“No offence, Bob, but uh… what are you guys doing here? I thought this was a family thing.”
Garret chuckles, and I do my best to ignore him.
My father catches my gaze.
“It is. But it is also a matter of business.”
“Of course it is,” I say, unable to hide my disdain. This is just like my dad. I swear he never knows when to quit or where to draw the line.
“Your father thought it would be a good idea to have all the candidates he’s considering for his position in one place so we could discuss things.”
Her words chill my blood.All the candidates he’s considering.
I look around the table. Chris, me, Rob, fucking Garrett. George…
Are we all candidates for his CEO position?
“Discuss… things,” I say coldly.
My father takes a sip of his wine as a line of waitresses bring three trays full of platters. They set about to spreading them along the table as my father continues to talk. One sets a plate of wings in front of me.
“As you all know, my retirement is inevitable, and with the news, people have been up my ass like a dog who wants a bone,” he drawls.
I blink, unable to process what’s happening.
“So I thought, what better way to make a decision than spend some quality time with the men who I am considering as a viable replacement. Like an… interview.”
Garrett grins. “I think that’s a very smart idea, Mr. Everett.”
I glare at him. Of course he does. Fucking asshole. Did he know about this?
Something tells me he did.
And he held onto this for this very moment, to blindside me and fuck me over.
Because that’s the kind of person Garret Tempest is.
“So, we would like to propose an offer. That you all join us—my wife and I— at our estate in Madison Park for the week. This way we can spend some time—” He looks at me sternly. ”—quality time with you all and truly discern if you will be the right fit for this position.”
I think I just stopped breathing. I haven’t been to Madison Park in ages, and what my dad’s proposing sounds nothing short of a nightmare. One week with him, my family, and the damn Tempests? Including fucking Garrett and his new husband? This is like the seventh circle of hell. Am I dreaming? Is this a literal nightmare?
Rob nods in agreement. “I think that sounds like a great idea, Tony.”
My mother clasps her hands together. “Splendid!” Aunt Shannon and Uncle Travis also echo their excitement as Chris catches my gaze while Lola squeals with excitement.
He had no idea. He’s just as blindsided as me about this, and that makes me feel even more on edge. Usually Chris is the one who has his finger on the pulse of the family. So this means the decision must have been very sudden.
My father catches my gaze.
“Where’s your boyfriend, Aaron?” he asks carefully. Oh shit.
“Writing,” I lie. “Got a jolt of inspiration, and just had to… you know, get it out.”
I hold his gaze. If I break it, I’m fucked.
“You are coming to the beach house, right?” dad says. “I mean, you’ve made it pretty clear you want to be considered and—”
“You should bring him with you!” my mom says excitedly.
