This was bullshit. Antonio might not like the way Justin handled his own resignation, and he might not be interested in running the company alone, but he didn’t have any intention of ditching and running.
He dialed Grant’s office, irritation ticking through him as he waited for the older man to pick up.
“Antonio. I’m glad you called, and I’m sorry about the news. I meant to tell you before the press releases hit. I have no idea how that information leaked early.”
That was one hell of a shitty apology. “I don’t care how the news got out. I want to know why it exists. Justin resigned for himself. I didn’t have anything to do with that.”
Grant sighed. It was a long, drawn-out noise that made Antonio feel he was about to be talked to like a child. “The board feels APPropriate Designs needs a new face.” Yup. There was that condescension. “We’re concerned, given that the two of you always acted in tandem, that your staying on with Justin gone will cause rifts.”
“What does that mean?Rifts.That doesn’t make any sense.”
“I’m not sure how to better phrase it.” Grant’s tone was kind, to the point of being insulting. “You’ve always governed together, and while he resigned, we understand there’s some resentment still. We don’t need that spilling into everyday business on your part.”
Antonio didn’t know how to argue against statements like that. “I’m not Justin.”
“The decision is made. Have your lawyer contact our Legal department if there are questions about your contract.” Grant disconnected.
Antonio stared at the phone in disbelief. Justin cost him his job. Antonio hated to cast blame, but he couldn’t think of any other way to look at it. He leaned back in his chair, the energy draining from him, washed away by powerlessness.
He could fight this. Alternately, his name wasn’t in the headlines, so finding another job would be easy enough. Especially with his qualifications. He could retire at the age of thirty-three—the buyout amount was enough for him to live a carefree life of boredom. Or start an incubator and fund other app ideas.
None of that sounded appealing. This experience had soured him. He didn’t have Justin. He missed his home and his family.
Only one solution appealed to him. He was flying back to Italy this weekend, for his father’s birthday. It was the perfect opportunity for a change of scenery. He grabbed his cell phone and dialed his sister.
“Il mio fratellino.” Her cheerful greeting nudged aside some of his dread.
“Hey. You busy?” He slipped into Italian without pause. The sounds rolling off his tongue tasted like the sweetest comfort food.
“I’m plotting world domination. Same old stuff. But it’ll wait. What’s up?”
“I need a favor. I don’t know if it’s possible to finish before I arrive, but I’m hoping.”
“Well? Spit it out.”
He steeled himself. “I need you to find me an apartment. Long term. I’m moving back home. But don’t tell Mom and Dad. I want to surprise them.”
Her squeal of happiness threatened to split his eardrums. “Are you serious?”
“Deadly.”
“One bedroom? Two? Is your boyfriend coming with you?”
He wanted to pretend he didn’t know what she meant. Had he been that obvious with Justin? “Two bedrooms. I don’t need a lot of room, but find me a nice loft if you can.”
“I’m on it. And I’m glad you’re coming back.”
“Me too.” In a bitter, melancholy kind of way, but he was still glad. “I’ve got some other calls to make. Talk to you soon?”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
After he disconnected with her, he pulled up his plane-ticket reservations and changed his flight to one way, while he waited on hold for a real-estate agent. Someone he could talk to about listing his house.
Maybe be was being a bit rash, but it worked for Justin. Might as well give it a shot. And if Antonio was lucky, somewhere along the way it would stop aching like a knife through the heart every time Justin’s name crossed his mind.