Page 5 of Heal Me
Ric shifted his ankle a little. “Been better, been worse. I’ll live.”
“Glad to hear it.”
“I’m bored.”
Chase laughed. “I knew you would be. Come to Creative Day later. Noon your time. If nothing else, you’ll have fun. Especially if you pop a couple of pills beforehand.”
Ric grinned at the idea of attending Creative Day via Skype while hopped up on hydrocodone. “I just might do that, if for no other reason than to keep Emily from smothering me.”
“Aw, don’t be hard on your baby sis. She’s just worried about you,” Chase said. “I wish my sisters gave a shit about me.”
Ric felt a pang of sympathy as he watched Chase’s smile disappear. “Sorry, buddy.”
The smile returned. “No, worries. Well, I’m gonna go home and see if Sweet Shelly is still in my bed. That’s the lovely lady I saw a few times this week. If so, I’ll work off some more energy and maybe get a nap in. See ya at Creative Day.”
“Wait, wait! Who is this girl? Anyone serious?”
Chase laughed. “Naw. Neither of us is looking for something serious.”
“How come you’re not looking for serious? You have such a big heart.”
That was Chase to a T. Everyone loved Chase and he loved just about everyone, even people he didn’t agree with. He was a proud tree hugger and did whatever he could to limit his carbon footprint, which included biking or walking almost everywhere and recycling everything that could be. He also used mass transportation and hated Ric’s Hummer with a passion because of how much gas it guzzled.
The little garden that Chase had planted on the Rooftop, which was what he called the roof of their L.A. headquarters, was used to grow organic vegetables. Chase loved working up there with his adorable dog, Lola, and so did the employees. Chase’s office had the lowest staff turnover across the group. The Rooftop had been made into an informal boardroom that was designed to promote creativity and positive energy.
Some days the work done there was very focused, while other days Chase had food and drinks served. They also played games that tended to generate ideas and relieve stress. It was vastly different than the way Ric and Tyler ran their operations, but then Chase’s role in their company was marketing, not investment strategy.
“Some men are just not the serious kind,” Chase replied. “I’m one of them. You on the other hand… How come you’re not looking for serious? You’re just as much of a playboy as I am but I don’t think you’re happy.”
Ric said, “So many women and not enough time. Isn’t that our motto?”
“For me, perhaps. Listen, sorry but I gotta scoot. Check ya later,” Chase said. “Chase, out!”
As he hung up, Ric thought about Chase’s comments. Was he happy? New York and his job were very satisfying but he’d been restless of late.
Chase was a brilliant marketer, and hid a wicked intellect behind his playboy, happy-go-lucky persona. But Ric sensed Chase’s insecurities. Chase’s relationship with his father was toxic and Ric remembered the unhappy boy who’d arrived in Coopers Creek after his parent’s divorce.
Ric made a mental note to have a serious chat with his friend when they next met face to face, then Ric decided to take a look at the stuff that Chase had sent him. He grabbed his laptop from the coffee table and had just opened it when Emily and Coco returned. The chocolate bundle of energy bounded up onto the couch and wiggled her whole body in happiness to see Ric.
The puppy was cute as hell, all paws and wicked tail. Her amber eyes shone at Ric from beneath brown eyebrows as she plopped a red ball down next to Ric.
Ric knew that if he started playing fetch with Coco, she’d play until she dropped. “Not right now, girl. I have work to do.”
Coco nudged the ball against Ric’s leg.
Emily came into the living room. “You can babysit her while I work.”
Ric gave her an irritated look. “I have work to do, too. I have to look over these ads and reports Chase sent me and I have to go to Creative Day later.”
Emily pursed her lips. “Well, at least keep her occupied while I make you something to eat, then you can take your pain meds. You’re not supposed to take them on an empty stomach.
Ric groaned. “Yes, Mother.”
Emily flipped him off and left the room. Ric sighed as he picked up Coco’s ball and threw it. He hoped that he healed quickly so he could get back to New York as soon as possible.
*****
Two days later, Ric was going out of his mind from all of his forced inactivity. The amount of work he could do was limited and his ankle was painful, which made him cranky. Once again, Emily had made him comfortable in the living room since she had to take Coco to the vet for a checkup.
