Aaron finishes the last of his beer and puts the glass back on the bar with a thump. “Let me think on it while you get us another couple of pints. I do my best thinking when I’m steaming.” I smile at the absurdity. When Aaron is drunk, he’s as much of a fucking idiot as me.
“Thanks, pal.”
This is how our friendship has always been. We lean on each other when needed, no questions asked.
Chapter fifteen
Katie
LandingbackintheStates brings a sense of peace. It’s good to be home again. While there was no longer a need to travel back earlier to avoid Drew, I decided to keep to my new itinerary rather than change my flights again. With an ocean between Drew and myself, even for only a few weeks, my steps already feel lighter as I gather up my belongings and file out of first class along the corridor to the terminal. I walk faster, knowing Logan will be waiting to meet me on the other side of immigration. Logan, or Logi Bear, the childhood nickname he hates everyone calling him except me, is the brother I’ve spent the most time with.
Naturally thrown together within the family, being the same age and in the same grade at school, he became one of my best friends. In those early years, we would tell people we were twins, which was totally ridiculous with his fair hair and blue eyes and my completely opposite dark hair and brown eyes. But in our hearts, it’s how we saw each other.
I always thought it was cool having a brother in my class, and I would often drag him into whatever crazy new scheme Sarah, Allie, and I had cooked up. The Carlson boys had a reputation for being some of the biggest guys in school, so nobody dared mess with me. But where Hunter and Blake have always loved being the center of attention, Logan shied away from it. He has always been the quiet one of the family. Or, as Blake likes to say, the grumpy, moody one. I don’t agree. Logan is a deep thinker who prefers a quiet night in to big social events and likes to bury himself neck deep in the latest financial figures for Carlson Publishing.
I’ve missed his easy company. It's been too many months since I was home to visit my family. I’ve seen Hunter during his visits to London over those months, and Logan came once, but otherwise, it was April at my parents’ anniversary party when we were all together last.
Christmas is for families, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else at this time of the year. Next week is the Carlson Christmas Charity Gala and marks the beginning of our family celebrations. This is a special family event, and with all the extended Carlson clan attending, no one would dare miss it. Not that I would want to anyway, because it’s always lots of fun. Who wouldn’t want to dress up in a beautiful evening gown and drape themselves in diamonds?
Traveling first class means you get to disembark first and your luggage comes through quickly. Twenty minutes after landing, I’m exiting through security and scanning the waiting groups of people for Logan. My three brothers are all around six foot five, so it’s never hard to find one of them when they stand taller than most in the crowd. I spot Logan standing to the side, his hands pushed deep into his pockets. I smile at the sight of him. I know I’m not supposed to have a favorite brother, but I guess I just might.
I rush at him, throwing my arms around his neck. He hugs me lightly, and when I step back, his mouth cracks into one of his rare smiles. It warms my heart to see it.
“I’ve missed you, Kitty Kat.” I love hearing him call me by my childhood nickname.
“I’ve missed you too, Logi Bear.” My greeting is accompanied by a punch to his arm—another carryover from our childhood.
He rubs his arm dramatically, like he’s been hit by Mike Tyson rather than someone who only reaches to his shoulder.
I laugh. “Come on, let’s go. I’m so excited to see Mom and Dad.” Hooking my arm through his, I wait for him to lead the way. My rapid-fire questions about family and friends form the soundtrack as we walk to his car and continue through the first ten minutes of our drive into Manhattan.
When a comfortable silence falls between us, I look out the window. It’s a cold, blustery day—not surprising, given we’re only ten days away from Christmas. I hope it means snow is coming.
The next day in the office, the executive team of Carlson Publishing is gathered around the conference table. The team is made up of predominantly family members. Logan is beside me, and across from us are Hunter and my dad. Then at the end is my dad’s older brother, Bob, and his son, Jason, who is head of marketing. My dad and Uncle Bob aren’t as actively involved in the company’s day-to-day workings since they both recently retired, but as board members, they continue to be a part of the quarterly progress meetings and today’s end of year reports.
The only person around the table who isn’t a family member is Dana, the head of human resources. She joined the firm about two years ago, and she’s been a great addition to the team. She has a vibrant personality with a kick-ass can-do attitude and is a lot of fun on a girls’ night out. I learned that the hard way. The hangover after our last night out was a bitch.
For the first time as CEO, Hunter kicks off the end of year updates with a short thank-you speech to the group. It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly a year since Dad handed over the reins to him. He’s transitioned into the role so smoothly. The only glitch has been his checking up on me. That has been a pain in the butt, although not unexpected when I know it comes from a good place. I hope that by this time next year, he’ll no longer feel the need to take on everyone’s problems as his own.
Next to speak is Logan, who provides everyone with a financial update. Dad and Uncle Bob are smiling ear to ear as he rattles off figures, confirming this year has seen a significant increase in profits. Hunter directs us one after the other to provide an update. Each of us sings the praises of our teams, highlighting our achievements, and patting ourselves on the back. It’s clear that everyone has contributed to the company’s success.
When it gets to me, my update focuses on the new business growth in the UK. I recap on the award as a major achievement and the significant new authors we signed. I attempt to casually rattle off the list of names, and I think I manage it with only a brief mention of Drew.
But just when I think I’m moving on, Hunter looks up from his laptop where he’s been typing notes. “Well done, Katie, on signing A.V. Campbell. That was a tough one.” He looks back down again briefly, then back up, as if he just remembered something. “Do you know whether he’s coming to the Christmas gala?”
My pen clatters to the table, my fingers giving up their tight grip. I watch it roll to the edge and drop to the floor. Bending slowly to retrieve it, I hope this will give me a brief chance to mask my features. If nothing else, at least dropping my head down will give me an excuse to use for my pink cheeks.
“Sorry about that.” I flick my hair back from my face and look at Hunter with as much composure as I can muster. “I didn’t realize he was invited.”
Hunter frowns back at me. “We always invite our top ten authors.” He continues to stare at me like I’ve just grown a second head. Everyone’s eyes are now on me. Damn Drew and the hold he has over me.
“Yes, of course. I just hadn’t thought he was a top ten. I mean, he only signed with us six months ago.” I need to stop talking because I’m just digging the hole I find myself in deeper. “I’ll check and let you know.”
My heart is racing in my chest like it wants to jump right out and bounce across the table like one of those small wind-up toys we had as children.
I take a sip of water, easing my suddenly dry throat and look down at my laptop, focusing on the words on the screen and picking up where I left off in my update. Somehow, I manage to get the remaining points out. This is my chance to showcase all the good work my team has been doing in the London office, and I don’t want thoughts of Drew sabotaging my presentation.
The meeting drags on, and while there are no more awkward questions, it’s another hour before we’re done. Not soon enough for me. Hunter and Dad stand first, and I slowly pack up my laptop, hoping they’ll leave before me. I get the feeling Hunter has some follow-up questions for me.
