Kevin

“Kevin!”

“Hey!”

“You look like shit, dude.”

“How’s Tina?”

I wrapped my arms around all of them as they poured off the private jet and onto the tarmac. I had a car booked to get all of us back to the hotel, but I was dreading the conversation that would actually have to take place.

The conversation where they would want to be filled in on what was going on.

“Kevin, are you still alright with me staying in your room?” Maddie asked.

“Yeah. I’m gonna pack up my stuff and get over to the house this afternoon, so it’s all yours,” I said.

“Tina finally come to her senses and want you there?” Brit asked.

“No, but I think it’s gonna be better if I’m there. A lot has gone down and I’m gonna need access to Michael’s office and library,” I said.

“Why?” Spencer asked. “What happened?”

“For starters, her father left her his business,” I said.

“Holy shit, the entire thing?” Brady asked.

“She knows nothing about law,” Brit said.

“What are you trying to pull, Kev?” Spencer asked.

“You guys know Tina enough to know that when she snaps out of this emotional funk and gets through the funeral, she’s going to do everything in her power to run both her business and her father’s. Then, she’ll realize she can’t do it, so she’ll drop her business or push it all off onto Maddie and dedicate herself to her father’s business because she feels she owes it to them,” I said.

“Sure. Whatever you say. What are you pulling?” Spencer asked again.

“God, it’s good to see you, baby,” Maddie said.

“It’s good to see you, too. I missed you,” Spencer said before he kissed Maddie’s forehead.

“I don’t wanna talk about it until I can get it all figured out. But, the end result is hopefully leaving the company in her name while someone else runs it,” I said

“Good luck,” Brady said.

“I’m gonna need it,” I said, sighing.

The five of us rode to the hotel and we all went to our respective rooms. Everyone was getting checked in while I started packing my things, but the only thing I could focus on where the phone calls I still had to make. I was vetting every single lawyer that rented out floors in the building Michael’s business owned. I was hoping to find one who had been in the business long enough and who had a business background whom I could convince Tina to entrust the company with. I didn’t want her to hand it over, but it wasn’t uncommon for a family member who had inherited a business to appoint someone more knowledgeable to run things in their place.

There were some things Tina could help with. Things like numbers and rent and books and taxes. But, there were many things she wasn't knowledgeable on, and I needed to find someone who would pair with her well.

Preferably someone who was already in the building.

“So! Can’t handle the mom, huh?” Brit asked as I rounded the corner. Everyone was talking in the hallway before they went to their respective rooms, and I still had to tell them the rest of what had happened.

“She’s a doozy, that’s for sure. She most definitely didn’t like the outfit I strolled on in with when we first got here,” Maddie said.

“It showed off all your best assets,” Spencer said, grinning. “Which meant she hated it.”

“She’s been a very interesting character while we’ve been here,” I said.

“What else has happened?” Brady asked.

“She’s pawned all the funeral planning off on Tina. Or, she did, until we found her laughing and giggling with her friends at a luncheon place while Tina was supposed to be going to the florist and caterer.”

“Whoa, she was what?” Brit asked.

“Apparently, she hadn’t even told her friends Michael had died yet,” I said.

“But, his obituary would’ve already been in the papers, right?” Spencer asked.

“She didn’t do one. And now, it’s two days before the wedding and no one’s seen her since Tina blew up at her before she went to go see the caterer,” I said.

“Wait, Tina or Theresa went to the caterer?” Brit asked.

“Tina blew up and Theresa said not to worry about the caterer,” I said.

“Then, Tina took off. Caught a cab, fell asleep in the back of the thing, and was riding around town all damn day while Kevin and I tried to find her,” Maddie said.

“Did the first horseman of the apocalypse appear in the sky? Because I feel like that’s what’s coming next,” Brit said.

“I’m honestly worried about where her mother is. I get that she’s cold-hearted and really judgmental, but the woman just lost her husband of forty-two years. She literally isn’t informing anyone of his death, which could mean she isn’t willing to cope with the loss of him,” I said.

“Kevin’s become a professional psychologist while we’ve been here,” Maddie said.

“Is Tina at the house at least?” Brady asked.

“Yeah. She hasn’t come out of her room since she fell asleep in the back of the cab, but she’s there,” I said. “I’m headed over there with my stuff now.”

“Can I come with you?” Spencer asked.

“I’m sure Maddie’s missed you,” I said.

“No, no, no. It’s fine. Spencer’s been worried about her the whole flight,” Brit said.

“I’ll wait for you here, sweetheart,” Maddie said, kissing his cheek.

“Come on, Kevin. Let’s get back to her,” Spencer said.

“Is there anything we can do from here?” Brady asked. “Any funeral arrangements you aren’t sure are being taken care of or anything?”

“I honestly have no fucking idea. But, there is something you could do for me. You familiar with where Michael’s business is?” I asked.

“Yeah. That massive ominous building on the outskirts of the city,” he said.

“Could you go there and see if anyone will let you into Michael’s office? There are a few lawyers in the building I can’t get on their office phones, and I was hoping he’d have their personal numbers somewhere on his desk,” I said.

“I can do that. Anything else?” he asked.

“Brit, I’m gonna need you on standby with some of your tough love. After Tina gets through the funeral, she’s gonna turn her sights onto her father’s business to try and keep herself occupied. I’m gonna try to have all my pieces fitted into the holes they need to be in, but it’s still gonna take some rough language to convince her that my avenue’s the best,” I said.

“And what’s your avenue?” she asked.

“Her taking care of the books and renting spaces and taxes while one of the lawyers in the building helps run the legal side of things so she doesn’t have to move back into town to run her father’s business.”

“Yep. That sounds like a good plan,” Brit said, nodding. “I’ll be on standby.”

“Alright. Spencer, you ready to go?” I asked.

“Ready as I’ll ever be. How do you feel about me trying to get her out of the house?” he asked.

“Good luck,” I said, chuckling.

We got to Tina’s childhood home and I realized her mother’s car still wasn’t there. I couldn’t help the worry that was bubbling in my stomach, but so long as no one else was panicking I tried not to as well. I walked Spencer up to Tina’s room and opened her door to let him in, and the moment she heard his voice she whipped her head around.

“There’s my pretty girl,” Spencer said.

“Hey there, Spence. When did you get in?” she asked.

“A few hours ago,” he said as he went to go sit beside her. “Listen, I was thinking. How do you feel about going on a little walk?”

“I’m not really feeling up to it. I’m pretty tired,” she said.

“Have you eaten?” he asked.

“I think so,” she said.

“The mere fact that you have to think on it means you haven’t. So, let’s go take a walk around town. I’ll take you somewhere nice,” he said.

“I’m not going anywhere, Spencer. I’m needed here,” she said.

“For who?” he asked.

I saw Tina wince and at the very second I wanted to step in. He was pushing her in a way I thought was unnecessary, but he held his hand up to me the moment I took a step forward.

“Tina, look at me,” he said.

I watched Tina slowly pan her gaze over to him, her red eyes taking in his stern face as his hand slowly lowered to her back.

“I’m gonna take you for a walk and we’re gonna find a place to eat,” he said.

“No,” Tina said.

“Yes, we are. And do you wanna know why?” he asked.

“No,” Tina said.

“Tough, because I’m gonna tell you anyway. We’re gonna go on a walk and get a bite to eat because you’re alive, Tina. You’re alive to create memories and laugh. To live and to love.”

“That’s not fair, Spence,” she said, sniffling. “That’s not fair and you know it.”

“Tina, what isn’t fair is thinking for one second that your father would want you to be this way. What isn’t fair is taking the one thing he probably wishes he could still have and squandering it because you somehow think you’re paying homage to him and the life he chose to live.”

“Shut up, Spencer,” Tina hissed.

“I think that’s enough,” I said.

“I’m not asking you not to grieve, and I’m not asking you to take the effort to clean yourself up. All I’m asking is for you to get out into the city your father loved and create memories in his honor. Create memories and find your love for a city that captivated him. That’s how you can pay homage to him. Not locking yourself away from it, but enjoying the offerings it afforded your father.”

“Why?” Tina whispered.

“Because your father would not want you to live your life the way you’re currently living it. He wouldn’t want you to spend your time in his favorite city sitting in your room crying. You’re his little girl, and you always will be. But, now it’s time to go out and breathe in a little bit of the air he stepped out to breathe whenever things got too tough. Just like they are right now.”

“Spencer, I don’t know if I can-”

“I’m only asking for an hour of your time. That’s it. Just one,” Spencer said.

In that very moment, I realized why Spencer wanted to come. Spencer didn’t talk much about his family-- he had a very strained relationship with both his mother and his father-- but he did know what it felt like to lose a parent. Spencer had lost his mentor a few years back-- the man who not only taught him everything he knew about the publishing business, but also taught him some valuable life lessons. He buried that man just like anyone else would bury their own parental figure.

Spencer was the only one who really understood the pain Tina was going through, and I hadn’t even stopped to consider that.

“Okay,” Tina whispered.

“Alright. Now, go splash some water in your face and get into some comfortable clothes. I’ll wait downstairs for you,” he said.

“Alright,” she said, nodding.

Spencer stood up from the bed and watched Tina slump into her bathroom before he turned towards me. I was absolutely stunned at the way he had coaxed Tina out of her funk and convinced her to go outside, and I nodded my thanks to him before I started for her father’s office.

I had some phone calls I still needed to make, and the vibrating of my phone told me Brady had found the numbers I needed.