by Zee Irwin
“I wouldn’t know. My husband wasn’t well-endowed either. I think I’d like to try an enormous one for once, to know what I’m missing before I commit to Adam. He also tells some lame jokes. The first few were okay, but now it’s like he’s trying way too hard. And, he swears. A lot.”
What in the world was Aggie talking about? Everyone swears these days. Before I applied mascara, I took a step back to observe my work. “Are you saying you don’t like Adam anymore?”
“He was fun at first. But I think I need something more. Someone more sexy and exciting—with a bigger penis.” She held out both of her hands in a measurement of a larger size.
What was happening? I thought she and Adam would be good for each other, but now Aggie wanted more—and bigger.
“Pucker, please.” I finished the makeup job with a coat of lip liner and gloss and tried not to be irritated. “So what about tonight? I mean, you invited Adam here to be with you, right?”
I noticed she didn’t yet answer me when I started braiding her hair, bringing the braid over to one side and letting a few tendrils fall loose around her face. “There, all done.” I turned Aggie toward the mirror, and I think we were both stunned. This makeover thing could be my talent.
“I almost don’t recognize myself. Thank you so much, Cass.” We hugged, and her excited squeals burst my eardrums. “You’re the best. I better meet a hot guy tonight before I turn back into a pumpkin tomorrow. And look, I came prepared.” She opened her purse up and I counted at least five condom packages, all labeled extra large.
“Aggie! What about Adam?” I was dumbstruck.
“These won’t fit him. Oh, you meant . . .? Er, yeah, I’ll dance with him or something.” Out the door went my formerly frumpy work BFF, who I had turned into a raging sex hormone monster.
As the first of my three projects, it was problematic, but I didn’t have time to dwell further because project number two texted. Hank arrived. I walked out to the bar and found him on a barstool, his scarf and jacket flung over the back.
Thankfully, his nose wasn’t as bruised and puffy as at Christmas. And the few days’ scruffy goatee he sported on his chin and lip I found attractive, maybe adding two years to his age. The red, long-sleeved henley accentuating the curves of his muscles turned a few heads, and the glint in his warm brown eyes exposed him as I approached. If I took any interest in Hank, I’d find him so dang adorable right now, but we were friends, and I saved him for Emily.
“Hey you!” I gave him a quick hug, but he squeezed and lifted me off the ground and then put me back down again. Somehow, over the past week of various texts here and there, our friendship had progressed along to where I felt comfortable around him. The more I knew of him, the more I realized what a sweet guy he really was. And perfect for Emily, who should arrive soon.
“You look beautiful tonight. Thanks for the invite.” His eyes gave me a good once-over then turned their attention upward, admiring the ornate paneled ceiling and wood trim. “This pub is amazing.”
I smiled because when I’m right, I’m good. “Well, I figured you would like it, given your interest in sustainable architecture. My roommate Maddie works here, but it’s her last night. I thought we’d introduce you to the owner, Sean O’Brien. Maybe he’d have you come by sometime and give you the full rundown of how he remodeled this place and saved all the original woodwork.”
“Awesome. Hey, thanks for thinking of me.” He turned his eyes back on me and put his hand on my arm. We were so friendly now. “It’s amazing how much we’ve gotten to know each other so well over the past week.”
And once again, I praised my mad coaching skills because, with words like those, he would melt Emily’s heart. Speaking of which, “Oh look, Emily’s here. And Lily! Don’t they both look amazing?” I searched Hank’s face for a reaction, but he stared at me through half-lidded eyes. I reached up to his chin and pushed it toward the pub entrance, but his eyes stayed on me, and he laughed.
“I only have eyes for you, Cass.”
Sheesh, I rolled my eyes because he could still be so annoying in a little brother way. “Another tip, buddy, don’t overdo it on the cheesy lines. Be genuine. Hey girls.” I wrapped my arms around Emily and Lily in a group hug like we hadn’t seen each other two hours ago getting ready at the apartment together for this night.
Intros were in order. “Em, you remember Hank, don’t you? And Lily—” I stopped right there because I had no words. Lily took off her coat, revealing her dress. My old red dress. I thought it would be perfect for Lily’s figure. It would have been gorgeous. The red A-line dress with a scalloped neckline, with her dark hair up in a bun and black knee-high boots was what we had planned, and I knew I’d have to fight the guys off of her. But now . . .?
My red dress contained a message. She had taken a black permanent marker and in big block letters written on the front “Kiss Me.” To complete the look, she wore several silver watches on her wrist like bracelets matching a silver streak of hair paint through her over-teased, wild locks. And skater boots—Ugh, she knew how much I hated skater boots with dresses.
My face registered my disappointment. “What. The. Hell?” I took her by the elbow and marched her straight for the bathroom. “What did you do to my dress?”
“Oh. I thought you said it was mine now.”
“I did, but not so you could massacre it. What? Why?” I was dumbstruck.
She blinked and cocked her head, much like a dog who chewed your shoes and knew what they did, but they stared at you like the innocent creature they made you believe they were. “It’s New Year’s, and I thought this would be fun. I mean, this is what I’m here for, right? I want a midnight kiss, making me forget about Blue92. Why hide it or pretend I want anything more? One good, respectful kiss is all.” Shrugging her shoulders, she went to the mirror and touched up her lipstick. Red lipstick, a shade I knew she had never worn before. In fact, the tube might have been mine too.
I didn’t know this rambunctious side of Lily existed. Bless her effing heart. I thought tonight she’d be the quirky romantic Lily who could find a cute guy to flirt and dance with, post some photos to Instagram and maybe totally make her online boyfriend jealous. But now, Lily was out to smash plan number two dressed as a punk rock chick.
I followed her back, and we met Hank and Emily standing by the bar. They were talking and laughing and it warmed my heart. Okay, so plan number three to bring Hank and Emily together was at least still on track and the night had only begun.
The DJ spun a favorite song of mine, and the urge for dancing was real. Washing away the stress in my life with a Whoop-Whoop, I pulled everyone onto the dance floor for a group dance. Spotting Aggie and Adam standing nearby, neither of whom looked happy, I forced them both out too. It was time to get the party started.
24
Dealing with Dad
Bronson
Texting and calling Cassidy led me nowhere. She wasn’t answering. It was urgent that I talk with her, but straightening out the mess Matilda left behind also took precedence. Several meetings throughout the day sent the video production team scrambling getting the Tater Spud commercial and ad campaign back on track. I pulled in top members of our marketing staff and divided up Matilda’s workload, while setting up a new team atmosphere moving forward. It all resulted in one pounding headache like hammers beating on my head.
I finally packed up my laptop on New Year’s Eve, with no intention of returning to my makeshift CEO’s office until Monday morning. New Year’s Day and an entire holiday weekend came first, which I had hoped to spend somehow convincing Cassidy about taking another chance with me. I’d do anything for that to happen. I was a man on a mission now.
Another text buzzed in from Tony. He’d been bugging me all afternoon to meet up tonight and celebrate.
Tony: Come on, B. You can’t stay home for New Year’s Eve.
Me: Yes, I can.
Tony: Asshat.
Me: Not in the mood. Shit went down with
Cassidy. Staying in.
Tony: The same Cassidy who's going out with Hank tonight?
Me: WTF? Now who’s being the asshat?
Fuck my life. I couldn’t blame Cassidy for seeking comfort in the arms of another man after the way I treated her. But why did it have to be Hank? It should be me kissing her at midnight, me ringing in a new year with her in my arms. Then Dad showed up at the boardroom door. Inconvenient timing.
“Bronson.” He nodded at me as he walked in, hands in his pockets, looking casual for once.
“Hi. I have somewhere to be. I’m about to head out.”
“This won’t take long.”
Perfect, because I wasn’t in the mood for another of my father’s lengthy lectures about how to run his company. “What’s up?”
“I heard from Matilda.”
Fuck me. I should have known she’d follow through on her threats and call Dad. The mere sound of her name from his lips struck a panic chord in me. If I could wipe away all the seconds I’d spent with Matilda from history, I would.
“It seems a lot has happened in your first week as CEO. You’ve racked up a hundred thousand dollar expense. And now you let Matilda go. She was an important member of our team. I hope Cassidy was worth it.”
“It wasn’t Cassidy, and I have proof. Matilda set her up and changed the original print run. I’ve uncovered some other issues she caused with the filming schedule and the marketing team filled me in on how things operated around here under her thumb. You would have fired her, too. That kind of behavior at the executive level was unacceptable.” I didn’t mention about her busting my balls—in her hand. As far as I knew, Dad didn’t know how the cougar had come on to me my first week in London when I started working for Chick In Bun.
He remained silent. I looked up and found his eyes focused on something behind me. He walked over to my bookshelf, stopping in front of the baseball and my MVP trophy on display.
“I guess I’m an old man wondering where all the years have gone. I know I’ve been tough on you. I’ve pushed what I thought was best for you into your life. Your mother has, too. Maybe these weren’t the best choices, but Bronson, we did it out of fear. Someday, when you have children, you’ll know what I’m talking about. I thought I built something the family could be proud of. I sold chicken for a living to support my family, and it did. It put you kids through school and now supports you and Kelly both. The company grew bigger than anything in my wildest dreams. I know it took up a lot of my time, time away from you, but I see now, maybe involving you in the company was a mistake.”
To say his words took me aback would be an understatement. It almost sounded like Dad was apologizing. Or . . . firing me? Which may be the case and I braced myself.
“It wasn’t a mistake. I’m here, doing the job Dad. Yeah, some tough things happened this week, but nothing I can’t handle. Sometimes I wish you’d trust me more.”
He turned away from my trophy and faced me head-on. “But do you want to be here, son? Are you happy?”
I blinked and took a step back. This really was a monumental day with him. It’d been years since I could recall a heartfelt conversation like this. And him asking if I was happy? Please, his self-centered, workaholic ass had never come this close to sounding like a normal father.
“Well, yeah. I guess.”
“But if you weren’t doing this, if there was some other version of your life you could have right now, would it be this?”
I didn’t know what to say.
He took up a perch on the edge of my desk, and spoke with what I imagined his fatherly tone might be, all while wearing an avocado green cardigan sweater. He almost embodied the man from Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. “I know your baseball dreams got crushed, but what else could you do? What would make Bronson happy?”
My hand raked my hair away from my forehead, landing at the back of my neck. I sighed. “Right now, honestly, all I want is Cassidy back in my life. I want to know her again because she’s the one, Dad, always has been. I wish you and Mom would understand and stay out of my way.”
He nodded a while as if agreeing, but I wouldn’t believe him until I heard the words from his mouth. “All right. Done. If you love Cassidy, then we’ll grow to love her too.” He put his hand up before I could say anything. “Don’t worry, I’ll work on your mother. She’ll come around. As for me, I’d like to see things between you and your sister improve, just a little. Think you could work on it?”
I snorted, and I could feel my eyes burning, threatening tears. Was this conversation really happening? “Yeah, sure. I’ll try. But you’ll need to talk to her, too.”
“Okay. I will.” He stood and held out his hand for a shake. But it would not be good enough for me. I pulled him in for a hug, albeit briefly before he pulled away because a hug might have been asking too much. He was never the hugging type, but I wouldn’t let him off that easily, not anymore. My new boundary would be forcing my family to act as a loving family, even if it meant I had to drag them kicking and screaming into it.
He stepped back, cleared his throat again, and this time I was certain of a tear in his eye. “You should know, I’m not mad about Matilda. She was one tough woman. Maybe a change in our marketing will be good. And the money, eh.” He shrugged it off, surprising because I thought he bowed at money like a deity. “We’ve suffered worse monetary losses before. We’ll be fine. But if you’d rather be doing something else for a living, don’t let me stop you. I want you to be happy.”
A few seconds passed before I answered, letting this alternative version of Dad sink in. “If it’s alright with you, I’d like to continue doing this. See where it goes. When I was in college, my first dream was baseball, of course, but I knew a sports career wouldn’t last forever. I figured I’d end up in your company someday. Now I’m here, and I like it, except, well, maybe you could lighten up a little and let me do things my way sometimes.”
Dad produced an actual smiling, guttural sounding noise from his throat. I could feel confident labeling it as a chuckle. There had been a time, long ago, when he did more of it, and maybe now he’d continue.
“All right, son. I’m glad you’re here—in our company.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets and walked out.
Hope surged through me. If Dad could change, something I never thought him capable of, then maybe there was hope for me and Cassidy, too.
25
New Year’s Eve Part 2
Cassidy
Our New Year’s Eve party was in full swing. We drank, we did shots, we laughed, we danced, and we posted photos to my Instagram profile. The party was going well, and then, as often was the case when a group drinks, trouble landed. It was Adam and Aggie.
During an uptempo song, Aggie caught the attention of a hot guy who showed off his packed abs with no shirt on. He rocked his leather pants on the dance floor with a nice ass and insane moves. They even impressed me. But not Adam. He had words with Aggie, then stormed off the dance floor.
I had to do something because of my plan for helping Aggie find love again, which wasn’t for her to make use of the five extra-large condoms in her purse all in one night. But if I were looking for fun, then Mr. Hottie Leather Pants might be the one I’d use those condoms with, so I couldn’t blame her. But no, poor Adam, what Aggie did to him wasn’t right.
I sided up to her, as she did a body shot off the guy’s abs.
“Oh, this is Cass, my friend.” She slurred her words, pointing me out to Mr. Hottie Leather Pants. “We work together and she’s my best work buddy.”
“Hey, how you doin’?” His pecs greeted me with alternating flexing. Why did buff guys believe the move was a turn on? I mean, it was, but only at the right moment, which this wasn’t.
“Excuse us, please.” I tore Aggie away from her entertainment.
She didn’t take well to being pulled away. “What are you doing, Cass? I finally found a big one. Believe me, I stared at his crotch while we danced, and now I’m worried my c
ondoms might not be the right size. Do they make extra, extra-large?”
Her eyes right now couldn’t look any wider or naïve.
“Aggie, you invited Adam here, and he’s over there lonely and annoyed. You should stay with us and have fun. Besides, you don’t know where that guy has been, and he looks like a player to me. Believe me, I’m saving you the trouble and a lot of hurt later.”
“I don’t care.” She stopped and pulled her arm out of my grasp, then pointed back to Mr. Hottie Leather Pants. “Did you see the size of his fingers? He plays piano in a jazz band. He can hurt me like a bad boy and play me like a grand piano with those fingers.”
Ugh. I continued pulling her away. “Let’s all have a drink. Adam, share with Aggie the funny joke you were telling us about the twins.”
He looked annoyed, and Aggie looked pale.
Suddenly, I could tell she had too much to drink. I knew from past work outings and happy hours she was a lightweight. Pulling her to a nearby trash can in time, I held her braid back. This definitely wasn’t my plan.
A half-hour later, Hank and Adam helped get a sick and drunk Aggie safely into an Uber.
She yelled at me, “You ruined my night,” while flinging her extra-large condoms out at me through the rolled-down window. “I won’t be needing those,” she yelled as Adam joined her in the backseat.
“What was that all about?” Hank eyed the condoms in my hand while his warm breath puffed clouds into the cold air.
“Don’t ask.” I headed back into the pub before I got colder, but my attention was caught off guard by the couple making out by the pub door.
