Page 20 of Faking it For Summer

“But we have the best offer. They’ve already agreed to sign with us. They’ve already agreed to this merger. It’s the highest amount per share that they will get.”

“Apparently not. It looks like the Brazilians are now coming to the table with a huge offer.”

“The Brazilians?” I frown. “But I thought the Chinese were the only ones interested.”

“Turns out, the Chinese and the Brazilians have decided to work together. This could blow everything up. You do understand what I’m saying, Haverbrook?”

“Of course, sir.”

“I need you working on this night and day until it closes.”

“Of course.”

And then I remember Mia. And the wedding. And her desire for me to come a week early.

Shit.

“I will be out of town for two weeks, possibly before the deal closes. But I’ll be back in plenty of time.”

“This is not the time for you to be going on vacation, Haverbrook. Are you out of your mind?”

“My brother is getting married,” I say firmly. “I have to be there.”

“Not a good idea.”

“Johnson, how long have I worked here?”

“I don’t know. A couple of years.”

“Exactly. How many vacations have I taken in that time?”

“I don’t know.”

“Zero. How many days have I missed?”

“I don’t know.”

“Zero.” I fold my arms and lean forward. “My brother is getting married. I have to go back to Coconut Beach for the wedding celebrations. This is my family. This is important. The company has always come first for me. The deal will not suffer. I will work from Coconut Beach. However, I cannot and will not miss this.”

“I didn’t even think you were close with your family,” he says, shaking his head.

He knows he can’t threaten me. That I’ll walk away. He also knows I’m the best guy he has working for him—probably even better than him. If I walk now, the deal is definitely done.

“My family and I are as close as most families are. This is very important. I will be there.”

“So, you say it’s for two weeks?”

“Two weeks,” I say.

I know I should mention the third week. I need to get to Coconut Beach early so that Mia and I can discuss all the plans. But I also know that three weeks would be pushing it with Johnson—and also with the deal. I need to be hands-on. I need to find out what’s going on with Equinox. I’ll have to take some people out for lunch and dinner. I’ll have to get to the root of the issue.

I have to make sure that I do not lose this deal.

The one thing I have above my brother is that I am making it on my own. I am making a name for myself. This isn’t just important for the hedge fund. This is important for me. This is important to show my family that I am a son worth paying attention to, worth caring about, and worth nurturing. Rex might have everything else, but I will not let him take this from me as well.

Jonathan stands up. “Fine. Two weeks. But I’m warning you, Haverbrook. If you have to get back here at midnight on a Wednesday, I don’t want any excuses. If you can’t catch a commercial flight, then I want you chartering a plane.”

“Don’t worry. The flight is three hours. If you need me back here at the office for anything, I will be here. This deal means everything to me. I will always be accessible via email as well.” I offer him my hand. “I have to be there for family, but my job comes first, as it always has.”