Small Town Billionaire

by Cheryl Michaels

  “I don’t think I like where this is going.” Bryce had always been like a brother to Chase, but if he hurt Ainsley, who was a big part of the reason he had Shay back in his life, he’d have to let him have it.

  “I panicked, okay?” He sighed. “I told her I’d made a mistake last night, that she should just forget about it and me and—”

  “What did she say to that?”

  “Nothing. She just left, stormed out of the room.”

  “Man, you really are stupid. I’ve watched you mess around with the wrong women for years. You finally have another chance with the right one, the one you clearly haven’t gotten out of your system, and you manage to blow it. How? Why?”

  “Look man, don’t judge me,” Bryce said, pushing his chair back. “You don’t know what I’m dealing with right now.”

  “I know you’re trying to do right by your family,” Chase said, leaning in. “But that doesn’t mean you’re not allowed to have a life of your own.”

  “It’s more than that.” He looked around. “Your family’s always had it all together. Mine are a lost cause. I keep trying to run from it, ‘cause honestly, I’m afraid to end up just like them. But being back here means I can’t go on pretending anymore. I have to face it and I don’t want to face it.”

  And Chase knew he was the reason Bryce came back to Landon at all. “Buddy, anything I can do to help, you know I will. But do you honestly think shutting Ainsley down is going to make this situation any better?”

  “My old man used to tell me all the time that she was too good for me.” He covered his mouth with his hand. “He used to say she’d leave me when something better came along.”

  “What does he know? You should know better than to listen to him. He was probably drunk when he said it.” It incensed Chase every time he thought about the way Bryce’s father had tried to tear him down instead of building him up the way his own father had.

  “Maybe he was right. Think about it. What would someone like Ainsley want with me? We both know I’m not what she needs.”

  “I’m no expert on women, but one thing I know for sure, they don’t like to be told how they should feel. They like to make up their own minds about that. And my guess is if Ainsley was willing to give you another chance, she’d already made up her mind about her feelings for you.”

  Bryce looked out the window as the cleaning lady hauled her trolley across the paved parking lot to clean the small guest cabins on the property. “I was crazy to think this could work.”

  “What do you mean? You’re not sorry you came back here, are you?”

  “I think I may have to head back to Texas, Chase.”

  “Wait, what?” Bryce had been the one constant in Chase’s life since they decided to take on this crazy challenge together. He couldn’t let him bail now.

  “This may be the right place for you, but it’s not the right place for me.” He sighed. “I’m more certain of that than ever. If I stay here the past will continue to haunt me. I’ll keep hurting the people I care about, ‘cause I just don’t know how not to.”

  Chase hated to see his best friend in pain, but he knew he couldn’t fix what was broken in Bryce’s life. He could only be there to support him while he figured it out for himself. “At least consider splitting your time,” Chase said, hoping they could reach some compromise. After working side-by-side for so many years it was tough for Chase to imagine not seeing Bryce every day.

  “We’ve still got the flagship store and a small office there,” Bryce said. “And since we haven’t found a new operations manager yet I could take care of things until we find someone.”

  “Then you’re talking about a temporary move?” That made Chase feel marginally better, but he still didn’t want to see him go. Their phenomenal growth over the past thirteen years had been due to the fact they were an unstoppable team. Chase didn’t want to think about what might happen if they went their separate ways.

  “I don’t know yet. I just know I need to get out of here.” He sighed, tipping his head back. “I’m sorry to leave you in the lurch like this, buddy. If there was another way…”

  “Hey, you deserve to take some time. You’ve barely taken any personal time in more than a decade. Maybe that’s what this is, you’re burnt out. Could be some time off will give you some perspective.”

  “I’m not talking about taking time off,” Bryce argued. “That’s the last thing I need. I’d go crazy if I didn’t have anything to do.”

  Chase was guilty of working too much too, but he was beginning to realize how important balance was, especially now that he had Shay and Nick in his life. “Well, maybe think about cutting back on your hours some if you plan on going back for a while. I’m all for you being the one to interview and hire the new manager. In fact, I think that’s a great idea. Just don’t take on too much.”

  “It’ll be okay, you know,” Bryce assured him, as though he sensed Chase’s apprehension. “We can video chat every day, deal with any issues that come up. Maybe this arrangement will work even better. Think about it. We still have the building in Houston. We haven’t sold it yet. Maybe we could ramp up production again, bring a lot of our employees back if I stay on there.”

  “What are you talking about?” Chase asked, shaking his head. “They’ve all got other jobs now, I’m sure. Besides, it sounds to me like you’re talking about making this thing permanent. I can’t see how that’s going to work. We can’t run this business from separate states indefinitely, Bryce. You know that.”

  “Whatever, we’ll work it out. I just know I need to get out of here.”

  “Do you plan to let Ainsley know you’re leaving town?”

  “I was hoping you could tell her?”

  “You’re not a coward, Bryce. Quit acting like one.” Knowing this could be the last time he saw him for months, the last thing Chase wanted was to argue with him, but he’d always been the one to give him a slap upside the head when he needed some sense knocked into him.

  Bryce’s jaw was tense, as he shoved his hands in the pockets of his faded jeans, withdrawing his keys. “I gotta go.”

  Chase stood, clasping Bryce’s hand while pulling him into a half-hug. “Anything I can do. You know that, right?”

  “Yeah, sure.” He cleared his throat before he muttered, “I’ll call you later. Say bye to Shay for me.”

  Chase was grateful he had a few minutes to collect himself before his brother approached. He still couldn’t believe Bryce was leaving.

  “You look like you just lost your best friend,” Brady joked, grabbing a clean mug off the table next to them before he sat down and poured himself a coffee.

  “I fear I may have.” Chase knew it would never come to that. Even if Bryce never set foot in Landon again they would always be business partners and friends.

  “What’re you talking about?” Brady asked, frowning. “Did something happen between you and Shay? I hope I wasn’t out of line suggesting you guys stay here last night. I was just trying to help.”

  “You did, man. Thanks.” Chase knew if not for his brother’s meddling it may have taken months for him and Shay to get to the point where they were now.

  “If it’s not Shay, what’s the problem? And don’t tell me nothing. I can read you better than that.”

  “It seems Bryce’s headed back to Texas. I really hoped we could work it out here. I thought it was only a matter of time before he’d be as happy to be home as I am.”

  “What happened to make him change his mind?” Brady asked. “We were talking yesterday and he didn’t saying anything to me about heading out. In fact, I got the impression he didn’t really mind being back. ‘Course I think that might have something to do with Ainsley.”

  Chase would never betray his friends’ confidence, but his silence must have spoken for him because Brady nodded slowly.

  “I get it. Whatever happened between him and Ainsley last night is the reason he’s so anxious to get out of town all of a sudden, huh?”
>
  “Those two have a lot of history,” Chase said, trying to remain non-committal as he sipped his coffee.

  “They’re not the only ones.” Brady smirked. “You gonna tell me what went down between you and Shay last night or are you gonna let me guess?”

  Chase had never been one to kiss and tell, not even in high school, and he would never disrespect Shay by talking to his brother or his buddies about what went on between them behind closed doors.

  “Let’s just say we’re on the right track.”

  Brady smiled. “Mama’s gonna be real happy to hear that. You know she loves that girl.”

  “She’s not the only one.”

  “So, it’s like that, is it?” Brady asked, looking at Chase intently.

  “It’s always been like that.”

  Brady nodded. “Yeah, I guess it has. I’m happy for you, man. For both of you. You and Shay are good together. I’ve never seen you two happier than you are when you’re together.”

  “Hopefully we’ll be together from here on out.”

  “Then you talked about the future last night?” Brady brought his coffee cup to his lips to hide his smile when he asked, “Or did you have time to talk?”

  “Shut up.” Chase was used to his little brother busting his chops, but when it came to Shay he was still sensitive.

  “Hey, there,” Shay said, wrapping her arms around Chase’s neck from behind. “Is that any way to talk to your brother?”

  “Thank you for jumping to me defense, beautiful,” Brady said, standing. He bowed gallantly before pulling Shay’s chair out. “I’m counting on you to teach this heathen some manners.”

  Shay giggled when Brady bent to kiss her cheek after tucking in her chair. “What was that for?”

  “Putting that smile back on my brother’s face. It’s been too long.”

  Whenever Chase thought about levelling Brady because he’d said or done something to tick him off, he reminded him why he put up with it. Because he loved him. “Would you get out of here and give me some time alone with my lady?”

  “Sure,” Brady said, winking at Shay. “Just let me know if he gives you a hard time. I’ve got no problem kicking him out.”

  “Really?” Chase made a point of looking around the expansive room. “You got some three hundred pound security guard around here, ‘cause I know you’re not pretending you could do it.”

  Brady chuckled as he gripped Chase’s shoulder. “With one hand tied behind my back, big man.”

  Brady strolled off whistling, but not before Chase promised to put his theory to the test sometime.

  Shay was still smiling when Chase rolled his eyes as he leaned in to grab her hand. “What’s so funny?”

  “You and your brother still going at it like teenagers. I guess some things never change, huh?”

  Chase would like nothing more than to engage in small talk all morning, but he knew he had to tell Shay about Bryce sooner or later. “So, um, have you heard from Ainsley yet this morning?”

  “Yeah, she texted me just as I was getting out of the shower. She said she had to leave early, something about a big order at the shop. I told her not to worry, I could catch a ride home with you. I hope that’s okay?”

  “Of course.”

  “Is everything alright?” Shay asked, leaning back as she withdrew her hand from his. “It looks like you’ve got something on your mind. You’re not having second thoughts about the things we said last night, are you?”

  “You’re not serious?” He shook his head when she blushed, thinking how cute she looked when he called her out for questioning what they had.

  “No, this isn’t about us. It’s about Bryce. He’s decided to leave town and it looks like I’m going to have to be the one to tell Ainsley. I’m not looking forward to that. Especially after…” Chase didn’t like keeping secrets from Shay and he knew she’d hear all about last night from her best friend, but he wasn’t sure he should be the one to tell her.

  “After what?” she whispered, wide-eyed. “They didn’t—”

  “No, but let’s just say they talked… and thought they were on the right track. Until my buddy had a change of heart this morning.”

  Shay palmed her forehead. “Oh no. Why?”

  “I’m not even sure Bryce knows. But he’s leaving town and I’m the one who gets to tell her.”

  “That doesn’t sound like Bryce.”

  “You’re right.” Which gave Chase some indication of how much last night had messed with his mind. He was definitely acting out of character by making an impulsive decision to leave town without talking to Ainsley first. “I think he’s scared.”

  “Of what?”

  “The way he feels about her. The way she feels about him. Hurting her. Not being good enough. Making the same mistakes his old man did. Getting tied down. Getting stuck in Landon forever. Making a commitment. Take your pick.”

  “Do you feel stuck here?”

  “I came back willingly, sweetheart. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

  She smiled, “I’m glad to hear that.”

  “You want to grab some breakfast?”

  “In a minute.” She glanced at her phone, which she’d set on the table when she sat down. “I got another text from Ainsley. She wants me to pass by her place later.”

  “Maybe I can drop you off there? That would give me a chance to talk to her about Bryce leaving town.”

  “Would you mind if I told her about that?”

  Chase had promised to be the one to tell her. He didn’t think it was fair to let Shay break the news to her. “Babe, you don’t have to do that. I told Bryce I’d tell her-”

  “I just think it would be easier coming from me.”

  After thinking about it for a minute, Chase said, “You’re probably right.” And the last thing Bryce wanted was to make this any more difficult for Ainsley than it was bound to be.

  “So, how was your night?” Ainsley asked Shay when they’d settled on her back porch, each with a cup of coffee.

  “I was about to ask you that.”

  As happy as Shay was about how well things were going for her and Chase, she wouldn’t rub her friend’s nose in it, especially since she had to be reeling from what happened with Bryce. She still didn’t have all the details, but if he’d decided to leave town, Ainsley was bound to be upset.

  “Not much to tell,” Ainsley said, shrugging.

  At first Shay thought Ainsley was going to keep her in the dark, which was hurtful, since she’d always shared the good, the bad, and the ugly with her best friend.

  “Are you sure about that?”

  “He propositioned me. I turned him down. But I admitted I still had feelings for him, and wanted us to try again.” Ainsley sipped her coffee. “He agreed. But this morning he started singing a different tune.” She shrugged. “I’m done with it, done with him. I’m glad I got him out of my system, finally. It’s obvious that’s not going anywhere and now I can move on, right?” She faked a smile. “On to bigger and better things, right?”

  Shay hated herself for the news she was about to impart. But not half as much as she hated Bryce for bailing on a woman who could make his life so much better, if only he wasn’t too stubborn to see it.

  “I want to tell you that you’re better off without him, because you know I’d say or do anything to make you feel better.”

  “But you don’t believe that, do you?”

  “I think you and I are a lot alike.” Shay watched a Robin land on one of several bird feeders Ainsley’s dad had made for her and scattered around the property. “I never really got over Chase, though my pride would never let me admit it. And I don’t think you ever really got over Bryce.”

  “Please,” Ainsley said, rolling her eyes. “Have you forgotten I was married for five years? If you’re questioning whether I’m over anyone shouldn’t it be my ex-husband?”

  “You’d think so, wouldn’t you?” Shay knew she was venturing onto shaky ground. The warn
ing look in Ainsley’s eye almost prompted her to retreat, but she knew Ainsley would have the guts to be honest with her, no matter how hard it was, and she had to be willing to do the same. For the sake of their friendship. “But I’m not so sure you ever loved Kyle as much as you loved Bryce.”

  Ainsley looked shocked before she choked back a sob. She set her cup down on the side table between them before leaning over, her hand covering her mouth. “Ugh, why did I let him back in to my life? Why did I give him the power to hurt me again? What was I thinking?”

  Shay inched her chair closer, curling her arm around Ainsley’s slender shoulders as she thought about all the ways she’d like to punish her boyfriend’s best friend. “Sweetie, I’m so sorry. If I’d thought there was a chance he’d pull a stunt like this and bail—”

  “What are you talking about?” Ainsley asked, the tears streaking her cheeks as her eyes searched Shay’s, waiting for an answer. “Where did he go?”

  It was then Shay realized she still hadn’t told her friend the worst part: that Bryce was gone. “Back to Houston.”

  “For good?”

  “I don’t know. I don’t even think Chase knows.”

  Ainsley jumped up, now looking furious as she curled her arms around her mid-section. “That’s just like him, isn’t it? That’s exactly what he did the last time! Things were getting serious and instead of staying and trying to make it work, he ran like the coward he is!”

  Shay was glad Ainsley lived on a corner and her next-door neighbour, a little old lady, had said good-bye as she left for the market, because the way her voice carried, everyone in Landon would know her business by sundown if she kept this up.

  “Honey, calm down,” she said, jumping up. She put her arm around Ainsley as she steered her inside the house, making a mental note to come back for the cups they’d left behind. “I know you’re upset. But if Bryce wasn’t in this for the long haul, better you find that out now, right?”