Page 52 of Intoxicating Pursuit

I tried to review where things stood and just wrap my arms around what happened. What was important? What mattered most?

First, I supposed I should focus on the fact we were safe. Given the events of the last week, that alone was invaluable.

I rounded a corner and plowed up a steep sidewalk beneath the outstretched arms of an enormous sycamore tree.

So, what was next? What else was important?

Marco’s impending drug test was a dark cloud, and the results would likely have a dramatic effect on both our lives.

I didn’t expect it to go well, and I knew things might get ugly.

Executing the paperwork without causing a scene would be challenging to navigate, and I needed to figure out what to tell the staff.

A transition plan for the coming months would be critical as well.

A mushroom cloud of potential Marco-related problems expanded in my mind, but I refused to entertain it. I could only handle one thing at a time.

I focused instead on my footfalls—on the simple process of moving forward. Okay, what else?

Ugh. . . the next thing stabbed my heart with loss.

The social media post and Gabe’s reaction to it were horrible.

Painful. I’d deleted as much as I could, but those pictures had been reposted around the world by now.

I remembered a friend who worked in public relations—maybe she could help annihilate it from the web.

Before I could forget, I texted her a message from my smart watch, asking if I could have some time this evening to pick her brain.

There. That’s in motion.

The road turned and tilted downhill, hammering my knees and quads with impact.

What’s next? What else needed to be put in order?

Meghan’s blotchy red skin and confused, angry tears rested heavy in my mind.

What she had done was very wrong, and she certainly needed to learn how to manage her emotions better, but her heart was in the right place.

She was right about at least a few things, too.

I had been hemming her in too tight and effectively squashing her dreams.

It was bad parenting, and I knew it.

I also knew opportunity when I saw it. The shock and madness of the last few weeks had obviously defibrillated my nervous system somewhat, setting me back closer to normal.

Despite death threats, extortion, and cross-country separation, my anxiety had stayed at bay.

I needed to capitalize on this and commit to bigger changes before I slid backward.

That was the final tangle to address—and likely the last thing I had any power over.

I turned my attention back to the uneven sidewalk, to the sweat dripping off my brow, and the rhythmic thrum of my heart and bones. Pistorius Park lay not far ahead, an oasis of lush green peace. I cut through its grassy, expansive lawn and beat a well-worn path back home.

***

A fter washing up and rehearsing some important messages, I found Meghan sulking in her bedroom. I sat down on the edge of the bed. “We should talk.”

She cut her eyes at me, glaring.

I knew she would be venting steam for a while, but I dove in, anyway. “Look, sweetheart, you did some things wrong in the last twenty-four hours. You’re young and that means you’ll make mistakes, but you can’t make them with other people’s lives. Do you understand?”

She wouldn’t even look at me. “You already lectured me. Can’t you just go away?” Her cheeks were reddening again.

“No. Not yet.” I swallowed my pride. “Because you’re right about some things, too. I’ve been keeping too tight a hold on you, and I’m sorry. I’m gonna start changing that. You deserve more autonomy, and you sure as heck deserve the chance to have your own adventure, just like I did at your age.”

I shifted on the bed and touched a finger to her knee.

“Listen, you’re still in trouble, but I think we should take a road trip.

I’m not sure I want to be in town tomorrow, and I need to get down to Charlotte.

Why don’t you come with me? We can be normal for a couple days.

No armed guards. No celebrities. Just you and me.

I can show you how we actually do solve business problems—by cleaning up operations and dealing with management issues.

We have a working business model. That location just needs to be straightened out. ”

At least, she was looking at me now. That was progress.

I took a deep breath. “And sweetheart, why don’t we look at Duke while we’re down South.

Maybe hit the University of Virginia on the way home.

” I gathered strength for my next words, knowing in my heart they were right, no matter how hard they were to say.

“Applications will be due soon, and I’m thinking you should apply wherever you want.

So, we may as well start getting some college visits under our belt. ”

The anger disappeared from her face instantly. “Honestly?” she croaked. Her face was still red, but a different emotion spilled out of her now. “For real?”

“Yes. Anywhere you can get in, you can go.”

She grabbed hold of me and squeezed so hard I thought my stuffing might come out. She shook with relief, her tears dripping onto my shoulders. “Thank you, Mom. I really needed this.”

I held her tight for as long as she wanted. I let her cry it out, making sure she knew I loved her, no matter what.

Even if the rest of my life was in disarray, this one small thing, in this one small moment, was completely right. I held her close.