Page 48 of Stick to the Plan
Unhealthy Competition
Colin
My cell vibrates on my desk, pulling my attention from the latest test report I am reviewing. Shocked to see my sister’s name on the screen, I quickly answer the call. “Hey, Aisling, is everything ok? Ma? Sinéad? The kids?”
She chuckles, but it sounds off. I’m instantly on alert. “Hey baby bro. How do you always know? Ma, Sin, and the kids are fine. It’s Bryan…he’s cheating on me.”
“What? I’ll kill the bastard. Fuck the convention, I’m coming home.” I turn to my laptop, pulling up a travel site intent on getting home to my family.
My stomach drops as guilt hits me. I’m here obsessing over a woman and my family is imploding.
“Hold it right there, mister. There will be no fucking of conventions.” She laughs, but I don’t think it’s funny. “It’s probably best you aren’t here. Don’t need to be explaining to the kids why their favorite uncle is in jail for murdering their Da.”
“I’m their only uncle,” I mutter - more out of habit than anything else.
“Look, I know you are busy changing the world, and we’re all immensely proud of you. I didn’t call so you’d feel guilty and come home. Figured if you found out from Ma or Sin you’d blow a gasket and jump on the first plane. Admit it, you already looked at flights.” Silently I close my browser window with the flights search still up. “I think I also just wanted to hear my favorite little brother’s voice.”
My chest heaves with a heavy sigh, and I pinch my nose. “Again...only brother.” The heat is gone from my voice. “I wish I was there to help. What do you need?”
“Nothing. I kicked Bryan out - it’s our family farm and I’m staying. Mammy is going to move in with us to help with the kids.”
“What about the farm? Don’t you need another set of hands?”
“We’ll be OK. Liam is old enough to help with more of the chores. If Ma is watching Emily, that frees me up more. I’ll just hire another hand this season. So don’t rush back. I know you.”
I drop my head into my hands, feeling powerless. “I’m so sorry, Ash. You deserve so much better.”
She sniffles slightly. “I know. So what’s new with you? How’s it going with Brianna? I want all the details. Make me believe love still exists.”
“She’s amazing. You would love her. You should see her with these engineers. She’s this tiny fireball who just makes things magically happen. We had a hiccup on the project, but she’s somehow gotten everything back on schedule and budget.”
Things are actually going well. The only real hold up is legal and the provisional patent filings. With a sigh, I refresh my email again, willing some new information to appear.
“That’s awesome. Iwilllove her when I meet her. What’s this about a conference? Are you going together?“ Aisling’s tone is even. She seems happy to be talking about something other than her marriage.
I should focus on the conference right now, anyway. Since the engine is still at an extremely confidential point, we didn’t book a booth or presentation slot. My primary goal is to network with other companies interested in expanding their green energy presence. If I come back with connections and future pitch dates, that’s all we really need.
“It’s a green energy conference in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, Brianna has to stay here and keep the project running smoothly.” Leaning back in my chair, I spear my fingers through my hair. The conference is an important opportunity, but I can’t help the disappointment I feel at leaving Brianna behind.
“You sound happy when you talk about her, Col. It’s good to see you happy. You must really love her.” Her voice sounds wistful, but also full of pride.
My mind drifts to visions of a future with Brianna. I do fucking love her and I am going to find a way to make this work long term. “I do. I really do love her - is that crazy? It’s only been a couple of months.”
“Sometimes it just takes a moment. Look at Ma and Da.”
We’d grown up hearing stories of how our father saw our mother at a crowded festival. He instantly fell in love with her and they were married within a month. My eldest sister, Aisling, was born barely nine months later. Our father was never afraid to show his devotion to our mother. He raised me to respect my feelings rather than bury them. It may be too soon for most people, but I need to tell her how I feel.
A commotion on the other end of the line breaks my train of thought. I hear Ash sigh. “I gotta go, baby brother. Emily had a nightmare and needsme. I love you, Col. Don’t rush back, but maybe... call a bit more often? We miss you.”
I say my goodbyes, promising to call more often, then disconnect the call. Groaning in frustration, I bend, head in hands and elbows on the desk. Between Richard breathing down her throat, and that sudden reappearance of her ex, I really don’t want to leave Brianna here alone.
Her argument makes perfect sense - someone needs to stay behind to keep an eye on Richard. Doesn’t mean I have to like it, though.
She’d be fucking pissed if she heard what I was thinking. I know she can handle herself. Hell, she’s probably the most capable woman I’ve ever met. Doesn’t stop me from feeling protective of her. If it’s within my power, I want to make her load lighter. Support her in all ways.
Another buzzing to my right pulls me back to business. Clearing my throat, I answer the phone.
“Hey, this is Joe Fuentes from legal,” the voice on the other end says, “Do you have a minute?”
