“Yep. Apparently, he hasn’t been happy for a while and was waiting until the end of the tour before he called time.”
My chest tightens, and Dani’s words scramble in my head. Did I hear her right? I scratch my beard in thought and pace the room. “No. No way.”
My heart is beating so fast. I can’t believe Brett would do this to three of his oldest friends. We put up with his shit, day in, day out, but this is a step too far.
“I knew he was up to something, but I didn’t expect this,” I say, shaking my head.
Slowly, sadness takes over as I reminisce about the four of us building Koolum Law together. Then slowly, my fists clench, when it dawns on me just how shitty he’s been acting lately. Maybe this shouldn’t be such a shock. Showing up late. His bad attitude. Now it all makes sense.
“We’ve made every decision as a four. We tolerate the bad, and fuck me, has he been bad lately. Who the fuck does he think he is? He can’t do this to us.”
“Well, he has. It’s a shock for everyone. Apparently, theonly person he discussed it with was his solicitor. Fucking idiot,” Dani spits.
“Have you spoken to the rest of the guys?” I ask while I continue to pace.
“Only Ash so far. He knew he was in self-destruct mode, but he didn’t see this coming.”
I can’t get my head around this. “Did we miss something, Dani? Do you think his recent bad attitude was a cry for help?” I ask, trying to make sense of it all.
“Don’t over-analyse it. You’ll drive yourself mad.” I hear her sigh down the line. “Look, I’ve called an emergency meeting for tomorrow morning at seven and Ash suggested we use his place. The three of you have decisions to make. Have you any idea what you want to do?”
“Jesus, Dani. You’ve just dumped this on me. I don’t know what to think. I need to talk to the guys, but you have to call Max first.”
“Yes, I know. I’ve been putting it off,” Dani says, sounding almost human.
“Out of all of us, Max is going to take this the hardest.”
“I’m not looking forward to it. You don’t want to take that job on, do you?” She huffs out as if laughing.
“I can, but I think it’s better coming from you. I wouldn’t want him to think he’s the last to know.”
“Fuck it,” she hisses. “All right, I should get this over and done with.”
“Thanks, Dani.”
“Oh, and just so you know, Brett’s solicitor was talking about issuing a press release tomorrow. If they go ahead, we should react with a response as quickly as possible, so think hard and fast about your future, Tommy. Think about what you want.”
“Yeah, there’s a lot to take on board.” I pause before I ask, “Where is he?”
“Who, Brett? If I knew that, I wouldn’t be on the other end of a phone talking to you. I’d be giving that fucker a piece of my mind, face to face. He didn’t even have the decency to talk it over first or let us know this news in person, never mind telling me his whereabouts. I’ve tried calling several times, but he won’t pick up. He just issued all this crap through a third party and fucked off into outer space.”
I glance over at Chelsea, who’s still waiting for me to finish this call. “Jesus. What’s the third thing going to be?” I say in a lower tone.
“What do you mean?” Dani asks.
“Bad news comes in threes, apparently. I’ve already had my fill today.”
“Why? What else happened?”
I sigh. “I’ll explain another time.”
“Well, I’m always here if you need me. Oh, and Tommy, I don’t have to tell you to keep this news quiet for now, which includes your wife.” I close my eyes. “You know she has a habit of shooting her mouth off.” I rub my hand down my face. “Tommy, did you hear me?”
“Yeah, you have nothing to worry about on that score. See you in the morning.”
I tuck my phone in the back pocket of my faded blue jeans and rub my fingers deep across my eyes. I can’t help but let a little frustration go free. “Jesus fucking Christ,” I growl.
“What is it?” Chelsea asks. “Has something bad happened?”
