More Than Hate You (More Than Words)

Since I can almost hear the indecision rattling in his head, I lean on him a little. “C’mon. Don’t you want to free up some time to spend with that hot blonde you’ve been shacking up with? Sorry. What’s her name? Avery?”

“Aria.”

“That’s right. Pretty name for a gorgeous girl. I heard a rumor you two were getting married. When’s the big day?”

“We split up last week.” And he sounds crushed.

Shit. I didn’t hear that from the grapevine. “Oh, man. I’m sorry. What happened?”

I don’t really have time to care, but I actually like Jeremy. Though screwing with this one account won’t mean much to his thriving business, some girl messing with his heart pisses me off on his behalf.

“Apparently, she’s been fucking around on me—with my older brother. Who got her pregnant. It hasn’t been a great week.” He sighs. “So if you want to take this account off my back…”

“And give you time to deal? You got it.”

“If you’re as good as I think you are, I’ll hire you when it’s over. Hell, I’d hire you now, but that salary…”

“Which is why I’m going to prove it to you first.” I BS him again. “We’ll talk about it when I’m done, okay?”

“Yeah. Thanks.”

“Fill me in. What does the client want?”

“It’s weird. They say they want help eliminating redundancies and inefficiencies so they can streamline overall. But Bruce Rawson should know this stuff.” Jeremy sounds confused.

True that. Rawson is too savvy to need the basics. After all, he built Reservoir by himself over the last half-dozen years. “But he doesn’t seem to?”

“Hard to say. I’ve only talked to an assistant. Once the deal was done, Rawson had me contact his oldest son, Shane. We’ve traded emails since then. But I haven’t personally spoken to the old man or the kid yet.”

That’s unusual. “And?”

Jeremy hmms like the client is taxing his strained patience. “Confidentially? Shane Rawson is an idiot. If his dad thinks he’s taking over anything more complex than sweeping the floors, I’m not surprised they asked for my help.”

Why doesn’t the old man just teach him? “When do you fly out to see the client?”

“I don’t.” His tone says he finds that even more puzzling. “Rawson senior wants to do everything over the phone, like I’m a dirty little secret.”

“Huh.” That will work in my favor. “No problem. I can handle it.”

By convincing them the Wynam job isn’t right for them…

“Thanks. But listen, you have to pretend to be me. I promised them personalized, white-glove treatment.”

And Jeremy doesn’t want to let the new client down. “You got it.”

“Really? Thank fuck. I appreciate that—and the call. And I appreciate you being a pal.”

The fact I’m not makes me wince with guilt again. We hang up, and I make a few calls so he’ll get a delivery of a very friendly stripper and a few liters of Cîroc to help him forget Aria. And hopefully, he’ll remember my gesture later, when he finds out what I’ve done.

February 26

Eight days later, at two o’clock in the afternoon Dallas time, where Reservoir’s offices are located, Shane Rawson returns my calls. Finally, we’re getting down to business.

“Thanks for coming on board. You were really highly recommended, McBride.”

I’ll have to get used to being called by Jeremy’s name with these clients, but it’s a small price to pay to shove them off Evan’s back.

“I appreciate the opportunity. I’ve admired everything your father has accomplished. Over the years, he’s built multiple businesses into successful powerhouses.” Then smartly sold them off and made bank. “Reservoir is just another one of his fantastic achievements.”