The Beginning of Us (311 page)

I am not quite sure I understand what he is trying to tell me. I thought his parents will states that RPK Contracting went to Keith and Emma.

After a brief silence he continues. "It seems that Mom and Dad transferred the land, the building, everything to do with RPK Contracting to me on my 25th birthday."

"Riley that was almost three years ago, why didn't you guys know about it?"

"We don't know Char. Emma is just as stumped about all of this as you and I are right now."

"Wow!" I say almost breathless.

I understand why Riley is acting the way he is and why it was so hard for him to come out and tell me. He must still be in some state of shock. I don't even know how to process, let alone how he’s dealing right now.

"This is great news for you Riley. This means that RPK Contracting is yours. The family business is all yours like you wanted."

"But what if I don't know if it’s really what I want anymore?" He asks sounding so forlorn.

"Look, I don't think you need to make any big decisions right now or tonight. The way I see it, the business can run as it has been until you decide what is best for you. I’ll support you no matter what."

"Even if it means I have to move back to North Carolina?"

Oh god, I didn't think about that.

"I am not worried about that right now. I just want you to get that bid tomorrow, get things situated with Emma, and come back to Boston tomorrow night. Ok? Now please get yourself a good night sleep. I know that you have a lot on your mind, but you need your rest too."

"Ok babe. I love you Char!"

"I love you too Riley, sleep well!"

How can I lose him when I have just found him? I can feel myself begin to panic. I need to remain calm, I don't know what’s going to happen, he could sell it, or run it from up here, or shit...what is he going to do? Wow! I need to remove my worries about my future with Riley and just be supportive of him. God this is going to be hard.

So much for falling back to sleep now.

RILEY

Emma and I talked a lot about the news she shared with me while we ate dinner. She told me that she wants me to do what is best for me and that she’ll understand whatever decision I make.

I never thought this would happen. RPK Contracting wasn't something that was on my radar. But for some reason or another Mom and Dad found it was important enough to them for it to one day be mine.

I just don't know what to do with all of that right now. I don't know what is the right or wrong decision to make.

After dinner with Emma I walked her out to her car and made plans to go and talk with her at the storage unit tomorrow after my meeting.

The news of RPK Contracting actually being mine is still a bit of a shock, but nothing major has to be decided right now.

With all of this weighing on my mind I decide to take a drive. I make my way over to our old house where my family used to live. I sit in my car just reminiscing about all the great things my parents did and gave to me and Emma. We were such a loving family and as kids we never had to want for anything. We weren't totally spoiled but at the same time we were well taken care of by both Mom and Dad.

I hate that they are gone and I miss them both more every day. I would give anything to have them back here with us and running things like they were before. Everything happens for a reason and there is a plan out there for each of us. It’s just tough to understand why this is happening to me now. I thought things were working themselves out so well in Boston.

I have quite a decision to make and I’m going to need some guidance to help me straighten it all out. Till then I will just take it day by day and see what happens.

Driving back to the hotel I start to think of my life in Boston. I picture Char with her long, dark brown, wavy hair. Her big, brown almost black eyes. Her smile, her laugh, and just the way her slight touch sends millions of shock-waves through my entire body. She is like no one else I’ve ever met.

Since the first day I laid eyes on her at the mini-mart she had my attention. Between her cocky little attitude about the paper, the way she acted around me at Derrick's that night at dinner, and every other time we’ve been together since. She is the woman I am meant to be with. She sees through me regardless of anything bad I may have done and brings out the good in me. She has made me realize so many things in the short time that we’ve been together.

I know that she is my present and my future. Whatever happens I have to make sure she is with me by my side. Without her I’m not sure what I would do. Her look, her voice and her touch; she consumes me and I would be lost without her.

I need to get home to her. She needs to know how much she means to me that no matter what happens she’s everything to me.

A little after midnight I stroll back into the hotel. I enter my room and get myself ready for bed, but before anything I have to call Char. I have to tell her what happened tonight with Emma.

I didn't realize how hard it would be to tell her what I found out tonight. It was as if I was dreading the way she would respond to the news, but Char was encouraging and supportive. Like she’s been from the start, she is there to help me pick up the pieces and start anew.

I set my alarm to wake up early enough to pack up and check out of the hotel before meeting with the clients. Tomorrow is a new day and one that I look forward to being a promising one.

Getting this bid could mean big things for us at Taylor & Sons and that is exactly the attitude I want to have going in to meet with them.

I shut down the lights in the room and lie down in my bed with one last thought on my mine...Char.

Chapter 35

CHAR

My alarm wakes me and I feel a little groggy from not having a full night's sleep. The conversation with me and Riley from last night springs into my mind and I’m instantly saddened with the thought, I could lose him.

He has taken in a large part of my heart and I don't know what I would do if I lost him. I’m going nuts with him gone only a few hours, how will I be able to handle him out of my life for good?

I crawl my way out of bed and take Manny downstairs. While waiting for the coffee to brew, I let the pooch out into the backyard and fill up his dishes. Once my coffee is ready I let Manny back in and head upstairs to get showered and ready for the day.

I do my best to keep my thoughts of Riley's situation in the back of my mind and focus more so on what I’m able to control.

I gather up my things by the door and sit down to enjoy one more cup of coffee out on the deck.

Since I know Riley will be busy most of the day, I decide to send him a quick text so that he knows he’s on my mind.

Char - Thinking of you and anxiously waiting to spend the night in your arms. xoxoxo

A few minutes pass by and I hear the text alert go off.

Riley - Always thinking of you and I’ll be back before you know it.

I hear Derrick come in through the garage door and assume he’s back from his run. He sees me on the deck and I wave for him to come out.

"Enjoying your final moments in casa de Peters?" Derrick asks.

"Yea you could say that." I say looking at him with a sad face.

"So did Riley call you last night?"

"Yea, but it wasn’t until after midnight. Seems the meeting with the clients went well and he had a good dinner with his sister. Oh yea and he has owned RPK Contracting since he was 25 years old...no let me rephrase that, his brother-in-law tried to steal the company that Riley has owned since he was 25." I tell him not making a big deal at that last part.

I get up from the table and make my way back into the house. I rinse out the coffee cup and place it into the dishwasher. I can sense Derrick staring at me, but I really don't want to talk about how all this makes me feel.

"You okay with all this Charlie?" He asks trying to get me to look up at him.

"I'm not too sure what I feel about it all right now and from Riley's standpoint last night he isn't too sure either. I’m going to head on over to work and try and keep myself busy till later tonight. Then when I see him we will talk about it a little more."

I look at him straight in the eyes and say, "If it’s meant to be it will all work out."

He looks at me not quite sure what I meant by that statement and to be quite honest, neither do I.

I give Derrick a big hug and kiss on the cheek, thank him for last night, and head out the door.

I get to work with just a few minutes to spare. I quickly get up to my office, log in for the day, and start to bang out my morning.

Around 11:00 Angie comes into my office with a big fat grin on her face.

"Hey lady, what's up?" I ask.

"Oh not too much, just wanted to see if you could come to lunch with me today." She says dancing her way through my office door.

I laugh at her crazy gestures and wonder why she is in such a good mood.

"As much as I’d love to go, I have to work through lunch today. I’m going to head out a little early since Riley will be back and we’re meeting Derrick over at my parents for dinner. Rain check?”

"Yea I guess! Well since I won't be able to tell you at lunch, I have a hot date tonight...wish me luck!" She says swinging her hips back out of my office.

"Ok crazy, you don't need my luck, just have fun!" I tell her with a wink.

I work straight through lunch as planned and am grateful when Gail comes in to see if I’ve eaten anything today. I tell her that I had two cups of coffee and a yogurt, but nothing since. Being the saint that she is, she runs across the street for me and brings me a salad and a cup of soup.

I check my phone a few times throughout the day to see if Riley has called or text, but after noon I get a little anxious for him to go into his meeting.

I dive into one of my larger accounts and busy myself with some calculations, budgets, and an analysis that takes me the rest of the day. Before I know, it’s already past four o'clock and I need to start packing up the reports and shut down for the week.

I take one last look at my phone and see no missed calls or texts from Riley. I know he had a lot going on this afternoon so I figure he’ll just catch me up to speed when I see him at my parents in a few hours.

RILEY

Falling asleep last night wasn't the easiest thing to do, especially with all the stuff going through my mind. I know I want to start the day on a positive note and keep the right attitude going throughout the day.

I need to take a quick shower and pack up my bags so that when I leave here this morning, I’m able to check out right away and head to the meeting.

I pick up my phone to turn off the already set alarm and see there are a missed call from Bryce and a text message from my sister. I listen to the voicemail from Bryce and my jaw hits the ground.

I did it, we got it, the job is ours.

The message from Bryce simply said that he received an email from the team and they enjoyed our meeting yesterday. He continues to say that they found no reason to prolong the final decision and will be sending the signed documents to Taylor & Sons today via fax and overnight the originals today. This news is fucking fantastic and I am more than relieved to know I’ve done my part to help out our team.

I need to call Bryce and see if he still wants me to meet with them today at noon.

"Bryce, hey it's Riley. I just got your message."

"Great work down there yesterday, you did it. Now get on a plane and get back home."

"Will do. Thanks Bryce."

I hang up and quickly call Emma to see if I can head over there a little early.

"Hey Emma, are you free like now? Change of work plans and I’m not needed for the noon meeting."

"Yea sure, I can meet you at the storage unit in a half an hour."

"Thanks!"

I finish gathering my stuff, hop in the shower, and check out of the hotel.

I pull into the storage place around eight o'clock. I don't see Emma's car so I figure all I can do is sit back and wait.

I close my eyes for what feels like a brief second and I hear a tap on my window.

"Morning Riley. Nothing like coming into town and waking me up at the ass crack of dawn." She says with a smug grin.

"Sorry sis, but I got to get home to my girl in Boston. The sooner I got here the faster I can get back home." I say opening my door and getting out of the rental car.

"So Boston is home now huh?" She asks leading us through a gate and down a row of larger units.

"For now yes and to be honest anywhere that Char is, that is where I want to call home."

"Jesus Christ Riley, you moved away and fell in love. Who would’ve guessed? I’ll have to meet her sometime soon." She says with a sincere smile on her face.

I give her a nod and we walk till the end of the row, Emma opens the door with the key. I see the motorcycle and boat Emma told me about last night.

"My god, what were they doing with this stuff?" I say aloud.