Tomorrow?
“What…uh…what meeting?”
“It’s some bullshit foundation thing, you know,” he says, and I can practically hear him gagging at the idea of wasting his time on anything philanthropic. Giving isn’t really his strong suit.
I swallow.
The interview is tomorrow.
Which is why he needs me to cover for him.
“Well, uh…I was supposed to meet with some clients, and uh?—”
“Reschedule. This is the third time I’ve had to cancel this meeting. It’ll start to look bad if an Everett doesn’t show.”
Fuck.
“Why do you need me to cover?” I ask, gritting my teeth. He laughs on the other end, and I feel my blood start to boil.
“What, suddenly interested in the grown-up businesses now, are we, son?” he chuckles.
“You didn’t answer, Dad,” I say with no hint of humor in my voice.
“I have another meeting I need to go to,” he says, “but just a reminder, it’s really none of your damn business. I’ll have Patricia send over the details. Be there.”
Click.
I shove my phone in my pocket and rush onto the elevator. When I get out and get into the car, I dial Julian.
“Good morning,” he answers.
“Not really,” I say. “She got the interview. It’s tomorrow.”
“That’s good, isn’t it?” he asks. “How did you know she?—”
“She told me. Listen, I promised her I’d be there, but Dad has me filling in for him at some meeting up in Boston tomorrow. You have to be there. Keat, too.”
“Of course,” Julian says. “We will be there before and after. We will make sure?—”
“I’m serious, J,” I say. “You can’t… You have to be…”
My voice trails off, and I feel my heart pounding in my chest as the SUV weaves through the city traffic.
“We will be there, Brooks. I promise.”
“Thank you,” I say. “I’m on my way to her place now. She’s a nervous wreck.”
“You two, uh… Are you…?”
“Don’t, J,” I warn. “I don’t know. I just…I promise I’m not fucking it up. But don’t ask.”
I don’t know what’s happening. I don’t know what I’m feeling. And I’m not ready to own up to anything.
“I trust you, Brooks,” he says. “Keep me in the loop.”
I freeze for a moment, basking in his words.
I trust you, Brooks.
