Page 10 of Her Game Plan

“I got that new chair you sent me,” Billy says after playing a ten of hearts.

I force my expression into one of confusion. “What do you mean? I didn’t know you were in need of a chair.”

His heavily hooded eyes meet mine. “You damn well did know I needed a new chair, boy. I ain’t got no one else in my life that’s buying me one of those fancy-ass ones that lifts you into a standing position.”

That is exactly why I bought him one. Billy has an ungodly amount of money, but no family. At least none who come visit. Nan’s favorite nurse quietly asked me to help Billy get out of his chair last week after the card game finished. Upon further questioning, I learned he was leaving his room far less often due to the struggle of getting out of his recliner. Luckily, the good people in the world had already come up with a solution. All it took was a credit card and expedited shipping.

“You should send it back,” Billy continues. “I can buy my own damn chair if I want one.”

But he won’t. Won’t ever admit to the vulnerability of needing one.

“Don’t know anything about a chair,” I state again.

“Your name was on the damn receipt.”

Well, shit.

“Don’t be a grump,” Nan chastises as play continues around the table. “At least he didn’t buy you one of those fancy beds that use a remote like he did for me. Can you believe that? A remote. For a bed.”

“You mean the bed that also caused you to declare you felt like you were fifty?” Rose offers my grandmother a smirk. “You know, I could use a new bed…”

I shake my head. Like Billy, Rose could also buy herself anything she could ever want. Everyone in this place can. But unlike Billy, she also has about a hundred family members who show up regularly to make sure they’re kept in the will. Trying to get her various progeny to buy her the most outrageous things she can think of is one of her favorite pastimes. I don’t think she even realizes she’s doing it at this point.

“A queen bed?” I ask.

Rose’s nose quirks up like she smelled something bad. “King, Callan, dear. I settle for nothing less than a king. In all that I do.”

Nan shields her mouth with her hand and mock whispers, “Don’t believe a word she says, her husband was only a prince.”

“He would’ve done a far better job on the throne than that cousin of his ever did,” Rose complains with a huff.

I pull out my phone and shoot a quick message to my personal assistant, Wally, to let him know we need to get Rose the same bed I got Nan. I’ve put in enough requests for the people here that he doesn’t even ask follow-up questions anymore. A thumbs-up reaction on the text is all I get.

Nan watches me. “Don’t get her a bed, Callan.”

“Ah come on, Nan. It’ll get the grandkids in a tizzy, trying to figure out which of them is ahead. And I know how much you all enjoy it when they’ve got their undies in a bunch.”

“You’re a sweet kid,” Rose declares.

Nan shakes her head. “Too sweet. You don’t have to say yes to people just because they ask you for something. If you don’t figure it out soon, you might find yourself on a date with Ginger.”

“You know I can’t help but say yes when people ask for help.”

Chapter 5

Charlotte

Today is the day. I can feel it. Dad is finally going to announce his retirement, letting Chris and me take over the two halves of his empire.

Excitement bubbles through my veins like a freshly popped bottle of champagne. Wanting to own that energy, I slip on my brightest red pants, pairing them with a silky white top and a matching red jacket. Dad loves a good power suit, and what is more powerful than scarlet?

Twenty minutes later, makeup done, I pull the heatless curling band from my hair, gently shaking the curls loose. As I walk past the mirror at the front of my condo, I blow myself a quick kiss.

You gotta love yourself.

As I wait for the elevator, I sort through my sixty-plus Spotify playlists until I find the one labeled “Boss Bxtch Anthems” and press play. “God is a woman” by Ariana Grande blasts through my earpods, the soundtrack for the short walk to my father’s office in the heart of downtown Denver.

It’s a great day to be alive.