“Dad…” Clay starts, but clamps his mouth shut when Dad shoots him a death glare.
“No! We didn’t raise you boys this way. Your mother and I vowed that, no matter what the Morris money brought into our life, you’d never be a snot-nosed, social climbing dipshit. You’ve always had your share of easy lays. Now, you’re telling me you’ve used a poor, sweet woman to further your career?”
“No!” I lose it, my adrenaline spiking and aggression taking over. I jump up and resist the urge to lunge at him. “She’s not easy! She’s my everything!”
The room goes quiet, and Dad jerks back, his features softening at my confession. Understanding sinks in, and he drops his arms, the hostility from earlier easing.
“Nothing is as important as her. Not the job, the prestigious title, the promotion—none of it,” I admit.
The silence in the room continues as Dad works his lips between his teeth, staring at me intently.
“Son, I’m afraid giving all of that up and distancing yourself isn’t the answer. Eventually, you will have to tell her your relationship is built on a foundation of untruths. A major part of being in love is trust. You take that away and there’s nothing but a shell of emotions.”
His words hang in the air, and I know he’s right. “What do you suggest I do?”
“You know the answer without me saying it.”
“How can I tell her?” Greer’s face flashes in my head, her sparkling eyes staring at me with so much kindness and her bright smile that can light up the darkest room.
“I’ve been telling you for weeks to unload this,” Clay reminds me. “But, now, I think you have a prime opportunity. You can easily tell her there are things you’ve been holding back, too.”
“Holding back is an understatement. That’s why I need my name off the project.”
“What’s that going to gain, Lawson? Taking your name off the design and infrastructure build isn’t going to change the fact that you’ve been deceiving her since day one.”
“I want to be able to come clean and tell her it means nothing. Prove to her my intentions were misguided and arrogant, but that she is all that matters.”
“Sounds noble, but I’m afraid removing your name isn’t possible. Rob and Clive turned in the bid yesterday, including the model.”
“What?” The blood drains from my face.
Dad doesn’t get a chance to answer when the door flies open again and my uncle and grandfather come bursting in with enormous smiles on their faces.
“Doesn’t anyone respect the sanctity of a closed door?” Clay mumbles, obviously irritated with the second interruption of the morning.
“I knew I’d find you all in here!” Rob comes directly to me, oblivious to my mood. “You did it, boy! You pulled this shit off! Even if we don’t win this bid, which I believe in my gut we will, you’ve proven yourself.” He yanks me into a hug and keeps going. “Annie would be so proud of you and Clay and the professional men you’ve become.”
I freeze, my stomach instantly churning at the mention of my mom. She most definitely would not be proud if she knew what I’ve done. The air in the room fills with tension, and I step back from my uncle, looking at my dad.
His eyes are wounded and vacant, similar to every time someone says my mom’s name. This time, though, I know there’s disappointment brewing behind his gaze.
“What’s going on in here?” Grandpa Clive peers at all of us with suspicion. “Did we interrupt something?”
I clear my throat, bringing the attention to me. “Dad said the bid and the model has been turned in.”
“Yesterday morning,” Rob confirms.
“I thought you’d speak to me before it went in.”
“Didn’t have to. Your sketches, drawings, and designs were exactly on track. The innovation in your special touches were flawless. It was a tactical move to try to get the first bid in front of Kevin Palmer. Rumor is he’s reviewing them personally. Shows a lot about a company that doesn’t wait until the due date. If we’re lucky, we’re ahead of our competitors.”
“How did you brand the final presentation?”
“Per RFP instructions, the only name throughout the document is the Morris C&D moniker. However, all contributors are listed in Appendix H. You have been listed as lead architect.”
The only thi
ng I can do is nod with wariness. I’ve known since day one the rules of submitting our plans with anonymity and the final piece having all contributors. That’s why I wanted my name off, to give all credit to Rob. Get away from this and cut ties. Damn Rob and his eagerness. A few more hours and I could have walked away.