Page 41 of Never Till Now

I walk past the lounge when I notice Max’s alternative shift working the bar tonight. Grant is nice, but he talks too much about things I have zero interest in. I head to the elevator as the doors open to Max. His eyes avert from mine as soon as they connect.

Odd.

“Where are you coming from?” I toss the ball in his court, because I recognize the same suspicious look he sported back in the day.

The same look he had when bragging about a weekend he once banged his girlfriend and her mother. Our teen years held no lack when it came to exploration.

“James is sick. I took Mallory to swim lessons and helped Kels put the kids to bed.” He walks past me then turns around. “You should try it once. It’s exhausting.”

“Max.” I raise my eyebrows. “Kelsie is vulnerable as hell right now.” I don’t know why I have a weird gut feeling, but his look threw me off.

“Exactly.” His tone is sharp. “She’s a single mother now and doesn’t have time to even brush her hair half the time.”

“Kelsie has prioritized getting ready her whole life.” My sister was big on looking the part to be productive in it.

“When was the last time she has looked the part.” He has a point. “Her motherly role has taken over her kick-ass marketing role. Which would be fine if it didn’t make her forget how badass she can be.”

He’s right. I need to start pulling my fucking weight in this family beyond job criteria. Kelsie should rely on her actual brother over the adoptive one, as my mother likes to call him.

“I’ll stop prioritizing Lauren.” I smile and wink to lighten the mood. “It’s a relief to know you’re not banging my sister.”

“Dude, you’re my best friend. Kels is someone I’ve vowed to always protect. Friends help each other.” He spews off his response like rapid fire and shakes his head. “Good night, Mr. Lovestruck.”

“Fuck off. I am not.”

“Your face says otherwise, dumbass. Now, good night.” He heads out of the lobby.

The office meeting drags out longer than it needs to. Our head of marketing needs to be fired for her unoriginal ideas. I don’t know why my father has kept her around this long, if I’m being honest. I miss working with my sister. While I know she’s going through a lot right now, James is old enough to be left with our mother, or at least enrolled part-time in a preschool. Max is right that Kelsie’s divorce and extended “maternity leave” is taking a toll on her. I make a mental note to talk to her about coming back. Even if it’s part time.

My pen slips through my lip and cuts my gum. I blink back to reality and curse under my breath. I could have skipped this meeting and put my time to better use. Our busy season is coming to an end, and I have countless hours to look over budgets.

“Son.” My father’s eyes are wide with annoyance as he pulls me out of my trance.

I swipe my eyes away from the building outside of our long windows and tap the end of my pen on my thumbnail. A telltale habit of my boredom.

“Father,” I address him in a flat voice.

“Do you have anything to add?”

“Yeah, when is Kelsie coming back to work?” Irritation leaks through my tone. I don’t give a shit anymore if I come off as unprofessional. “Katherine’s marketing strategy is too generic for the Aspen location. We need to sell people on the feeling instead of an overpriced fancy chandelier and giant fireplace. It’s standard in almost every damn luxury hotel.”

If Katherine’s glare could shoot lasers, I’d be severed in half by now. She stands up and straightens her spine as if it will give her more authority. If she’s judging authority by height, I am the same size as her while remaining in my seat. My father clears his throat and his eyes waver back and forth between me and the few other team members.

“Kelsie will return when she’s ready.” Or she needs a push to remind her how fucking brilliant she is with marketing. “Leave your sister out of this.”

“And jeopardize our business that you care so much about? If I’m wrong, tell Katherine how brilliant her tactics were during this meeting.”

“Adam.” His voice drops an octave, warning me to ease up before turning to Katherine. “Your presentation wasn’t the best you’ve given us. If my son can come up with a better plan by the end of the week, you’re dismissed.” He nods and leaves the room.

What the fuck? As if I have time for another assignment. I’m not a fucking marketer.

I stand to head out for lunch and text Kelsie to meet up.

“You’re a fucking bastard,” Katherine mutters as I walk out.

I debate replying but Katherine is not worth my breath. She is well aware of the high standards this company upholds. If she can’t cut it, she can’t cut it. I don’t have time for this crap on top of my own work. I also can’t ignore how something better can be done for our newest location. I exit the building and buy the closest thing to eat for lunch.

I sit on a bench but no longer have an appetite for my burrito. My brain sorts through ideas as a pair of long legs I’ve grown to memorize catches my eye. Lauren smiles and takes a seat with her bag of groceries.