Page 36 of Headstrong Like Us

Oxygen floods my lungs, and my eyes meet his strong gaze.

“You okay to do this, wolf scout?”

I nod once. “Yeah.”I am.

My shoulders ache from my strict posture. I can’t relax.

I’ve been in corporate meetings before, and I’ve sat in the Hale Co. boardroom, invited as a shareholder of the company.

But I’ve never sat in for my dad during a random business meeting, and in this instance, I’m acting as CEO until he returns. I’ve wanted to take over the family company to honor him—because I love him. But he’s always said,no.

Not now, not yet.

Am I just older, and he’s ready to give me this monumental responsibility? Or is he just not doing well, and he needs me?

I don’t have the answers, but right now, I can accomplish whatever needs to get done without them.

Elevator doors ding open, the marbled hallway empty. I’m in eyeshot of glass-walled cubicles and larger, window-view offices for higher-level employees.

Quickly, I locate my dad’s receptionist outside his office: Steven, a scrawny curly-haired man with a grayed mustache and goatee.

I set my helmet on a chair.

Offices to H.M.C. Philanthropies are located in this building, so I’ve been here in the recent past. I’m used to the brief glances before employees concentrate on their day, their own work. The novelty of my celebrity status has worn down. For one, long-time employees have seen me in this high-rise since I was in diapers. For another, I’m not as famous as my dad.

But today is different.

The brightest spotlight heats my back, my head, every damn body part. Eyes pin to me, and somewhat to Farrow too. My brows furrow in a bucket load of confusion.

Dear World, why is everyone looking at us? Sincerely, a baffled human.

Steven holds up a finger, slightly flustered. “I’ve got the memo notes Loren left you, one second.” He sifts frenziedly through papers.

“Steven.” I still look around. “Why is everyone staring at me?”

He glances up. “Hmm?”

“Employees are staring at me,” I tell him again.

Horn-rimmed glasses frame his round face. He peers over my shoulder, his neck flushing a splotchy red shade. “I suppose it’s because they’re not used to you coming here with a partner.” His eyes soften. “Most of us remember you playing with Marvel action figures on the carpet over there.” He points to a spot in my dad’s office. “It’s hard to believe you’re all grown up…about to get married.” A warm smile spreads across his rosy cheeks.

Farrow is grinning.

I relax only a fraction. Just glad that they’re not staring for other reasons. Like maybe I grew two horns or a tail in the middle of the night.

Jokes aside, I’m happy that my hand is still in Farrow’s. In an alternate universe, he’s not with me, and I’m here with a stoic bodyguard who barely speaks.

And I’d persevere. I’d ride this to the finish line and still come out on top. But my lungs would be empty, and I’d crave to fill that hollow space.

I wouldn’t know how, and I’d be so alone—so goddamn alone.

You should know that I can survive in any universe, but I only want to live in the ones with Farrow Redford Keene.

“Ah, here it is!” Steven passes me the memo sheet. “You have an hour before the meeting begins. If you need to ask me any questions, I’ll be right here. Fresh coffee and muffins are set out in the break room.”

“Thanks.” I fold the memo sheet and slip the paper in my back pocket. Grabbing my helmet, I motion Farrow to the break room. Hot tea sounds good before a deep-dive into preparing for the meeting.

He nods, and we head down the hall towards a cracked door. I remember where the break room is located and how Keurig’s line the whole back wall. Closer we are, I smell the pungent coffee bean roast and blueberry muffins.