Trade Off Read online

  Chapter Seven

  Aiden had an appointment to view houses with Sela later that day, but before he faced her again, he needed to talk to someone who could help him put the situation into perspective, someone who had known him his whole life.

  “Is Ryan in?” he asked the young lady sitting behind the desk at Titan Records. She looked young, perhaps a college student who needed a summer job. Aiden had little doubt his friend had a hand in hiring her. She was the kind of woman Ryan usually preferred: young, beautiful, and temporary.

  “He’s in a meeting, but I think they’re just wrapping it up. Can I get you a cup of coffee while you wait?”

  “No, thanks.”

  Luc Spencer, the founder of Titan Records and Ryan’s father, walked through the glass doors with a scowl on his face until his eyes landed on Aiden.

  “There he is,” Luc said, grinning as he walked toward Aiden. “Sorry I couldn’t make it to the party at your parents’ house the other night, kid. Marisa and I were in Malibu.”

  “No worries,” Aiden said, shaking his hand as he drew him into a hug. Luc had always been like an uncle to him, and he was one of the many people Aiden missed when he left Tennessee. “It’s great to see ya, Luc. How you guys been?”

  “Can’t complain.” He gestured toward the elevators. “You here to see one of the boys?”

  “Yeah, Ryan, but I think he’s still in a meetin’.”

  “Perfect, that’ll give us a chance to catch up.” Luc looked at the woman behind the desk. “Katie, hold all my calls.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Oh, and when Ryan gets out of his meeting, tell him to come up to my office.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Aiden smiled as he followed Luc to the elevator. Apparently, his semi-retired status hadn’t changed things at the company Luc founded. Everyone still saw him as the big boss. “How’s Marisa?”

  “She’s great,” Luc said, punching the button for the elevator. “I guess you heard she finally managed to talk me into takin’ a step back and lettin’ the boys try their hand at runnin’ the show, huh?”

  Aiden laughed as he stepped onto the elevator behind Luc. “Yeah, I heard somethin’ about that.” He slapped Luc on the back. “How’s that workin’ out for ya?”

  Luc grimaced. “I hate it. Everyone knows I’m a control freak and a perfectionist… I love my kids. I’m proud of them, but…”

  “They don’t do things the way you’d like them to, huh?”

  “Not even close.” Luc made a big production of taking a deep breath. “But my wife keeps tellin’ me I can’t control everything. I have to be willin’ to let go and allow them to make their own mistakes.” He shoved his hands in his pockets. “But I spent half my life buildin’ this company… The thought of lettin’ them run it into the ground ‘cause they’re not experienced enough to handle the responsibility, that’s the part I’m havin’ a hard time with.”

  “Come on, you know that’s not gonna happen. They wanna make you proud. From what I hear, Evan’s already been bustin’ his ass around here.”

  “Yeah, he has. It’s my other son I’m worried about.”

  Aiden could understand why Luc might be concerned about giving Ryan more responsibility. From what he heard, Ryan still treated his upscale townhouse like a frat house, with his friends routinely converging there to drink and entertain women. In many ways, Aiden envied his friend’s carefree lifestyle. His life had been about hockey and heartache for so long, he’d almost forgotten how to have fun. Maybe Ryan could remind him.

  “Listen to me bitchin’ and moanin’,” Luc said, chuckling. “I still haven’t congratulated you on the trade. How does it feel to be back on your home turf?”

  Aiden stepped off the elevator and followed Luc to his plush corner office. “It’s been good. I’m glad to be home, but…”

  “Uh-oh,” Luc said, sitting down behind his desk. “I don’t think I like the sound of that. Mixed feelings about the move?”

  “Nah, it’ll just take some gettin’ used to, that’s all.”

  Luc tipped his swivel chair back and laced his hands behind his head as Aiden claimed the guest chair across from him. “I know your parents couldn’t be happier about it.”

  Aiden smirked. “Ya think?”

  “So, what are your plans now that you’re back?”

  “The first order of business is to find a house. Sela’s helpin’ me look for one later today as a matter of fact.”

  Luc frowned. “Sela… as in your ex-girlfriend? The one who married your best friend?”

  “Yeah, that’s the one.”

  “How the hell did that happen?”

  “I asked her to help me with the search. It’s been okay…” After last night, he didn’t know what to think or how to feel, which was the reason he came to see his old friend, Ryan. “It was a little awkward at first, but we’re figurin’ things out. I’d like for us to be friends again.”

  “Where do things stand with you and Michaels? You tryin’ to resurrect that friendship, too?”

  “Ah, no.”

  “Probably a good idea.” Luc laughed. “Sometimes you just need to leave well enough alone, right?”

  “You got it.”

  “So listen, I wanted to talk to you about your sister. I hear she’s pullin’ some pretty impressive grades in law school.”

  “Yeah, we’re real proud of her.”

  “She’s studyin’ entertainment law, right?”

  “Yeah, why?”

  “I was thinkin’ she’d be a great addition to the Titan team. I think I’m gonna have Ryan give her a call to see if she might be interested in internin’ with us.”

  “Yeah, you should definitely call her, Luc. It sounds like a great opportunity.”

  “What’s a great opportunity?” Ryan asked, pushing the door open. He grinned when he saw Aiden. “Hey, man, this is a nice surprise. What brings you by?”

  “I came to see you, actually.”

  “Cool.” Ryan made his way to the mini-bar in the corner of his father’s office. “Anyone else want one?”

  Luc rolled his eyes. “It’s barely noon, and do I need to remind you that you’re on the clock?”

  Ryan chuckled as he sat down in the guest chair beside Aiden. “You know what they say about the dog that bit you, Dad.”

  Luc scraped his hands over his face. “When are you gonna grow up and realize life’s not just one big party?”

  “Do we really need to have this conversation again?” He nudged Aiden as he tried to hide his smile. “We have company, remember?”

  “Aiden’s not company, he’s family, so don’t think that’ll get you off the hook.” He watched his son down the shot of scotch. “That’s your only one, kid. I mean it. I can’t tell you what to do on your own time, but I own you from eight to six, just remember that.”

  “How could I forget? You remind me every day.”

  “And I’m gonna keep remindin’ you until you get it through your thick head.”

  Ignoring his father, Ryan turned to his friend. “So, you got time for lunch?”

  “Hey, before you two get into that…” Luc said, holding his hand up. “I was just tellin’ Aiden that I thought Brianna would be a great addition to the Titan team, Ryan. What do you think?”

  Aiden watched the color drain from Ryan’s face as he set the glass down on the desk and smoothed his hand down the front of his tailored shirt. “I… uh… don’t know. You think she’d be interested?”

  “Why wouldn’t she be?” When Ryan didn’t respond, he said, “I’ve got my eye on a classmate of hers too, Jared Ross. His old man was a judge, and from what I hear, he’s a chip off the old block.”

  “Jared Ross?” Ryan asked. He turned to Aiden. “Isn’t that the guy Bri was with at your parents’ place the other night?”

  “Yeah, I think so,” Aiden said, trying to remember specific details about his sister’s friend. He and Brianna were close, but she didn’t mention the guys
she dated unless they’d been out more than a few times.

  “No way,” Ryan said, taking his glass back to the bar to pour another drink.

  “Don’t you speak English?” Luc asked, glaring at the decanter in his son’s hand. “I told you, no more of that shit during business hours.”

  Ryan seemed to consider his options before he set the glass aside and began pacing the room.

  “What the hell’s your problem with this Ross guy?” Luc asked.

  “I met him the other night at Josh’s place. I didn’t like him.”

  Aiden hadn’t seen his friend exchange two words with Brianna’s friend, but he didn’t think now was the time to point it out, when things were already so tense between father and son.

  “I’m gonna get Mike to do a little more diggin’ on him,” Luc said. “See what he can come up with. I’ll talk to your brother about him too, get his take on it.”

  Ryan threw his hands up in the air. “Why the hell did you ask my opinion if you’re just gonna ignore it?”

  “I’ll consider your opinion, but yours is one of many, son. Not the only one.” Luc stood up and offered Aiden his hand. “Good to see you again. It sure is nice to have you home.”

  “Thanks, it’s good to be home.”

  Luc gestured between himself and his son. “This is the joy of a family business; just be grateful you and your old man don’t have these problems.”

  Ryan smiled at his father. “We wouldn’t have these problems either if you’d just retire already and let me and Evan run the show.”

  Luc threw his head back and laughed. “I’ll retire when I’m goddamned good and ready, kid, and not a minute before.” He slapped his son on the back as he walked past him. “You drive me crazy sometimes, but you know I love ya, Ry.”

  “Right back atcha, old man.”

  Aiden smiled at their antics. It reminded him of his relationship with his father.

  “Feel free to use my office, guys,” Luc said, pausing at the door. “I have to get to a meetin’.” He pointed at Aiden. “And tell Bri I’ll be callin’ her soon.”

  “Will do, Luc. Take care,” Aiden said.

  Ryan closed the door behind his father before claiming the big chair behind his desk.

  Aiden grinned. “You look right at home there, buddy.”

  He shook his head. “I’ll have to blast his ass out of it, if I want to take over this chair.”

  Aiden laughed. “It can’t be easy for Luc to let go. He’s put his whole life into this company.”

  “I know.” Ryan sighed. “But as long as he’s here, we’re gonna be livin’ in his shadow. Evan and I just wanna make our own mark on the company, ya know?”

  “Sure, but your time’ll come. You just gotta be patient.”

  “I know.” He kicked his polished Italian shoes up on the desk and tilted the chair back. “You really think Bri would be interested in workin’ here?”

  “I don’t know, man. She’s just tryin’ to get through school, then she’ll decide what’s next.” Aiden sensed his friend wasn’t telling him something. “Would you want her to work here?”

  “You know I love Bri…” His cheeks colored under his fading summer tan. “You know what I mean, she’s like family, but havin’ her here… I don’t know. I might be kinda weird…”

  Aiden knew his sister was friends with both Spencer brothers, as was he, but aside from the other night at his parents’ house, he hadn’t seen the trio interact in a long time. Brianna hadn’t mentioned anything about tension between them, but that didn’t mean something hadn’t happened that she didn’t want her brother to know about.

  “Is there anything you want to tell me?” Aiden asked, leaning forward.

  “Jesus…” Ryan said, covering his face with his hands. “This is really awkward, man.”

  “What the hell’s goin’ on with you, and what does it have to do with my baby sister?”

  “Nothin’,” Ryan said, holding his hands up. “She just uh… went out with a buddy of mine a while back and…”

  Aiden knew his friend too well to believe that was the end of the story. If getting the truth out of him was so difficult, he was certain there was a story to be told. “And what?”

  “He brought her to a party and…” Ryan looked as though he’d rather be anywhere else when he said, “I had a bit too much to drink…”

  Aiden clenched his fist. “If you tell me you took advantage of my sister, you do realize I’m gonna have to kill you, right?”

  “It was nothing like that. I just kissed her, and…” The blush crept up his neck. “Said some things I probably shouldn’t have, okay?” Ryan sighed when his friend scowled at him. “I’m not gonna tell you exactly what was said, ’cause it’s none of your damn business, but I will say that I said more than I probably should have and things have been kinda weird between us ever since.”

  Ryan was famous for putting his size elevens in his big mouth before considering the consequences, but Aiden didn’t believe he would ever do anything to intentionally hurt or disrespect his sister. “Look, you’re both adults. Whatever happened that night, you just need to talk about it so you can move on and forget about it.”

  “Right… forget about it,” Ryan said, looking skeptical. “Anyways, I’m sure you didn’t come here to talk to me about Bri’s job prospects. So tell me, what’s goin’ on with you?”

  “I had dinner with Sela last night.” Had his situation not seemed so dire, Aiden may have been amused that his announcement caught his friend off guard.

  “As in your ex Sela, the girl who married that piece of shit Michaels a few weeks after you left town, that Sela?”

  “One and the same.”

  Ryan slapped his palm against his forehead. “Man, what’s wrong with you? You could have any freakin’ woman you want, and you’re still wastin’ your time chasin’ a girl who’s already shown you she can’t be trusted. Come on, we both know you deserve better than that.”

  Aiden didn’t expect Ryan to understand how he felt about Sela. The man had never been in love, and he told himself he came here because his old friend may be the only person who could talk some sense into him. But now that he was here, he found himself wanting to defend Sela. Everything Ryan said was true, but he’d seen glimpses of the sweet, honest, loving girl he used to know, and he couldn’t let go until he figured out where and how they’d gotten off course.

  “What happened to Monica?” Ryan asked.

  “I told her I was leavin’ town. It wasn’t the kind of relationship that would’ve worked long distance.” He shrugged. “Besides, I knew it wasn’t goin’ anywhere. It wasn’t fair to her to keep her hangin’ on, hopin’ for somethin’ that was never gonna happen.”

  “Okay,” Ryan said, extending his linked hands and cracking his knuckles. “I’m listenin’. What kind of excuses did little Miss Sela dish out to draw you back in again?”

  “Did I say she’s drawn me back in?”

  “You didn’t have to. You’ve got the same spacey look you used to have back in high school, when you couldn’t focus on anything but that girl.”

  Ryan and his twin brother, Evan, were a couple of years behind Aiden in school, but he made it a point to look out for them because of their family connection. “Man, don’t you think I’ve tried to move on? You know there have been other girls, quite a few actually, but none of them even came close to what I had with her.”

  “You were a kid back then. What the hell did you know about love?” Ryan laughed. “Hell, I’m willin’ to admit that I don’t know shit about love even at my age, and that’s the way I’d like to keep it.”

  Aiden admired his friend’s carefree attitude. If he could care a little less, it wouldn’t hurt so much to know that the woman who should be his wife, the mother of his children, was sharing herself with another man.

  “So, did she tell you her marriage is on the rocks or what?” Ryan tried to keep a straight face as he mimicked a woman’s voice. “‘Neil just
doesn’t understand me. He doesn’t pay attention to me, poor me—’”

  “Shut up,” Aiden said, scowling. “This is my life, not some goddamn joke.”

  Ryan wiped the smile off his face and stared at his friend a long time before he surrendered to a rare moment of seriousness. “Don’t you think I know that? Man, I wanna see you happy, you deserve that, but it ain’t gonna be with this chick. You need to find a way to move on and just forget about her.”

  “That’s just it, I don’t know if I can. Lord knows I’ve tried. I put eight long years and thousands of miles between us and I still think about her damn near every day.” He drew his hands through his hair. “How messed up is that?”

  “That’s pretty messed up.” Ryan sighed. “So, what are you gonna do about it?”

  “Damned if I know.” Aiden stood up.

  “You’re gonna see her again, aren’t you?” Ryan asked, getting to his feet to walk his friend to the door.

  Aiden glanced at his watch. “We’re meetin’ in about an hour. She’s gonna show me a few more houses.”

  Ryan offered his hand. “Listen, why don’t you talk to your old man about this? If anybody knows how it feels to be the guy who married his best friend’s lady, it’s Josh.”

  His father had married his best friend’s college girlfriend, Ashley, shortly after they graduated, but they went on to divorce years later. Derek and Ashley spent half their lives apart before they finally found their way back to each other. Aiden could only hope he and Sela did not have to wait that long to find happiness.

  “I might do that, thanks, man.” Aiden shook his friend’s hand. “And thanks for lettin’ me bend your ear.”

  “Any time, you know that. Hey, in case I forgot to mention it before, it’s damn good to have you back home.”

  “Thanks, buddy, it almost feels good to be back.”

  Chapter Eight

  After a long, sleepless night, Sela was even more nervous about seeing Aiden again because now that they’d reopened the door to their past, she didn’t know how she would find the strength to close it without revealing her skeletons.

  She knew he deserved to know the truth, but she couldn’t live in peace knowing he hated her. In spite of the choices she’d made, he still seemed to like and respect her as a person, and the prospect of losing that was almost as bad as facing the loss of their baby all those years ago.