Page 40 of Heal Me
Chase said, “Yeah. They’ll be calling you, Ty. Seems like G.G., that’s what she told me to call her, likes to ski and wants you to show her the Colorado slopes this winter.”
Tyler nodded. “I’d be happy to. Shoot me her number so I can sweet-talk her. She knows I’m married, right?”
Chase continued to bring them up-to-date for another half hour, at the end of which, he asked to speak to Ric and Tyler alone. Once everyone had filed from the conference room, Chase took off his suit jacket and unbuttoned his shirt.
“Look, guys, I’m sorry about screwing up like that and it won’t happen again. But Ty, don’t come swinging at me like that. I deserve more respect. I know how important this company is to y’all, but it’s important to me, too. And believe me, I beat myself up enough for everyone after I realized what I’d done,” he said.
“Yeah, I should’ve handled that better, Chase. Sorry about that,” Tyler said. “I’m trying to learn to control this temper of mine. Permission to kick my ass when you next see me.”
Ric asked, “Why did you go off the grid like that?”
Chase blew out a breath. “Because I needed to take responsibility for my actions and do whatever was necessary to fix it. I do know that as the marketing arm of this trio I’m probably very easily replaced.”
Ric watch Tyler’s face crumble. “Shit, Chase. I feel all kinds of terrible if that is what you think. We are closer thanbrothers. To me, and Ric, you’re irreplaceable. All for one and one for all—expect where the ladies come into it, isn’t that our motto.”
Chase smiled sadly. “That’s why I couldn’t talk to you guys this weekend. Brothers can often say things they don’t really mean. You needed to cool off and I needed to handle this in my own way. I was busy working on finding new blood, as you can see.”
Ric chuckled. “And it doesn’t hurt that some of them are in the entertainment industry. We don’t have a big rep in that market. Great work, Chase.”
Chase pointed at him. “Bingo. A new market for us. Loads of singers need to raise funds to make and promote their work.” His expression turned grim, which alarmed Ric. “I didn’t want to say anything with the others in here, but I had a call from one of Lisbon’s underlings.”
“Lisbon?” Tyler’s expression tightened. “Why?”
Chase fidgeted. “It’s my fault. They smell blood in the water and there’s talk of them being interested in buying our New York office.”
Ric’s blood pressure rose and he pounded the table. “Like hell they will! No way are we letting those pricks take our New York business! That’s my territory now and I’ll be damned if they’re going to move in on it.”
“Don’t get excited, Ric,” Tyler said. “Let’s keep our heads.”
“That’s rich coming from you,” Ric retorted. “We need to call an immediate shareholders meeting and reassure the board that we’re going to remain financially solvent. With the new business coming our way, it won’t be a lie.”
Tyler smiled at him. “Do as I say, not as I do. I’ll have Drew set up the meeting and let you guys know when it is. It would be good if you could be there for it, Chase. Present a united front. Unless…Wait a second.” He tapped his pen on the conference table. “What if that’s what Lisbon wants. We didn’t hear from any of the board members over the weekend. If we call an emergency meeting without any cause, that’s going to plant doubt in their minds.”
Chase rubbed his chin and yawned. “Yeah. You’re right. I should’ve thought of that. I told Bryce that I wasn’t worried and that things were fine. I guess we’ll just bide our time a little and quietly feel them out.”
“I think that’s the right way to go about it,” Ric said. “I’ll send out an excited email announcing all of the new business coming our way. That way it doesn’t look like we’re running scared.”
With their game plan in place, they adjourned the meeting and went their separate ways. Ric settled in the extra office and started composing his email. He’d just finished the rough draft of it when his text message alert went off.
Kate: Hello, my sexy dog whisperer.
He laughed at her greeting.
Ric: Hello, my gorgeous doctor.
Kate: Are you busy?
Ric: Yeah, but I can take a little break. What did you have in mind?”
Kate: Can I call you?
Ric didn’t reply, instead hit the call button on the message and broke into a big smile when she answered. “Beat you to the punch, Doc.”
“So you did. How are things? I heard about your business woes.”
Ric was surprised by her question. “How did you hear about that?”
“Robert follows the markets as he’s an investor. He saw the article in the Wall Street Journal about it and showed it to me.,” she said. “There was a picture of Chase McIntyer. He’s hot.”
