Page 5 of The Weekend Getaway

“Don’t think,” Alex hissed. “Just do what I tell you to do. There’s too much at stake. Practice your backstroke some other time.”

Chris nodded.

Alex sighed, pinched the bridge of his nose. “Have you heard from Jason?”

Checking his watch, which was also a phone, Chris shook his head. “Not yet.”

Alex scratched his chin. Over at the outdoor bar, Mia, Grace, and Phil were drinking champagne. Laughing. Talking.

It bothered him that Phil misnamed his firm, putting Jason’s last name first. It felt obvious. Something he’d done on purpose. But Alex wasn’t sure if Phil’s mistake should bother him. Maybe he should let it go. Why should he care if Phil didn’t know the name of his firm? Because maybe he didn’t. He didn’t know Phil well. Not anymore. Hadn’t seen the guy in fifteen years. Maybe Phil hadn’t bothered to keep up with Alex’s life, the way Alex had made sure to keep track of Phil.

“Want me to call Jason?” Chris asked.

“He should be here soon,” Alex said, annoyed by Chris’s suggestion, his attempt to be useful. “Maybe his plane was delayed.”

Alex stared at Phil, nodding at something Grace was saying as he swilled champagne.

The last time they’d spoken had been that day in Phil’s dad’s office. A dark, cavernous space, filled with large leather furniture, priceless antiques, million-dollar art, and the smell of unrestrained power and undeserved privilege. Alex had been excited. Ecstatic, bursting with a strange giddiness. He wanted to laugh out loud, but he masked his emotions. Kept his face stoic and solemn for the benefit of Mr. Richart, who was stern and irritated.

“What if he’s not?” Chris asked. “Here soon, I mean. What if Jason doesn’t show up.”

Alex glared at Chris. “Then we’re effed.”

CHAPTER 4

JASON

“Phil! Jason!” Alex called from where he stood next to Chris near the pool. “Bring us a drink.”

Jason cringed at the sound of Alex’s voice. No, Alex’s command. He bristled at the demand in Alex’s tone, which he never tried to hide. It was always his way or the highway. Resist him at your own peril. Do what he says if you know what’s good for you.

He was on a private island in the middle of the Caribbean at Alex’s insistence, not his invitation, even though Jason had received one. A three-by-five note card stuffed into a matching envelope. Not the normal quality of previous invites, but Jason hadn’t expected lambskin. Considering the current challenges and difficulties the firm was experiencing, he was surprised Mia had bothered with invitations. An email would have been good enough since the getaway was only forsenior partners. And Mia had invited Sarah. And Alex had invited Phil.

Jason didn’t like the idea of Sarah and Phil seeing each other again after what happened that night at the party. He didn’t like the idea Alex had come up with. He was not eager to take part in the plan Alex had concocted.

But Alex insisted.

Alex needed Jason. The plan wouldn’t work without him.

Jason wanted to push back against Alex’s idea. He’d tried to come up with a plan of his own, but Alex had shot it down, said it would never work. He’d tried to get Chris to join him and stand up to Alex, but Chris was a follower. The kind of guy who aligned himself with the bully in hopes that he wouldn’t become the target. But he couldn’t be so harsh on Chris. Jason was no better. When had he ever stood up to Alex?

Had he pushed back when Alex wanted him to join him at a law school in Texas and turn down the offers he’d received from several Ivy League colleges? Had he stood his ground when Alex suggested he switch his legal specialty to personal injury law instead of pursuing civil rights litigation, which had been his passion? Had he told Alex no when he’d wanted them to open a practice in Houston and film a slew of cringy, cheesy commercials catered to car accident victims?

What the hell had made Jason think he would stand up to Alex this time?

He’d packed a bag, got on a plane, and flown to the islands. After arriving half an hour ago,he’d walked through the spacious villa and out onto the terrace, greeting Mia, Grace, and Phil, accepting their offer of a glass of champagne.

Jason had hoped to speak with Alex and Chris before talking to Phil, but as soon as Phil saw Jason, he’d given him a hearty hug, as though they were old friends looking forward to seeing each other. Jason forced himself to respond with the same enthusiasm.

But being around Phil unnerved him. Made him feel marginalized. Being around Phil was like being in the presence of a celebrity, enticing but annoying. Jason craved the proximity and at the same time felt the overwhelming urge to flee. The need to hide away from someone who, on a whim or a dare, could change the trajectory of his life.

“Alexander the Great is summoning us,” joked Phil, pouring champagne into two empty flutes. “We better do his bidding. Or he’ll cut off our heads … “

CHAPTER 5

JASON

“Phil! Come here!” Mia called from the terrace. “Grace and I need to ask you something.”

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