Page 88 of The First Time

“So, what the hell happened?” he asks, as he now mimics my posture, elbows on his knees like he is now riveted by my story.

“You had a little party at your parents’ house the next night. Nothing big, your parents were out of town, sowe were all hanging out on the dock and in the backyard. William was there. I think he knew there was something between Layla and me. I was always watching her, talking to her at your parents’ house, even when he was around.”

I pause for a moment. “I don’t even think he knew what had happened between her and I the night before. It was probably just a coincidence. Either way, he approached me before Layla came out of the house. Told me if I touched Layla, he’d tell your dad. He threatened to make his father end the contract with your dad’s company. And I know that your dad’s business hit another level when they signed that contract.”

That really gets Asher’s attention. He knows what that account did to turn around his father’s business. His eyebrows turn down. “That motherfucker.”

“Yeah,” I laugh bitterly. “In hindsight, he was clearly threatened by what Layla and I had, so he resorted to scaring the piss out of me. But honestly, that wasn’t the thing that stuck with me the most. It was like he knew my weakest point, and it’s my confidence in myself.”

“Your confidence?” Asher questions doubtfully. “Dude, I’ve been to bars with you. Your confidence was never lacking.”

I huff out a scathing laugh. “There’s a difference between confidence to score a hot chick for a night and confidence that you’re good enough to be the man she brings home to her father.”

His head falls to the side. “What else did he say to you?”

“He told me your dad would never go for Layla settling for someone like me. A blue-collar worker who would never be able to provide the type of lifestyle she was used to.”

“Fuck that. Layla doesn’t care about those things.”

I shrug my shoulders. “How was I supposed to know that at the time? She was only seventeen. She didn’t know what she wanted for herself in the future. Back then, she had a lot of life to live. She had dreams to fulfill. And I’m so damn proud of the woman she has become. Where she is today only reminds me why I fell for her right from the start.”

I look down again at the same paint spot. It gives me the confidence to continue. “She’s ambitious but down to earth. She doesn’t care about money or power. You know I didn’t have the best upbringing, but I never truly opened up to anyone about it. Not until Layla. My parents basically treated me like a nuisance. Nothing I did or didn’t do was enough for them to pay attention to me. I grew up in a trailer park. I came from nothing and was treated like nothing. So, to come into this world with people who have more money than they know what to do with, it made me feel like I didn’t belong.”

“That’s bullshit. You’ve always belonged with us. You’re like another brother to me. Shit, you’re like another brother to my brothers.”

“It doesn’t mean I don’t get lost in my own head sometimes. Sometimes, my thoughts take hold and tell me I’m just an outsider. That I’m never going to be able to offer her what William can. At twenty-two, I thought that would be the life she wanted. I know better now, but I’m still not anything special to bring home to your parents. I’m just a guy who works for their son in a blue-collar job.”

“Is that really how you think of yourself?”

I shrug. “It’s the truth.”

“Fuck, no, it’s not. And if it is, then that’s all I am, too.”

“You’re the owner of a successful construction company,” I point out.

“And that company would be nowhere without you. I let you run the company just as much as I do. You are the reason it’s so successful. Every client fucking loves you. You’re the reason it stayed afloat after Lauren died. I was such a miserable grump. I could’ve destroyed my reputation. I’ve tried for years to make you co-owner of this place, but you always deflect. Now, I see why. You don’t see yourself as my equal, and that pisses me off.”

He looks around the large lobby. “Look at this place. We got this job because of you. We took it because you have the balls and the knowledge to go after commercial work. I’ve always been terrified to expand to commercial. But you, you have that in you. If anything, you’re the impressive one between the two of us.”

I shift in my seat, almost uncomfortable with the compliment. “I don’t think I’d say that, but I appreciate it. Thank you.”

“This isn’t over. We are going to continue this discussion about your role in the company later. But as for this situation, I’m sorry I never knew this happened. I’m sorry I didn’t know how you felt.”

“It’s my fault,” I admit. “I never said anything.”

“Yeah, it would have been nice to know this shit was happening. I would have appreciated knowing you kissed my sister. I get it—I would’ve flipped out back then. Now, who am I to talk? I’m having a baby with her best friend who’s the same age as her.”

I chuckle at that. “I lucked out on that one. You can’t tell me it’s wrong if you’re basically doing the same damn thing.”

“You’re fucking lucky it was only a kiss back then.”

I roll my eyes. “Yeah, I get it.”

“But what the fuck, man?” he switches gears back to anger. “That still doesn’t mean you leave her stranded at an event you two went to together. That was some bullshit.”

“I know. There is nothing I can say. It was inexcusable and will never happen again. I guess the only thing I would add is that I’ve spent a decade never interested in a serious relationship because your sister was always the only one for me, so I’m new to this boyfriend thing.”

He looks at me skeptically. “Fine. You get one pass.”

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