“What’s going on?” he asked.
“I know you’re going to Nick’s wedding.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because your grandmother would have required it and you never tell her no. You owe her everything you’ve got so you should do what she says.”
He’d heard this enough. That he’d never be where he was if it weren’t for his grandmother.
That was partially true.
But he would have taken the first job regardless of having money to invest. He would have gotten the same stock options as he’d asked for too.
When it sold, he would have made a lot of money, but nothing like he had.
The same with the second company.
“I consider what she asks of me because she’s nice about it,” he said.
“Sophie isn’t nice about much and you know it.”
He flopped onto the couch and looked at his watch. Natalie would be here in ten minutes. She’d probably be early and that would give him an excuse to get off this call.
“She might not have been nice to you.”
“Your grandmother liked me well enough in the beginning. Your father is the one who ruined our marriage.”
“Do we always have to have this conversation? It’s decades old and you’ve moved on just as he has.”
“But I have to continue to see him and the college-aged women he’s flashing under my nose.”
He couldn’t hold the shiver back. “I doubt it’s that bad.”
“This one is damn close to it. He looks like a fool. He has no idea what people are saying about him.”
“I doubt he cares.”
If his father did, he would have stopped years ago.
The reputation Eric Crest had with women didn’t deter him from doing his job.
“He should care.”
“Did you only call to bitch about Dad’s new girlfriend? I heard you’ve got someone new too. And younger.”
“Rylie is forty. Not nearly as young as your father’s new sidepiece.”
Forty was still only eight years older than him. Gross enough.
“Whatever. Mom, I don’t have much time. I’m getting ready to leave for my flight.”
“Where are you?”
He didn’t want to say too much. “Massachusetts.”
His mother never asked specifics and didn’t now. “I’d like to see you while you’re in town.”
“I won’t have the time,” he said. “I’m arriving tonight, then tomorrow is the wedding and I’m leaving first thing on Sunday morning.”
