The software company was a start-up between me, and another guy and he just bought me out.Good luck to him.I did what I do best and created something profitable out of nothing. Now I’m ready to try it again.
At least I think I am. But doubt is beginning to plague me and I’m not sure why.
Once I reach a certain level of success, I tend to bow out. For whatever reason, I don’t want to be in it for the long haul. I think I have my father to blame for that. He was so invested in TB Tech that he forgot or ignored everything else around him. I don’t want to be like that and even though I’m a workaholic, I still manage to have friends and go out and have fun.
Unlike my old man.
It still irks me that he never made any attempt to reach out to me after I quit. I suppose I’m just as guilty for the radio silence between us, but he’s the one who chose someone else over his own son. Because no matter which way you look at it, he betrayed me.
I know that Charlie is good at her job.Maybe ever better than good,I reluctantly admit to myself. But I’m better and no matter how much time passes, I can’t let go of this grudge I have. That VP promotion should’ve been mine.
Unlocking my Tesla, I slip inside and frown. I think what bothers me most about the whole situation is my father’s lack of loyalty. Out of all my siblings, I’m the one who went to business school and decided to follow in my dad’s footsteps. I started at TB Tech, worked my way up, proved my loyalty and then when he had the opportunity to reward me, he shits all over me.
Fuck. I rake a hand through my dark hair and glare out the windshield. I should go to therapy or something because even after two years, I still can’t let it go. Trust and loyalty rank very high on my list and when you break them, I do not forgive or forget.
With a heavy sigh, I start the car and maneuver it out of the garage. Well, I am now officially unemployed. Wondering what to do next, I pull up Alex Gardener’s name on my phone, my best friend, and hit send.
“Nash! What’s happening, buddy?”
“Just signed the papers. Looks like I’m a free man,” I say, maneuvering the car through traffic.
“Excellent. Congratulations! Where are we celebrating?”
“Drinks at Whiskey’s?” I ask, even though I’m not in a very celebratory mood. Everything in me feels off and I can’t place my finger on the exact cause.
“Should I invite the girls?”
“No,” I immediately say. Alex has been dating this woman named Jackie and anytime I’m there, Jackie has to bring her friend Lori along. It’s clear that Lori is interested in me but I am not into her at all. She’s nice and not bad-looking or anything but she gives off this clingy vibe that is an instant red flag. I don’t do needy women.
My motto is in and out. I give them a night of pleasure, take what I need and then send them on their merry way. The idea of a serious relationship is enough to give me hives.No thank you.
Alex chuckles. “Lori is sweet, and Jackie thinks you two would make a great couple.”
Couple?Just the word makes me cringe. “I’m going to say this one last time, Alex.Fuck no. I’m way too busy for a stage 3 clinger.”
“Alright, guys night out then.”
“Cool. I’m on my way over now.”
We hang up and I head toward the Village. As usual, traffic is a bitch, and it takes me even longer than I expect. But what can you do? It’s Manhattan. If I wanted clear, empty roads, I’d move out to the middle of the country somewhere in Bum-Fuck, Upstate New York.
I love the city, though. Despite the dirt, smog, crowds and traffic, there’s something about it. It’s kinetic, electric and always buzzing with energy. It’s a city that never sleeps and there’s always something to do or somewhere exciting to go. I love having options– sports games, theater, shopping, restaurants. You name it, New York City has it in abundance. They don’t call this place the greatest city in the world for nothing.
After finding a garage, I park and then walk down to the local bar that Alex and I frequent. Whiskey’s is laidback and cozy unlike a lot of the pretentious places down in the Financial District. Alex and I meet up here at least once a week and shoot the shit for a couple of hours while watching the game and tossing back some beers.
Despite how hard I work, or maybe because of it, I need to unwind. Otherwise, I’d implode.
The place is pretty crowded, and I wander through the crowd until I see Alex lift a hand and wave. He got a good spot at the bar, right on the corner, and I head over.
“Hey,” I say, and we slide palms as I sit on the stool.
“So, what’s the plan, my man? Just sit on that cool million you made from selling your company. Or hurry up and start working again?”
I order a beer and a burger then turn my attention to Alex. “Are you inferring that I should take a vacation?”
“When’s the last time you took a vacation? Honestly.”
I tilt my head and spin the cardboard coaster on the bar. “2009?”