You, Me, and Forever (Blushing)

“Next time you and your crew decide to show up late, you won’t be employed here,” I told the foreman.

He nodded and apologized for the third time.

I’d been back in the city for several weeks now, and I was sick and tired of being a fucking babysitter.

“Myles,” Connor said, his voice low and even so only I would hear. “How about we take it down a notch.”

I came to an abrupt stop, tugging my black overcoat closed at the collar. “Take it down a notch? They’ve been late multiple times. That’s not how you make a good name for yourself.”

Connor pushed the door open, and we stepped out onto the busy street. “They were four minutes late.”

“I clocked them at a hell of a lot later than that.”

“You arrived thirty minutes early. That doesn’t count toward them being late. They were actually four minutes late, Myles. And they’ve been working late every day. We’re making good progress, and we’re ahead of schedule.”

“Whatever. They shouldn’t be four minutes late. We pay them well. I’m never late. I expect the people who work for me to show the same respect.” We walked side by side as we made our way to the coffee shop next door.

Our coffees were waiting for us, as Connor had used the app to place our order. Samuel was meeting us here, and we found a table for three in the back where we normally sat.

I took a sip of my coffee and let out an irritated huff. “Damn it. This coffee tastes like shit again.”

“You’ve said that every day for a month. Perhaps you should order something different.”

Connor was an even-keeled dude, but I could tell he was annoyed with me, even if he did his best to try to hide it.

We were friends, but at the end of the day, I was his boss, and he worked for me. He didn’t know where that line was. And with me being as moody as I’d been lately, I didn’t blame him for treading lightly.

Samuel came through the door, and Connor waved him over. My assistant almost had a look of relief on his face as my brother made his way over to the table.

As if sitting here with just me was that painful?

Fuck him.

Fuck everyone, as far as I’m concerned.

Samuel gave us each a pound of his fist as he slipped his coat off and took the seat across from me. He reached for his coffee and took a sip before setting it back down. “Damn. They really do have the best coffee in New York City.”

“Well, you and I are the only two who agree on that,” Connor snipped, and I glared at him.

“Oh, let me guess. We’re still hating the coffee. The traffic. The noise. The weather.” He chuckled.

“The construction crew. The doorman at his building. Anyone who has a dog attached to their leash. Cyclists who ride on city streets. The mailman, because how dare he think he should deliver the mail during the workday.” Connor smirked before taking another sip of his coffee.

Apparently, he isn’t afraid of pissing me off.

“Fuck both of you. And what the hell is going on today? Why the fuck is that dude dressed like a fucking pirate? And that kid over there who keeps giving me attitude looks like a goddamn pumpkin. Has everyone lost their fucking minds?” I grumped.

Both Connor and Samuel laughed, which irritated me even more.

“Myles,” my brother said, his eyes suddenly filled with empathy, even though I wasn’t the asshole dressed like a moron. “It’s Halloween. And the kid giving you attitude is maybe two years old and doesn’t know how to shit in a toilet. He doesn’t know you exist, nor does he care. He’s just checking the place out.”

“I hate Halloween.”

“Of course you do. Why would you enjoy seeing people dressed up, eating candy, and having a good time one day a year? It’s a ludicrous concept.” He oozed sarcasm and tried to cover his smile by taking a sip of coffee.

“What’s going on with you?” Samuel asked. “You’ve been a miserable asshole ever since you came back to the city. The project is ahead of schedule. I’m coming on board starting Monday. Mom is happier than we’ve ever seen her. Dad is eating a big dose of humble pie. You should be on cloud nine.”

“The crew was late today, again. The coffee has been fucked up ever since I returned home and doesn’t taste the same. My doorman follows me around the lobby, talking incessantly. And I find it off putting when grown adults wear costumes.” I shrugged. “And trust me, Dad has not eaten nearly enough humble pie. He invited me to dinner last night, and he brought a woman. I haven’t seen the man since their anniversary party. We haven’t discussed the divorce, and he brings a date to our dinner. Far from humble, brother.”noveldrama

“I don’t think this has anything to do with Mom or Dad or your doorman,” Samuel said, and of course Connor nodded in agreement. “Hell, I don’t think you give a shit about some stranger wearing a pirate costume or your construction team being a few minutes late.”

The fucking traitor.

“What are you, a therapist now? I thought you were tired of being a doctor?”

“No. I’m tired of working seven days a week and not spending time with my girlfriend, smart-ass. But yes, I’m also a qualified medical doctor who is happy to tell you that you’re being an asshole.”

“I’m an asshole?”

“No. I said you’re being an asshole.” He laughed. “You’re suffering, and you don’t want to admit it.”

“I agree with Dr. St. James,” Connor said.

“Of course you do.”

“Myles, why don’t you just call the girl. See how she’s doing?” Samuel asked.

I hadn’t talked to Montana since I left Blushing. She’d asked me not to reach out, and I’d respected her wishes.

Had I texted Charlie and asked about her? Sure.

Apparently, she was doing great.

She was out there living her best life, and I was fucking miserable, and it pissed me the hell off.

“She asked me not to call her.” I shrugged.

“Well, I ask you daily not to be an asshole, and that’s never stopped you,” my brother said, receiving a boisterous laugh from Connor.

“That’s not what this is about. I’ve got a lot going on.”

“You know what I’ve come to realize since making my decision to leave medicine?” Samuel said.

“Well, your last day was yesterday, so what have you learned in the last twelve hours?” I smirked.

“Life is short, brother. You can choose what you want out of this life. And you’re allowed to change course whenever the fuck you want. So if you aren’t happy with the original plan, do something about it.”

“Those are some wise words,” Connor said, and I rolled my eyes.

“Is this why you wanted to meet this morning? To tell me that I’m an asshole before you start work on Monday?”

“No. I wanted to let you know that I’m going to propose to Brianna. I’m done fucking around, and I’m ready to start living.” He leaned forward, his gaze locking with mine. “You know what, Myles? You like the girl. You like her a lot. And that scares the shit out of you. But avoiding relationships because our parents had a shitty one—well, that doesn’t make any sense. Because at the end of the day, not letting anyone in means you end up alone. Focusing all your energy on work means you end up alone. And that’s just as bad as being in a bad relationship, as far as I’m concerned. I almost lost the woman I love, and I’m not letting her go this time.”

The door opened, and a woman wearing a Tinkerbell costume with her face covered in glitter stepped inside, followed by a man in a Chewbacca costume.

It was like the universe was intentionally fucking with me.

“I’m happy for you, Samuel. But you want a relationship; you always have. You were just neglecting it, and you figured it out. I’ve never wanted that life.”

“So you’ve just been a dick since you got home because you suddenly don’t have the patience for New York City?” Connor asked.

I glared at him. He’d been pissing me off ever since I’d returned. He worked directly with Montana, and every time I inquired about her, he would give me lame, single-word answers.

He knew I wanted to know more, but he wasn’t going to give me anything until I outright asked.

“Correct.” I cleared my throat. “Now tell me about this proposal. How are you going to do it? And are you sure she’ll say yes?”

“Fuck you,” my brother said. “You know she’ll say yes. She’s already moved back in to the house. It was never about us not being happy; it was about me not prioritizing our relationship. So yes, I feel very confident. And I’m going to keep it simple.”

“The St. James brothers never keep anything simple. You are the most over-the-top, bougie motherfuckers I know. Let’s hear it.” Connor tipped one shoulder up and chuckled.

“I’m doing it tonight. I rented out Francois’s French restaurant for the evening. It’s her favorite, and they canceled all the reservations and relocated them to their other location, and I offered to cover their dinner tabs for the inconvenience.”

“You needed an entire restaurant?” Connor asked.

“Of course I do. Peter Arquette is over there now, setting up a makeshift jewelry store with his best engagement rings. I hired Mom’s party planner, Penny, and she’s currently over there covering every square inch in twinkle lights. And I flew in that blues band that she loves to play while we eat.”

“Very subtle,” I said with a laugh. Connor gaped at him.

“You know what, Myles?” my brother asked.

“No, but I’m guessing you and your new zest for life are going to tell me.”

“Life is short. We have more money than we will ever need. So why are we spending our lives working and not living? I’m all about balance now.”

“Oh, wonderful. You come on board to work for the St. James Corporation, right when you decide to be more balanced? Lucky me.” I rolled my eyes.

He nodded, giving me this look that was filled with empathy. “Our past doesn’t have to define us. Our parents’ fucked-up relationship doesn’t have to define us. We can learn from the mistakes they made. Just because it didn’t work for them does not mean it can’t work for us. Dad’s a selfish prick. We’re not like him.”

“Well, Myles has his moments.” Connor smirked. “But I agree. There’s a big teddy bear under that gruff heart of yours.”

“What the hell is this meeting even about? I thought we were going to discuss the high-rise. I have a meeting with Jackson this afternoon to go over the drawings. I didn’t know I was coming to some sort of fucked-up therapy session.”

“I guess we’re having an intervention. You’ve been a dick to everyone at the office ever since you got back. With Samuel coming on board, I thought the two of us could talk to you about it.”

“Holy shit,” I whisper-hissed. “I was kidding. This really is an intervention?”

“Well, I also wanted to share the news about my engagement. But yes, even Brianna noticed when we had dinner with you last week. She said you don’t seem like yourself. I think you need to deal with it, brother. You can’t run from it.”

What the fuck is happening?

“I haven’t been that bad,” I said, glancing between them.

“On a scale from one to ten, one being the best behavior you’ve ever had and ten being the worst, you’re at a solid one hundred and seventy-five, Myles. And you need to figure it out.” Connor shrugged. “All joking aside, at the end of the day, you’re the best guy I know. And I can see that you’re miserable, and I don’t want that for you.”

Samuel had a big grin on his face. He loved this sappy shit. “Agreed,” he said. “You went to Blushing to buy a hotel, and you found the love of your life. Just fucking own it. You can make this work. People do it all the time. But we don’t want to see you lose the one person who you finally have actual feelings for—because trust me when I tell you, I thought you were too closed off to ever allow it to happen. And if you just act like an asshole for another couple of months, it’ll be too late. Because she’ll move on. And then you won’t have anyone to blame but yourself.”

I pushed to my feet abruptly and pointed at each of them. “Fuck you both. You don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve got a meeting.”

Time was all I needed.

This would pass.

So I’d tone down my asshole behavior and just fake it until this feeling went away so these sensitive pricks would stop analyzing me.

It was time to stop thinking about Montana Kingsley every goddamn second of the day.