than I used to. ”
He nodded in understanding. “I guess I can see that. Wanting to change things about yourself and the way you are to impress someone. She’s a nice girl, by the way. Your mom and I enjoyed meeting Olivia at Christmas. It’s just a shame she’s only your friend.”
Licking my lips, a smirk tugging at my lips, I looked down at the desk. “Things changed.”
“They changed?”
I looked back at him and smiled. “During the week after Christmas, Olivia confessed that she’d developed some feelings for me and that she’s planning to stay in Rising Sun. We’ve been spending a lot of time together ever since.”
My dad grinned. “That’s excellent news, Taj. I’m so happy to hear that.”
“I love her, Dad. I love her like I never thought was possible, and I just want to do everything I can to make her happy. Am I crazy? I mean, you said it yourself. I’m not ranting and raving about the warehouse problem.
If that’s not enough, I wasn’t even remotely concerned about the possibility of arriving here later than usual, because it meant that I was spending more time with her instead. Maybe I have lost my mind.”
He burst into a fit of laughter. “You’re just like me.”
“What?”
Leaning forward, he rested his forearms on the desk and clasped his hands in front of him.
“I used to work all the time, too. Nothing was more important to me than building this business and making it successful. But then I met your mom, and everything changed. All I wanted to do was spend every single moment with her. But I couldn’t just walk away from the responsibility I had to this place.
So, I still did the work I needed to do here, but I’d wake up early and come in hours ahead of everyone else, just so I could spend time with her in the afternoons and evenings. ”
“Yeah, but Mom wound up working here.”
He nodded. “Eventually, yes. But not immediately. So, I did what I had to do. Meeting her, being lucky enough to have her in my life, I realized what I was doing. I started making more time for the other things that were important in my life. I got on my board more, and I spent more time with my friends, too.”
I held his stare. The day of the charity event, when I’d taken the opportunity to teach Olivia, was the first I’d gone riding in a very long time. I’d been focusing so much on work, I really hadn’t taken the time to live a little.
My dad’s voice cut into my thoughts. “You work so hard, Taj. So, so hard. And we’re very proud of you.
Nobody would be disappointed if you took some time for yourself.
I’m not suggesting you forget you have any responsibilities, but if Olivia turns out to be who you hope she is, you’ll regret working yourself to the bone. ”
I offered an appreciative smile in return. “I hear what you’re saying.”
“Good. Don’t screw it up.”
Laughing, I insisted, “I don’t intend to. So, you want to go check out this warehouse?”
He stood. “Absolutely.”
I rose from my chair and walked around to meet him on the opposite side. Something washed over his expression that I couldn’t read. “What is it?”
Shaking his head, he waved his hand dismissively in the air.
“It’s nothing. I’m just thinking about how fast time has gone by.
I can remember when it was me on that side of the desk, and you had just learned to walk.
Your mom came in here with you, and you made your way over to me.
I never imagined how it would feel to make it to this place.
You should be proud of who you’ve become. ”
I rested my hand on his shoulder. “I am who I am because of you and all that you taught me.”
A moment of heavy silence passed between us.
Then, we took off to the warehouse.
And after giving my dad the tour and sharing all the updates we’d done and were in the process of doing, he left.
I decided to take his advice and start living a little.
So, with nothing truly pressing that needed to be dealt with at the office, I found myself pulling into the parking lot at Parks Ridge Ski Resort thirty minutes later.
As I made my way over to where I suspected I’d find my friends, I saw Wells Jackson. He was one of our team riders—one of the best in the world—and he had dedication like nobody else. “Hey, Wells. How’s it going, man?”
“Good, Taj. I’ve had a long day today, but it was very productive. I’m surprised to see you here.”
Nodding, my lips twitched. I got the feeling I was going to have to get used to hearing that for a while. “Yeah, I had some time today, so I thought I’d stop over to see how things were going and ride for a bit. Are you leaving?”
He jerked his chin down. “Yeah, I am today. Kingston and Archer are still here. But I’d love to ride with you. Just let me know next time you’re coming out.”
“Will do. See you later.”
“Later.”
Wells took off, and I continued my trek across the resort. When my friends came into view, they both did double takes.
“Taj?” Archer called. His disbelief was so apparent, it was like I was a mirage.
“It’s me.”
“Yo, Taj. What’s going on? What are you doing here?” Kingston questioned me.
Archer didn’t give me a chance to respond. “Did something happen?”
Laughing, I closed the distance between us and came to a stop in front of them. “Nothing happened. Everything is fine. Can’t a guy just come out to ride with his friends?”
“You’re riding with us?”
I held up my snowboard. “I didn’t bring this for nothing.”
Kingston lowered himself to the snow and draped his arms over his knees. “This is awesome, but I don’t understand.”
“What do you mean?”
Archer answered for him. “You haven’t come out to ride with us in ages. Why now?”
I sighed as I settled myself beside Kingston in the snow. “Things have changed with Olivia, and she’s gotten me to see that there’s more to life than just work.”
“We’ve been telling you that for years, and you haven’t listened to us. How exactly did things change with her?”
My lips twitched. “Right after Christmas, she confessed that she’d developed feelings for me. Things got serious between us, and we’re no longer just friends.”
They grinned at me. “It’s just what you wanted. Congratulations, Taj. I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks, Archer.”
Kingston asked, “Olivia urged you to ride with us?”
I shook my head. “Not exactly. She’s just making me realize there’re things more important than work. My friendships are just as important. More so, if I’m honest.”
A look of approval washed over him. “Well, it’s a good thing she didn’t come with you today.”
“Why is that?”
Archer laughed. “Because then she’d see how badly we’re going to kick your ass on this halfpipe.”
Having strapped my feet to my board, I rolled my eyes and stood. “You wish.”
“Oh, someone’s confident,” Kingston said from beside me. “Why don’t you make a run or two to warm up first? We’ll go easy on you to start.”
“That’ll be unnecessary,” I fired back as I turned my board and dropped in on the pipe.
I didn’t hold back and pulled off just as good of a run as they could have on their first one. I got the feeling it gave them just a touch more motivation to train harder for the upcoming contest.
All teasing and banter aside, I had a great time being back out on the mountain doing something I loved with my best friends.