“You grab a table, I’ll get the food,” I told him. It was the least I could do considering I was going to be blabbing like a sorority bitch and he knew it.
The line was too long for this time of the morning. Why weren’t these people at work? I guess the same could be asked about us, though. I finally walked up to our table with two bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches on everything bagels and two black coffees. It helped that we both liked the same order. Mitch rubbed his hands together in anticipation of the deliciousness I set before him and dug in. I knew there would be no talking for the first few minutes.
All it took was about five to six bites for us to finish, even though these sandwiches were massive. Once done, we both leaned back in our chairs and nursed our still steaming cups of coffee.
“So, what’s going on in the world of Baby Brother Parker that I get a second bagel sandwich in the span of two weeks?” Mitch asked.
Shaking my head at his words, I contemplated how to start. Our conversations were usually about women. He knew about my issues with Maryellen. Considering he worked for PFA, I obviously trusted him not to say anything. I was his sounding board at times, too. Guys needed to talk, just like girls.
“Well,” I started. “I, um…” Then I stopped. “For starters, my office is moving to the fortieth floor, most likely by the end of next week. I’m getting a big new executive suite across the floor from my big brother.”
Mitch smiled wide and crossed his leg over his knee, relaxing more against the back of his chair. His excitement for me spread across his face.
“That’s great, man. You deserve it, finally.”
“Yeah, well, I’m not sure I even want it,” I told him.
His face fell at my words.
“What are you talking about? This is all you’ve talked about wanting.”
And he was right. Then I realized it was for all the wrong reasons.
“Things change,” I said.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I don’t know, man. You know I’m not cut out for this corporate shit, so why am I still here? Who am I kidding?”
The napkin on the plate in front of me became a great distraction as I tore it into tiny pieces, suddenly wanting to avoid this conversation. The silence became deafening. I looked up to find Mitch staring at me, waiting.
“What?” I asked.
“You tell me.”
“This company was handed to me, and I was expected to want to do it. I know that sounds so entitled. Anyone would love a fucking multi-million-dollar company handed to them, Mitch, I get it. But I loathe this life, you know that.”
He chuckled before answering. “You don’t hate the parties we need to go to or the girls that come along with it.”
I laughed along with him.
“No, but that’s the only part. It’s not fair to anyone.”
It may not be fair for me to coast on the family name, but what choice did I have? There was no other plan.
“Well, you can’t look a gift horse in the mouth, Chase. It’s your family business. There are plenty of people in this world who don’t like the business they work in, but they suck it up. Could be worse, man. A few million worse.”
I knew he was right. My life was good, better than good. I was blessed. It felt almost bratty to be complaining about it.
“Plus, we’ll be in the same department now. That’ll be cool.” He was right. He was my closest friend at work. Having himguide me through what was coming would be helpful. Yet it still wasn’t enough.
“You think this might still be about Maryellen?” Mitch asked.
The sheer mention of her name made my heart speed up and my palms sweat. A vision of her in my apartment from months ago, lounging on my couch, almost naked, popped into my mind. It was after the big event she had helped Gage plan at The Plaza. I convinced her to come home with me, our first night together.
Bliss.
The only word I can think of.
