Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Weston
“I do.” When Bridges said those two small words, my heart skipped a beat. Only in my wildest dreams did Bridges Eaton ask me to marry him.
We stood before the officiant wearing our “I got married in Vegas” T-shirts, jeans, and flip flops.
It was supposed to be a hundred degrees that afternoon, and we’d reserved a cabana by the pool.
We were flying back to New York on Tuesday morning and having the RV shipped home by the hauler we used for shipping Bridges’ bikes.
“I now pronounce you spouses. You may kiss your husband.”
For the sake of the officiant, we made it a chaste kiss. I knew when we got back to the hotel, things would get down and dirty, and I was more than ready for it.
I’d bought Bridges a silicone ring because he worked with his hands and he said anything else would get scratched. I spent the last hundred bucks in my checking account—if I didn’t count the huge check I wrote to the Rainbow Equality Alliance. I’d die if that check bounced.
I still owed Bridges the three grand he fronted me for the ride, but I was sure it was a lot more than that.
At first he baulked at me paying him back, but I reminded him that I’d told Cheri Todd that nobody had given me any money for the trip.
He didn’t want the claim to bite me in the ass, so he agreed to take the money after I went to work at Aames.
We signed the marriage license, and the officiant gave us a copy until we received the official one from the State of Nevada. We walked back to the hotel, holding hands and smiling like we were nuts.
“Well, husband, what would you like to do now? Play craps or roulette? Maybe Keno? Oh, we could go to a show,” Bridges teased.
“Oh, maybe we should play Keno. I’m feeling lucky.” Yeah, this marriage was going to be a blast!
Bridges picked me up around the waist and tossed me over his shoulder, carrying me through the lobby of the casino and boarding the elevator. “You can put me down now. All the blood is running to my head, you brute.”
He laughed and jostled me a bit. “Don’t worry. It’ll be flowing south at an alarming rate when we get to the room.”
I heard a giggle and glanced under his arm to see an older couple had joined us on the ride. The woman gave me a little wave before reading Bridges’ shirt. “Congratulations.”
Bridges grinned. “Thank you. My groom was too tired to walk, so I’m carrying him over the threshold.”
The couple laughed as I swatted him on his denim covered ass. “Hey, we’re in mixed company. Save a little something for later,” Bridges joked, making the couple laugh again.
We got out on our floor and went to the suite he’d rented for us, putting me down once we were in the room. I was a little dizzy, but no worse for wear.
I grabbed his hand and led him into the bedroom where we consummated our marriage three times. Yes, this marriage was going to be a blast.
“How do I look?” Bridges asked as he stepped out of the closet in one of the two suits he owned.
I was fiddling with my tie, unable to make a decent knot. I glanced at him and smiled. “You look very handsome, Mr. Aames-Eaton.” We’d agree to add the other’s surname and hyphenate instead of one of us taking the others name.
“You need help with that?” He flipped up my collar and adjusted the length of the tie before he looped it into a perfect half-Windsor knot.
“I told you that you don’t have to go. I’m a big boy. I can take rejection as long as you’re waiting for me here.” I meant it.
Bridges tensed up for a moment. “Actually, I have to go. Edmond commanded it.”
That was odd. “Why? Is this part of your executor job?”
“Yes. Look, let’s not talk about it right now. Keep positive thoughts. It’ll be okay whatever happens, I swear. You can just keep working with Alexis and me. I’d hate to break up the act anyway.”
That was an odd comment, but we needed to get going so we weren’t late. We were going to Uncle Edmond’s law office to meet up with Daryl, CJ, and Claudia. I had no idea what would happen if there was a tie. I guess we’d all wait and see.
The car service dropped us off in front of the building, and I adjusted the cuffs of my shirt as I stared at the large building in front of me. Bridges stepped in front of me and took my hand, rubbing his thumb over my wedding ring.
“Whatever happens, I love you and I’ll always be on your side. We are partners in everything. What’s mine is yours. Just always remember that.”
I smiled at him. “I love you and I’m always on your side. What little I have is yours, too. Let’s go.”
We were led to the large conference room next to Uncle Edmond’s office.
CJ and Claudia were sitting at the table next to each other, and Daryl was by the large window taking a call.
Jean stepped into the room with a stack of booklets and placed them on the table in front of five chairs, which was unusual.
There wasn’t a book for me, but then again, I wasn’t officially anything yet.
Uncle Edmond came through the door leading to his office. “Thank you, Jean. Let’s all take a seat. I’m sure we’d much rather be doing other things.”
He then looked at Bridges. “Per the instructions in Claude’s will, Bridges will be voting on Claude’s behalf. He will vote last. Now, Weston, do you have anything you’d like to say before we vote?”
I froze for an instant. God, what if my husband voted against me? Would this be the end of our shiny new marriage? My gut churned, but when I turned to look at him, he winked. The love in his eyes told me I had nothing to worry about.
I stood. “Good morning. I’m happy to report that I completed the ride and through the website the ride raised ten-thousand dollars for the Rainbow Equality Alliance.
The Alliance has many partners throughout the country, and it’s my belief they’ll use the money wisely.
I was given a list of any donors who didn’t choose to remain anonymous, and I’ll be send them thank you letters in the coming days.
I’m also going to record a thank you message to be loaded to the YouTube channel to thank everyone.
“I planned—”
Uncle Edmond suddenly interrupted me. “Wait. Stop. You’re both wearing rings on your left hands. Did you get married? To each other?” He could barely contain his smile.
“We did. We got married in Vegas, but that has nothing to do with Aames Investments.” I really wanted to know how long Bridges knew he was voting in Dad’s spot. I wasn’t mad, actually. I hoped his wink meant what I thought—that he loved me and would support me in everything.
“Bullshit.” CJ slammed his fist on the table. “It seems clear to me that Eaton, here, will vote yes for his husband. He’s not impartial like Dad thought he’d be, so even if Claudia and I vote no, Eaton will vote with Edmond and Daryl, so it’s stilted against us.”
I started to tell him that Bridges would vote the way he believed Dad would want when Claudia stood and turned to CJ.
“Sit down, stupid. I’ve been watching Weston over the last year and I’m voting for him to take over Aames.
He’s proven to me that he can keep the company as successful as it is.
I look forward to any changes he wants to make, including firing your dumb ass. ”
All eyes darted to CJ, whose mouth was hanging open as he stared at Claudia. “You fucking traitor. What did Mom say to you just last night at dinner?”
“Mom’s not a part of this company. After Dad’s will was read, I thought about a lot of things, one of which is neither of us could keep a job if Dad didn’t have pity on us.
I vowed to change for the sake of my children, and I’ve brought in six new clients through hard work and careful research.
When was the last time you brought in a new client?
Dad let you manage a couple of his clients to give your lazy ass something to do.
When you gave them bad investment advice and they started losing money, Dad took the clients from you before he got really sick. Who’s managing those accounts now?”
“I am, and I don’t have time for it,” Daryl said.
We all turned in his direction. “I’m planning to cut back on my workload to spend more time with Constance.
We want to travel and we can’t do that with me being here day and night.
I vote for Weston to take the helm. I’m a firm believer in his ability to lead this company into the future. ”
Daryl then turned to Uncle Edmond. “You?”
Edmond smiled. “I vote for Weston, too. That’s three to one. There’s no need for Bridges to vote.”
I glanced at my husband seeing his relieved expression.
I, too, was relieved. I wanted to think he’d seen enough of my planning and execution during the trip that he’d have voted for me, but I knew Bridges was his own man and would give the issue unbiased consideration. It was best that things ended this way.
“Looks like we have a new president and chairman of the Board. Weston Aames.” Those who liked me clapped. CJ stomped out of the room, nearly taking Jean down, who was carrying a tray of champagne-filled glasses.
I stood and quickly took the tray from Jean. “Please, join us. I want to thank you all, especially you, Claudia, for the faith you’ve put in me. I’d like to suggest something, if you don’t mind. If need be, we can explain things to CJ and get his input on the matter another time.
“I propose that we expand the Board of Directors by two seats. I believe it would be beneficial to add one of our clients to the board, along with an employee who works for the firm. I suggest those seats rotate every two years to welcome new ideas and voice any concerns we miss here in our ivory tower,” I explained.
I glanced at Bridges and saw a huge smile. He winked at me again in support.
“Should we vote?” I asked.
Everyone left at the table voted in favor, which was probably going to piss off CJ for certain. I didn’t care because he was a dick, but nobody sitting at that table would ever imagine CJ could run Aames Investments.
“Since we’re making changes, I’d like to suggest that my seat on the Board be made a rotating seat as well.
I’d like to suggest that one of the other partners at my firm take over my seat so Chaney & Associates stays apprised of company business since the firm represents Aames Investments.
Like Daryl, I want more time for myself. ”
“All in favor,” I said. Everyone, including Bridges, raised their hands. And then, we went about the boring business of running Aames Investments.
That night Daryl and Constance took Bridges and me out for a celebratory dinner.
After Contance fussed at us about not letting them know we got married.
We ended up agreeing that we’d allow them to throw a party for us.
Daryl pointed out it was a good way for me to meet some of our clients and people in their social circle, which was the last thing I wanted to do.
When we arrived home after dinner, I couldn’t help myself. “Question. How were you going to vote at the board meeting if you’d have had to break the tie?”
Bridges stepped out of the closet as he untucked his shirt. “I told you before, baby boy. I’m your ride or die. I will always vote for you under any circumstances. I’m just glad I didn’t have to.”
Ride or die? Hell yeah. I’ll take it.