There had to be another way. I was finished with this game I had started. I was going to be with Tucker because that was what I wanted. What I needed.
Not because my job depended on it. That was no way to start a relationship with the man I love. I’d find another way to stay in control of CMI. I had no other choice.
“TUCKER? TUCKER?”
Someone grabbed my arm. “Tucker!”
Turning, I saw Frank, one of my bartenders. “Hey dude, I’ve been calling out your name for the last few minutes. Where are you tonight?”
I let out a frustrated groan. “Sorry man, I’ve got a lot on my mind.”
He laughed. “I’d say so. You’re a million miles away. I said I’ve got this if you want to take off.”
Glancing around the bar, I smiled. We were busy, for a Wednesday night. “Nah, it’s okay. I do think I’m going to head back to my office and work on some paperwork, though. Call me if it gets too busy.”
“Will do, boss.”
Once I sat at my desk, I attempted to get what happened this afternoon out of my head. What in the world had made Charlie get sick? I knew she was crying on the other side of that bathroom stall. And what was she about to tell me? Hell, I knew what she was going to tell me. I could see it in her eyes. She was about to tell me about the marriage deal and then we got interrupted.
“Fuck!” I shouted. My hand jerking through my hair. I needed to come clean to her. Let her know I knew about the stupid plan of hers. Even though I was pretty damn sure we’d moved past her trying to seduce me and me wanting revenge. What we had going was the real thing. I knew it the moment she got jealous over that date and when she said she wanted something more than just fucking.
Interrupting my thoughts, my phone buzzed on my desk, and I groaned when I saw who it was.
“Hello?”
“Tucker, it’s your father speaking.”
I rolled my eyes. Like I really wouldn’t know it was him calling. I had caller ID and he knew that.
“Hey, Dad. How’s things going?”
“Your mother and I are having a party for some business associates of mine, and we’d like for you and your sister to join us.”
Why he couldn’t fucking treat me like a son was beyond me. He completely ignored my question.
“When is it?”
“This weekend, Saturday to be exact, at The W downtown. It’s a black-tie event so I expect you to come dressed as such, that is, if you even own anything other than jeans and T-shirts.”
Asshole. “Sorry, I can’t make it. I have other plans for this weekend.”
He laughed. “What, managing the bar?”
“I happen to own the bar, Dad. I think at least that would garner a little bit of respect from you.”
“Respect? You want respect, son? Then come get a real job and work with me. If it’s good enough for your sister, why isn’t it good enough for you?”
Sighing, I waited a good five seconds before launching into the same old shit. “Because I am not the least bit interested in marketing, and I don’t want to sit behind a desk my whole life and ignore my family.”
“Is that what you think I’ve done? Ignore you? I gave you everything, including paying for a college education that has done nothing for me.”
“For you!” I laughed. “So, is that it? You sent me to school so I’d come work for you. Sorry to disappoint you, Dad. I would have never come to work for you.”
“Care to enlighten me as to why?”
“I have, Dad. Time and time again and you refuse to listen. That is not the life
I want for myself. I love what I do. I love owning my own place, and I’m not ashamed of that. But apparently you are, so let’s end this conversation before it goes any further.”