Page 50 of Dare to Need

“Speaking of complicated…I heard you offered to take over dad’s position in the company after all.” Both his brows were raised as though it was difficult for him to actually believe it.

“Yeah.” I nodded. “I felt like after everything he just went through, it was time for me to take on some of the responsibility for the family.”

He forked a piece of the giant cinnamon roll between us. “What about your art?”

Mitigating this issue was the one thing I was having the hardest time trying to sort through. Yet, it kept popping up every time I tried to avoid it.

I leaned back against the red leather booth backing. “That’s exactly what everyone keeps asking me.”

“That’s probably because we all know you well and the thought of you not creating art just doesn’t seem like…well…you.” He shrugged.

“I don’t think itisme. To just give up on the one thing that has brought such joy in my life. But I made a promise to dad and I don’t know what it will do to our relationship if I go back on my word now.”

Garrett stroked the stubble on his chin as he peered off into some distant corner behind me. When his gaze met mine again, he said, “I don’t think it was your promise to make.”

“What do you mean?”

He scooted forward, interlacing his fingers as he braced his forearms on the table. “When dad started telling you he wanted you to take over his position, you were a teenager. I think he knows now that it was a mistake to put that kind of pressure on you, especially as a kid. I know you think you hold responsibility for how things went between you two since then, but the truth is that he made a parental mistake. He shouldn’t have expected you to want his position, especially once he knew where your true passion lied.

“And after talking with him and mom this past week, I think they’ve both realized their mistakes in forcing you into something you aren’t. You have every right to walk away from the promise you made. Just because dad got sick, doesn’t change the fact that you’d be fucking miserable having anything to do with real estate development.”

“Yeah,” I said, drawing out the word. “You’re not wrong there.”

“So, just tell dad you’re not up for the job and get back to what you love doing.”

I huffed, as my lips widened into a smile. “That simple, huh?”

He stretched his arms behind his head, falling back into the chair looking pleased with himself. “That simple.”

“I’ll keep you in mind as my shrink for the next time I fuck up my life.”

“Dude, you couldn’t afford my rates.” He smirked and I rolled my eyes.

“So, are you excited about your showing at Studio 628? It’s coming up in a few months, right?”

The same sinking feeling I’d felt yesterday when Lucas asked me that exact question started to pull at my insides. “I uh…I actually withdrew my pieces.”

“What the hell, Garth!” His arms fell back to his sides as his eyes grew wide. “You’ve been talking about showing your art there for over a decade now. Why would you pull your pieces?”

“Because I thought I was taking over a multi-billion-dollar company and that I wouldn’t have the time to create anymore. Let alone participate in an art studio showing my pieces.” I sighed heavily. “I’m just trying to get my shit straight. If I decide to talk to dad about withdrawing my offer, I don’t even know where to start with fixing the bridge I just burned with the studio.”

“Garth,” he said, giving me a dumbfounded look. “You have over thirty million dollars in your trust fund. Build your own damn studio, show your own pieces, and help support local artists back home in Florida.”

My head tilted to the side as I pondered his idea. “I’ve never even considered opening my own studio before.”

“I think it could be a really great compromise. Show dad that you are using the money from his legacy to build something of your own. Something that will last. This way, you both get what you want.”

Something miraculous happened in that old diner as my little brother helped me to see a brand new possibility that would indeed satisfy both my father’s and I’s desires. It was the perfect plan to alleviate the stress from a decade-long war forged between us. My father would see the passing of his legacy fulfilled and would be able to spend the rest of his life by our mother’s side. And I…I could go back to doing the only thing I’d ever loved. Even more so, I could help the new generation of artists by giving them a platform to display their work and connect with buyers.

Dishes clattered as I jumped up, leaned across the table and wrapped my hand around the back of Garrett’s head to bring our foreheads together. “You’re a fucking genius, little brother.”

He pushed me off him, a goofy smile splayed across his face. “I’m just here to do the hard work.” We both laughed.

As I plunked into my seat again, I felt that last bit of worry leave my chest. “Seriously, Garrett. Thank you. This has been weighing heavily on me and I had no fucking idea what to do. But now I’m really excited to talk to dad about this new possibility.”

“Maybe it will help take away those bags from under your eyes too,” he jested. “You look like hell, Garth.”

I rolled up my napkin and threw it straight in his face. His espresso eyes were wide as he grabbed the fallen napkin in his lap and threw it back at me.

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