Page 77 of Not So Happily Ever After (British Bad Boys)
I’ve always prided myself on being a straight talker. What you see is what you get and all that crap. Yet when it comes to the girl who means more to me than anyone else, I’ve been the biggest fucking hypocrite.
At least my mother is still alive. I don’t have to battle a ghost. How could I have been such an arrogant bastard?
When Dad died, there was never any question that I’d step in the breach.Just for a couple of years.Mum knew it was temporary. Knew what my dreams were, even if she never took them seriously. And then, after her stroke, I stayed. No way I’d abandon her.
Only until things were sorted out.But somehow that deadline extended way past my original expectations.
Neither of my parents understood the driving need inside me to succeed on my own merits. I never wanted to inherit a ready-made company or navigate daily cutthroat politics where my name and age were two strikes against me.
I’m no longer a kid, forever playing catch up for all the things my parents tried to protect me from. I don’t have to prove anything to anyone.
“I’m sorry, Mum.”Just tell her.“I love you, you know that, don’t you?” It’s not something I’ve said to her that often. Not since I was a kid.
Doesn’t make it less true, though.
“Of course, I do. I love you, too.” There’s a small hitch in her voice, and I feel bad about letting her down.
You’re not letting her down.
“You’re the best thing that ever happened to your dad and me.”
I clear my throat. This is even harder than I imagined. “I don’t want to sound like a spoiled prat, but the company’s always been your dream, not mine.”
“It’s our legacy to you, darling. And don’t forget, I’m resuming my position on the Board early next year. I’m looking forward to working with you.”
I rake my fingers over my head. It’d be so much easier to agree. Sign up for another five years.
And then another five.
“You don’t need me to work at the company. You’ll do a much better job than I ever could. Plus, it’s time I concentrated on my own business. I’d like to share my plans with you so you can understand what I’m doing.”
“We’ve discussed this before, Will.”
And then it hits me.
“No, we haven’t.” They didn’t take me seriously when I first told them, way back when Oakland was still a dream. And although they knew I was following it through, and Mum’s always been aware I’m a partner, she doesn’t know any of the details.
For the first time, I acknowledge how much I’ve learned about business strategy over the last three years, working at the company. Knowledge I can use for Oakland’s advantage. I should tell her that, and explain exactly what I hope to achieve.
She doesn’t interrupt once as I outline our plans for expansion, and when I’m done, I exhale a long breath. Everything’s on the table. I hope she understands, but if not, this is still something I need to do.
There’s a long silence, which is a good sign. If she was going to disregard everything I said, she wouldn’t be taking her time thinking about it first.
“When I get back home,” she says at last, “I’d like to visit Oakland.”
Yes.“Anytime.” There’s something else, too. “Truth is, I’d value your opinion. As a consultant.”
We talk for a bit longer before ending the call. Strange, I’d never considered asking her to share her expertise before, but it makes so much sense. Not just because of her business acumen, but also her phenomenal skills when it comes to networking.
Freedom.I’ve waited so long for this moment. I should be on the phone to the guys, letting them know there’s no need to find anyone else to head up the expansion. But instead of excitement that my dreams are finally within my grasp, it’s like there’s a black hole inside my chest, sucking me dry.
None of it means much if I can’t share it with Mac. Why did it take me so long to see how much I want her in my life?
Because you’re a blinkered prat.
I can’t stop replaying our last conversation.
Yes, I was a complete wanker, and usually I’d never fling anything like that at her. But her strangely cold dismissal of the reason why I’d forgotten about her art exhibition on that rotten Boxing Day touched a raw nerve.
