Page 120 of Mad Rivals
“Then you put whatever conditions you want on the merger. You may not trust me, but I trust Kennedy.” I shrug. It’s as simple as that to me.
I realize it’s much more complicated than all that. I realize there’s a long road we need to travel down and a merger won’t happen overnight. There’s a lot to be considered between negotiations, legal considerations and reviews, and integrating the two companies.
But all of thatcouldhappen over the next year or so while I’m playing football. I have people in place to help me with the things I can’t be present for, and I’m putting a lot of trust in them to help me the way they’ve said they will.
“Look, I had to throw the idea out to you before I presented it to her, but ultimately, you’re signing the company over to her, and it’s going to be her decision. Maybe you just sign it over now and we can move forward with our future,” I suggest.
“You’re a cocky son of a bitch, aren’t you?” Walter asks me.
“No, not cocky. I’m confident, sir.” I press my lips into a grim smile. Whatever happens, I’ll still have that confidence.
Andthatisn’t something my dad just bought for me the way he claims he bought everything in my life.
I know we’re at an impasse, but I also know that ultimately this isn’t his decision.
It’s Kennedy’s.
And I’m going to present this idea to her next…and let her decide what our future together is going to look like.
CHAPTER 52: Kennedy Van Buren
I’m Caught
“Is it true that you were seeing Madden Bradley?” my father asks.
I’m caught.
There’s no sense in lying about it now, though. “Yes, but it’s over now.”
“I told you to stay away from him.”
“I know you did, and I tried. I really tried. But ultimately I also realized a few things. For one, your feud with his father has nothing to do with me or with him. And for another, I’m an adult who’s pretty darn capable, and you still see me as a little girl. I’m not.”
“I know you’re not, Kennedy. I just wish you would’ve been honest with me. I’m disappointed that you were in an important relationship that you chose not to tell us about.”
I sigh. “You never set up the kind of relationship with me that would’ve allowed for that. You were adamant that I couldn’t go near him, and we didn’t have a choice but to be together when we were each given half of SCS. The more we got to know each other, the more we knew it was useless to try to fight it.”
“You’re right,” he says quietly.
“Excuse me?”
“You’re right. He’s our top rival, and I never gave you the chance to be honest with us. You’re not a kid anymore, and I think I can finally see that. And that’s why I’m flying out this week. My lawyer is sending over the paperwork today to name you the CEO of Van Buren Construction, and I’ll be there on Tuesday to celebrate with you.”
I gasp. “What?”
“You heard me, Kennedy. You knew this was coming, and I trust you to take VBC to the next level. You’re smart, and you’re intuitive. You get to decide what that looks like.”
“Wow, Dad,” I say as I jump up from my chair and start pacing around the room. “I wasn’t expecting this. I mean…Iwas. Eventually. I thought you’d be there a while longer.”
“I will be for a little. I’m at a point where today’s technology has surpassed what I want to learn, and I’m ready to retire—or, for now, to cut back to part-time. Get out on the green a bit more. And even when I officially retire, I’ll still be around if you ever need anything.”
Tears spring behind my eyes at his words. I’m sort of shocked, at least in the sense that it’s all happening so soon.
“Thanks, Dad.”
I hang up, and the email from his lawyer is already waiting for me.
I print out the paperwork, read through it, and sign it before I scan it and send it right back.
