Page 109 of A Real Good Lie

Callahan watched the second hand on the clock tick down. He was already late, but Edgar hadn’t stopped talking for what seemed like hours and he couldn’t ignore the conversation. It was, after all, about the rest of his life.

Edgar had long before gone through the details of the transfer, how it would legally and financially impact him when he stepped down. He’d heard it all, he’d agreed to it all, and the board had already met and voted. Everything had been put in place.

Callahan was nearly free.

And at the other end of this meeting, Jace waited for him.

“Sound good?” Edgar slapped his hands against the long conference table, and Callahan jumped.

“We’re done?” he asked.

Edgar’s smile faltered, but held. “Seems like it.”

“Great.” Callahan surged forward and shook Edgar’s hand. “I don’t mean to be rude, but I’m late for an event.”

Edgar’s eyes narrowed in a knowing way, and he nodded, turning his attention down to the array of papers in front of him, all freshly marked with Callahan’s signature.

He hadn’t expected it to be so simple, so easy to sign away his life. And for as much as he’d been unhappy in the past, he hadn’t ever seen a way out. Or maybe he hadn’t wanted to see the way out. If he didn’t have his misery and his obligation, what did he have? As it turned out, the way out was a handful of signatures, a fairly tense board meeting, and a COO turned CEO that deserved the promotion and then some.

Callahan still held controlling shares of the company, but he was free of the burden that had always brought him. He didn’t know what would happen tomorrow, but he knew what would happen that night. Jace’s gallery showing, which Callahan was already almost an hour late for.

He sent an apology to Jace, a quick explanation to Sebastian, then raced home to shower and change. He didn’t give his hair time to dry before he was out the door and speeding toward the quaint downtown art district Roland’s gallery was in. He hadn’t frequented that part of town before, and he found himself taken in by the exposed brick buildings and large, showcase windows.

It seemed to Callahan, that part of town remained relatively untouched and underdeveloped. These galleries and studios would be well served with a little bit of creative marketing, he thought, patting his coat pocket to check for business cards. He pulled one out, ready to slip it in the door slot of the first place he passed, but caught himself before his fingers let go.

The McMillian brand swirled large across the top of the card and he crumpled it in his fist. It might be his name, but it wasn’t his company anymore. He’d have to get new cards made, then he’d come back.

A sharp burst of laughter down the street drew his attention and he looked up, finding a crowd spilling out onto the street, laughing and talking with disposable plastic cups of wine in their hands. It looked like the event was in full swing, and he jogged down the block.

He worked his way through a group of people, shouldering himself toward the door, and then a hand at the small of his back stopped him. He turned, finding Sebastian there, having at least shaved his face and only holding one drink, not two.

“You’re late,” Sebastian greeted.

“I know. I got held up with Edgar.”

“Oh. Was that today?” Sebastian polished off his drink and walked Callahan to the makeshift bar to order another.

“Yep.” Callahan ordered himself a beer. “It’s done.”

“Done, done?”

“Done, done,” he confirmed.

Sebastian grinned and pulled him into a tight hug. For the first time since he’d sat down with Edgar earlier in the day, Callahan relaxed. He’d done it. He’d severed the ties with his name, and he’d made it to Jace’s event. The only thing left to do was find the man he loved and kiss him senseless.

“Come with me to find Jace?” he asked.

Sebastian linked their arms together and turned them away from the bar. “He was with Remington last I saw him.”

“I hope he’s not mad that I’m late.”

“He looked…” Sebastian frowned and trailed off.

“He looked what?”

“Displeased.”

“With me, do you think?” Callahan asked. “Because I’m late? I texted him about it.”