Page 35 of Tell Me It’s Right

“Sure.” I shrug and set my drink on the table.

I don’t give a fuck about candy—never have—and I certainly don’t give a fuck about one that claims to have fewer calories or however they’re going to spin this to convince people this ishealthier. The thought of working for that day in and day out makes me want to repeatedly bash my head against a brick wall.

But it does seem like a natural next step for the business. It’ll probably do well.

“I just don’t have the room for anything else on my plate,” I finish.

Silence falls over the table as the server returns with the first course.

“Liam,” Mak starts, and I already know I won’t like anything she has to say by that placating tone, like she’s talking to her toddler. “This is a real opportunity?—”

“I don’t see why you need me.”

“You would be great with design!” offers Christine, and I know she’s just trying to be helpful, but I can’t help but glare at her.

“Plenty of people design.”

“But none in the family,” Mak all but whines. “You’re the only artist we have. And you’re mybrother.”

“You’ve also got three more of those,” I mutter. “Casey’s a budding artist.” I pat the back of his chair, and he grins and sits up straighter. “Give him another ten years or so.”

Now it’s Mak’s turn to glare at me.

“Liam,” sighs Dad, and I’m surprised it’s taken him this long to chime in. “No one wanted to push you after your grandfather’spassing, but that excuse only lasts so long. You’ve had fun with your store, and I think we’ve all been incredibly patient. But it’s time to stop fooling around and be the man this family needs you to be.”

I don’t even know where to start with that. He says that like the success of this family hinges on me and I’m being difficult, when in reality, he just hates having something out of his control. It would make his life so much tidier if I conformed like the rest of them.

I think he forgets that he might have taken over as the head of this family after Mom and Granddad passed, but he still only married into this legacy. He has created nothing. Granddad is the one who kept the brand alive when everyone thought it would go under.

“I’m sorry, is this a family meeting or an intervention?” Everyone else exchanges a look, and I bark out a laugh. “Everyone else already knew about this but me, didn’t they?”

“I didn’t!” offers Casey.

“Let me make myself very clear,” I say. “The shop isn’t going anywhere, and neither am I. It’s doing well. I’m bringing on employees?—”

Dad scoffs. “Pity hiring the Collins girl? Don’t insult me. We all know what that was really about.”

The Collins girl.As if he doesn’t know her name. As if he hasn’t known her for twenty-two years. I grind my molars.He wants you to react.

“Is that what this is foryou?” I counter. “Pity hiring the black sheep so you can parade us all around town to make everyone think we’re the perfect family?”

Dad slams a fist against the table and rises to his feet. “Grow the fuck up, Liam?—”

“Okay, okay.” Christine stands and holds out her palms like she’s trying to calm wild animals. “Let’s all take a breath. Makhas already started on some of the marketing materials and has some mockups. Liam, will you at least take a look at everything before deciding? Just give it that much of a chance?”

Makayla makes a noise in the back of her throat like she’s trying to signal something to Christine.

Christine smiles at her, oblivious, and gives an encouraging nod. “Go on. Show him. I’m sure we’d all like to see it, right, guys?” She glances around the table for support, her eyes wide and smile tight.

“Yeah, yeah,” coughs out Taylor. “I’d like to see it.”

“Sure,” offers Asher.

“I do!” calls Casey.

Dad’s still glaring at me from the head of the table, but I sigh and hold my hand out for Mak’s phone.

She stares at me for several seconds, and I can’t figure out what that look in her eyes is before she slowly sets it in my hand.

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