Page 70 of When You're Home
She steeled herself and stood a little taller before she replied with a false sense of confidence, “Just like ripping off a Band-Aid.”
Chapter 38
Rhett
“Well,Everhett,itseemslikejustabouteverythingisinorderhere.”Rhett’sgranddadsmiledathimfrombehindthelargedesk.“You’vedonewell,son,andNorfolkStarisluckytohaveyouonboard.I’mhappy to have you on board,” he emphasized.
Rhett felt a surge of warmth toward his mother’s father. Jonathan Ashton was a powerful man: the CEO of one of the largest transportation logistics companies on the east coast. He was also kind, fair, loving, and steady: everything Rhett aimed to be himself.
He had fond memories from his childhood of spending two weeks each summer in Virginia with his grandparents. His grandma would dote on him and Maddie, feeding them, spoiling them, and showing them off around the neighborhood. But it was his granddad’s attention that Rhett was always after. He loved touring NorfolkStar Transport headquarters, staring at the maps and charts hanging on his granddad’s office walls, going down to the shipyard, and watching the cargo come in.
Securing this job and impressing this man was important to him. Getting to spend more time with his granddad as he aged was just icing on the cake.
Rhett nodded as he accepted the praise. “Thank you, sir. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to prove myself.”
“Okay, Everhett, enough shop talk. How are things at home? I feel like we always talk about work and school, but I miss catching up with my grandson.”
Jonathan pushed away from his desk then, rising leisurely to make his way over to the bar cart near the window of his office. Rhett watched him, noting that his gait was slower now than it had been when they walked the halls of NorfolkStar earlier in the day.
“Neat?” his granddad confirmed, already pouring the deep amber liquid into a tumbler.
“Yes, sir,” Rhett replied.
His granddad made his way back to the desk, handed over one of the glasses he had just poured, and settled back in across from him. “To new beginnings,” he toasted, raising his glass before taking a slow sip.
Rhett mirrored his actions and returned his granddad’s easy smile.
“Go on, then. Start talking. I want to know what’s going on with you.”
Rhett took another sip of his drink, buying a few more seconds before he had to respond.
“Well,” he started, avoiding looking his granddad in the eyes as he spoke, “things are okay. It’s been a bit chaotic this semester, trying to finish up school and wrap my head around moving. I’ve been at Easton for six years now…” he trailed off before shifting gears.
“Mom is good. She’s involved with Maddie’s lacrosse team and the after prom committee, so she’s as busy as ever. Dad’s been traveling just as much as usual, so I haven’t seen him since the holidays, but we have plans to go to a few baseball games before I move down here.”
“And your friends at home? How are Jake and Tori?”
Rhett continued avoiding his grandad’s gaze. He knew there wasn’t anything to the question beyond general curiosity, but he didn’t want to show any reaction at the mention of Tori’s name.
“Both good, both good,” he repeated nervously while nodding. “I saw them last month at the beginning of spring break.”
“And how about Chandler? How’s she doing?”
“She’s good, too.” Rhett smiled assuredly. “She’s graduating next month, but she’s not planning to get her master’s right away. She’s waiting to hear back from a few internships she applied to in Columbus and New York.”
“I’m surprised she didn’t tag along with you on this trip.” Rhett stilled. He knew this strategy far too well from years of subtle interrogation from his mom.
“Not this time,” he explained. “We’re going to spend Easter with her folks on Sunday, though.”
Jonathan nodded, pausing to sip his drink before he spoke again.“Do you think she’ll join you here eventually?”
“I’m not sure. We’ve been together for a while now, but we haven’t talked about her moving here or anything like that.”
His granddad nodded again.
“I’m surprised to hear you two haven’t discussed it.”
His granddad said nothing more, letting the words linger between them. It was fair for Jonathan to question where things stood between Rhett and his girlfriend. He had the business to think about: would Rhett be distracted by going back and forth to Ohio on a regular basis? He knew his granddad’s concern probably ran deeper, too. Was he going to be happy in Virginia?
