Page 109 of Ten Rules for Faking It
Chris ran a hand through his hair and paced at the front of the room. When he stopped, facing them, she got the distinct feeling that whatever happened next would change everything.
“I’m sorry about that scene. I should have maybe foreseen something like that,” Chris started.
Stacey leaned closer. “Breathe, sweetie.”
Everly nodded, gripping one hand with the other, pressing her thumb into her palm.
Chris rubbed a hand over his chin. She’d felt the slight stubble that grew there all over her neck and cheeks last night. She couldstillfeel it. He leaned forward, putting his hands on the table, his shoulders dropping slightly.
“There are things I should have said before now. My father owns the radio station and its sister companies. There were five in total, but this one is the most profitable. My father off-loaded one recently without warning. Mr. Lee ran the ad agency. I’d been looking into ways to keep it alive when my father dissolved it without warning. Mr. Lee has every right to be mad, but that particular decision wasn’t mine.”
Everly’s brain went foggy.
“Wait, youownthe station?” Mason sat forward.
Chris took a deep breath. “My father owns it. Nathaniel Jansen.”
“Just to be clear, you purposely keptwhoyou were a secret from us?” Stacey’s words slashed through the tension. They weren’t harsh or judgmental, more curious. Like she was just clearing something up.
Everly bit her lip, focused on the pressure of her teeth against the delicate skin of her mouth.
“You have a right to be angry. It seems weak now, but when I first arrived, you were all on edge with having changed management and ownership several times.” He sighed, straightening, then shrugged. “My first day here, a few of you were taking bets on how soon the new owner would cast you guys aside. I’m nothing like my father. I work for him. I came to do a job here, and I didn’t want my role clouded by the connection. I’m sorry.” His gaze locked on Everly.
Everly sucked in a sharp breath. “You said he wanted to fire Stacey and me. It was yourdadwho wanted to get rid of us?”
Chris nodded slowly.
“He did, yes. But I fought to save your jobs. And this station because it matters.”
“So, is the station still in trouble? Do we need to find jobs?” Mari got up and walked to the whiteboard, erasing the doodles Mason had created at another time. Her movements were jerky, like her words. “From what Mr. Lee said, it sounds like your dad snapped his fingers and made the company disappear. Are we next?”
Chris shook his head. “No. You don’t need to find another job. The numbers are fantastic. You guys all did that. My father knows this station is worth the time, money, and effort. I’ll speak to Mr. Lee, but I don’t want you guys worrying that you’re going to be replaced or shoved to the side.” His words should have soothed, but Everly couldn’t help thinking about the few times he’d mentioned his father—the resentment in his tone. He’d married a woman, in part, to spite the man. He sounded, through Chris’s own descriptions, like a ruthless individual.
Mason leaned back in his chair, studying Chris. “Did you fight for the ad company?”
Chris turned his head, met his employee’s assessing gaze. “I was blindsided before I had a chance.”
Mason pursed his lips. “You can’t really guarantee what your father will do, can you?”
Taking a deep breath, Chris’s eyes darted away. “I can’t. I might not deserve it, but I’m going to need you guys to trust me.”
Stacey let out a sardonic laugh, then winced. “Sorry.” She glanced at Everly, who didn’t know where to look or what to think.
“Why do you work at a radio station as a manager if your father owns”—Jane asked, glancing up from her computer, then gesturing to the screen—“what looks like an empire?”
The others peered over. Not Everly. She didn’t move. She was scared that if she did, she’d come apart.
“Holy shit,” Stacey said, getting up to look over Jane’s shoulder. “You’re mega loaded.”
Everly’s eyes widened. She looked at Chris, seeing the irritation flash in his expression before he shook his head. “My father is rich. Can we please get back to the issues at hand rather than my father’s wealth?”
Mason crossed his arms over his chest. “The issues being you’re actually like those undercover boss guys, but nothing really changes, right? We go on as we have been. Our jobs are safe.”
Everyone focused on Chris. “I wasn’t doing anything undercover. For now, it’s business as usual.”
No one seemed to know what to say. Questions bombarded Everly. Was his life in New York? Whydidhe work here? Was this why he’d kept them at arm’s length until recently? How much sway did he have over his father if the man decided to cut his losses? Had Chris really stood up to his father on their behalf?
“There’s really nothing more to be said right now. I need you guys to get back to your day. Everly, could you stay a minute?”
