Page 21 of Players Like Us (Reunion Gap #7)

Okay, here it comes . The lecture that was about to start would contain a warning about risking too much and not doing a cost-benefit analysis and all of that other nonsense.

“It wasn’t such a risk because I looked at his books before I agreed.

I saw the revenue and expenses, what he was paying for food, drinks, supplies, and rent.

I knew he was overspending for liquor and seafood.

He didn’t have much negotiating power since he was too small and didn’t know the right people.

” This time Neal gave him a real smile. “But I did. I knew a lot of people, and while they never considered me a businessman, I spent enough money at their establishments that they didn’t want to disappoint me by denying a favor.

Dominic and I signed a contract whereby I would possess 75% of the company, I would negotiate the deals, and he’d find a way to adapt his menu options to make them more cost-beneficial.

I also suggested a special night of appetizers and wine or some other thing that women like.

If we could get them in there, they’d come back and they’d bring their partner.

The restaurant business is a difficult one, and if you can find a loyal customer, you have to also find a way to keep him.

Dominic was an excellent chef with a dream, but he ran the business with his heart.

You can’t succeed if you don’t look at numbers and how much something costs. ”

Tate’s brows pinched together, the frown came next. “I agree. But… How did I not know you understood all of this and… where did you learn it?”

“You mean when did I stop being the family idiot and jokester? We all have our roles, but sometimes those roles don’t fit anymore.

That’s when we have to find something that does.

I was restless but didn’t know what I wanted to do until Dominic presented his offer.

It’s been three years and we’re not only business partners, we’re best friends.

Plus, I reworked the ownership, so he has 70%.

I still have to reel him in on the business side, but he’s gotten better. ”

“Does Meredith know? Or our father? Anyone else other than you and Dominic?”

Neal shook his head. “What would be the fun in that? I like to play it cool and keep my life under the radar...gets less attention and you can focus on what you want to do without interruption—” he paused, cleared his throat “—criticism, or critiques.”

“I see.”

Had he just hurt his brother’s feelings?

That hadn’t been his intention, but he’d needed to do this himself, on his own terms. “Look, I never possessed the confidence or the ability to say I’m going to do something and then actually do it.

You were always the bright star; Meredith and I were just little flickering candles. ”

Tate’s gaze narrowed on him. “That star got pretty heavy, and I wouldn’t have minded sharing it.”

Neal knew his brother was talking about the “responsibility” that was hefted on him by the rest of the family, including his mother. “Meredith and I should have helped with that, but we were just trying to avoid the old man’s criticism most of the time. Still, I’m sorry I didn’t step up.”

His brother shrugged. “Thanks. So, are there any more surprises you’ve been keeping from me and Meredith? A secret girlfriend?”

Neal squashed that question with another reveal.

“I’m also part owner in a few other business ventures.

” A shrug, a shake of his head. “Maybe I’m a sucker for a good story or maybe I’m a sucker for a sob story, but if a person can show they have a plan and are willing to work at it, and are agreeable to adjusting the plan enough to make it a success, then why not?

What am I going to do with my time and money anyway except squander both? ”

Tate opened his mouth to speak, closed it.

Stared. The response made Neal uncomfortable as he fought the heat creeping from his neck to his cheeks.

“Okay, would you rather I say I have been squandering the time and money?” His brother’s blue eyes sparked with an emotion Neal could not identify. Pride? Approval? Acceptance?

“I had no idea. Neal, I had no idea you’d invested in businesses.” Tate rubbed his temples, blew out a long breath. “How could I not have seen?”

“It’s easy to miss especially with somebody like me who’s spent most of his life perfecting whatever is outrageous, unseemly, or ridiculous.

We’ve all got our roles, don’t we? I just thought mine was the clown of the family, the undependable one who just needed to be a good screw-up, as long as he didn’t blow up his life.

Meredith was always the bleeding heart, and you were the sensible one.

You had all the answers, so why would we need to find our own?

Our mother wasn’t capable of being the decision-maker and she couldn’t protect us against the old man.

It wasn’t fair to you, and I shouldn’t have been okay with that.

” Neal sucked in a breath, let the truth spill out.

“I’m sorry for all the years I blamed you for my bad decisions and crappy choices, and for stealing the old man’s attention. It was never your fault.”

“We all had our own issues and I wish we’d talked about it instead of burying the mess that became our lives.

We just hid and pretended it was normal, but it cost us.

I strove for perfection because I thought it would give me control.

You made sure no one ever counted on you for anything, and Meredith?

Well, we know how our sister lived in her own pretend world and fell apart every time someone disappointed her.

But she finally found her place, and you can feel the joy when she talks about helping others through her company… and that new husband of hers.”

“Jerk husband,” Neal muttered. “He’s no saint either. He can pretend all he wants, but I remember how he broke Meredith’s heart so he can save the bull…”

“We all screw up, but it’s more about owning it and moving on. I want to hear about these businesses and what you’re doing with them…” Tate rubbed his jaw, smiled. “I want to hear all of it. You might be able to give me a few pointers.”

Neal should not feel so ridiculously happy with his brother’s compliments, but the truth was, he did and so what? “I’ll be happy to share.”

“And while you’re at it, maybe you can tell me what’s going on between you and Rachel Reese.

” He must have seen the surprise on Neal’s face because he laughed.

“Meredith has a way of ferreting out information and apparently she had a conversation with Rachel. Seems when your name came up, Rachel stumbled all over her answers. Hmm. What’s going on between you two? ”

The raised brow said Neal could try to hide behind comments like Nothing’s going on or whatever else he wanted to plant as a possibility, but his brother wasn’t buying it. “The truth?”

“There shouldn’t be anything else between us.”

“I have no idea.”

Tate nodded, said in a serious voice, “I believe you, but you better figure it out soon before it all blows up around you. And just because I’m curious, does she have any idea you’re more than a playboy living off of family money?”

A cough and a quiet “She doesn’t know. “

Big sigh. “Like I said, better get it out in the open before the truth buries you.”