The Beginning of Us (312 page)

"Who knows, but I’m more than willing to let you have anything in here you want, your choice." Emma says walking closer to the boat and motorcycle.

"Really?" I ask.

"Yep!" Emma replies. "It really is the least I can do after everything that happened before you left."

"I’d love to take the motorcycle. I really don't have use for a bass boat in Boston." I tell her.

"Both were well taken care of and I had them inspected and insured not knowing what I was going to do with them." Emma tells me.

"You thought of everything I can see. I can't wait to get the bike up to Boston. Char will love it." I say with a great big smile on my face.

"Great, it’s settled then. I'll put the title paperwork in with the rest of the stuff for you to take back. How are you going to get it back up there?" Emma asks.

"How long of a drive is it from here to Boston?" I ask.

"Shit Riley, it’s like thirteen to fifteen hours depending on traffic." She tells me.

"Well then I guess I better get a move on then huh?" I pat her on the back and make my way out of the storage unit.

"You are crazy little brother." Emma says giving me a crazy look.

"Oh Emma, you have no idea." I tell her with a wicked grin.

I need to figure out how the hell I’m going to get a motorcycle back to Boston and still make it to the Taylor's house for dinner tonight.

"You can't tell me that you are going to drive that bike back to Boston today Riley?" She asks.

"Do you have a better idea?" I ask looking right at her for a suggestion.

"I think I still have the contact info for a guy that does vehicle transporting." Emma says while scrolling through her phone. "I’m sure I have it somewhere, you know me I keep all that stuff."

"Always so organized with connections across the country, I appreciate this Emma."

"Riley I owe you so much more than getting a motorcycle to Boston. Whatever you want me to do, I will get it done. We’re family and families stick together. I’ll always be here for you and I know you would do the same for me. I just wish my head was thinking straight like this a few weeks ago.

I make my way back over toward Emma and give her a big hug.

"You will always be my sister, no matter what Emma."

"I know!" She says. "Oh, I found it. Let me make a quick call." She walks out of the unit and down around the corner.

I start to look through the documents she brought. I need to sit down with Derrick and Bryce for some guidance with the business. I need some legal advice and business advice that will help me make the right decision.

After Emma made her call, she came back around the corner with a huge smile across her face.

"He said the soonest they can get the bike to Boston is Sunday afternoon."

"Good enough for me." I tell her.

Emma pulls out the items from the folder and we begin to look through the documents together. She explains what each one means and I let her know that I’ll have Derrick and Bryce look over some things with me through the next week.

I’m not in a rush to make any drastic moves, but at the same time her life and the family business is now in my hands.

I leave the storage place with a better sense of pride than when I first arrived in North Carolina. Emma is my family; she’s all that I have left. We have to stick together...no matter what.

Chapter 36

CHAR

Turning into my parent's driveway, I have so many emotions flowing through me. I’m happy to see my parents, but most of all I can't wait to see Riley.

Is it crazy that one person can miss the presence of another person this much? My heart begins to flutter at the thought of him and I just cannot wait to be beside him, to put my arms around him, and kiss him.

I park the Jeep in front of the garage and make my way to the front door. Before I can ring the bell the door swings open and there he is standing. I am frozen. My feet are once again cemented to the ground. The anticipation of seeing him and knowing what he’s been through, it really is enough to drive a girl crazy, and now he is in front of me I am dumbstruck.

He steps out of the doorway, shuts the door, and grabs me up into his arms.

"God I've missed you Char." He says while placing a soft and sweet kiss to my lips.

"Riley, you have no idea." I reply.

He walks me over to the side of the house to a bench beneath a huge weeping willow tree. The long branches of the tree make it difficult to see in or out of our little meeting spot. Riley sits down on the bench and brings me down onto his lap. He runs his hand up and down my spine in a loving gesture while taking his other hand to position my face in front of his.

Our kiss begins slow and loving, but within only a few short seconds it turns hot and passionate. I love the way he kisses me. It’s our small way of expressing our feelings without using words.

My tongue dances with his and my body tingles from my toes to the hairs on top of my head. This man does crazy things to my mind and body and god I’m so glad I am here and wrapped in his embrace.

We slowly pull away and just stare into one another's eyes. His hazels tell me so much, yet I still have so much worry about what I know he needs to tell me. I continue to gaze at him wanting him to tell me everything will be all right, that we will be ok, and that we won't have to be without one another.

I place one last kiss to his lips and slide down off his lap. If I’m going to question him about his trip to North Carolina, it’s best that I’m not sitting on his growing erection.

"I am so glad you are here Riley. I thought that maybe you would’ve stayed a little longer to figure things out. When you didn't call or text me all day, I got a little worried."

"Char, nothing could keep me from coming home to see you. Yes, there is a shit load of things to take care of but thankfully I have your father and Derrick to help me out."

"What do Daddy and Derrick have to do with you and RPK Contracting?" I ask with a confused expression on my face.

"I did some thinking after we got off the phone last night and I briefly spoke with Emma this morning. This is a big decision on my part and I know I don't want to give up my father's business. Now I just need to know how I can play a role, but from the sidelines."

"What does that mean?" I ask scrunching up my nose and lifting my brows.

"I want to be as much a part of RPK Contracting as I can. But at the same time I want to do it while being here in Boston with you." Riley says as he trails his fingers into my palm and grabbing tightly for my hand.

"Riley what are you saying?" I ask, a lump of anxiety building in my throat.

"Char you came into my life when I least expected to gain a best friend, lover, and future partner. I don't want to lose you and I don't want to give up what my father and I worked so hard to build. I spoke with your father and Derrick today after I flew into Boston. We can make this work, I can have the future I always dreamed about and you can be a part of it too."

I don't hesitate a second. I jump right back into his lap, into his arms, and hold him tight. This man has changed my life in such a short amount of time, but my god I don't want to go on another day without him.

"Riley this is amazing!" I squeal.

"Baby, you are amazing and we’re going to have a wonderful life together doing all the things we’ve dreamed about."

"Sounds perfect!" I say and place small, sweet kisses all over his face.

Our moment is broken by Derrick scratching his throat.

"Alright you two love birds, time to come in and eat some grub. I don't know how much longer I can keep Teresa and Bryce from coming out to get you themselves. We're all starving." He says pushing some branches to the side to see us sitting on the bench.

"Thanks for the tip on the bench Derrick." Riley says.

"What do you mean the tip?" I ask looking back and forth between the two of them.

Derrick laughs, "This was always a great hiding spot. Chloe and I would come out here and spend a lot of time together. It’s peaceful and you really can't see in or out between all these branches."

"Oh you sly devil Derrick." I say with a giggle and lead Riley by the hand out of our new secret place.

RILEY

Boarding this flight back to Boston will give me the chance to think over a few things that I need to take care of sooner than later. After talking with Emma, I know RPK Contracting is and will always be in our capable hands. I don't want to shake things up for them or the teams they’ve worked so hard to create. This was Dad's dream and we will make it exactly what he always envisioned.

I am still a little confused and shocked about what Emma found, but if it was in my parents’ heart for me to own this business that is exactly what will happen.

I called Bryce and Derrick to keep them informed of what’s transpiring and that I’ll need their help and guidance to make my plan work.

I lean my head back against the headrest and let my eyes close shut. Between all that has taken place over the last few days, my mind and body are telling me to get a little shut eye.

The stewardess is tapping my arm and telling me we’ve arrived in Boston. Holy shit, I think to myself. That was one hell of a nap.

I’m ready and anxious to be home and see Char. I’m hoping to get to the Taylor's house before her and I need to reassure her that we’re going to be ok. I know the news of North Carolina must’ve taken her by surprise and I’m positive she’s worried what will happen.

I need to let my girl know that everything will be ok, that she is my future and we will make this all work out together.

Walking through the bypass I can see Derrick waiting for me up ahead. I walk over into his direction and pat him firmly on the back.

"Hey man, thanks for picking me up." I say.

"No worries bro. Let's get out to my car and then you have some explaining to do." He says looking at me like I am about to go into an interrogation.

"Good plan. I have a lot of ideas, but I need you and Bryce to help me get them in order."

"Ok then, let's make our way over to Taylor & Sons Contracting and see what we got."

I follow Derrick out to the parking lot and I’m filled with a positive mindset. This is all going to work out, I just know it.

It's about two o'clock by the time we get over to headquarters and luckily Bryce is free for the rest of the afternoon.

The three of us sit in one of the smaller conference rooms and I lay it all on the table for them.

I show them all the documents my parents had left including the deeds on the property, the building, and the ownership papers for RPK Contracting.

Derrick goes into legal mode and starts to make some calls. Since my signature has never been placed on the documents we’ll need to get that situated first thing Monday morning.

While Derrick takes care of that matter, Bryce and I start to chat up my plan of ownership for the business.

"This is a pretty big deal Riley." He says.

"I know, but if my father wouldn't have wanted it this way I wouldn't be pursuing it so strongly." I tell him with all the confidence in the world.

"Well then, share your plans with me and I’ll see what I can do to help."

"Good deal!"

I go into details with Bryce about keeping the teams in Greensboro and allowing a GC to run the business side of things. I tell him that I don't want to shake something up that has been working so well for the past few months. I proceed to tell him that I don't know how it’s possible, but I would love to work with Taylor & Sons and create an east coast partnership that works in favor of both companies.

Bryce looks at me with an expression that is happy and intriguing at the same time. "So what do you have in mind Riley?"

"If we have two heavy powerhouse contracting businesses one in the north and one in the south, we will be able to conquer the east coast."

"I like where you are going with this son. Why don't we plan a business trip in the next coming weeks and see what we can work out."

"I think that is a great plan. Thanks Bryce."

We finish up our strategy pow wow and head out of the office around four o'clock. I drive over to the Taylor's place with Derrick and he gives me the low down on what needs to happen Monday morning.

This is all so overwhelming and amazing at the same time. I just need to see Char and let her know that everything is going to work out.

Once we get to Bryce's house he introduces me to Char's mom Teresa. I can tell by seeing both parents that Char favor's Bryce and Chloe more so like her mother. Teresa is extremely welcoming giving me a big hug and kiss on the cheek.

"Oh Riley it’s so good to finally meet you. I’ve heard so much about you from Bryce and the girls."

"It’s a pleasure to meet you too and thanks for having me for dinner tonight." I say returning the hug and handing her a bouquet of flowers.

"Why thank you Riley, these are sweet. Char should be here any moment. She called a bit a go to say she was leaving work and headed this way." She says taking the flowers in her hand and moving to get a vase.