“This is to expand the business, JP.”
“Don’t you think we’ve expanded enough? Jesus Christ, Huxley, we can barely keep up with everything we have going on. You’re getting married, and you’re going to start a family. Do you really think starting more projects is a smart idea?”
“You thought it was a smart idea months ago, so why am I hearing differently now?”
“I actually didn’t say anything in that meeting, if you’d paid attention. You rattled on about new opportunities, Breaker nodded with dollar signs in his eyes, while I sat there, wondering why the fuck we were going to start something new when our plates were already full.”
“Then you should’ve spoken up. We’re not mind readers.”
“I have spoken up,” I shout into the phone, the better part of my cool completely gone. The irritation and annoyance of this morning erupt in one smooth punch to Huxley. “I’ve said shit to you before, but you never listen. You and Breaker never fucking listen. So here I am, sitting in my goddamn car, waiting to go into this ball to help accomplish your dreams, not mine.”
“For the company, JP. Not for me. For the company.”
“The company is you, and we’re just your minions along for the ride.”
“Where the fuck is all of this coming from? Did something happen up there?”
“Of course, that’s what you’d assume, that something would happen that would put me in this mood, right? It can’t possibly be how I actually feel.”
He’s silent for a second and then says, “I think you and I need to have a meeting.”
“Yeah, no fucking thank you,” I say before hanging up.
I press my fingers to my brow and take a deep, calming breath.
Chill, man.
It’s hard to chill when it feels like nothing is right. Absolutely nothing.
I don’t feel good in my own skin, like . . . I don’t belong here. Here I am chastising Kelsey for trying to be someone she’s not when I’m doing the same exact thing as her.
“Are you ready to get out, sir?” my driver asks me.
For a brief moment, I consider what would happen if I don’t go in there. If I don’t find Regis and put him in his place. If I don’t talk to the mayor about “our” plans. We’d have a tougher time winning bids on any more historic buildings. But that’s not that big of a deal in my opinion. But what about Kelsey? What kind of uphill battle will she have if Regis continues to undermine her? Why should I care?
Because you do.
Because you care about her.
Despite the fact that she’s on a date right now with another man, I still care about her.
And that’s the reason I’m opening my car door, buttoning my tuxedo jacket, and temporarily wiping away the anger in the pit of my stomach, ready to be unleashed.
I let my driver know I won’t be long, then stuff my phone in my pocket when I reach the front entrance. No need to hit up the red carpet. I’m not interested in that shit, not when I’m feeling so resentful. Huxley will bitch about it later, since he likes to have us show our faces at events like this, but if he wants it done his way, then next time, he can go.
I slip through the door after getting checked off the guest list and head straight to the massive bar at the back of the ballroom. I bypass the name-card table since I’m not staying for dinner, don’t bother shaking hands with the people milling about, and drop my hand on the edge of the bar and order two fingers of Scotch. Then I turn around and scan the crowd.
To an outsider, an event like this would seem so glamourous with the designer dresses and the well-pressed suits, but to me, it’s just another night in the elite world I live in. There’s nothing great that happens for humankind at these events. Instead, hands are shaken, deals are made, and enemies become frenemies for a moment in time as they fake interested expressions for the people around them.
The benefit of these events is for the people solely in this room, and no one else. The mayor isn’t here to formulate change, he’s here to shake hands with people who can help secure his vote. It’s sad, but that’s the way the world works, unfortunately.
“JP, didn’t think I’d see you tonight,” Regis says, standing next to me at the bar. He orders us both a Scotch and I let him. “Wasn’t sure you attended these events.”
Only when forced to.
Thankfully, Regis is making this easy on me, and I didn’t have to seek him out.
“When the mood strikes me, I’ll put on a tuxedo.”