by K. J. Lewis
“Ugh,” I say before rolling over and squinting up at him.
“Why don’t you just stay in here and sleep? Reid and I can hang with the team. You have all week to be with them.”
I kick the covers off of me. “No, the girls will be disappointed. Plus, this is my last week with them. I move to New York next week.”
“Are you sure?” he asks.
I sit up and he starts to stand. My fingers curl in his t-shirt to stop him.
“How am I going to tell them?” My eyes water as I look into his.
“Elise, people move. It doesn’t mean you won’t still be close with everyone. You will always be my girl, no matter where you live or who you are with. They are big boys and girls. They will understand.” He runs a thumb over my cheek. “I told you, I don’t mind being the one to tell them.”
“No, I’m going to tell them.”
“You don’t have to move. I can make this work with you staying in Chicago.”
“No, I want to move. It’s the right thing for the company, and it’s the next natural step. My family is ready for me to be back in New York. Just seeing them all again reminded me how hard it’s going to be.”
“One step at a time, babe. One step at a time.” He waits for my nod. “Up. Everyone will be here in a few minutes. I let you sleep as late as I could.” He walks into the bathroom, and a minute later I hear the shower running. I get ready and head into the living area. Reid is already in there, watching the staff set up our meal in the dining room.
“You two are like a married couple,” Reid says as I turn to get a drink from the bar.
“Who?” My brows dip in confusion.
Reid rolls his eyes. “You and Theo.”
“I told you, we have been together our whole lives.”
“Who kiss, hold hands, and sleep together.”
“We kiss like family would. You make it sound like we have our tongues down each other’s throats. I hold hands with lots of people. I’m a hand holder. It’s one of my favorite things. And we sleep together just like I sleep with Gabby or Fran if we were staying in the same room. You don’t have any girls that are just friends? Totally platonic?”
“Not that have the kind of power you two have over each other.”
What is his problem? I set my glass of water down harder than I intend.
“Look. I don’t have to justify my relationships to you or anyone else. I’m sorry if you are so unemotionally available that you can’t comprehend loving someone for who they are and not because you stuck your dick in them.”
He moves closer to me and I have to tilt my head back to look him in the eyes. Damn him for being so fuckable!
“It is my problem when I’m about to drop a small fortune for a company and build it around a woman whose reputation is unmatched by anyone in the business. Your reputation supersedes you, but your actions today paint a different picture.”
I square my shoulders and take an even closer step towards him. “Listen. And I mean listen good because I plan on saying this only once. I won’t apologize for the way I love people or the way I handle my team. I don’t have to be a raving, detached bitch to be accomplished or to lead this company and this team. You can care about people and still get the job done. Something you could stand to learn a lesson in.”
“What does that mean?” he bristles, crossing his arms over his chest.
“It means there’s a reason why you can’t break the top 10% of companies with the highest retention stats.” There’s a heat in his eyes, and I know instantly he is not used to being challenged.
“There’s a difference between running a corporation that is responsible for tens of thousands of people and running a fun little team of college kids who are never held accountable.”
His assessment of my team has me seeing red. “I agree with you that there is a difference between running a corporation that has to have checks and balances in place to ensure the lights stay on and the business grows. That’s not what I do. My team gets called in to fix shit. And we’re good at it. Really good at it. And not just business shit. Personal shit. Shit they make movies about. But in the end, it’s about people and how to bring out the best in them. Whether it’s a team of ten young kids or a team of thousands. People need to know they are working towards something. That they are part of something bigger than themselves. That they are making a difference. When you give them that, you tap into someone who would sell their left nut for you.”
He leans into me, his beautiful green eyes boring into mine. “But what good is it if they give up who they are to give you that nut? Why do you play second fiddle to Theo? You could be the one making millions?”
“I don’t care about the money.”
“Bullshit. Everyone cares about money.”
“I imagine in the crowd you associate with, it is that way. As long as I have a roof over my head and I can eat, I honestly don’t care.”
“You didn’t answer my question. If you and Theo weren’t so attached, I would be buying your company, not his, and you know it.”
“I thought you and Theo were friends. Why are you acting like this?”
“Never mind. You just answered my question,” he says with a finality that I am working to understand. “This is business, Elise. Theo understands that. I understand that. You’re the only one who doesn’t. That’s a problem for me. I’m investing in a Pit Bull, not a soccer mom.” He turns to walk away. “Nova, let’s go out.” He whistles for his dog.
Reid leaves me here trying to figure out what landmine I just stepped on and where it came from. Adding to my frustration, I totally got wet arguing with him. I wanted to jump him and ride him till the wheels fell off.
“We’re here!” The crew enters carrying all kinds of alcohol.
“What is it?” Fran and Gabby are in front of me. These are my girls and nothing gets past them.
“Nothing. I’m tired,” I lie.
“Mmmhh.” Gabby looks at Fran.
“Could this have anything to do with Love Potion No. 9 and the way he was watching you today?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Yes, girls. What are you all talking about?” Blake joins us, hoping to get in on what I am sure he perceives to be the latest gossip. “Reid,” he shouts seeing him enter with Nova. “Join us.”
“Thanks. I will in a few.” He takes Nova with him to his wing, never giving me a second look.
“Told ya.” Fran gives Gabby a knowing glance.
“I’m going to change. I’ll be right back.” I excuse myself before I reveal more than I want to.
It’s the end of June, so it’s warm during the day but still cool at night. Throwing on a pair of jeans and a cardigan over my tank, I grab a vintage Hermes handkerchief I picked up on a trip to London and wrap it around my head like a headband.
When I enter back into the main area, everyone is seated. There are two fireplaces, one inside and one outside, and they are both on. The balcony doors are open, music and drinks are already flowing. Theo and Reid are sitting at each end of the table. I take a seat on the side in the middle between Ryan and Fran. Gabby is across from me. There are twelve of us, total.
At the beginning of each retreat, Theo opens with a line from Game of Thrones and I open with lines from Dumb and Dumber and Coming to America, encouraging the team to think outside of the box.
“Let the games begin!” Theo lifts his glass into the air and we all follow. The chefs have placed the food in the middle of the table. Tonight’s meal is being served family style. Conversation, like the atmosphere, is light, and it feels good to all be in the same place.
“Knock-knock,” Owen, my friend and the resort owner, says as he enters the dining room.
“Owen!” Everyone cheers and raises a glass to him.
Owen and I spent a lot of time together at school. We lived in the same dorms, and I was his coxswain on the rowing crew. I stand and make my way to him.
“Hey you.” I reach my
arms up to hug him. His arms fall around my waist, and he pulls me to him with his hand placed on my lower back. With a kiss to the cheek, he releases me.
“I swear you get better every year. You look fantastic.”
“Thanks. You look great, too. I guess mountain life is agreeing with you. Sounds like business is good?”
“It’s booming. Sorry about the mix up with the rooms. I figured you would end up with Theo. After last year, I know Gabby said never again.”
“That’s for damn sure!” Gabby says from her side of the table.
I give her the stink eye over my shoulder. “It’s no problem. Everything on schedule?”
“Yep. We’ll get started after lunch tomorrow. Give you all time to get settled in.”
“Sounds perfect. Thanks again, Owen. Want to join us?” I turn towards the table and am surprised to find Reid watching us. He blinks and goes back to passing food.
“Thanks, but I have other guests to look after.”
“But we’re your favorite,” Fran decrees, filling her plate.
“Definitely,” Owen answers, his eyes skimming over me.
“So, we’ll see you in the morning?” Theo stands and drapes his arm over my shoulders.
“Yep.” Owen looks up at him and smiles a shit-eating grin. “I scheduled myself to be your leader tomorrow. See you then.” He leans down and kisses my check before he turns to leave. “Bye, everyone.”
“Bye, Owen.” The team lifts their glasses again.
“Really?” I look at Theo who shrugs his shoulders before taking his seat again.
I review the schedule for the week with everyone, noting when and where they are expected to be. The remainder of dinner is spent catching up on what has been going on in each of their lives. There’ve been engagements, home purchases, and baby announcements that have all taken place in the six weeks that I have been gone. We have several interns who graduate this year, and they are all taking on full-time placements with the team.
“Ryan, how’s Emily doing?” I look down the table.
“She’s good. Dad is still in Indiana keeping the farm going. Mom is staying with her in Memphis while she finishes her treatment at St. Jude. We won’t know anything until this round of chemo is done. Hopefully, it will shrink her tumor so she can have surgery. She’s loving your packages, by the way.”
“If anyone can buy for a thirteen-year old girl, it’s Elise.” Theo chimes in.
“Fran and Gabby have been helping me with ideas.”
“Well, she loves them,” Ryan says. “She has on a different tattoo every time I FaceTime with her, and the place looks like a sparkle bazooka went off.” Ryan stops eating and looks at me with what I think is tenderness. “Emily says you call her a few times a week.”
“Emily and I are buds,” I wink at him. As conversation continues around the table, we hold our gaze for a minute until I nod and he goes back to eating. When you are with people who know you, words aren’t necessary when your heart is being ripped out. Anyone can see that Ryan’s is.
Sensing we need a little goofiness, Blake tells the group a story. He’s a magical storyteller. Blake is the kind of guy who always has you asking for one more. Ninety-nine percent of his stories are true. I don’t think anyone will ever know which ones fall into the other one percent.
“So, did you see Robert while you were in Philadelphia?” Ryan asks when Blake finishes his story.
“Who?” I look up from my plate confused.
“Robert.”
“Don’t you read your emails?” Fran takes a drink of her water. “Robert is no more.”
“What?” Several utensils stop in midair.
“Since when?” Ryan probes.
“I don’t know. Since we stopped dating and he moved,” I answer like they should know this.
“But I thought you were still hooking up?” someone asks, and I catch Gabby and Fran making faces at each other.
“Leave her alone,” Theo censures from his end of the table.
“We just thought you might light the flame again while you had six whole weeks of nothing to do but…”
“Run a company in Philadelphia and my team in Chicago?” I counter.
“Good. I hated that guy,” Blake says from beside me.
“Here, here,” Ryan says.
I stand and grab a bottle from the bar. “Let’s go get drunk on Jenga.”
Fifteen minutes later everyone is on the balcony ready to play. I take a seat on the circular cushioned bench that encircles the round table. Gabby assembles the tower in the middle at an equal distance away from each player. Fran is to my left. Theo is to my right. Directly across from me is Reid. I’m actually surprised he’s participating, especially after our earlier conversation. Next to him is Gabby.
Gabby starts. “Every block has a directive on it. You have to do what it instructs then take a drink. If you don’t do it, you have to take five drinks, unless the block directs otherwise. Salute.” She lifts a shot glass and we all follow in kind, each taking our first drinks.
“I set it up, so you start,” she says to Ryan on her left.
“Alright, let’s get it started.” Ryan claps his hands together and choses a tile. “First one out of the gate.” He pulls his tile and reads, “Voyeur. Give two drinks to everyone you’ve seen naked.” He looks up. “Blake. Drink Up. You nearly got your thing bitten off skinny dipping in the lake last year.” His eyes move around the table. “Boss, take two.”
“When have you ever seen me naked?” Theo arches a brow.
“Not Daddy boss. Mama boss.” Ryan points to me.
“Really, Elise,” Theo chastises.
I roll my eyes and attempt to explain. “It was when his mom invited me to the farm for the weekend. I had an unfortunate interaction with the wrong end of the cow I was milking. I thought Ryan was in the field with his family, so I stripped on the porch so I wouldn’t take the smell in the house. When I went into the kitchen, Ryan was inside.”
“With…” Ryan smiles, waiting for me to finish his sentence.
I exhale loudly. “With the family Pastor who came by to check on his sister,” I respond meekly, taking my second drink.
“Shit. That’s worth everyone drinking two,” Blake says and knocks his back. “You went to the farm over a year ago. I can’t believe you kept that story to yourself.” He raises a glass to Ryan.
Ryan smiles. “I knew it would come in handy.”
We make our way around. Everyone has worked themselves into a slight buzz, and we’re only six plays into the game. Theo draws his piece.
“Lick a neck.” I look over to see that the arrow on the tile is pointing to the left, toward me.
“When did this game become all about sex?” he frowns.
“It’s always been that way. You are just usually drunk by now,” Fran says. Theo leans down and places a light kiss to my jaw line.
“No, sir,” Blake says. “That is not a lick.”
Theo holds up his left hand and wiggles his fingers, showcasing his wedding band. “Married.”
“So, you can share a bed but you can’t lick her neck?”
“Yes, Blake. That is correct,” Theo answers. “There is nothing sexual going on in the bed. Licking someone’s neck is sexual, no matter your sexual preference. The only neck I will be licking is Ross’.”
“We’re not talking about that neck. We’re talking about the one between your head and shoulders,” Reid says drawing laughter from everyone. I can’t help but finally look at him.
“He actually made a joke,” I say to Theo in disbelief.
“Ignore him,” he says.
“My turn.” I pull a block from the middle. “Truth. Answer a question from the jar or drink five.”
Gabby pulls out a piece of paper from the jar labeled “girls.”
“Have you ever taken a dip in the lady pond?”
“No.” I drink my drink.
“Four more drinks,” Fran says. “You take five if you d
on’t answer.”
“Why? I answered the question.”
“No, you didn’t.”
“Yes, I did.”
“No, you didn’t. You and Gabby have kissed.”
“How deep is a dip?” I ask. “More than first base right?”
“Any toe in the pond counts,” Fran says.
“Fine.” I start on the remaining four drinks.
“Hold on.” Blake looks at Fran. “Elise is the most straight-laced person I know. She won’t even fuck a guy until he’s a couple of months in, and you’re telling us she kissed Gabby?”
“You make me sound like a prude.” I’m looking anywhere except at Reid. I can feel his eyes on me.
“Look,” Blake begins his campaign. “I know we tease you about sleeping with Theo, but aside from the cow incident, you are as straight-laced as they come. You never talk about sex like the rest of us. You never have one night stands. You take five drinks just so you don’t have to answer certain questions. You’re vanilla at a table full of coconuts. It’s just surprising to hear that you, Elise Donovan, have kissed a girl.”
“If you must know,” Gabby says, thinking I need support, “I had very strict parents and was really sheltered. When I got to college, I was awkward and not very knowledgeable. I had a date one night and I had never kissed anyone before. I really liked him, so I asked Elise to teach me how to kiss. She did.” She shrugs like, ‘end of story’.
“That’s right. I did my friend a solid. It wasn’t a big deal. It was like…I don’t know,” I gesture with my hand, thinking. “Like, thirty minutes of kissing.”
“Did you know this?” Blake asks Theo who gives him an I-know-everything look. “I can’t believe I never knew.” Blake shakes his head.
Fran pulls her block. And because Karma has pulled my name today, the block has big red lips on it with an arrow to the right.
“Yes!” Fran gives a little fist pump.
“You are so weird,” I say, turning to face her. “Why are you excited?”
“Because Gabby got to make out with you and I haven’t. I always felt a little left out.”