I need to make a choice.

From the start of this, I’ve been trying to stay out of the lawsuit. I’ve been pretending that it has nothing to do with me, since it’s Reid’s pet project. I’ve been lying to myself, trying to say that I have no power in this, that I can’t do a thing about it.

That’s not true, of course. This may be Reid’s project, but it isn’t his company. I can easily push to shut this thing down if I really wanted to, or at least I could try and find some compromise that everyone would be happy with. Instead, I’ve stayed out of it, afraid to piss anyone off.

In the process, I’ve made things too complicated. Teagan is stressed to the max, getting pushed to her breaking point over this job, and now she’s getting threatened because she’s seeing me.

I don’t know what kind of friend would go behind her back and do that to her, but I hate that Sara bitch. I hope Teagan cuts her out of her life. Maybe our relationship wasn’t appropriate, definitely wasn’t good for our careers, but it was our choice. Sara had nothing to do with it.

But we’re here now, and there’s no turning back. I can’t keep sitting on the sidelines pretending things will resolve themselves. I have to act if I want to keep what I have, and I know that I do. I know that having Teagan and Felix in my life is incredibly important.

I can’t risk losing them. I don’t give a shit about anything but my family now, and I have to act.

I lean forward over the counter and signal the bartender for another one. He brings a second whisky on the rocks and I sip it, looking around.

I’m feeling nervous, but I shouldn’t be. My relationship with Reid is in good shape, and I know he’s not the kind of guy to overreact. This wasn’t an easy decision and I’m hoping he’ll see that. Reid’s a reasonable person. We can work this out.

But still, I’m nervous. This business is built on our partnership, and if things start to get strained between us, I don’t know what our business will turn into. This company is my whole life, or at least it used to be. Now I have something else, and maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if I worked less.

I spot Reid coming in through the door. He grins at me and joins me at the bar. “Been a while,” he says to me. “What made you think of this place?”

I shrug, but the truth is, I chose this bar for a reason. I’m hoping that positive nostalgia will soften him up for me.

“Just thought it’d be a good spot to talk, like in the old days.”

He laughs softly. “Man, we used to come here because I lived right around the corner.”

“True. And they have dollar beers on Wednesdays.”

“Oh, I remember. I suffered through many hangovers because of that deal.”

I laugh and sip my drink. The bar we’re in is called Green Street Pub, and it’s about as divey as they get. The floors are sticky with old beer, the tables are ratty and falling apart, and basically only people that live within a couple-block radius ever come here. The televisions are playing football, though I’m pretty sure it’s the same game that’s been playing on these TVs for the last ten years.

Reid orders a beer and I can’t help but smile. He seems to be getting into the spirit, which is good.

“They still do Quizzo here?”

I shrug. “I doubt it. Hasn’t exactly held up in here over the years.”

“No,” he says, looking around the place. “It was pretty bad back then but it’s even worse now.”

“I didn’t think that was even possible.”

“Well, cheers to the old days.” We clink glasses and I sip my whisky, looking up at the television.

“So,” Reid says, and I know it’s time to have the conversation I really want to avoid. “What did you want to talk about?”

I look back at him with a sigh. “It’s important, but you’re not going to like it.”

“I figured. Why else drag me to this shithole if it was good news?”

I fidget with my glass. “I found something out recently. Something that sort of… changes things for me.”

“What is it?”

“I have a son.”

He pauses, clearly surprised. “Are you serious?”

“I’m serious,” I say. “I met her three years ago, had a one-night stand, and now…”

“It’s that lawyer girl, isn’t it?” He stares at me, eyes wide. “She’s pregnant?”

“She was pregnant,” I say. “But she didn’t tell me about him until recently.”

“Oh shit.” He shakes his head. “That’s really heavy, man. What are you going to do?”

“I’m going to step up and get to know him,” I say. “And maybe even raise him, if she’ll let me.”

“Wow.” He takes a long drink. “The lifelong bachelor Declan Jones is finally settling down.”

I grin at him. “All it took was one baby out of wedlock.”

“That you know of,” he points out.

“Let’s hope Felix is the only one.”

“That’s his name, Felix?”

“Yeah. He’s a cute kid.”

“Got a picture?”

I shake my head. “I don’t. But I’ll introduce you sometime.”

“Good.” He laughs a little bit, still clearly taken aback. “You have a fucking son.”

“I have a fucking son.”

We sit in silence together for a second, sipping our drinks in silence. I suddenly realize how perfect this venue is for this conversation. In a lot of ways, this bar is an emblem of my old life, back when I was young and just starting out. It’s fitting that this place should be the spot where I put that life behind me.

Because it’s time to grow up. Oh sure, I’m a fucking grown ass man, but my responsibilities have only ever been for myself. I’ve never had to worry about other people, worry about taking care of a child, anything like that. I’ve never had to be a family man before, and now that’s going to change.

It’s time to let go of childish things.

“How are things with the mom?” he asks me.

“Things are good with her.”

“She’s the cute lawyer, right?”

“Right.” I finish my drink and put the glass back down on the bar. “Actually, that’s what I want to talk to you about.”

He frowns a little bit. “What, the case?”

I turn toward him, summoning all of my nerve. I keep a straight face, meeting his gaze. “I want you to drop it.”

He smiles a little. “Seriously?”

“Really,” I say. “I mean it. Teagan’s boss found out about our relationship and he’s threatening to fire her over this. I can’t be responsible for that, but I can’t risk losing her. This is the only solution that makes sense to me.”

Reid’s quiet for a second, staring at his beer. He runs his fingers along the condensation, drawing little circles on the glass before sighing.

“You really care about her, don’t you?”

“I do,” I say softly.

“Enough to make me give something up?”

“Yes,” I say seriously. “But not without giving you something in return.”

He looks at me, eyes narrows. “What?”

“Ten percent of my owner’s stake.”

He stares me down without saying a word. The whole room feels like it goes still and quiet, like everyone’s listening to what we’re saying.

“Do you know what that would mean?” he asks me.

“I know,” I say.

“I’d be the majority owner,” he continues. “I’d have all the power. The company would essentially be mine.”

“That’s right,” I say. “I’ll give it to you. If you give this to me.”

He leans forward over the bar and sips his beer, not saying anything.

I know he understands how hard this is for me. We built this together and he cares about this company as much as I do.

“I’m not saying I want to quit,” I say softly. “I want to be involved.”

“Of course,” he says.

“You give up this project, and I’ll give up my equal partnership. One project for a future of unlimited projects, all based on what you want.”

I can see the wheels working in his mind. I hate this, I hate giving this up, but I don’t see any other choice.

I need him to say yes, and I can’t ask that of him without giving him something in return. This is more than fair. I’ll still be a large share holder, one of the largest owners, but he’ll have the majority. His word will matter more than mine. I can still do my job, but it won’t ever be the same.

And that’s for the best. I made my decision when I walked into this bar. I’m putting my old life behind me. I’m not going to travel all the time, work long hours, put my heart and soul into this company. I’m going to have a family.

“Are you sure about this?” he says finally.

“I’m sure,” I answer. “Reid, you’ll do a great job. I have total faith in you. But for me, it’s time to step aside. I want this family, and I want to do it for real. So I’m giving it all to you.”

He turns to me, his face serious. “I have to ask again. Are you sure?”

I meet his gaze. “I’m sure.”

He extends his hand. I grasp it and we shake.

“Just like the old days,” he says, grinning. “Another deal struck in this bar.”

We release our hands and I order another round for the both of us.

“Congrats, Reid,” I say to him. “You deserve it. You’re going to be great.”

“Thanks. And listen, you have a place for as long as you want it.”

“Good. I don’t plan on going anywhere. But I might be working fewer hours.”

He laughs. “We’ll see. You’ll have to clear it with your boss first.”

I laugh and we get our drinks, toasting one more time. After that, we start talking about the old days, reminiscing and reliving our glory days.

Though for me, my glory days are ahead of me. When I leave the bar a few hours later, a little drunk, I’m glowing with joy. Reid’s going to drop this case, and I can be with Teagan without any issues. We’re going to be free and clear. She’s going to be mine, for real.

As for Felix, well, I’m going to have to work on that. He’s my son and I have a lot of time to make up for. I’m going to get started as soon as I can.

I get into my car, and as it pulls out into traffic, I don’t look back. I’m leaving behind my old life. And I’m embracing the new.