“What time is she leaving?” I said, the words falling out of my mouth heavy like stones.
“Aye. Who is leaving?” Paulo asked, confused at my line of questioning.
“Ari! Do you know what time she leaves for Madrid?” I was yelling and had to catch myself.
With a slight smile, Paulo looked at me, then turned to his assistant. He spoke in rapid Spanish. Confused, the assistant reluctantly opened her iPad and scrolled for what seemed like ages. Then she responded to Mr. Serrano in Spanish. He nodded, giving her permission to relay the information.
“Ms. James’s flight is at 2:30 p.m., se?or.”
I groaned. “Fuck. Thanks.”
Just as the mayor was about to cut the ribbon for a photo op, I ran, pushing past everyone onstage, including her security. Riddle grabbed my arm.
“Porter, son? Where are you going? We still have some photos to take. Questions to answer.”
Mr. Robinson joined Riddle at his side, his face creased with anger. “Don’t make a scene, Porter. I know things didn’t go as planned but…”
I snatched my arm away from Riddle. I looked between the two men, disappointed at them. I shoved my hard hat into Mr. Robinson’s chest and he took a little stumble backward.
“I’m not your fucking son. I quit.”
“Porter, you don’t mean…”
“I said I quit!”
Before I could leave the podium, Greer stepped in front of me.
“No hard feelings, Porter? I had to let the partners know about Ari’s shit in Chicago. It’s just business. Okay?” He extended his hand.
Before I knew it, I’d pulled back and punched him square in the jaw. Greer stumbled backward on impact, nearly landing on Jacobi.
“I’m suing you!” Greer yelled, clearly rocked by the punch, rubbing his jaw. “Better yet, you’re fired! As named partner, I’m firing you!”
“You can’t fire me, asshole!” I yelled. “I don’t work here anymore!”
I ran down the steps, pushing through the throngs of reporters to find my family. Their faces were in shock. And rightfully so. I’d just punched a guy on national TV. I was sure I’d be on TMZ before long with the headline Crazy Architect Breaks Ground and Jaw on Live TV.
“Oh, honey!” My mom stretched her arms out for a hug but I stepped back. Naturally, she was confused. I looked toward Todd, desperate for my little brother’s help. Todd’s sobriety had been unwavering these past months. But I had to be sure.
“Todd? You good?” I asked.
Reluctant to answer, Todd looked at mom, then responded. “Uhm. Yeah. Why?”
“Because I need you, brother. You’re taking me to the international terminal. I’m going to get Ari.”
“But… I…” began Todd, his faced etched with worry. “I don’t know, PJ. I really shouldn’t… I’m on a provisional license. I can’t fuck things up. You understand. I would if I could—”
In that moment, I felt a hand on my back. “I got you, buddy,” said Sean, his face bright with a smile. “I’ll drive. Besides, your hand is in no condition after landing that Tyson-level punch!”
My mother grabbed my face, kissing my cheeks until they burned. Desmond patted my back hard and said, “Me proud of ya, son!”
I looked at my parents. “Mom. Desmond. I don’t want you to worry but, if you couldn’t tell back there, I don’t have a job anymore. I’ll be fine. And…”
“Boy, hush! Go get that girl,” interrupted my mother, still kissing my reddening cheeks.
I tossed my keys to Sean. “My car is faster.”
“Dude, I got a new BMW!” scoffed Sean. “My knees will be to my chest in that matchbox of a car!”
“Sean!” my mother yelled. “Now is not the time to have a pissing contest about the goddamn car. Get my son to that terminal!”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Ari
Every television in the airport terminal was tuned to the news, whose top story was the groundbreaking of the state-of-the-art Marina Center in Atlanta. One reporter called it an “ambitious feat of design that was going to wow soccer fans for years to come.” I beamed with pride, knowing that my hard work was being praised. My time at Riddle and Robinson wasn’t a total waste. As the camera panned out, my heart stopped as soon as I saw Porter’s face, solemn and serious. He looked uncomfortable in the hideous yellow hard hat that concealed what I’m sure was a neat fade topped with curls. I felt a twinge of regret. I ignored his every call and text, trying to save myself from the heartache. In true Ari fashion, I’d left without a word. It would have been entirely too painful, and I didn’t do painful goodbyes.