Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
GATSBY
I fucking hate this week.
On Monday, I did a lot of stupid things. It wasn’t my proudest moment.
Early Tuesday, as I’m ready to fix my fucked-up mess, I get a message that there’s a problem with an upgrade.
I immediately fly to New York to fix it.
I spend hours—fifty-six—in front of the computer searching for the problem.
I barely sleep or eat. The upgrade has to be delivered on Friday.
If it isn’t, I’ll lose a contract, money, and credibility.
I don’t understand what’s happening, and suddenly, the entire program is running perfectly at six.
There’s no bug or any indication that anyone broke into the code.
If I didn’t know better, I’d think that someone pranked me and even set up a small code within the bug code to fix the problem at six.
I plan on looking into it and increasing the security of my firewalls.
I wasted three days of my life.
Three fucking days.
Mom wasn’t happy with me because I skipped family dinner.
She believes I made up the bug so I could miss it.
Now, I need to grovel to her and Maia. I flew to San Francisco on Thursday night.
My first stop was the liquor store. I needed to buy a bottle of crème de cacao for my mother before I visited her.
She wasn’t home.
Apparently, she’s on a singles cruise and won’t be back until next month. I’ll pay hell when she’s back. And then there are the twins, who barge into my apartment when they learn I’m in town.
“Knock on the door. Why can’t you respect my privacy? I fucking taught you better than this,” I swear under my breath.
“That’s rich coming from you,” Huxley complains.
Cordelia glares at me. “What did you do?” My little sister is sweet, but when she’s mad, she’s loud and, at times, annoying.
I had no idea the dinner was a big deal. “I’m sorry I skipped Mom’s bon voyage party. No one told me she was taking a cruise. I’d appreciate it if one of you gave me a heads-up next time. I mean, if I’m always watching out for you, the least you could do?—”
“Watching out for us?” Cory interrupts me, and I swear my eardrums are about to burst. “You just fucked our company, and you’re telling me that you’re watching out for us…you’re an asshole.”
I cock an eyebrow, looking at Huxley. He understands her a lot better than the rest of us. They might claim the twin connection doesn’t exist between them, but they’re just kidding themselves. “What did I miss?”
Cory walks toward me and puffs out her chest. “You’re telling me that you didn’t tell the app lady to back off and leave us the fuck alone? They withdrew their proposal.”
“Maia?”
She frowns. “Who is Maia?”
“The app lady,” I answer.
Cory looks at Hux, who shrugs and then says, “No, her name is Suzanne Davenport.”
Okay, what did I miss? This has been a long week. It’s been so long it feels like a year. “I have no idea who you’re talking about.”
Hux and Cory share a glance.
“Market Express?” my brother asks, tapping his head. “Did someone hit you on the head, and you forgot about our conversation?”
Okay, we’re talking about the same company.
Hux and Cory always listen to what I say.
Now that we’re on the same wavelength, I can explain it to them, and they’ll be happy I interceded.
“The owner is Maia Ocampo. I discussed the deal with her, and she said she’d withdraw.
It’s better that way. Your products are good, and your company can make it without her. ”
Cory sighs into an angry growl. “Do you have any idea how hard it is to get into a supermarket, a liquor store, or a restaurant? We have to prove ourselves. Sure, we sell great at the bar—that we own. Our family sells the products in the vineyard, but we want more.”
“If you need money, I’ll lend it to you. You can also use your trust fund.”
“It’s not just about the money. She planned on getting us into places we can’t reach because no one knows us.
You’ve been there. You had to prove your apps were good enough before people tried them.
It’s the same. Can we buy some marketing?
Sure, but again…how are we getting them in the grocery stores?
” My sister is all worked up, and I have no idea how to fix this.
I blurt the first thing that comes to mind. “Sell them on your website and ship them.”
Hux’s furious expression is scary. If I didn’t know him well, I’d be ready to duck because he might punch me. “We’re doing that, but it’s not enough. You fucked up our chance.”
There’s no way I can explain to them what’s happening between Maia and me, because I don’t understand it. I stare at them, trying to come up with a good response. I can’t.
“Fix it,” Cory orders.
“It might be impossible. I could talk to a friend about your products. His cousin owns a supermarket chain.”
She shakes her head. “Nope. We want to do this on our own. Fix it.”
“I’ll see what I can do.” I glance at Hux. “Can you drive me to San Jose tomorrow?”
“What for?”
“I left my car there, and I might be able to get a meeting with Maia while I’m there.”
It’s time to do some serious groveling.
“Sure, I’ll pick you up at nine. You better fix it.”
“I’ll try my best.”