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One
Carson
I glare at my brothers again, “What the hell do you mean? I need a life. I have a life. Dammit.”
Carter, my middle brother, simply raises an eyebrow. While my youngest brother, Chase, who is four years my junior, lets out a snorting laugh. “Carson, you need a personal life,” he clarifies, his tone suggesting I’m an imbecile. “Outside of work.” My jaw tightens.
“I’m the CEO of this company for a reason,” I retort, turning my glare on both of them. “I barely have time to get everything done as it is.”
Carter points out, “We could hire a CFO to take care of all the paperwork and projections. That alone could take a lot off your plate. Leaving you to steer the company in the right direction.”
“Thank you, Carter,” I cut in dryly. “But the last time we hired someone, they were completely incompetent.”
“And we understand that, but it’s been a couple of years, and we think you should try again.”
“I’ll think about it,” I mutter in a grumpy voice. I hold up my hand when they both look like they want to say more. “This is the end of our conversation. You can see yourselves out.”
“Alright, Carson. Listen, we’re going to try to get together at Wild Rider’s this Friday. You up for it?” I see the hint of a challenge in their eyes.
“Sure. I’ll be there. Around seven?”
That seems to appease them—for now. As they nod and then slowly leave my office.
After they’re gone, I swivel my chair so I can look out my grand picture window. It gives me a magnificent view of the St. John’s River as it meanders through Jacksonville on its way to the ocean. I have the best view in the building, and I know it. In fact, I planned it that way. I hand-picked this space on the second floor just for this view when the building was being built.
I let out a sigh as I idly track the slow-moving water. I know my brothers are right, but I won’t tell them that. It has been a while since I’ve stepped away from the responsibilities here at work. It’s been years since my last vacation. And I haven’t hit the open road on my motorcycle in weeks. That used to be my temporary escape, but this last month has been hectic. By the time I get home, I normally just crash and unwind with a glass of scotch.
Absently, I pick up a pen, turning it over in my fingers as I continue gazing out the window. The rhythmic motion mirrors the swirling thoughts in my mind. Both of my brothers have recently found love, and now they’re eager for me to share in their bliss. It’s a shift from just Mom’s well-meaning nudges – now Chase and Carter are pushing me to find someone special.
They know I haven’t had the time or inclination for a real relationship. All I have the time for these days is fleeting connections—meaningless hookups.
The truth is, I never wanted the picket fence and a two-car garage. Never met a woman who ignited a spark strong enough to consider settling down… That’s a lie; I hear the whisper in the back of my mind.
There was one. Her image surfaces even after all these years – thick chestnut hair framing clear gray eyes that seemed so innocent, so trustworthy. Eyes that lied and deceived me in a way that left a gaping wound.
The sting of betrayal flares anew, a bitter reminder. Damn her. She practically ruined me for anyone else. I shove the memory back, burying it deep within the guarded corners of my heart. It was a long time ago, a harsh lesson learned. I haven’t let anyone close enough to risk getting hurt like that again.
I lean back in my desk chair as I think back over the recent years. No other woman has captured my attention long enough for me to try and make time for her in my busy schedule.
After my father died, I took over the business. The weight of responsibility settled heavily on my shoulders, pushing me to build it into the multi-billion-dollar company it is today. Funny, but the first billion was the hardest. After that, the business just kept its momentum, and now it’s one of the most successful security companies in the nation. A fact that I am immensely proud of. I’d like to think my father would be proud of what I’ve accomplished. He groomed me for this role from a young age, ensuring the family legacy continued.
My brothers and I are all involved in the security industry. Chase trains our security guards, and Carter heads up our newest division of elite bodyguards. Even though travel used to be Carter’s lifeblood, he committed to staying in town long enough to get the recruits trained and the entire division operational. He seems to have settled down a bit since finding Kat and putting a ring on her finger.
Chase and Val just had their first child—a daughter. I shake my head because I never would have thought Chase would end up a family man. But he seems content. Dammit, both my brothers do. While I—I’m not sure what I want anymore.
I swivel my chair away from the picture window. The river view is suddenly uninspiring, as it’s doing little to diminish the growing sense of restlessness gnawing inside me. I’m bored with my current predictable lifestyle that doesn’t leave room for anything or anyone else.
I’m weary of the same routine, the same empty nights, the same—emptiness. But what do I want? I can’t even answer that question, as the ‘what’ remains frustratingly just out of reach. Lately, I’ve been craving something—different. I run my fingers through my hair as I scoff. Hell, I don’t even know what different looks like.
I lean my elbows on my desk and turn toward my laptop and the never-ending emails awaiting my attention, pushing my contemplative thoughts away for now.
Suzanne, my admin, buzzes my desk phone. “Carson, there’s a young man downstairs asking to see you.”
“Did he say what he wants?”
“No, Clara at the reception desk just buzzed me. She did say she thought you should see him, but she didn’t mention why.”
I frown; Clara has been with the company since I was a boy. I trust her instincts. “Fine. Send him up.”
