Noah leans back slightly, almost like he’s bracing for what’s coming. Austin, ever steady, jumps in first.
“Yeah,” he says with a small nod. “Married. I’ve got two sons—Adrian’s in seventh grade. Plays soccer like it’s his job. And Ethan, he’ll be two months old in a few weeks. They’re my world.”
McNeal’s face lights up. “That’s great. My boys were the same way at the age of your oldest. There’s nothing likewatching your kid hustle on the field, win or lose, it’s all heart.”
Noah joins in next, a soft smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Married too. We’ve got one beautiful little girl—she’s almost seven months now. She already has me completely wrapped around her tiny finger. I’d do anything for my girls.”
McNeal beams, the man actually beams. “That’s what I like to hear. I always say, if a man’s grounded at home, he’s grounded at work. Family men build differently. With purpose. With patience.”
The others keep talking, their stories flowing easy, but my mind snags on his words like barbed wire. Family men. Purpose. Patience. What the fuck am I supposed to say when it’s my turn? If I admit I’m single, will he write me off? Think I’m unstable? Maybe he’ll decide I don’t fit the kind of man he wants to do business with.
I’ve got nothing. No wife. No kids. Just a string of half-hearted attempts that never stuck. The truth sits heavy in my throat, but lying feels just as dangerous. My knee jerks under the table, bouncing so hard I’m sure someone’s going to notice. My shirt clings to my back, a bead of sweat sliding down my spine like a countdown. Any second now, McNeal’s attention will swing my way, and I’ll have to open my mouth before I completely choke.
He turns to me next, his eyes kind and curious. “What about you, Esteban?”
My mouth opens before my brain catches up.
“I’m engaged,” I blurt out.
Noah chokes on his water. Austin’s head jerks toward me like I just announced I moonlight as a magician. I ignorethem both and keep going, the lie growing legs before I can stop it.
“Yeah,” I say, forcing a big-ass grin. “She’s… amazing. We’ve been together for a while, and we’re finally tying the knot soon. I’m finally getting my chance at happiness like these tow.” I say, trying not to visibly sweat.
Noah’s knee bumps mine under the table, probably on purpose. I catch a sideways glance from him, his eyes screaming:What the actual fuck, bro?
Austin’s still doing the mental math beside me, probably wondering if I had a secret girlfriend stashed in some part of Honey Springs he’s never seen.
But McNeal seems satisfied. He shifts the conversation back to logistics: budgeting, materials, coordination with his Florida-based team. I nod along, offer a few intelligent-sounding comments, but mostly I’m just mentally spiraling over the fact that I now have a fiancée who does not exist.
But it gets worse.
“I’d love to have you all come down to Key West in a couple of weeks,” McNeal says, his tone casual. “Nothing fancy, just a dinner at the house. You can meet my wife and kids. We’ll talk shop, but mostly I want to get to know you all outside the business.” He grins. “Bring your families. The wives. The kids. Your fiancée, Esteban.”
I laugh—too loud, too fake. “Of course! She’d love that.”
“She’s gonna love the beach,” he adds. “I’ll have my assistant send over the details.”
And just like that, the conversation moves on, back to scheduling and expectations. I sit there smiling, nodding, my brain screaming one word on a loop:
Shit.
Once the coffee cups are empty and we’ve gone overevery detail of the project, Mr. McNeal pushes his chair back with a smooth motion and stands.
“Well, gentlemen,” he says, flashing that same confident smile he wore when he walked in, “this has been a great meeting. I’ve got another appointment coming up, but I’m really looking forward to working together. And don’t forget, bring the families when you come down to Key West. My wife loves to host, and our place has more than enough room.”
He shakes our hands, one by one, gives a friendly nod, and heads out the door like he’s got the whole world in his back pocket.
As soon as the door closes behind him, I feel both Noah and Austin’s eyes on me. I turn, slowly, already knowing what’s coming.
Austin crosses his arms. “Are you for real right now?”
Noah raises an eyebrow. “Where is this fiancée you just announced out of nowhere?”
“What the fuck, man?” Austin continues, like I just set our whole business on fire.
I groan, dragging a hand down my face. “I panicked, okay?”
They both just blink at me.
