Page 105 of Ex Marks the Spot

My fingers twist in my lap as I work to figure out how to begin. “You both know I can’t tell you anything about the race, but what I can say is it helped me realize that I’ve felt like I’ve been wearing a really great pair of shoes that don’t fit me. Dad, your business has been your baby since before John and I were born, and after the accident, I wanted to do anything I could to make sure you didn’t lose it.

“I don’t regret my decision to move home and take over the company. I just figured if I kept at it long enough, I’d be able to turn your dream into mine, but I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

My voice cracks on the last word. I hate having to tell them this, but I hate the idea of not having Court and feeling stagnant for the rest of my life even more.

“Over the last three weeks, I’ve thought a lot about my plans for the future, and they all start with...”

You can do this.

“What I mean is . . .”

Spit it out.

“I’m trying to say . . .”

God, just say it!

“. . . I’m leaving the company.”

They stare back at me in silence.

“It’s not that I’ve been unhappy,” I continue. “It’s more like you got a new pair of shoes six years ago, I put one on, and never took it off. Now it’s time for me to find my own pair of shoes.”

More silence as they exchange glances, each of them wearing an expression I can’t read.

I swallow and press on. “I’m really sorry for the burden this creates, but I’ll handle the job posting and interviews and I promise I won’t go anywhere until everything’s settled with my replacement.”

There.

I’ve said everything I can, short of telling them about Court.

. . . And they still haven’t said anything.

Why aren’t they saying anything?

They exchange another look, and this time Dad tilts his head at Mom. She nods, and then he nods, and they both turn to me.

“I guess this is a good time to tell you that I got an offer from a guy in Wilmington a couple of months ago. Why don’t we all get some new shoes and sell the company instead?”

My college roommate Corrina was the first to text when the cast list was released this afternoon.

Corrina: COURT MUELLER?! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

Me: I am not.

Corrina: What was he like? Did you murder him? Did you bang him? Is he married with nine kids?

Me: *zipped lips emoji*

Corrina: No fair!

Me: Tell that to the $500k NDA I signed.

The rest of the day was more of the same, but it’s not until 8:32 p.m. that my phone finally lights up with the one name I’ve been waiting for. I set my notebook aside and sit up against my headboard to answer the video call.

“Heyyyyy...” My voice trails off when I realize the face on the other end of the line isn’t Court’s. The man is smiling though, and swatting at something off-screen.

“Hi Hartley, I’m Rhett.”

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