4. Chapter Four
Chapter Four
Justin
I sat in my office staring out the window, and the only thing on my mind was the way Clay’s ass looked in those Wranglers. Bless whoever the hell came up with those jeans because they were doing many of us a massive favor.
My phone buzzed on my desk, so I picked it up, seeing it was Sharmaine, Steve’s assistant. “Hello, Sharmaine.”
“Hi, Justin. I wanted to follow up on the meeting you had this morning with Mr. Fines. Everything go okay? Steve will want a status report when he returns.”
My brain snapped back to the present and away from Clay’s ass.
“I was going to give him a r-report on the meeting with Mr. F-Fines.” How I was able to put together the thoughts and say the words aloud was a fucking miracle.
The stuttering didn’t hesitate to make it embarrassing, even over the phone.
“Steve isn’t expected back until Monday, so if you can send an email summarizing what the two of you discussed, I’m sure Steve would appreciate the update before he returns to the office.”
Yeah, I was sure he would. “I’ll send one this afternoon. I’m taking Mr. Fines to dinner this evening at Backlot, the patio restaurant at the Stockyards Café.”
Sharmaine hummed, sounding like approval. “Oh, I love that place. Just a head’s up. Clay was a good friend—actually, he was more than a friend—of Steve’s late son, Hunter. This client is personal for Steve.”
“Thank you, Sharmaine. I’ll copy you on the email to keep you in the loop.” We ended the call.
Steve’s son, Hunter, had died five years ago in a car accident. Everyone at the firm knew the horribly sad story, and we all knew better than to bring that shit up around our boss.
Hunter had been driving home when a semi crossed into his lane and forced him into the guardrail. He died on impact, they said. It was a horrible tragedy.
Knowing that Clay Fines had been a friend of Hunter Korr’s put a whole new spin on things. Did I bring it up with Clay at dinner? Did I pretend I didn’t know anything about it?
She said they were more than friends, Kid. Ask Clay about their relationship if the chance comes up, or he might bring it up himself.
“Shut the fuck up,” I whispered as I stood from my desk to go search for Eve.
Man, did I have a bone to pick with her. When I opened the door to my office, she was standing there, poised to knock.
“Ah, Judas,” I greeted her. “What’s so damn important that you can’t come to a client dinner with me where you’ll get to eat for free at one of your favorite places?”
Eve giggled. “Dude, you don’t need me to chaperone you. The guy was ogling you like a grade-A prime steak. Take him to dinner, Justin. You just never know who you might click with, do you?”
“Clay Fines was in a relationship with Hunter Korr. Sharmaine told me.”
Eve took my hand, dragging me into her office and closing the door. “Sit.”
She pointed to the chair in front of her desk as she took the one next to me. “I won’t tell you how I know this.”
I knew Eve’s parents were friends with the Korr’s family. That was how she got the job and got me the interview. “Your mom told you. Go ahead.”
She grinned. “Clay and Hunter were actually engaged, Justin. From sources who know the story—”
“Your mom.”
“Clay and Hunter were planning a wedding after Hunter finished his veterinary residency. They’d just gotten engaged when Hunter was killed. I know Clay flipped on your switch but be very careful, hon. This one could be a little tricky.”
God, so not what I needed to hear.
“Thanks, Eve. I needed that extra pressure. What the hell are you doing that you can’t go to dinner with us?”
Eve smirked. “I’ve joined a Pilates class. It’s new. I’m back out there, Justin. I need to look tight to get interest.”
She was full of crap, but I wouldn’t bring up her breakup. I still had the feeling it had something to do with me, and I wouldn’t put her on the spot. She was my best friend, and the fact she wouldn’t tell me was a sign of how much she loved me.
“Okay. I don’t know if I believe you, but I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt.
Send me the notes so I can turn them into a comprehensive fact sheet for Steve.
” I nodded as I squeezed her shoulder before going into my office and closing the door so I could make sense of whatever she’d written down.
Hours later, an email came through with the documents I’d asked her for. When I opened the attachments, the first paragraph wasn’t what I expected from Eve.
“Justin, dude! He’s tasty snack in a tight sexy package, and you need to get on that immediately. Here are the notes you wanted. FYI—Imagine the dude in boxer briefs with a hard-on like I’ll do later! Spectacular!”
My cock gained steam, which had me wanting to flip her off. God, Eve was right. Clay was amazing, but I couldn’t compete with Hunter Korr, I was sure.
Dude, don’t sell yourself short. You don’t know Hunter Korr. He died before you graduated college. Maybe he wasn’t that great in the sack? Let me take over. I’ll get you in that guy’s bed before EZ finds me.
Who the fuck was EZ? Now the voice was making up characters?
“Hi, Clay.” I greeted the beautiful man as I approached the outside bar at Backlot on the patio of Stockyards Café, a throwback restaurant from the twentieth century. Clay seemed comfortable by himself at the bar. I’d have been a nervous wreck.
“Hello, Justin.” He stood and extended his hand to shake, which I did happily. “Can I order you a drink?” His smile was incredibly captivating.
“Uh, sure. Vodka soda, please.”
Clay grinned and flagged down the bartender. “Can he get a vodka soda?”
The young lady nodded and walked away, returning to us with my drink. “Thank you,” I responded.
I glanced at Clay, who appeared to be worried. I didn’t want him to worry. “So, uh, did you get your business completed today?” Hell, it was the first thought that came into my head.
He chuckled. “Yeah, I guess. I mean, I made a deal to sell some hay to a big outfit in Excelsior Springs. The spring rains were hell on the crops down there, and they were looking for hay in an internet group chat. Thankfully, I have more than enough to sell. I stopped by to take a look at their operation and arrange for pick up.”
“Ah. I’m sure they’re grateful to you for showing up in person. We had a hell of a lot of rain in the spring and summer. I think a lot of operations are hurting for hay going into the fall.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat and plowed ahead.
“On another topic, may I ask how you know Steve? I’m sorry for being nosy, but you mentioned him by first name earlier today.
It sounds as if you know him personally.
” God, I was skating on thin ice, but I hoped he’d answer me and not let me drown.
Clay sighed. "Yes, uh, I know Steve Korr personally. His son and I were best friends in college. We were in similar classes—Hunter in vet school and me in Agroscience and crop management. What else do you want to know?”
Ask him what the guy meant to him so you’ll know where you stand. I’m telling you, that guy wants you. Attraction is my gift. That dude thinks you’re hot.
Fuck me and fuck that voice. “Were you more than best friends?” I had no right to ask anything of the sort, but the words were still coming out of my mouth.
Clay exhaled. “Yeah, we were more than best friends. Hunter and I were engaged. We had a lot of plans for the life we wanted, but Steve and Melissa weren’t exactly thrilled about having a son-in-law instead of a daughter-in-law.
They finally decided they were fine with us about a month before Hunter was killed in a traffic accident.
I was never sure they really were, though. ”
Oh, seriously, you’ve got him in your back pocket. He’s ripe for the kill. Don’t back off, kid. I’ll get you laid, and then you’re going to do something for me. I’ve got a little unfinished business I need you to handle in Dirty Lou.
In my head, I wasn’t sure how to respond to that voice. It wasn’t real, right? Why the fuck would I ever believe... Was there some weird scenario where I was being haunted?
Aw, Kid, I’m not here to hurt you. I’m here to help you. You want to get laid, and I’m the guy to make it happen. I’m the best lover in the world. You need to believe that.
“I’m so sorry. Uh, it all happened before I started working at Korr Financial, but I know Steve and Melissa suffered after the loss of their son. I didn’t know it had affected you. You have... I’m so sorry, Clay.” I took a sip of my drink to stave off the nerves building in my gut.
He opened his mouth to speak as a host came through the bar. “Watkins, party of two.”
I held up my hand to get the host’s attention before turning to Clay. “Let me close this out, then get our table.”
My lame-ass follow up to his admission of their status had me embarrassed. God, the poor guy had been through hell. No way was he thinking about anything other than me helping him plan his financial future so he didn’t lose his ass. There was no hope for anything else.
Now, that’s not a go-get-him attitude, Kid.
You hold his hand. You offer him a comforting shoulder, and then you swoop in and knock his drawers off.
You suck his dick and let him fuck you. I have faith that the two of you will fall deeply in love.
After that, I need you to go to St. Louis to help me with my problem.
The host showed us to a nice table near the sidewalk, and we ordered an appetizer, salads, and steaks. We’d carried our drinks over to the table, and when Clay’s glass was nearly empty, I motioned to order two more drinks.
“So, uh, is it harvest season for your crops?”
Clay smiled. “I had the third cutting of hay before I came to town. The corn harvest was back in August, and the sorghum needs to dry about another week. It’ll happen when I get back home.”
I knew abso-fucking-lutely nothing about crops or farming.
I tried to block it out of my mind, as a matter of fact, because growing up in an agriculture-based small town reminded me of all the closed minds that had made my life a living hell until I got away from it.
I wished Clay the best of luck with that mentality, though.
Kid! No, no, no. You gotta act interested in shit she’s—I mean, he’s—interested in. Act, being the operative word in that sentence. Now, keep asking him questions. Go on!
“Your parents, uh, do they live near you?” God, I was really insightful. Was I actually listening to that voice in my head?
“Mom does. She lives in a little house on the property in the back. My father passed away seven years ago. I’ve been nervous—or lazy—about setting up a financial plan, but when Steve called me about his mother’s passing, I figured I needed to get in gear and quit putting it off.”
“Ah, that’s right. She just passed. That’s why Steve was unable to meet with you, I suppose.”
Clay finished his drink and placed the empty glass on the table.
“Oh, uh, I guess Steve didn’t tell you that I requested someone other than him to look after my investments.
Don’t get me wrong, Steve and Melissa are wonderful people, and after they wrapped their heads around the idea of me and Hunter getting married, they were great to me.
They’ve stayed in touch for all these years, and it’s nice to have people care about me and want to be supportive. ”
That was interesting. I’d assumed I was pinch hitting for Steve because of the death in the family. “Of course.”
Clay cleared his throat. “Steve said he’d oversee your work, but I’d appreciate it if you didn’t share too much of my personal information with him because it’s unhealthy for us to stay in that space—that space of loss and grief—or so my grief therapist told me.”
That hit home. If that handsome farmer went to a therapist, then I could surely do it.
Not so fast, Kid. We’ve got shit to do before you spread out on the couch. Don’t forget what I need from you. I’ll take over if I gotta. Don’t forget that.
Who’s taking over what now?