Page 5 of From London, With Love

“Keep shit-talking, old man, see what happens.”

Teddy throws his head back, that distinctive sound filling the air once more. We remove our racing gear, place the items into the dry-cleaning bags hanging overhead, and head into the rooms to change.

It’s a typically dreary December afternoon, and we’ve just finished our bi-weekly Saturday race. We frequent many of the British circuits, but Brands Hatch is a personal favourite of both of us.

The Lawrences of the 1910s were a founding family of the British Motorcycle Racing Club, and the men in our family have been members every generation since.

I’d never admit it to him, but unfortunately my brother is right—my head isn’t in it, and my racing was garbage at best. Teddy is a good rider, great even, but it’s a rare occurrence for him to beat me. Most days, I absolutely thrash him on the track, and he knows it.

“What’s going through that little head of yours, Carter?” My brother turns to face me as we head through the shed into the common room, each grabbing a beer from the mini-fridge. “You looked sloppy out there.”

Absent-mindedly, I bring the beer bottle to my mouth. Resting it against my bottom lip for a moment, I drag it away again. Apparently, I’m too lost in my own head to remember to take a sip. “The past few weeks have caught up with me since the announcement in the executive meeting yesterday and,fuckman, it’s a lot to process when it hits you all at once.”

The crease between Teddy’s eyebrows softens.

He places his beer on the bench we’re leaning against. “Of course it’s a lot, Carter. You’re twenty-nine years old and being placed in charge of the largest law firm in England.” Teddy levels with me. “But Father wouldn’t have asked this of you ifhe didn’t believe you were more than capable of handling not only the role, but its responsibilities.”

The breath I wasn’t aware I was holding escapes me. Raking my fingers through the dark locks of hair atop my head with my free hand, I take a long sip of my beer as I replay Teddy’s words in my head.

I’m 29 years old and being placed in charge of the largest law firm in England.

I’ve spent many years knowing I’d one day take over as CEO of J. L. & Sons Attorney and Law, but what I didn’t know was how soon that day would come.

For the past five years, I’d been working as a criminal law barrister. Criminal law was all I’d ever wanted to specialise in; I’d never even thought about a backup because, to me, that was it. The days were long, the nights often longer, but I didn’t mind. I loved it, lived for it even.

Over the years I encountered many awful crimes, but I always knew that was part of the job. In order to help victims, I couldn’t be spared the gory details. After a while, you build up somewhat of an immunity to the crime scene pictures and witness recounts.?

I’d thought my immunity was unbreakable, until it wasn’t. The last victim had been a little girl, aged four. She’d been killed in a horrific car accident caused by her own mother, who was driving under the influence.?

The case hit too close to home. After the mother had been sentenced and justice was served, I had to take a step back. Many nights were spent lying awake, wishing I could’ve saved that innocent child. Logically, I knew there wasn’t anything I could’ve done, but it didn’t stop the thoughts.

A few weeks later, I made the decision to hang up the criminal law boots. Upon speaking with my father, he shocked mewith the revelation that he was wanting to step down from his CEO duties in the coming years.?

When I queried where this had come from, he’d said, “Son, I’m not as young as I once was. I’ve dedicated most of my life so far to this company; now it’s time to dedicate the rest to your mother.”

Who was I to argue??

Flash forward a couple of weeks, and it was settled. Which brings us to here, in the shed’s bar, contemplating what the fuck I’ve signed myself up for. Although the oldest, Teddy has never been interested in the family business. While I finished college and went straight into Cambridge’s Law School, he dropped out at 16 and joined the British Army.

Taking a moment, I look at my brother—reallylook at him. Fifteen years on, and he’s a Military Educator training new recruits, retired—for now—from his role within the Intelligence Corp.

Rain begins to patter against the tin roof, suggesting it’s time for us to depart. The petrichor scent drifts in through the slightly agape steel door. I breathe in deeply, savouring, as a wave of calm washes over me. It always has a way of grounding me; the smell, the sound, the feeling of the droplets on your skin.

Beer bottles empty, we dispose of them before grabbing our bikes once more, locking up and returning to the car park. Thankfully, what was previously a downpour is now a mere sprinkle.?Once the bikes are safely stowed in their respective trailers, Teddy rounds the hood of my Audi, pausing in front of me. His brows knit together ever so slightly. A hand raises a fraction, before he drops it back to his side.

“You can do this, Carter. You’re a born leader. We have that in common, but I was never meant for the corporate world; you are.” Teddy takes a deepbreath, and I find myself mirroring him. His face softens. “You know you’re not going to be alone through this either, right? I’ll be in your corner, as will Mother, Father and Emilia. Always”

Appreciation swells within me, stinging my eyes with gathered tears. I close the gap between us, enveloping my big brother in a tight squeeze. His body stills for a moment. A second passes before he wraps his arms around my back, returning the hug.?

Over almost as quickly as it begins, we release each other and take a small step apart. Teddy reaches out to squeeze my shoulder, something he’s done since we were young boys. A small gesture that always made us both feel grounded and safe.

“We should get out of here before this storm hits.” He gestures above us, where the clouds have darkened to an ominous shade of grey.

I nod. Teddy gives me a small smile. The familiar feeling of looking in a mirror surfaces as I return his smile. “See you Friday?”

“Considering our parents would have my head if I missed our little weekly bonding dinner, yes.” Teddy responds with a chuckle, strolling towards the driver's side of his Jeep. He gives me a salute and hops in, disappearing from sight behind the window’s tint.

I follow suit, climbing into my own vehicle as the rain begins to fall with force. Soaked to the skin, a wave of goosebumps overcome me as I make quick work of turning the car and heater on, the plush leather seats warm me from the inside out. Fervently rubbing my palms together, the goosebumps dissipate.

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