Page 23 of The Hang Up

I just needed to get my shit together before I saw either of them again.

* * *

Mitch pushedthe button again as we waited for the elevators that would take us back to the hospital’s main lobby. This was the third one we’d visited this week, and so far, the responses to our proposal had been promising. Mitch had been a little moody since we’d arrived. Which wasn’t a surprise. Every one of these meetings had been a struggle for him. “You can’t be that clueless,” he said, crossing his arms.

I’d told Mitch how my dinner with Sean had gone. Which was fine. Explaining why I wasn’t going to pursue anything with Brock might not have been the best idea. “According to my ex-wife, I can. And you’ve reminded me at least five times in the last hour. And I’m paying you—”

“You’re paying me to be honest.”

“There’s honesty, and there’s being cruel.”

“Cruel would be telling you something you don’t know.”

“You know something I don’t?” I asked it lightly, as a joke.

Mitch spared me a glance before pushing the button again. “Many things.”

“Hey,” I said, glaring at him as the doors opened and we stepped on. “I’m still your boss.”

“Calm down. Not about business. You’re still Joshua Miller, CEO—”

“Retired CEO.”

“—the business king.” He gave me the look he reserved for those walking in without an appointment. The message was clear:do better.He gave me a pointed look. “When it comes topersonalinteractions with others, you suck.”

“And you’re clearly better at it.”

He shrugged. “I am better at it, Joshua. I have a boyfriend. He’s around my age and not twenty-three years my junior—not that age matters, but I also haven’t alienated everyone—not paid—in my life.”

Ouch. “Is this the cruel part?”

“No. All this you already know. It’s why you’re doing this redemption tour in the first place.” Mitch would have made an excellent CEO. He had the skills for it.

The doors opened, and a tired-looking woman with two squirming kids stepped on. I waited to respond until we reached our stop and stepped off the elevator. “How am I clueless?”

We reached the main lobby, and our progress was slowed by the people milling around. It was late in the day, and I assumed they were either finishing up appointments or just getting off work. “You want to redeem yourself, Joshua. Atone for your mistakes. Great. Do that. It doesn’t mean you have to suffer. You’re not Jesus Christ himself. Pull the nails out. Get off the damn cross.”

I stopped and stared at him. He still didn’t get it. Why shouldn’t I suffer after the pain I’d caused? Clearing my throat, I said, “Enough honesty for one day.”

“Joshua?”

I turned at the sound of my name and the familiar voice. Regina stood in line at the coffee kiosk and a girl stood beside her, looking bored. The girl was taller than I remembered, of course, but her long brown hair was gone. She wore a colorful scarf on her head.

“Regina. How are you? Is this Angel?”

She laughed. “Hard to believe, isn’t it? Our kids are all grown up.”

“Hard to believe,” Mitch said, and I almost kicked him.

After I made introductions, Regina said, “This will give us a chance to catch up. We’re waiting on the pharmacy anyway.”

Mitch sighed. “I wish I could stay and chat, but Todd’s picking me up. We’re going shopping.” He’d mentioned his plans to me earlier. Now, he tilted his head and studied me. “I could cancel—”

I wasn’t sure if he was worried or nosy, but I stopped him before he could finish. “No. Don’t change your plans. I’m fine. We’re fine.”

After Mitch had gone and Regina and Angel had their drinks, we found a spot in the sitting areas.

“It’s so good to see you, Joshua. It’s been a while.” Her dark eyes sparkled as she watched me. Regina was beautiful with long dark hair and matching dark eyes. Brock must have gotten his coloring from his dad. The smile was the same, though, and the similarity made me miss Brock.

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