David
Sunday the girls got up and were ready early for another day out.
“And why can’t I go this time?” I asked Allison as she brushed her hair.
“You went yesterday, stop acting like you’re being left out.” Allison let out a big yawn. “We’re going to meet up with Missy and the girls for a little girl time.”
“Fine. I’ll just call Greyson for a little boy time.” I didn’t know how awful that sounded until I’d said it.
Allison laughed. “That’s so sweet. You know, if you were to talk to him, I’d probably have a date for you.”
“You have a date, don’t you? Why not tell me?” I couldn’t believe that after all this time she wasn’t going to share yet.
“Not yet. I’m still debating, and I wanted to talk to Missy about something first.”
“Okay, but I’m not sure my sister is going to want to talk weddings at a time like this.”
“I’ll be sensitive, I promise, but I think she’ll have the answer I need.” She turned and called Sierra from her room. “Let’s go, honey.”
“Coming Mama. Sorry, Daddy, no boys allowed today.”
“It’s okay. I’m going to hang with Uncle Greyson.”
“Daddy’s having a boy’s day.” The two of them giggled at me and then left me to my own devices.
I picked up the phone. “Wake up, asshole. We’re spending the day together.”
“What? What if I had plans?” Greyson’s voice was so rough he sounded like he’d gargled acid.
“With who, Katrina? The woman you supposedly have no interest in. Get your ass up and come over.”
“Fine, but give me an hour. I need time for the three Ss.”
“Too much information, my friend. Too much.” The three Ss was man code for shit, shower, and shave. I hung up the phone and got my own ass into the shower and was done by the time my doorbell rang.
“Where the fuck are we going? I’m not hanging out here all day breathing sawdust.” He was stuffy and smelled like a cough drop.
“You’re sick?”
“No, it’s sinuses. I’m not contagious.”
“If I get sick, I’m kicking your ass.”
“Fine, just kick it all the way back to my bed for me, okay? You dragged me out, now what are we going to do?”
“Golf.” I walked to the table behind the sofa and grabbed my keys to the Jeep.
“No way. I didn’t wear my lucky pink pants.”
“Good. We’re staying off the course anyway; driving range only. Besides, I need to scope out a situation. Kevin’s been screwing this chick that worked as a manager. I want to make sure they’re both gone.”
“Fine, but I’m not staying all fucking day. I’m going to freeze my balls off. And I want you to buy lunch. Wait, did you say Kevin? As in your brother-in-law?”
“Yes, Missy is getting a divorce.”
“No shit?” He cracked a sly smile. “You know you’re sister sure is looking good, these days.”
“Don’t even think about it.”
“Come on, why not?”
“For one, you can’t tell me you’re not banging Katrina.”
“Please. I already told you. We’re friends. I mean, I tried, okay. But turns out, she’s already banging your brother. I thought you knew.”
“I did. That’s why I wanted to know what the fuck was up with you. You didn’t want her one minute; then you wanted her the next.”
“Well, she’d actually just turned me down before we met up with you guys in the mall. That’s why I was a bit quiet. I should have known she’d choose a DeVant over me. You guys get all the luck.”
“Come on; your day will come, my friend. I promise. But not with my sister.”
“Why not? Don’t you think I’m good enough?”
“No one is good enough. I never thought Kevin was either for the record. Besides, I have bigger plans for you.”
“Oh yeah?” I headed to the door and waved him along.
Once we were on our way to the driving range, I decided it was finally time to tell him. Allison had finally chosen a date, and I was eager to hear when it was. If I went back to her with the news that I’d officially talked to Greyson, promising him the company, then maybe we could start planning a wedding.
“So, what did you mean you have big plans for me?” Greyson gave me the side eye and then looked ahead to the road.
“My father had it in his head that a DeVant needed to be at the head of the company because our name is on the building. Since his death though, you’re the one who is really keeping things afloat. I’ve decided that I’m going to step back and give it all to you to run.”
“What?” Greyson’s eyes ringed red, and he sat up straighter in his seat. “You mean, you’re quitting?”
“I’ll always have ownership of the company and be on the board of directors along with Blaine and Missy, but I think it’s time I get out of your way. With the promotion, you’ll be able to earn a better salary, and you’ll work right out of your coffee bar.” I laughed, and he reached over and clapped me on the shoulder.
“You’re fucking kidding me, right?”
“No, it’s yours. I’ve known it needed to be that way for a while, and Allison’s known. She’s been pressuring me to retire and stay at home with her, make a family. It’s what I want to do too. I just didn’t want to leave you hanging during the Super Bowl craziness.”
“So, when do you plan on doing this?”
“First of the year. We’ll go ahead and start transitioning. I’ll announce it to the others tomorrow.”
“Thank you, David.”
“No, thank you, brother. You’re an honorary DeVant if I ever knew one, and I can’t think of anyone else worthy to run our company. Dad should have left it to you.”
“Do we still have to go to the driving range?”
“You bet your sweet ass, we do. But not for long. Then we’ll go, and I’ll buy your lunch to celebrate.”
“Would you really kill me if I hit on Missy?” He gave me a sly smile.
“I just gave you my fucking job, man. Now you’re getting greedy.”
“I’m serious. Answer the question.”
“Look, if you want to pursue my sister, you’re going to have to give her time. If you can be respectful of things, and not jump the fucking gun and fuck up her custody battle, I’ll give you my blessing to ask her out. But, when she turns your sorry ass down, I get to laugh at you.”
Greyson held out his hand, and I took it shaking to seal our bargain. “Deal. And when she says yes?”
“Never going to happen, my friend.”
“Don’t be so sure. She’s always liked me.” I was going to have to have a long talk with my sister. “Seriously, and then there was that time when we kissed. She wanted me. I could feel it.”
“That never happened.”
“Are you sure. I spent many, many nights at your house. I may have bumped into her a time or two in the kitchen. You know how much I used to like midnight snacks.”
“I swear to God, you better be joking or I’m going to pull this fucking Jeep over and feed you your nuts.”
“I’m kidding. It never happened, but I do want to ask her out. She’s so hot for an older woman.”
“Oh, God. Please shut up.”
We busted out laughing and despite his teasing, and my urge to choke him, I felt a huge weight lifted off of my shoulders. I couldn’t wait to get back to Allison and tell her the good news.