Page 8 of Forever Only Once
“Of course, we did. We’re worried about you and Chris. And I’m bringing it up at the worst possible moment because I can’t just sit around hugging you and telling you that I love you. But, seriously, if it gets too bad and you can’t work it out, then Liam and I will help. And then you can pay us back, because that’s what you do, and we’ll call it a day. We are family. We are always there for each other. You were always there for me. You don’t need to worry or work with Chris if it’s going to give you migraines or some crap.”
I shook my head, though she couldn’t see me. “Thank you for the offer. I don’t know what I’m going to do.” I paused. “But, thank you.”
“Always. You’re my favorite oldest brother.”
“I love the fact that you probably have a saying for Prior, Macon, and Nate, too.”
“Of course. Though yours and Nate’s are the easiest because it’s my favorite oldest brother and my favorite twin brother. It’s when I have to add more qualifiers that the titles get a little long. But it’s worth it.”
“You’re a dork. And I love you.”
“I love you, too. Now, I need to get back to work. I figure you do, as well.”
“Get some work done. Maybe tomorrow you can come for dinner.”
“Let’s try that.”
We talked for a few minutes more and then we hung up. Once we’d disconnected, I looked down at my phone, wondering if I could just call it a day. It was nearing five anyway, and I wasn’t going to get any work done with Chris in the building. And that was another reason I needed to rethink this partnership. I hated that I even had to contemplate it, but if I couldn’t work, that meant I wasn’t making money, and then I couldn’t pay my bills. I might have a decent savings account, and I was good about my retirement, but…fuck, even with the money I made on my pieces being far more than I’d ever thought possible, I didn’t want to be lazy and just rely on the fact that I’d had a few really fantastic years.
I put my phone into my pocket and headed back into the building so I could drop my things and head home. I’d work on a few sketches for a couple of upcoming projects I had, and maybe even get some work done in my studio at home. It wasn’t as big as this one, and I didn’t have all the necessary equipment there, but I could at least work on a few smaller pieces. I hated when I couldn’t work when I had the notion to, and I loathed not working a full day, so I’d built the little workshop a couple of years ago.
Chris came out from his side of the building, his phone in his hand, and a scowl on his face. I braced myself, knowing I probably wouldn’t like what the other man had to say. Yet another reason I needed to rethink this partnership.
“Oh, good, you’re still here. I have a favor to ask.”
I tensed. “What kind of favor?” I asked.
“Oh, nothing too crazy. I’m supposed to meet with a potential client at 59th, but I don’t know if I’m going to be able to get there because I’m finally figuring out what I need to do to finish this other project. Do you think you can meet with her?”
I blanked. “You want me to meet your client at a fancy bar?”
“Well, yeah. We were going to try to get dinner, too. Nothing untoward. I promise.”
Chris had already been married twice and went through women like crazy, but I didn’t say anything along those lines. After all, I was probably adding my own layer of bias to how Chris made decisions these days.
“What is it we’re talking about?”
“I’ll email you the details. But thank you.”
“I didn’t say I’d do it.”
“I need you to. I’m finally getting somewhere with this piece. And I have that other meeting later.”
“Other meeting?” I asked.
Chris waved his hand in the air. “With those potential clients. The moneymakers?”
I closed my eyes and tried to count to ten. I only got to four before I exploded. Albeit rather calmly, but still not as patient as I wanted to be.
“You want me to go to a fucking meeting at a bar on late notice with a woman I don’t know so you can go and meet with the people who want us to mass-produce shit?” I didn’t know what part of that bothered me the most, but putting it all together was too much.
“Hey, it was just a question. I don’t want to cancel. But if you can’t go, then don’t worry about it. I’ll make do. I always do.”
It was the put-upon tone that made me say what I did next. I should have just said no and walked away, but I didn’t. Because, apparently, I was a glutton for punishment, and I didn’t want to disappoint anyone.
“Fine, send me the information. I’ll go. But this is it. We’re going to talk soon, Chris. Because this isn’t working.” I wanted relief to pass through me at those words. Instead, I just felt dread.
A look flashed over Chris’s face, and he smiled, looking almost like the guy he used to be, but still not quite. It was that off part that worried me. “We can talk. But this is going to work. I promise. I’ll send you all the specs. We’ll get it done.”