Page 4 of That Fake Feeling

Ingridstarts to raise hers but is cut off byMax,Walker, andJorgeall talking at the same time, so she pretends she’s scratching her head.

MaxandWalkersay something about not being hasty, but they’re drowned out byJorge. “Calmdown.There’sno rush to do this right now,Connor.Thisis just a warning.We’reprepared to give you a chance to turn things around.”

Heholds up his hands like he’s trying to get me to back off. “Let’smeet again in three months, mid-October.Wethink that’s a reasonable amount of time for you to clean up your act and change the direction of the graph.”Hemakes it sound like he’s doing me a favor. “Butif things haven’t improved by then, we’ll have to vote while there’s just enough time to salvage the company’s reputation ahead ofChristmas.”

Idon’t have much of a poker face at the best of times, and right now it must be as red as the cheeks on our talking jack-in-a-box that teaches toddlers to count.

Walker’scalm voice cuts through the noise in my head.

“Hey,Con.”Hestrokes the beard we all keep begging him to shave off. “Whydon’t you sit down for a minute, and let’s talk.”

Idrop my head.

It’sa dirty move ofJorgeto use these guys.Heknows what they mean to me.

Islump back in the chair and take a glug of coffee.Thewarmth isn’t as soothing this time.

“So, here’s the thing,”Maxsays, drawing out the words. “Wewant to help.”

Ihalf-heartedly throw my hand in the air and shake my head.

“Youcan’t be in charge of everything,Max.”Oncethe oldest brother, always the oldest brother. “Youcan’t be in charge of me.”

“It’snot about being in charge,Con.”Walkerchimes in, taking the role of good cop.

“It’sabout helping you hold on to everything you’ve built and worked for.Letus help you do that.”

“Yeah,”Maxsays. “Don’tlash out at us.We’rehere for you.”

Earlierthis year, he’d have been way less patient.He’sgone soft around the edges since he metPolly.

“Notjust us,”Maxcontinues, “butMomandDadare there for you too.TheyloveBigBrain.Theyalways tell people about it before they mentionWalker’spubs or my businesses.”

Andthere it is—the rope tightening around my chest.IfMaxandWalkerareJorge’strump card, my parents areMax’s.Theyare more proud of the toysBigBrainproduces than of anything elseI’vedone in my life.They’redefinitely not delighted by any of the stuff that was inJorge’sphoto montage.

“Look,”Maxsays. “Walker’sPRguy is a miracle worker.Andhe’s going to lend him to you.”

Walkerand his best friend,Emily, own theToastedTomatobrew pub chain.They’verecently picked up a bunch of celebrity endorsements.Presumablydue to this guy.

“Idon’t needPR.”Ifall back in my chair. “Hey,Walk, how about you let me go stay on the island for these three months?I’lljust disappear, and it’ll all blow over.”

Walkerowns an island in the middle of a huge lake upstate.There’sa main house and a bunch of guest cottages for the family.It’sbeautiful.Beingup there alone and away from this shit for a few months is the best ideaI’vehad in a long time.Thatwould actually be fucking fantastic.

“Nope.”Jorgedrums his fingers on the table. “You’vetrashed theBigBrainToysimage publicly.Youneed to rehabilitate it publicly.”

“Forfuck’s sake,Jorge.Justlet me get out of your hair.Outof everyone’s hair.Maybeeven out of my own hair.”

“It’sokay,”Walkersays. “We’vegivenSterling, myPRguy, all the details.So, we’ll hand you over to him now.MaxandIwill talk to you later.”

Walkerholds up his hand in a stationary wave and gives me a we’re-doing-the-best-we-can smile.Maxnods.

Thescreen switches to a new face.Aface that looks like it’s regularly exfoliated and slathered in expensive moisturizer.Aface that sits above a pink-and-white checked dress shirt, dark green tie, and bright blue suit jacket.Anda face that’s topped by hair that’s long and slicked back on top, shaved at the sides.

SweetJesus.

“Hello, gentlemen,”Sterlingsays with a smile that’s asPR-y as it gets. “Oh, and lady.”Heshoots a finger gun and a wink at the spot whereIngridmust be on his screen.

Christon a fucking bike.I’mstuck with this guy?Forthree months?