23
Beckett
“I know you’ve got your hands full there, B. But I need you back in Manhattan ASAP.”
I frown looking over at my phone as Bobby talks to me through my speaker. I take off my reading glasses and place them on the dining room table, massaging my forehead.
“What’s going on?” I grumble, even though I’m not ready to hear the answer.
“Benito, the President of Global Games finally flew into the States, but he’s only going to be here for one day before he heads to Germany. Guess who he wants a meeting with?” Bobby asks, speaking rapidly.
I sit up in my chair, the tiredness from my 4am wake up fading. “No shit?”
“No shit, brother! Marcus and I just set it up for tomorrow afternoon at 3pm. Figured you and I can go out for a celebratory dinner afterwards, cause I know this will go through!” Bobby explains excitedly. “But Benito made it clear that he wants to see you face-to-face.”
My eyes move to the window across from me as the sun begins to rise, and I process Bobby’s words.
I’ve been waiting for the chance to meet with Benito Valdez forever. Even though he owns Global Games and has created some of the most innovative technology of the past decade, he is still very old school with how he runs his business.
He doesn’t like having meetings over the phone, or via zoom, and that makes getting a meeting with him incredibly difficult considering his traveling schedule.
I don’t blame him for his methods because I very much understand the importance of sitting across from someone and getting a read on their body language and looking them in the eyes. It can be risky to make judgements across the world from someone you want to do a huge deal with.
The problem is that I can no longer just up and schedule things as easily as I used to now that I am taking care of Edison. I have to think about who will get him to and from school tomorrow if I have to be in New York by 3pm.
It takes a while just to get to the airport in Redland from here, and then the flight, driving to my office, and meeting with Bobby and my team to do a presentation rehearsal. That will all take hours, and there’s no way I can leave here past 7am and make that happen.
“B, you good? I know it’s a lot to take in. What can I do to help you?” Bobby asks, pulling me from my rapid thoughts.
“I’m good, Bobby. That’s incredible news, really. This is what we have wanted for fucking ever. Let me go and get Helen over here so we can contact my pilot and start planning, ok?” I tell him, getting up and pacing the dining room.
“You got it man. I’ll handle everything on our side here. I’m about to send out an email to our team and get the ball rolling. Call me later when you have time,” Bobby says, before hanging up the phone.
I spend the next hour making arrangements with Helen. I talk to Dragana as soon as she wakes up and she tells me that she will handle things with Edison here while I travel. I just need to figure out his transportation since she doesn’t drive, and the school bus unfortunately doesn’t run by our very isolated set of rental homes.
I wake up Edison and help him get ready for school before we run out the door. On our drive over, I explain to him about my meeting and that I will figure out a way for him to get to school tomorrow.
“Can Ms. Selah take me! Pleassse ! She’s a safe driver, Uncle Beckett! I rode in her car before,” he exclaims, eagerly smiling at me from the rearview mirror.
I realize that in all of the time I was trying to figure out how to make tomorrow work I never considered asking Selah for help.
After I left her house last night, we spent some time texting each other once I got home. I fell asleep late, but it was worth every minute getting to learn more about her.
“I’m not sure, Edison. I’ll see if Ms. Selah would feel comfortable doing that, ok?” I say, turning into the parking lot.
We get to his classroom and I help him take off his backpack, then give him a hug before going over to greet Selah. She’s writing on the large white board and lowers her marker as I walk over to her. Her sweet face lights up when she sees me, and it makes my heart do something strange.
“Good morning, angel. Here’s your lunch,” I say, handing her the bag I brought for her.
She gives me a nervous smile before taking it from me. “Good morning Beckett. You know, I can pack lunch myself now. I promise I’ll still bring one each day. I don’t want you to have to go out of your way to-“
“It’s not out of my way at all,” I interrupt her, gently rubbing her cheek. “Dragana makes the lunches for everyone each day, and at this point there’s no turning back. If I tell her you don’t need her to make one for you anymore, it will break her heart. You don’t want to upset a sweet, elderly lady. Do you, sweetheart?”
She covers her mouth to stifle a laugh, knowing I’m full of shit. “Ohhh. Well of course I wouldn’t want to ever upset Dragana. Thank you, and tell her thank you as well,” she says amused.
I nod, looking around the classroom. “Can I talk to you about something quickly?” I ask, gently pulling her over to her desk.
“Of course. Is everything ok?” she asks, sitting down at her desk.
Her smile falls and I realize she thinks I’m about to say something about us. “Everything is fine, sweetheart. It’s not about us at all. I really enjoyed our date last night, I just have to ask you something. A favor,” I respond.
She nods and I give her a quick explanation of what I spoke to Bobby about this morning, and my sudden need to travel.
“That’s so exciting Beckett! I hope it all goes well! And don’t worry about Edi, I’d be happy to drive him. Your place isn’t too out of the way for me, but you do have to sign a form in the front office giving me permission,” she explains.
I feel relief flood through me, and I smile down at her, “Thank you so much, angel. I wish I could hug you right now,” I say, my eyes moving down to her lips.
She shifts in her seat, and my cock stirs in my shorts. “I wish we could too,” she whispers.
I step back from her, running a hand through my hair to try to calm down. “I’ll be back Saturday morning. I wanted to just fly back tomorrow right after the meeting, but Bobby asked me to go to dinner, and I need to take care of some things at my apartment,” I explain.
“I hope you have a safe flight, and I’m sure the meeting will go well,” she says, standing up to walk me to the door.
She hesitates for a moment, before meeting my eyes. “Would you mind if I came over and spent time with Dragana and Edi after school tomorrow while you’re gone? Edi has been asking me to teach him to bake the chocolate chip cookies I made you all last time. That way Dragana can have some more help to entertain him too.”
I smile down at her, “Of course you can, sweetheart. Dragana would be thrilled, and Edison too. You’re so thoughtful, angel,” I coo, squeezing her hand, and she smiles shyly.
An idea comes to me that makes me smile, “Why don’t you just stay over Friday night, angel? That way you can hang out and you won’t have to worry about driving back home. I’ll be back early Saturday and then we can just spend the day together once I’m there.”
Her eyes widen in surprise, “I- are you sure? You wouldn’t feel weird about that?”
“I’m more than sure. Edison would be ecstatic. You two could have another movie night,” I assure her. I look around before leaning down in her ear. “And you can sleep in the primary bedroom. Keep the bed warm while I’m away.”
Her mouth falls open and she blinks at me for a moment before nodding. “Ok then,” she squeaks.
I smile at her, satisfied with our plan. “Good. It’s settled then,” I say, giving Edison one more wave goodbye. “I’ll see you at pick up, beautiful.”
◆◆◆
Early Friday morning, Helen and I take off in one of our SUV’s to go to the private airport in Redland.
I spent Thursday evening hanging out with Edison playing every board game, and outdoor activity he wanted to until it was time for him to go to bed. He gave me an extra-long hug goodbye before he went to sleep, his little arms holding on to be tighter than normal.
He was nervous about me being gone until I explained to him that Selah would not only be driving him today, but also hanging out with him all weekend too.
Of course I only told Selah that we would spend Saturday together, but once I have her in our cabin, I obviously won’t be letting her go anywhere.
I spoke to her last night for an hour before I went to sleep feeling oddly melancholy knowing I wouldn’t be able to see her today.
I’m not one to get quickly attached to a person, or even honestly miss them when I’m away, especially if it’s only for a day. There were times when I wouldn’t see my ex-girlfriends for an entire week if my schedule was busy enough.
But it seems like the feelings I have for Selah defy everything I am used to.
I try to focus on the road as we make our way down the mountain and navigate to the main freeway. I glance at Helen as she works on her phone, realizing how uncommonly quiet she is.
“Helen, you can just stay in New York once we wrap up the meeting. There’s no need for you to fly back with me tomorrow morning. I’ll tell the pilot you will need a flight on Monday morning. I’m sure that Erin wants more time with you than just one day,” I say.
She lowers her phone and gives me a grateful smile. “Thank you, Sir! That would be really great,” she says. Her smile fades and she twists her mouth.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, furrowing my eyebrows.
“I’m just wondering, Sir, when will we be moving back permanently to New York? I know Edison just has a little more time until he’s done with school. So will we be leaving right after his last day?” she asks timidly. “I just really need to be able to be home with my wife more. This was all very unexpected and she’s not taking my absence well.”
I put my head back on the headrest, exhaling a breath. I’ve gone back and forth with this same question over the past week more than I’d like to admit.
I know that the most logical thing is to move back to Manhattan right after school ends, but I still can’t come to a decision. And obviously it is not just the changes for Edison that I’m worried about at this point, even though he’s still my main concern.
“I’m not sure,” I respond, even though I think my mind is made up. “But I will give you an answer by Monday for sure, ok?”
She gives me a weak smile, “Ok Sir. Thank you.”
We both fall silent again and I go back to being in my head about a million different decisions I need to make. I know Edison, Dragana, and I can’t stay past summer, but maybe a little more time in Upwood would be good for all of us.