Page 112 of Hard To Leave

Chapter 35

Jack

I liftedmy head when I heard a knock at the door. My assistant Jonathan walked into the room, placing a stack of paperwork in front of me. “Are you sure this is what you want to do?”

My eyes scanned around the office. Everywhere I turned I could feel my father’s presence. Every wall, shelf, and drawer was a reminder of all that he sacrificed. This was his place. His company. His dream. Since his death, I often wondered if he ever truly understood how much this business cost him to build. Did he know this was the reason why his marriage failed? Why his personal life suffered so much? Why his son spent most of his life avoiding relationships?

For as much as I respected my father, I didn’t want to live his life. This job didn’t bring me happiness. Chloe and Tanner did. If I’ve learned anything from my father’s mistakes, it’s that family comes first. So, with a heavy heart and a small amount of guilt, I looked over the paperwork that would sign away the ownership of my father’s legacy. I was going to start over in South Carolina with the people I loved the most.

Chloe and Tanner were my priority now. It’s taken the last four weeks to tie up all the loose ends. It was hard being away from her and Tanner for so long. It was important that I did this right and I did this once because I wanted to make sure when I went to them, I would never have to leave again.

After signing my name on the last piece of paper, I threw the pen down and leaned back in my father’s old, leather chair. Jonathan picked up the paperwork and shot me a faint smile. “Your father would be proud of you, Jack.”

Placing my hands behind my head, my eyes moved to the wall where his portrait was on display. “Thanks, man. I’m sorry that I put you out of a job.”

Jonathan wasn’t just my employee. He was also my friend.

“Not to worry, Jack. You gave me a nice severance package. I should be set for a while. Besides,” he said, taking a seat across from me. “It gives me time to focus on my art.”

Jonathan was also a part-time artist. A damn good one at that. More than one of his paintings took up wall space in my Greenwich Village apartment. My soon-to-be-empty apartment. I was selling that too. After today, there was nothing left here for me, other than my friends who encouraged me to take the leap. Even though I would never admit it to their faces, I would miss the hell out of their obnoxious, quirky personalities. Regardless, there was no doubt that we would always stay in touch. I could see them whenever I wanted, but I couldn’t go another day without Chloe and Tanner.

“Jonathan, you need to make your art a priority. You’re too good to be wasting your talents answering phones and drafting up emails.”

“Unfortunately, I don’t sell enough paintings to pay the bills.”

“Follow my lead. Do what makes you happy. Fuck the bills.”

He laughed. “Spoken from the guy who has enough money in his account to buy a small island if he wanted to.”

“Speaking of art sales, I’m interested in buying that ocean beachscape portrait you did last summer. It would look perfect in my new house.”

“You mean the one I have hanging over my futon in my apartment? You don’t need to buy it, Jack. It’s yours for the asking.”

I looked at him sternly and replied, “Like I said, you’re a damn good artist, and I want you to have the ability to follow your dreams like I am. If you look in the top drawer of your desk, there is an envelope with a check inside. Consider it payment for what I think is one of your best pieces. I don’t think you’ll have to worry about being a clichéd ‘starving artist’ for too long.”

Jonathan went to his desk and grabbed the envelope. I could hear him opening it as he returned to my office with a look of utter shock and disbelief on his face. “Jack, I can’t accept this.”

I folded my arms across my chest and leveled him with a look.

“You know that money doesn’t mean a damn thing to me. It doesn’t make me happy. Helping someone realize their true potential and helping them find their own personal happiness, now that gets me excited.”

“Thank you. I’m at a loss for words.” He angled his head and looked at me for a second, an understanding settling over his features. “I’ve known you for a long time. I know how hard you pushed yourself over the years to be the kind of man your father wanted you to be. You probably feel like you’re giving something up, but trust me, you're getting something much bigger in return. You may be leaving all this behind, but I think you’re going exactly where you belong.”

“Thank you, for that.” I rubbed my thumb along my bottom lip, taking it all in. For most of my life, I believed that all my hopes and dreams were contained in this office.

That was until my father passed away and I stumbled into a little coastal diner for a cup of coffee. On that day when my eyes first saw Chloe, my world started to shift and change in a way that I never saw coming. I thought I was living the good life until I met her. It wasn’t until I opened my eyes and realized what true happiness was that I understood it was my playboy lifestyle that left me empty and broken.

Sure, having money made things easier, but it didn’t make me happier. It’s been a bumpy ride, but in the end, I gained more than I could ever have hoped for or dreamed of.

* * *

It was lateby the time I landed in South Carolina. When I pulled into Chloe’s driveway, I pushed my car into park then sat there for a few minutes, taking everything in. I plowed my hands through my hair and let it all sink in. I sold everything I owned and left all I’ve ever known for the two people in that house.

Six months ago, that thought would have scared me to death, but as I sat in her driveway and saw the front door open, and she leaned against the doorframe, her body silhouetted by the porch light, everything felt right in my world.

I was finally home, and I knew I would never leave again.

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