Page 54 of My Brother's Best Men
But now I wonder if his acceptance was really genuine at all.
That’s the problem with perfect men. You never question their imperfections when you’re with them, but the minute they show you how imperfect they actually are, you start to see everything from another vantage point and it really makes you question things.
How can I trust that the man I loved—who cheated and lied to me—was truthful about anything else in our relationship?
I can’t say he was, even based on feelings, because now I don’t know.
I open the text and my eyes widen when I read that they would like to speak with me and to please give them a call back.
So, of course, that’s exactly what I do. I call without a second thought and punch in the extension for Amber Allen, the head of HR who left a message.
“Hi, this is Sophie Martin, returning your call.”
“Ms. Martin, so good to hear from you so soon!” Amber says. “I suppose I’ll cut to the chase. We’d like to officially offer you the job as our entrepreneur writer, for our Dela website, if you’re still interested.”
I’d applied to several positions at their firm, the typical sales and office jobs, but on a whim, I also applied to an entrepreneur staff writer position solely based on the fact that it was a travelingposition, and it sounded fun. I didn’t think I really qualified for it, but traveling and writing has always been something I’ve dreamed of doing.
I’d given up on those sorts of dreams when I graduated and got my job at H&H, and then while I was there…I guess I forgot about my hobbies because I was so busy trying to find the perfect man, the perfect apartment…
I close my eyes, knowing this is the gig I’ve always wanted. I’d be able to travel all across the country and meet with independent shop owners and restaurants and experience so many new things.
And it also means I don’t have to stay in one place. I don’t need a private residence to travel, and if I’m living out of hotels and establishments on the company dime, I can save up some money for a place Ireallywant.
But I also know it’s a huge opportunity and it’s better to think about all the things going into this rather than deciding to go in all at once. I need to be smart. I need…
I need to talk to my brother. He’s always been the best sounding board and often can see the situation for the trees when all I can see is what’s in front of me.
“Can I…get back you?” I ask carefully. “I’m in the Virgin Islands right now for my brother’s wedding in a couple days, and I won’t be home until Monday.”
“Oh! Of course!” she says with excitement. “I’ll let Arnold know to expect your call Monday.”
“Thank you,” I say. “I truly appreciate your understanding and this opportunity.”
“Absolutely. Tell your brother congratulations for us. We’ll be in touch soon.”
When the phone goes dead, I let out a heavy sigh.
Holy shit.
“Hey.” The familiar voice pulls me from my momentary stupor. I turn to see my brother, his hands in his short pockets. His hair is messy and wet and he’s practically beaming.
“You look like a drowned rat,” I tease him, messing with his wet hair. He chuckles, the light from the jellyfish tube lighting him up and illuminating his soft smile.
“Yeah, well, Ididget dragged around by a dolphin,” he says.
“Was it worth it?” I ask.
“One hundred percent. You’re going to love it.”
“Thanks,” I say, twisting the silicone bracelet they gave us to identify our ticket.
“Hey…can I uh….can I run something by you?”
“Sure,” he says as he walks over to another tank with a different type of jellyfish.
I follow him easily.
“So…I applied to this gig awhile ago, right after Keaton and I?—”
