Page 96 of Unexpectedly In Love

I released a breath I didn’t know I was holding. Rhet Banner and I were locked in a meeting all morning. Everything about this man reeks of Not-giving-a-fuck. He’s a good-looking guy, tall, lean, thick hair, sharp features. If I wasn’t comfortable in my own skin, I would have been intimidated by him. He is not showy; in fact, he is like a viper coiled waiting to strike at the perfect time. These negotiations were tougher than I anticipated.

If I said, “A,” he countered with, “Z”. It was a grueling three hours, but I think he enjoyed it. He opens his jacket and slides a brown wooden box in my direction.

“What the fuck is that?” I ask, I raise my eyebrow. Taking up my gold pen I poked at the wooden box.

“You think it’s my cock in the fucking box, Demopoulos?” He takes out a cigar case and slides a cigar out.

“From the small size of the box yes I do” I chuckle, as I open the box my initials are engraved in the cover. A cigar cutter, and a cigar.

“Finest cigar under the sun. The box is for your future cigars and successes. That buddy is a Spanish cedar line box with a platinum trimmed hygrometer. It’s perfect to keep your cigars moistened and fragrant.” He takes this cigar and passes it under his nose.

“I don’t smoke. But thank you.” I close the box and pass it to Khaos who is standing silently in the shadows behind me.

“What’s your vice then?” Rhet asks as he clips off the end of his cigar.

“I like aged whiskey, with a hint of the taste of the barrel that it was held in.” Bringing the cigar to my nose I inhale the scent of chocolate, with notes of leather and wood.

“I get why Tarek likes doing business with you.” Rhet lights his cigar and puffs and the end.

“I organized some entertainment for you later on this evening.” I place the cigar back into the box.

Rhet scratches behind his neck. “Two years ago, I would have taken you up on that.”

“But now?” I ask, I know he was married but in our line of work…

“Now I have a daughter who will not go to bed till I read Bluey on the Beach and a pregnant wife with weird cravings. Imagine this, me 3:00 a.m. looking driving around looking for fruit roll ups and a chamoy pickle.” Rhet chuckles as he blows the smoke in the air.

“What the hell is a Chamoy pickle?” I chuckle, wondering who that woman is to have this man driving at 3:00 a.m.

“That’s exactly what I said. But I got it. What about you and your wife?” Khaos places a crystal astray in front of Rhet. “Thanks.”

“I signed my divorce papers yesterday. I don’t think she meant to live this life with me,” I mutter.

“What kind of Plato, Socrates bullshit is that?” Rhet asks as he leans his head to the side.

“It’s what I grew up with. That’s what my father did with my mom and I,” As I say it out loud, I realized how fucking stupid this whole thing was.

“How did that work out?” He puffs on his cigar.

“They’re both dead,” I reply.

“Look, I get it. Your new to this, new-fucking-flash we are not our parents.” Rhet throws his hands up in the air and then slams it on the table.

“Agreed,” I mutter.

“Listen, if you can’t take care of your family then this business is not for you. Go work in a bank or some shit. I was like you once, I will say this to you, we are better than the men who made us.”

As I let that new fact enter my mind, I feel like I can move for the first time. Like the shackles of my life philosophy fall off of me. I can be a better version of my father, I don’t have to be him.

“Fuck.” I drag my hand down my face.

“Hehe. You fucked up bad didn’t you.” Rhet rocks back in the office chair.

I begin to tell him everything about how Anise and I met, to our divorce signing.

“I wasn’t taking your hairy ass back,” Rhet replies.

“Fuck you, and your budding dad body.” I chuckle.

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