Page 128 of Twist of Fate
You must still be sleeping. Was hoping to talk to you before I left, but I guess tour guides need their beauty sleep. I’ll talk to you when we land. Maybe we can FaceTime? On second thought, maybe not. My life is too pathetic to be viewed on camera.
Saved Voicemail:
Finn, hey. It’s Ash. Um, I’m home. Mom and I got home yesterday, actually. I’m not sure how this whole thing works, so I’m not trying to sound needy or anything, but are you okay? I haven’t heard from you since we said goodbye at the hotel. I guess that was just two days ago. Never mind. You’re probably just busy. Call me when you’re free. Bye.
Aisling
It’s been a week, and I had this random thought that maybe something happened to you.
Like, maybe you were hurt in a car accident or, god forbid, died. But then I realized all of these texts show as read. Yeah, read receipts are a thing. So I guess you’re still alive. Good to know.
Saved voicemail:
You’re not even reading my texts anymore? What the hell is wrong with you? I looked up your stupid pet name, and you know what, Finn? You clearly don’t have a heart, because if you did, you wouldn’t have done this. You knew——you knew what I went through, and you…I can’t do this anymore. I can’t. Goodbye, Finn. Go find another girl to torment.
THIRTY-FOUR
Finn
PRESENT
Aisling
Let me know when you get here. X
I stare at Aisling’s text, my eyes tired and my body weary from too little sleep. I should have left the office hours ago, but I’m still sitting at my desk in a desolate building, hoping to tie up loose ends for a board meeting I do not wish to attend.
Tomorrow, I will officially become president and CEO of O’Connell Tours.
No more hiding under my father’s shadow.
I’m supposed to be writing a speech about how honored and humbled I am to fill his shoes and what a stellar role model he was throughout the years, but all I really want to say is that I’m a fraud—a complete and utter fraud.
Let’s be honest: I wouldn’t be sitting here without a little thing called nepotism.
Growing up, I was nothing but an entitled fuckboy who didn’t give a shite about anything. Except for myself, obviously. And sure, I could blame my daddy issues on some of that, but that shit only goes so far when you’re living in a bleedin’ mansion and driving a Mercedes.
I didn’t do a damn thing to earn my place in this company other than being born with the right last name. And now, because my father keeled over in a boardroom, I’m just expected to take over.
It’s like a modern-day monarchy, but instead of playing God with entire countries, we now inherit companies.
Fuck, this is depressing.
I text Aisling back.
Me
I just need a little more time. Will let you know when I’m on my way.
She texts me back almost right away.
Aisling
Okay. Don’t work too hard. X
There is a teasing tone to her last text, but I know she’s genuinely worried.
I am, too.
