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“Man. I probably have three in savings.” I probably had two if I pulled everything together and sold some of my toys.
“We need ten million, a new marketing strategy, new management, new products with cheaper suppliers – we need a whole new business plan that the two of us,” I pointed between us, “can’t come up with in the amount of time we’ve been given. Dad is putting the company up for bid next week. If no one buys it, we will sell all the assets, let the staff go, and be left with absolutely nothing.”
“We need to tell the girls – cancel that trip in December, cut back on the spending,” Ace said.
“I’m going to enlist again, take a year’s tour. It’s the only way I can think of making big money to support everyone’s dreams in my household.” Ace narrowed his eyes at me, not liking my decision. Hell, the first time I had enlisted had almost ripped me and Amber apart. Our relationship was almost destroyed beyond repair. “We’ve got college for the little ones to think about.”
He dragged a hand through his dark hair, brows furrowed. “Fuck no.” He glared at the desk, body tense as he shifted that glare to me. “You aren’t leaving your family. You aren’t leaving your kids behind. I won’t allow it. We will figure this out.”
My leg bounced under the table, nerves bunching in my tense muscles. I didn’t know what else I could do. I had rank in the army once before. I wasn’t just some kid anymore. I could have authority, but it would be a big sacrifice – that sacrifice being my family.
“Enlisting isn’t a damn option,” Ace said vehemently. “Let’s talk to the girls, sleep on any stupid, irrational decisions, and then, we approach your dad tomorrow with a game plan. I won’t just let this company go, and I know Celine won’t either. Don’t give up yet, brother.”
We’d been best friends since college, which when I thought back on it, felt like centuries ago. I knew they weren’t going to let this company waste away; we’d all worked too hard for that.
“Okay,” I breathed. “We tell the girls and figure out a plan,” I agreed.
Today was the earliest I had left work in years. I drove home with the afternoon sun shining into the cab of my truck. It felt wrong. I called Amber through the car, waiting for her to answer knowing she was on her way home from picking up the kids from school.
“Hey, handsome; I was just thinking about you.” Her sweet voice trickled through the speakers of the truck, easing some of my nerves and worry. She was the only person in my life capable of doing that.
“How’s my Spitfire?” She laughed, still affected by the term of endearment years later.
“About to drive into the neighborhood. The kids are ecstatic about having the rest of the week off. I was thinking we could do something fun for dinner – maybe hamburgers?” I heard a chorus of ‘yes’ come from the background, and I smiled.
Everything I did was for them.
“Anything you want. Am I on speaker?”
“No; I have my earbuds in. What’s wrong?” Instantly, worry-filled her voice. My gut clenched. I hated making my woman worry.
“I’m on my way home. Something has happened at work that I need to speak with you about urgently.”
“Are you in trouble, Ryan? Are we in trouble?” There was panic in her voice – panic I had put there.
I sucked in a sharp breath. We were in a heap of trouble.
“I’ll be home in a few minutes. I’ll tell you everything.”
“Alright, baby; see you soon.”
She was waiting for me in the kitchen, that striking red hair of hers cascading down her back in thick waves, her slender body wrapped in a day dress, her feet bare on the tile. She stood in front of our coffee bar, fixing up two steaming cups.
I slipped behind her, laying my hands on her full hips, fingers digging into her skin. I buried my nose in her sweet-smelling hair, finally at peace. I felt like I could face any problem with Amber in my arms.
“Hey, baby.” She melted into me. “The kids are upstairs. I told them to stay in the playroom while I made dinner. What’s going on? You’ve got me worried.”
I led her over to the kitchen table, the coffee cup in my hands, burning against my fingertips.
“The company is going bankrupt,” I blurted. She gasped, her jaw-dropping open in shock.
“What are we going to do, Ryan?” Her head dropped into her hands. She bit her bottom lip, teeth digging into the sensitive skin.
“Ace and I are going to fix this – we will fix this.” I wrapped my hand around her wrist, letting my warmth sink into her.
“And if you can’t?” Her green eyes met mine, swimming with fear. I hated that look. I hated that I had put that look there. And once again, I was angry with my father for holding this information from me, putting me into this position.
“Then I’ll enlist again.” A lone tear rolled down her cheek. She shook her head.
