Maxon and Griff exchange a quick glance, then nod.
“Of course we’re sure,” Maxon says. “With the promotional push leading up to the movie’s release getting so much attention, you’re going to be a hot topic for a while. But it will blow over.”
Before I’m a senior citizen? I’m not convinced. In the time it took Maxon to answer me just now, my phone buzzed twice more. “I appreciate that. But if it makes you more comfortable, we can postpone the launch…or cancel the deal altogether.”
“No.” Griff shakes his head. “Investors should only care about your talent and integrity as a money manager, and you’ve got a more-than-proven track record.”
Will that be enough when I’m being portrayed as a devious, lying bully in the court of public opinion?
“What do Bethany and Clint say?” Maxon asks.
“Same as you two. So far, they’re ignoring the negative press.” And I’m grateful.
My half sister and her husband originally hired me into their once-fledgling brokerage and are now letting me buy in as full partner and lead this property-based expansion because the three of us have been beyond successful, beating the market by double digits each year. Our client list has ballooned, as have the assets we invest for them.
On the personal side, they’ve been rocks—just like all the Reed clan. As families go, they’re everything I wanted growing up the only child of an overworked single mom.
Early in life, I spent a lot of time alone, so I learned to be self-reliant and independent. I resented it as a kid. As an adult, it’s a big contributor to my success. While losing my mother when I was barely nineteen made me feel even more fucking alone, friends got me through. Most were great. And learning shortly after college graduation that I had an actual family, thanks to a sperm donor who couldn’t keep his pants zipped, was stunning but welcome news.
“That’s good.” Maxon sips his coffee and sends me another considering stare. “I think I speak for all of us when I say we’re family and we won’t turn our backs on you, professionally or personally.” He winces. “Look, my wife would murder me for asking, because we know you’re not the asshole Emerson portrayed, but it would be helpful to know what really happened.”
“It would,” Griff agrees. “By the way, I’m not shocked Keeley said that. Britta said the same thing.”
Maxon laughs. “Despite being different, our wives are almost always on the same page.”
Griff nods. “So true.”
Maxon smiles, then turns to me. “X, I don’t want to trample on your privacy—”
“You’re not. I don’t mind sharing.” In fact, I wonder why they didn’t ask sooner. I have no problem explaining this shit show. “I met Parker as a college freshman. I was popular in the dorm, mostly because I’d made friends with a local drunk who would buy me booze. Parker rubbed people the wrong way. He was a social outsider.”
“Because he’s an East Coast guy?” Maxon asks.
“Or because he’s an asshole?” Griff wants to know.
“Both. But I was failing lit, and he needed help in calculus, so we exchanged tutoring. He didn’t seem like a bad guy once I got to know him. He could be funny, but there was a side to him…opinionated and kind of pompous, you know? No one could argue with him. His debate style was always I’m right. You’re full of crap. End of discussion. It came off as condescending. Since I enjoy verbal sparring, I let him roll off my back a lot. But a lot of my buddies thought he was an insufferable know-it-all and refused to hang with him.”
“Like Hayes?” Griff asks about my best friend of at least a decade.
“Yeah.”
“I liked your pal Elliott the minute I met him.” Maxon grins.
“Everyone does. Anyway, after my mom died, I struggled a lot. I almost dropped out of school. I had a hard time keeping my shit together. Parker was really there for me. I spent that Christmas at his place because he didn’t want me to be alone. His whole family welcomed me.” I laugh. “I think his little sister even had a crush on me.”
Maxon frowns. “Did he give you a hard time about it? Is that why he started all this mudslinging? He didn’t mention her in his book…”
“No. I mean, he’s an overprotective big brother, so he wasn’t thrilled. But he knew I wasn’t interested. Corinne was just a kid, maybe fourteen.” I shrug. “If I’d actually touched her, I could understand that fucking book he wrote. But I didn’t. He blames me for his social snub, his depression, and his suicidal thoughts, despite the fact he fucked me over first—all because of a woman. He conveniently leaves that fact out of his book.”
“Seriously?” My oldest brother rolls his eyes.
Griff shakes his head. “Isn’t it always about a woman?”