Page 72 of Great Pretender
“I did, but some changes have to come in more ways than one for a person to say with complete certainty they’ve changed.For you, it was the lure of the frivolous life that lacked responsibility.I know I had no right to suggest what I did, but I did it for a reason.” His gaze clings to mine, and I stare back, eager for him to continue.“I thought it was time for you to take the next step in life rather than change because you wanted the team.I wanted you to change for something more meaningful.Success is great, but only if you have the right person to share it with.I had your mother. I’ve watched you with Piper all your life, hoping you’d realize how you felt before it was too late or you did something that would ruin your chances with her forever.”
“You knew how I felt?”
“Long before you did. When you got together, I was truly happy because what happened was better than what I hoped for.But I can’t deny I’m not disappointed in what you did, especially because you really didn’t have to go through all that.You two would have fallen for each other because the love was already there.You already had what I wanted for you, and I wanted you to open your eyes and see it.”
I bring my hand to my head. “I’m sorry.I was stupid and selfish. I really didn’t mean to disappoint you the way I did.”
“I know. It’s taken me a few days to wrap my head around everything, but now I know what to do, and I’m not allowing you to quit.Unless you want to leave.”
My eyes widen. “What?”
"The only way I'm letting you quit is if you want to, then I respect your wishes.Do you?”
“No, I don’t, but I was guilty of thinking that getting the team was more important than Piper, and it wasn’t.”
“If you can say that to me, then you’ve truly learned all that I wanted you to.” He smiles and pulls out an envelope similar to the one he gave me months ago with the contract.“This is yours.”
“What is it?”
“Your legacy.”
I stare at his outstretched hand for moments too long, not quite believing what he must mean and when I take the envelope,open it and look at what’s inside, I’m so stunned by what I see that all I can do is look at him.
It’s a title of ownership document handing over the team and the company, to me.
To me, now, as in today.
“Dad, I can’t believe you did this.”
“Why bother to wait until I retire?You’re ready, and you know what matters most.” He nods.“Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
I hug him, and he pats my back.“Your welcome son, see you at work tomorrow.”
We pull apart, and he walks away but stops when he gets to the door to toss me my office keys.
I catch it and smile. “See you at work.”
He dips his head and leaves.
I stare at the keys in my hands and think about how far I’ve come in these few months.I honestly have changed, and my life feels the way it should.
It’s time to continue on that path and go see the woman upstairs waiting for me.
When I get to the bedroom, I find Piper folding her clothes.She stops when she sees me and bites the inside of her lip.
“Please tell me that went well.I apologized to him, and he didn’t look mad,” she says.
“It went very well. He gave me the team and the company.”
“He did?” She gasps.
“Yeah.”
She bounces over to me and throws her arms around me.“I’m so thrilled you got want you wanted.”
She releases me, and her smile brightens.I set the envelope and keys down on the shelf and cup her face.
