“Stop being a miserable fucker and have a drink with us,” Dexter says, banging a massive fist down on the table. At six-seven and two-hundred-eighty pounds, no one argues with him.
“Here,” Jared says, sliding a whiskey across the table towards me as I take a seat.
“Just one,” I finally concede.
“So, spill,” Dex says, giving me a knowing look.
I take a swig of whiskey. “Spill what?”
“Don’t give us that shit,” Jared says with a frown. “You lock yourself away in that office, haven’t had a drink with us for months, so we’re staging a fucking intervention!”
I look between my two friends, then glance around the bar. The place is half-empty now. The earlier rush seems to have been short-lived.
“Business hasn’t been doing so good,” I finally mutter.
Dex frowns. “When you say, not so good—"
I sigh in defeat, finally confessing the extent of the debt my good-for-nothing father left behind.
“That’s why you left the brigade!” Jared says grimly as the penny drops. “You said you needed a change, but that was all a bunch of bull, wasn’t it? You couldn’t bring yourself to sell this place, huh?”
“My grandfather risked everything to build this business. It felt like a betrayal to give up on it all,” I admit.
“Shit, bro. Why didn’t you say something?” Dex asks gruffly.
I shrug. “Too proud. Too stupid. It was easier to leave the station, leave you guys if you believed it was what I wanted. Thought I could turn this place around on my own, but it’s looking more and more unlikely.”
“If we could help out, we would, but you know better than anyone that firefighters do the job for love, not the money,” Jared says. “Have you thought about asking Callum?”
I nod. “Thought about it and decided against it. I know he’d be happy to help, but I’m not sure if he’d be throwing good money after bad at this point.”
“My brother-in-law’s company got into some debt and used a company to help get him back on his feet. Edgar Financial, something or other,” Dex says thoughtfully. “They come in and overhaul the business, check the finances, see what’s working and what isn’t, that kind of thing. They got his company back up and thriving in a matter of months.”
I hadn’t considered outsourcing to a financial firm. “Do you have a number or contact name?”
“Let me see if I can find them,” Dex says, pulling out his phone and tapping away. “Yeah, here ya go.” He holds the phone out to me.
I take a quick look at the professional-looking website. “Thanks, buddy. I’ll get in touch with them.”
“You know we’re always here for you, right? Even when you’re being a stubborn asshole,” Jared grins.
I nod. “Thanks, bro. And I’m sorry I’ve been avoiding you guys. Just been trying to deal on my own, you know?”
“Problem shared, and all that shit,” Dex reminds me.
“I’ll drink to that!” Jared salutes us with his beer and drains the contents with one gulp before letting rip with a massive burp.
Yeah, I’ve really missed these crazy fuckers.
The first thing I do when I get to work on Monday morning is call Edgar Financial Consulting. I took a good look at the company website over the weekend while I contemplated my next steps, and they have a solid reputation. The last thing I want to do is admit I’ve failed and ask for help, but this isn’t just about me. I need to do what’s best for the business and the people who work for me, the people who trust me.
I dial the number and wait. I don’t have to wait long as the phone is picked up after two rings, and the receptionist puts me through to the relevant colleague.
“Good morning, Mr. Lockhart. This is Harry Naims. I’m one of the company partners. How may I help you?”
“I could do with some professional help and advice,” I say, getting straight to the point and telling him about the business and the problems we’re facing. “Do you think Edgar Financial can help?”
“From what you’ve told me, I’m sure we can help you, Mr. Lockhart,” Mr. Naims replies confidently.