“I need a plan on how to fix everything. First, I want to have Carol Whitman fired due to that terrible piece of shit she thinks is journalism. Then, we must make sure my business isn’t taking a big hit because of it. And, I want Rose back. Are you ready to help me?”
They all stay quiet until Jax speaks, “What you just said reminds me of that one movie. The one with a blonde woman who goes back to her small hometown and bumps into her first love.”
“Every other romcom goes like that, J. Take your pick and let’s get started,” Ollie replies sarcastically.
Lopez suggests that he starts drafting my statement before informing my lawyer Dewayne Mitchell about the article if we need any legal help.
Shit, I didn’t even think about that. My legal bill this year is going to be astronomical. But I’m happy to have both Lopez and Mitchell in my corner.
As Ollie and Jax argue over the best way to get Rose back, I start by contacting the Bridgeway executives I know from different events. I know that Rose’s boss Andrew Duckett needs to approve everything published. That makes him the last person I want to call.
Instead, I call his older brother and express my disappointment to him. He informs me that the magazine is already investigating the matter internally. They were displeased with the article even before I contacted them.
Apparently, it isn’t the first time Andrew has done something that puts the magazine’s reputation at risk. After his brother promises that they will make a public statement before tonight, I can breathe more easily. That should be enough for now.
There’s no other way to get Carol Whitman and Andrew Duckett to take responsibility for their actions. I hope they remove the article from the web sources as soon as possible. It’s a trickier task with all the printed copies.
I guess it’s time to contact my board and explain the situation next. But there’s something I need to do before that. I need help, and only one person can help me better than anyone else I know.
Over the past year, I have wondered why I saved the number I’m about to call. It seems like I knew that I would need the help of Diego Garcia one day. Little did I know, that day came faster than I could have predicted.
When I call the number I promised myself never to contact, my hands shake. It doesn’t seem like the best idea. But I still need Garcia’s help. He is the one who can help me with the board while I take personal time off.
“Well, shit, if it isn’t Elijah Dalton calling. I would ask what’s up, but everyone must have seen that article by now. So let me ask you, is thisplease help mecall or something else?” He chuckles.Asshole.
“Hilarious. Idoneed your help. So if you’re done being a dick, can you help me? I will not ask again.”
There’s a silence that stretches too long before he answers me. “Okay then, Eli. If I’m going to help you with whatever you’re asking for, we need to clarify two things—no mentions of Coco or the baby if I’m not the one talking about them.”
“That shouldn’t be too hard. What’s your next request?” I tell him dryly.
Preparing myself for the worst, I’m surprised when he speaks, “I want to meet you face to face to discuss everything, clear the air. At least as much as we can, just the two of us. I have been doing some soul searching and lots of thinking, and it’s time to get past our issues. Coco promised to drop the accusations since I told her that I wanted to fix things with you. And that magazine article is damaging her reputation as well.”
“Okay then. I’m at my place with Ollie, Jax, and Lopez. Feel free to join us.” I grumble.
It’s like I woke up in an alternative reality this morning.
“Will you tell your two watchdogs that you’re the one who asked for my help?” he asks with humor in his voice. It makes me chuckle as well.
Garcia accepts my invitation after I tell him that I will make sure that everything goes as smoothly as possible when he arrives.
Before I end the call, I want to make sure that he understands the situation.
“It isn’t like I want to be your kid’s godfather—I just want to move on. I want to live in the moment, not in the past anymore. It has been killing me to think of all the things that have happened in my life. Now I need to focus on the future, and I need all the help I can get.”
Garcia says that he gets it and hangs up after humming knowingly.
When he shows up thirty minutes later, it’s time to plan my next steps to get Rose back while managing my business right.
26
ELI
“Listen, guys. My next idea includes a private plane, Mile High Club, a secluded island, and personal butler service. Do you want me to continue?” Jax asks as we all look at him with wide eyes.
There are no words left to say. I think this is it: we just hit rock bottom. And my chances of winning Rose back are slim to none.
“That’s such a great idea, Jax. Why didn’t I think of it?” Ollie’s sarcastic voice echoes in my mostly empty living room before he sighs and rumbles after seeing Jax’s sad face. “Sorry, that was mean, man. But really, what else could we have said?”
