The truth was, Decker wasn’tthatguy. Hadn’t been since he met Cami. Sure, he’d had a few casual situationships over the past year and a half, but nothing remotely close to a relationship. Lately, the thought of dating, opening himself up to someone, made him break out in a sweat.
“When people look at you, I want them to see the owner of a construction company who knows his shit, not a player. This is a great opportunity to do just that,” Brian said. “Not to mention how great the exposure could be for our company.”
So, Brian was all for using Decker’s fame when it benefited the company but when it got in the way of the all-mighty dollar, Decker’s fame was a liability. He understood the ramifications of his fame, but it still sucked that his brother wanted to wash his hands of Decker until he brought in the right kind of press.
He expected it from a puck bunny. But from his brother? That burned.
“How will you handle the builds we’ve already started if I’m MIA for six weeks?”
Brian lifted a nonchalant shoulder. “I’ve been handling things on my own for a long time. I’ll manage.”
And just like that, Decker felt like that selfish eighteen-year-old all over again, who chose his own wants over the needs of his family. It didn’t matter that hockey had not only been his dream, it had been his dad’s. It wastheirthing.
Theirdream.
“Just do what needs to be done,” Brian added.
“Is that why Asher called me earlier and asked me to meet him tomorrow?” he asked, referring to his agent.
“He wants to discuss what it would entail.”
“You two have been organizing my life without even consulting me?”
“Someone had to.” Brian stood to leave.
“Can’t we at least brainstorm ideas? Or maybe even just have a couple of beers?”
“I gotta go. Lauren is making lasagna, and tonight is Miles’s weekly dinner with the family; plus, I told him I’d help him with a project. He’s taking an intro to architecture class. Can you imagine, my kid, an architect?”
Actually, Decker couldn’t. Miles hated school. Always had. Trying to corral that kid to sit still was like trying to rope the wind. He might not have been born a Decker, but he was a Decker through and through, even had the Decker wildfire in him. Everyone knew how hard it was to snuff out a wildfire once it got going.
Just look at Decker. Not that he’d change the past decade, but there were times, like right then, when he wondered what it would be like to have a family waiting for him at home. Then again, he’d tried that once and lost out big time. He wasn’t eager to take that ride again.
“Tell the family I say hi.”
With a grunt, Brian disappeared into the crowd, leaving Decker alone with nothing but his thoughts and regrets for company.
He picked up his phone and texted Asher.
Decker: Asshole
Asher: Love you too
Decker: About the project I told you to go fuck yourself on? Well, I might have been too hasty
Asher: Is that your way of telling me I was right?
Decker: An hour ago, I would have said no but my position may have changed
Asher: I figured. That’s why I wanted to talk. Something you’d have known if you’d answered at least one of my calls
Decker didn’t have to look at his phone to know that his agent had already called five times. But he’d been so excited to go out with his brother and shoot the shit that he hadn’t wanted the distraction.
Decker: I couldn’t hear it ring
Asher: Is that the story you’re going with?
Decker: For now. Where do you want to meet?
