Chapter 29
Chapter Twenty-Nine
TREVOR
Monday morning rolls in, and I saunter into that office like I’m floating on air. Paige fell asleep on the phone with me last night, and I made her laugh. There’s something electric buzzing through the office, but I ignore it. I’m in Paige tunnel vision through the hallways and to my office.
I also get to see my babies today. Twins.
I’ve been terrified, but researching like crazy from the moment that sonogram hit my hand.
Two babies. Two beautiful babies. I know that they’ll be beautiful and perfect, and I know that I’ve seen them in the images Paige has shared with me, but something about being in the room is different. I get to be in that room today.
“Good morning, Trevor.”
“Morning, Glenn.” Asher smirks at me and strides through the hall to my father’s office.
He walks like an officer, but nobody has any idea.
I’d seen Bobby, who has been blissfully absent lately, try to give him grunt work, but Asher found a way to get Bobby to do Richard’s copies instead.
Bobby’s propensity to underestimate people has been his ultimate downfall.
Krista walks by, her head bowed, and she brushes past people. She doesn’t look up once as she walks to her destination. Interesting.
When I see my father poke his head from his office, I duck into mine and pray he didn’t see me.
Today, I have a total of two work calls to make, and then I’m working on the paperwork to change Billy’s Automotive back into The Shop.
We’re already looking at being back in the black and will soon surpass growth expectations if current trends continue.
Billy has been showing his face around town and The Shop more often, and I believe that’s part of the reason for the influx. He insists it’s my organization.
Either way, it’s exceptionally satisfying to see.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Asher’s snippy tone makes me roll my eyes, but I turn to him with a grin, jacket hanging over my arm, hand already moving to loosen this noose—or tie.
“Glenn.”
“Where do you think you’re going?” He crosses his arms and looks menacingly at me, but I twitch my eyebrows at him.
“I have my babies’ appointment today. I probably won’t be back in until tomorrow.
” Paige might let me take her to her favorite place for lunch.
I have the list of the best nutrients to fill your body during this stage of pregnancy, and I made a list of the best places in the area that serve foods rich in them that I know she’ll enjoy.
“Need you for the meeting in ten minutes, man. It’s been on your schedule.” He hands me a folder of papers I don’t even need and talks in a hushed voice.
“Why do you need me there?”
He freezes and looks at me like I grew a horn. “Because you need to be the one to show the data again? Remember? It’s the next big step. We only have two left before we have enough information—”
“Afternoon, Brandon.” I cut him off before he says too much as my coworker walks by.
“Afternoon, Trevor, Glenn.” Brandon gives me a weird look before he walks away.
Ever since Bobby’s sudden transfer last week, people have been acting jumpy around me.
I think it’s because they think I did something, which is accurate.
Or it’s because they know I’ll likely be the new VP, which is inaccurate.
Either way, it’s been extremely annoying.
“I get it, really I do, but I can’t go to the meeting. I have to be at this appointment. I will not miss it.” I turn back into my office and pack up my bag. I no longer leave any files I deem important, unless Asher asks me to. I also lock the door and have cameras, but luck favors the prepared.
“Can’t she reschedule?”
I bark out a laugh. “No, absolutely not.” I glance at the older guy and look him over. “You’re single, aren’t you?”
His eyes narrow at me. “Not the point, Whitaker.” He runs his hands through his hair and stares at the floor like it has answers before setting his eyes back on me.
“It’s not like they’re doing the scan on your body.
” I raise my brow at him before continuing to pack.
“Fine. Fine. Can you give me your program details?”
“In ten minutes?” I pull my laptop back out of the bag and load up the program. “I’m setting a timer, and I’m out the door the second it goes off.”
He grins. “I’m a fast learner.”
“And that’s supposed to be hard?”
“No, you annoying shit.” I’ve decided that Asher is annoying and arrogant.
“It’s not supposed to be hard to plug the number in.
It’s meant to be difficult for people who haven’t been taught to use it.
It’s meant to be easy for those who do. That’s partly why it’s an amazing program.
You don’t have to work hard. The program does it for you. ”
“Hey, Trevor, Glenn? Get back to work.” Dick Shitaker—my wife’s name for my father—stands in the doorway to my office with his thumbs hooked in his pockets. Asher snaps the laptop shut before backtracking out the door without another word.
Dick looks around my room with a raised brow. “Where’s the lovely Wilder girl?”
“She works with Brandon while he prepares for the end of the fiscal year.”
“Right, sure, sure.” He nods and continues sizing up my office.
I’m full of shit. Sure, she’s working with Brandon now, but not for those reasons. Dick doesn’t even question it, though. It’s not even the end of the fiscal year.
“Son, after this presentation, we’re going to announce it.” His chest puffs out in self-importance and the pretense of pride.
“It?” I finish packing my bag, pull out my Paige Pregnancy notes, and jot down an idea before I forget.
He laughs at my question, obviously assuming I’m kidding.
I’m not.
“Hilarious. We can walk together to the meeting.” He slaps my shoulder in something resembling affection, and I’m somehow unaffected.
I shrug. “I’m not going.” I sling the bag over my shoulder to emphasize my exit.
His eyebrows drop, and the menace that always simmers beneath the surface peeks out when he squeezes my shoulder to the point of pain.
“This is not funny, boy. Bring that pretty little program and come accept the massive promotion and honor you’re being given.
You’ll be the youngest VP in our branch history—hell, in regional history.
So get your head out of your ass, fix your tie and your fucking suit, and let’s go. ”
I jerk out of his hold. “It’s been on the calendar that I would miss half the day.”
“Tough. Certain sacrifices have to be made when you’re moving up the ladder. Now, for the last time—”
The alarm on my phone goes off, blessedly cutting my father off. “Sorry, Dad. I have to go.” I brush past him, but he grabs my arm in a bruising grip.
“You leave, you lose. Do you understand what I’m saying to you right now?” Fuck this timing.
I rip my arm from his grasp. He’s strong for his age. “Sure thing. Glenn has the program set up. See ya.”
I leave him sputtering behind me, but I’m about to see my wife and, for the first time, my babies.
I can’t hide the spring in my step.
I’m fucking late. I tap my foot on the floor and check my watch again.
I was supposed to be there five minutes ago, but I had a plan.
It was written down, a whole list I gave myself forty-five minutes to complete when realistically, it would have taken me thirty at most. Then I was stopped by every single person and their brother asking about Paige and me.
I did nothing but explain how we’re doing great without actually letting any of our business flap in the gossiping breeze.
Then I got stuck behind Old Man Cooper in his ’57 Ford, taking his weekly fifteen-mile-per-hour joy ride through town. I’m doing my best not to honk my horn at him, but Paige is giving me a chance, and I can’t waste it.
Like a mirage, I see the sign for the clinic ahead, and George turns off the main road to finish his circuit. Thank God. I peel into the parking lot, leaving a mark, I’m sure, and fly out of the car. But halfway to the door, I realize I forgot half the reason I’m late. “Fuck!”
A couple leaving the clinic glares at me, the woman covering her belly like that will protect her baby’s ears. “Sorry.”
I race back to my car, grab the bag, and fly back to the entrance. Through it, I see Paige ready to walk into the back. Shit.
I stumble through the door, and as if she felt me, her eyes hit me. I say her name under my breath and wait for her reaction, bracing for disappointment or indifference. Instead, Paige’s face lifts into a smile, brightening when she sees me.
This. This is the expression I will strive to earn for the rest of my life.