Brady shrugged. "I have an interest in making both businesses successful. Hazel's been helping me with the videos. I'm starting to think that she's more popular than I am."
"She should start her own show," Shep teased.
Brady nodded seriously. "That's what viewers are asking her to do."
Brady recorded himself playing video games and streamed them live to a popular kids' service. I hadn't had any time to check it out.
Shep let his chair fall back to all four legs. "We all have things that we're doing on the side, whether it's a family, volunteer work, or even a second job, but I think we're all on board with expanding the business. We want to build something that will sustain our family for generations to come," Shep said, surprising us.
Usually, he was more interested in having a good time out of work and didn't pay much attention to the business side of things. But maybe he'd changed since I had to take a step back from work.
"Does this mean you've given the idea of a home-improvement show more thought?" Hudson asked him.
"I don't know if I want someone videotaping my renovation. We all know I'm not exactly efficient," Shep said, referencing the fact that he tended to be a little scatterbrained. We suspected it was ADHD or something similar, but he'd never been officially diagnosed. He'd refused any sort of testing.
Kinsley looked up from her laptop. "What if that's the appeal though? You're not perfect. You have flaws, and people can identify with you."
The table was quiet for a few seconds, and then Hudson leaned forward. "I think she's onto something."
Shep gripped his neck, his expression incredulous. "You're saying that people will want to watch me. That somehow I'll be entertaining."
"It's entirely possible that there're a lot of people out there that can identify with the way you do things, and if not, they'd find your personality entertaining," Kinsley said thoughtfully.
"You've always enjoyed the limelight. Why aren't you interested in this?" Hudson asked him seriously.
"I guess it feels like highlighting all my shortcomings for the world to see." Shep sounded less confident than usual.
I suspected he was self-conscious about his work and laughed it off, because he wasn't sure how else to react. He wasn't as put together as Marshall or Hudson.
"We can film some things and see how it goes," Kinsley suggested
Brady leaned forward with his elbows on the table. "We can post it on our social-media pages and see if people are interested."
"You're the expert on these things," Kinsley said to Brady.
"I'm happy to help in any way I can. I usually film a video game and talk through it. That's a little different from filming a renovation. I would think it's just reality TV. You go about your work, explaining what you're doing as you go," Brady said.
"I'll think about it," Shep said tightly, and I was wondering if he felt like we'd put him on the spot. He usually covered his ADHD tendencies, not wanting anyone to comment on them, but this would be putting him in the spotlight.
Dad clapped his hands together. "So we're interested in the expansion. We can start the hiring process and see how it goes. Shepard is going to think about filming his renovation. Kinsley's on board to help with filming. And Dalton's going to be at work more consistently. I'd say we're off to a good start this quarter. There are a lot of good things to look forward to."
"As long as I have Blake in my life, watching Lilliana, things should settle down for me."
Shep whistled. "I believe you just stirred up a hornet's nest inviting a woman to live with you. Oakley will not let this go."
His observation hit me hard in the chest. There was no other solution but to pretend Blake was mine. It would stop Oakley in her tracks. Surely, she'd see there was no hope for a relationship between us anymore and leave me alone.
I hoped I wasn't being naive about this situation, but I desperately wanted to move forward with a solid parenting time plan. I was done with her pushing me around. It was time to tell her how it was going to be.
We wrapped up the meeting and walked outside. Shep stopped to talk to Kinsley at the counter. Right before I opened the door to my truck, Hudson appeared next to me. "I'm proud of you."
"For standing up to Oakley?" I asked, certain that was what he was referring to.
"Yeah, and hiring a nanny. You've been trying to do it all on your own, and that's commendable, but you need to work too. I think having a nanny will give you the support you need to get a work-life balance that's more sustainable.
"You act like I lost myself," I said, his words making me feel a little unsettled.
"Didn't you? You were all posed to break up with Oakley, and then she announced she was pregnant, and you were sucked into her world. You're finally removing yourself from her orbit, and things have calmed down for you."
