Chapter 1
Cole
“Did I just witness some random woman driving off in your car, Cole?” My brother’s question puts a smile on my face since he’s doing his best not to yell at me.
“Not a random woman, a lady in need, big brother. She needed the vehicle more than us.”
Timothy folds his arms and hits me with a blue eyed stare that he stole from our father. “And how are we getting back to the hotel, you little shit?”
Another thing he borrowed from our dad. All of us have been little shits at some point. It’s just good that I’m here with Timothy because our middle brother, Ambrose, would have tried to fight me by now.
I chuckle at the thought. Ambrose is the strictest and sometimes the tighter wound brother; he cannot always tolerate my impulsiveness but my gut is rarely wrong. One of my favorite memories is when Dad benched him and made me interim CEO. Ambrose was spinning like wheels stuck in mud and leaving him in the dark was the funniest shit ever. I can’t say I liked being the CEO beyond bothering my brother though. It required entirely too much politics. I can see why Tim passed it up and my respect for Ambrose rose. It’s not easy, but I’d happily do it again if he needed me.
“We’re Heywoods. I’ll have you back at the hotel so you can sext your wife in no time.”
As the eldest, Timothy felt it was more important to pave his own way with our corporation and it has paid off in spades making his juice and lemonade brand one of the most popular nationwide. About two years ago, I got the bright idea to do something similar while working on the marketing for his products. Botanical alcohol. Well, I want to double dip and have botanical alcohol and the non-alcoholic substitute.
“I also want to speak to my son and daughter without a wild party going on in the background, smartass.”
“Valid,” I agree. Violet cut Timothy off after two kids for now but Ambrose and Lelani must want a basketball team. It doesn’t matter, I love all of my nieces and nephews. “I ordered a town car. The price is a drop in the bucket for us but would have probably devastated her.”
I don’t know her but seeing her eyes red from crying hurt my feelings as well, especially since I had the misfortune of witnessing the entire thing. They didn’t see me when he pulled her aside to argue. Since everyone had their phones, I felt it necessary to record the scene myself. I was the only one close enough to hear what others didn’t and I know how celebrities work.
“True,” Timothy agrees as he pats my back. “I’m glad you were around to help her. She didn’t look happy at the party.”
“Yeah.” I turn to look at my brother, “Sorry to waste your time tonight. At least this venture only took us two hours from Santa Barbara, we can go back tonight.”
Timothy rocks on his heels with his hands in his pockets as he looks at me. “No. Tonight we rest and will drive back in the morning. So you’re not going to offer the sponsorship to the rapper?”
I shake my head. “What kind of man leaves his woman behind and ignores her calls during the kind of storm that just passed?”
“A selfish one who’s not worthy of her love,” he answers.
“Or my sponsorship. I’m just happy that I opted not to introduce myself and observe. Yes, he is on the rise, but I don’t want to attach my brand to an asshole.”
The car arrives and the driver gets out to open the doors for us. “I’m glad, but just try to focus on what’s most important to you because it’s going to be hard to not find an asshole in the entertainment industry.
I chuckle as I climb in and wait for him to get in on the other side. “Truer words have never been said, brother.”
We move on, discussing different parts of our business and lives. My phone rings at a perfect time to avoid Tim’s settling down question.
“Hello?” I happily say into the phone.
“Are you staying at the Beverly Wilshire?”
Hearing her voice makes me feel something I can’t quite place. “Yes, how did you know that?”
“GPS,” she admits. “I’m calling from the lobby. I gave your car to the valet and I’ll leave the ticket with the front desk.”
“Okay, but unless you’re staying there as well, you were supposed to go where it’s the most convenient foryou.”
“This is convenient enough, I just needed to get back to the city. I can order a ride from here. Again, thank you so much for your help.”
She’s beautiful but I don’t know why I feel compelled to keep up the interaction. I blurt out the first thing that comes to mind.
“Since you’re already there, why not enjoy the amenities.”
Her sigh is a signal that she’s going to decline. I rub a somewhat sweaty palm on my leg as she delivers her brush off.
