“I didn’t know her aunt was going to quit her job until after it was done. I’m going to figure it out.”
Hunter releases a long breath. “I’m only getting married once, and I want Cricket to be happy when she walks down the aisle. If her cousin isn’t standing up for her, she won’t be happy.”
“I get it. I’m working on it.”
“You better work faster, because if Cricket’s last-ditch effort to keep Whitney in town fails, I don’t want to have to kick your ass.”
I home in on the part of his statement that pertains to Whitney. “What kind of last-ditch effort?”
“She’s taking her out to buy her a bridesmaid dress tonight. Probably going to get her hammered afterward so she can’t change her mind. I’m going to track them down in a couple hours to make sure they’re not getting into too much trouble.”
“I’m coming with you.”
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but you’ve done enough. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
Hunter doesn’t wait for me to respond before he hangs up, and I feel like a shitty friend. I fucked up with Whitney, screwed up her aunt’s job, and my best friend is pissed because I put his future bride’s happiness in jeopardy.
And I’m going to fix all of it.
Hunter has forgotten one important thing—I’m the CEO of a billion-dollar company, and that’s what I do. Fix problems.
First, I’ll deal with the easiest one. Jackie’s job.
I point my SUV in the direction of the estate. It’s time to talk to my mother. She’s due for a serving of humble pie.
* * *
“I will not apologize.That girl is trash. She’s been trash since the day she was born, and she’ll die trash.”
McKinley glares at me. “Dr. Green said we’re supposed to keep her out of stressful situations, and this is what you do first?”
My mother’s chin points skyward. “He doesn’t care if I die. I’m sure he’d be happy if I did.”
The bullshit that passes for truth in this house is one of the biggest reasons I moved out.
“Mother, you know that’s not true. I love and respect you, and I know that you understand the magnitude of the problem you’ve caused for McKinley today.”
“She shouldn’t be running that hotel to begin with.” With her words, my mother did exactly what I expected her to do—piss my sister off.
“Thanks a lot, Mother,” McKinley says with a sigh. “It’s great to get your vote of confidence—again.”
My mother’s chin cuts toward my sister. “You were supposed to find a husband. You failed. Don’t blame me for wanting a better life for you than toiling away behind a desk.”
“Iliketoiling away behind a desk. I’m a successful CEO. I love my job. I’m happy. I think that means I’m doing just fine.” McKinley glances at me. “Lincoln’s right. I would like my head of housekeeping back. She’s one of the most reliable employees I have.”
“I’m not apologizing to her for anything. You can’t make me.” My mother looks and sounds like a petulant child, with her arms crossed over her chest.
“Maybe your son and daughter can’t, but I can, Sylvia.” Commodore rolls into the living room with his dog trailing behind, and I have no idea how long he’s been listening or how he got here. “I wanted to see for myself that you’d survived your episode. Since you’re throwing a tantrum, you must be perfectly fine.”
Commodore and my mother have never gotten along, but he is the only person who can control her because he still holds the keys to the kingdom—and keeps a tight grip on the purse strings. It’s not hard to conclude that a large part of my mother’s bitterness comes from the fact that she expected Commodore to die, leave the family fortune to my father, and then she’d be able to freely spend all the money she married. Expectations have robbed her of any kind of happiness, because life hasn’t gone according to her plan.
Instead of sniping back at Commodore, however, my mother goes silent, her eyes blazing with rage as she holds back what is no doubt an impressive volley of vitriol.
“Now, tell me what the hell is going on. Who quit? Is it going to impact the company negatively?” Commodore asks the room in general.
McKinley speaks up. “Jackie Gable. My head of housekeeping. And yes, she’s one of the best employees I had, and I’d like to get her back.”
Commodore looks at me. “And she quit why, exactly?”