Eighteen

Morgan

Returning to work and reality seemed impossible. I didn’t want to live in a world where I had to hide Patrick. I’d understood at first when it was just a fling. A totally uncertain possibility. But, after Napa, there was no going back.

As I entered work on Monday morning, I felt like I was walking on clouds. Had I ever been this happy? This blissful? This relaxed?

I felt like a different person. A new person. And, God, I loved it.

My dopey grin carried all the way to my office before it disappeared entirely at the sight of Jensen standing there with none of my dreamy giddiness.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“I know what’s going on here, Morgan.”

Oh no.

“You do?” I whispered.

Fuck. Who told him? Who said something? Emery? God, I really didn’t think she would divulge this!

“Yes. You’re finally taking your moment to rebel.”

“Jensen, that’s not what this is about,” I said quickly. I needed to figure out a way to salvage this conversation. Dating Patrick was not my rebelling moment.

“There are a million things I want to say to you right now, but I mostly just want to hear your side of the story. I think all of this got completely out of hand. I don’t want you to make the same mistakes I made. You haven’t been CEO that long.”

“Wait,” I said as I processed his words. “What are we talking about here?”

“You missed work on Friday and disconnected all weekend,” he said and then arched an eyebrow. “What did you think we were talking about?”

“Nothing. I’m confused. What does it matter if I missed Friday? We had the day off.”

Jensen sighed. “The CEO never takes a day off.”

“I know, but…”

“The board is concerned about your commitment to the job.”

My jaw dropped. “The board? You’re on the board now!”

“Yes, I’m aware. But I didn’t find out about this until after they all convened without me.”

“What the hell?”

“They don’t think I can be objective about my sister and handpicked successor. How can I blame them about that?”

“This is bullshit. All because I missed one day when the company was closed?” I asked, fuming.

“I’m not saying that any of it is fair, Morgan.”

“You missed a shit-ton of work every time you went to New York.”

“Yes, but I didn’t go to New York as much when I first started as CEO. So, I missed too much of my son’s young life. And, when I was actually there, I would always check in with the New York branch. We’re a huge company. We have offices all over the country. We have them in San Francisco for instance.”

“It’s not like I was completely absent. I answered emails while I was gone.”

“It’s not the same. Fuck,” Jensen said, turning and walking away.

“How do I fix this?” I asked.

Panic was starting to set in. I needed to make the board feel more secure about me. I’d done everything above and beyond for years, and still, it didn’t seem to make any difference.

“We’ll let it blow over. I think everyone has too much to worry about right now with going into the holidays anyway. Just stay on top of things and try not to leave again unless you have to leave for the business. I thought I’d addressed everything I needed to in our transitional period.” He shook his head and then sighed. “I’m really surprised the board is this upset with you about it.”

“Me, too. It doesn’t even make sense.”

“No, it doesn’t. I think our uncle might have something to do with it.”

I groaned. “Uncle Owen? He hates me.”

“He doesn’t hate you. I just think he’s very serious about the business, especially since he is here and can see what’s going on.”

“So, you think he went to the board behind your back?”

“I’m not sure. But be careful around him.”

“You think I should be careful?” I asked in frustration. “He’s speaking to the board about my behavior and way overstepping his bounds, and I should be more careful? I think that I should go find Uncle Owen right now and have it out with him.”

Jensen sighed. “I had a feeling you’d say that.”

“He’s trying to ruin my job!”

“He’s baiting you. Just ignore him. Stay cool. Remember, you want this to all blow over. The reason you’re CEO is because you’re already dedicated and invested in this company. Let your actions prove your worth.”

I ground my teeth but nodded. Jensen was probably right. He usually was. He’d run this company successfully for a long time. If I wanted to follow in his footsteps, then I had to be above and beyond. I couldn’t risk having any complaints against me. Not a single one.

And then I got this…all because I’d left for the weekend. A holiday weekend at that. Some part of me thought the whole thing was unfair…and probably a bit sexist. But the other part of me wondered if maybe…it was true.

Ever since I’d started talking to Patrick, I’d definitely been at work less. He’d been convincing me to leave early and avoid work on the weekends. I’d actually been loosening up and enjoying myself. Then, I had gotten hit with a two-by-four.

Maybe this thing with Patrick was changing me. Work had to come first. That was a lesson I’d learned long ago.

“Morgan,” Jensen said.

“Sorry. I just…nothing,” I said when I saw his eyes crinkle in concern. I straightened up and washed all the worry from my face. I was strong. I had the weight of the world on my shoulders. I could do this. “I’ll double down, and everything will be fine. If I need to console the board, then I’ll handle it. Thanks for coming to let me know.”

“I know you can do it.” Jensen frowned. “Just find some work-life balance. It’s a hard line to walk; I know.”

“I’ll figure it out.”

“I know you will. I should probably get back to my office now. Ribbon-cutting is getting closer and closer. We have to be ready.”

“Good luck,” I said as I walked him out.

“Hey, I like what you’ve done with the place, too.” He gestured to the office. “More modern, sleek, very you.”

“Thanks. I thought it could use a woman’s touch.”

“How was your trip by the way? You and Patrick in San Francisco.” He wiggled his eyebrows up and down.

All of my brothers knew of my crush on Patrick. They’d always known, and they thought it was hilarious. Especially because of Patrick being so oblivious to it. In fact, it had become a huge joke among them. I was pretty sure they wouldn’t find it funny if they found out we were banging.

“We were there for Steph’s wedding stuff.”

At least, that was the cover story. And we had done some wedding stuff. Just…not that much.

“Yeah, I know. I’m just messing with you.”

“Go back to work,” I said with a grin, playfully shoving him out of the office.

“Yes, ma’am.”

I watched my brother’s retreating back as he went down the hall. Fear crept into me from all sides as soon as he was out of sight.

He’d made it seem like none of this was a big deal. As if it would all just blow over. But, if that were the case, he wouldn’t have come down here to talk to me about it. He wouldn’t have left his cushy new office to be the bearer of bad news. A phone call would have sufficed.

This was more serious than he had been letting on. I knew it in my bones.

My uncle had the ear of the board. That was the nugget I was taking away from this. He had it out for me. He’d had it out for me from the first day I met him. It seemed he would do anything to make me suffer.

I didn’t know why. I had no idea what his reasoning was. But he was here on behalf of the Canadian branch of Wright Construction through the holidays, and I would have to deal with him. When all I wanted to do was fire him. He was already a pain in my ass, but I knew I couldn’t. He hadn’t actually done anything wrong, and I didn’t want to get in any more trouble with the board than I already was.

Jensen had talked about work-life balance, but what he’d really meant was, Find a way to put your life on hold. At least for now.

I chewed on my thumbnail as I considered what that meant. I’d just gotten him. I’d put it all on the line. And, already, it was overloading me.

I needed to be serious about my job. I was already serious about my job. I was the hard worker. I had all the pressure on me. Just once, I’d love to walk in one of my brother’s footsteps where everything came easy to them, and they had no problems they couldn’t overcome. I might be the brains of the operation and seem like the smart, determined, and sarcastic one of the bunch, but it didn’t stop anyone from second-guessing my every move.

It had taken me years to earn the respect of my employees at the company. Something that had naturally happened to Jensen when he walked into the room. And, now, it was crumbling all because of my new relationship. A relationship no one even knew about!

Fuck, I’m going to have to talk to Patrick.

It was his first day on the job at Texas Tech. I couldn’t just leave here to go talk to him. Not when I was under scrutiny. But maybe I could make time for a quick lunch. It was just across the street anyway. No one would notice me if I left for a quick break. I hoped…

“Hey, Morgan!” David said, popping out of his office.

I jumped slightly at the interruption to my deep thoughts. “Hey, David. How was your break?”

“Good. How was yours? How was San Francisco?”

“It was great, but…I think we really need to buckle down. We still have the Disney contract that we have to dig in on.”

“I’m all for it.”

“I’m thinking late nights all week.”

“That’s fine. You know I enjoy it.” He leaned against the door and casually crossed his arms. “Oh, wait, you know, I can’t do late Thursday though.”

“Why not?”

“I promised Sutton that I’d babysit Jason. She wants to get out of the house.”

My heart constricted. Of course Sutton wanted someone to babysit. God, I’m a shitty sister. How did Jensen actually manage his work and home life? Because, right now, I didn’t think I was handling either of them. My sister was suffering, and I couldn’t even find time to babysit.

“Of course. Maybe I should come with you?”

“If you want to. But…it might be nice, if you don’t mind me saying…”

“What?”

“If maybe you went out with Sutton instead. I can take care of the boy. He’s no problem. I have a few nieces and nephews his age. I…well, I’m not sure anyone can take care of Sutton. She might appreciate it if you tried though.”

“You’re right.” I felt like I had a golf ball in my throat as I tried to swallow around the tears threatening me. “I’ll…I’ll call her. Thanks, you know, for being there for her.”

“Oh, Sutton is great. She’s the strongest person I’ve ever met.”

“She really is,” I agreed.

David grinned and then ducked back into his office, leaving me reeling. Another thing to add to my list of things to do. Something I should have already thought of.

Fuck, I’d been so blind lately.

Just trapped in my own vortex and unable to see everything else disintegrating around me. I needed to break free of its grip, or I’d end up losing it all.