29. Excited And Energized

29

EXCITED AND ENERGIZED

“ B raylon got engaged the other day,” his father said to him two days later.

“He did?” Phoenix asked. “That’s great.”

He didn’t spend a lot of time talking to Braylon. His father did most of that. He wasn’t even talking to West all that much now either, but more with Laken.

Even then it wasn’t a lot, but it would be soon.

He was happy to have the negotiations done and the paperwork getting finalized.

They were nowhere near where things were going to go, but it was a start.

He was more excited and energized than when he got his first patent.

On top of that. His father had gotten the insurance settlement check fairly quickly as he’d said from the driver that had killed Maryn. After his father’s fees, the rest was getting invested.

“Yeah,” his father said. “I talked to him a few minutes ago. I’m surprised your Aunt Aileen didn’t call your mother, but maybe she’s been busy.”

“Or she could have thought Braylon would tell you himself. She knows we are all working together.”

“That is most likely it. Laken is dating someone too.”

“Oh?” he asked. “No one said anything, but it’s not like I talk to her much. More like email communications. I just know that Abby is working with her and I’ll meet or at least talk to her at some point when things get moving.”

“Lily, Braylon’s fiancée, is going to start working with Laken too. She’ll be Laken’s assistant.”

“Keeping it in the family,” he said, laughing.

“Not much different than you,” his father said. “Things are going well? Your mother said Elsie knows and is fine with it.”

“She does. She is. It was easier than I thought and I made it into a bigger issue than it was.”

“That often happens in life. Before we move on to something else, I need to tell you who Laken is dating. Braylon confided in me about this. Things will be publicized soon and Laken’s name will be associated at some point.”

“What’s going on?” he asked.

“Laken is dating Jamie Wilde.”

He paused for a second. “The sports broadcaster and ex-quarterback, Jamie Wilde?” he asked.

“Yes,” his father said.

“Damn. I’m stunned. Laken doesn’t always like to have eyes on her outside of the family. At least that is what I’ve heard. She’s even joked about it here that she likes riding in the backseat of West’s cars.”

It was one of the reasons he didn’t want it known just yet that West and he were related. At some point it was going to be known of West’s investment in the company and that was fine. It’d give them a lot of publicity and sales. But being related would bring a whole new light on things.

Then add in the fact he was dating his nanny.

Yeah, it was best that these things got out in the open now so there were no surprises.

“Sounds like someone else in the family,” his father said. “That you don’t like a lot of eyes on you.”

“I don’t,” he said. “But I know that will change at some point. I’m not going to be the one to make any announcements. West will take care of all of those things in terms of the business.”

“He knows what he is doing. You can trust him and know that your business is going to thrive more than you ever thought possible.”

“I hope so,” he said. “I’ve got so much riding on this. It’s not just me now either.”

“Are you feeling overwhelmed?” his father asked.

“A little, but not as much as I could or thought I would. I’m telling myself I’m not alone like I thought I was. It’s amazing how comforting that is.”

“That’s right,” his father said. “You don’t like to ask for help or rely on anyone, but when you do, it does relieve some stress. Seems to be working in your personal life too.”

He knew a subtle dig when he heard one. “So it seems,” he said. “Things are going well there and it's one less worry I’ve got.”

“I’m not trying to add any stress or pressure on you. The paperwork is almost final. That is why Braylon called me. Or part of the reason. He wanted me to know about the engagement personally. I know you’re going to be looking for more higher level staffing soon.”

“I don’t want to think of that,” he said. “I’ve looked at who I’ve got on staff. A few people can take on more responsibilities for sure, but no one for what I need. Then the cost of payroll.”

“Don’t worry about those things,” his father said. “I told you it’s worked into the investment. West is fronting most of the payroll costs for these changes. He’ll get his money back quickly and he knows it. He’s most likely lining up business as we speak.”

“I hope so,” he said. He knew he had a big raise coming on top of it. They were going to have to pay to get these positions filled. To get the right people. That meant those positions couldn’t be making more than him.

He felt bad about that, but everyone told him he was nuts to be taking as little of a salary as he was and could have been paying himself more.

His money worries would be gone soon and he could replace the money he borrowed from Elsie’s accounts and hope he never had to do it again.

“I wanted to run something by you first.”

“Okay,” he said. He wondered what change his father might suggest and didn’t want it to hold up anything.

“Memphis is graduating in May with his MBA. He called yesterday. He’s had a few job offers, but he’d love nothing more than to be part of what you’ve got going on. He wants to learn from Laken and West. He feels this might be his way in.”

“Really?” he asked. Phoenix didn’t talk to his youngest brother all that much. Nothing more than the rest of them. And definitely not about business or life goals.

There was part of him that was trying not to be insulted that Memphis was only interested because of West though.

“Yes. He’s not going to get any high-level position. He knows that. This is about coming in and making a difference and learning. If he can get this under his belt, it will help in the future. He knows he has to earn his keep. He’s smart. He has a lot of good ideas.”

“I’ll have to take your word on it,” he said. “I don’t talk to him much about those things. I’m not sure it’s going to be my decision though. Laken will have a big hand in some of these positions.”

“I know that,” his father said. “I’m asking you to at least consider it. Talk to Memphis yourself. Hear his ideas, his thoughts, and what he’s looking to achieve. We all need a stepping stone. Who knows? Maybe it works out better than anyone thinks, but you don’t know until you take that step.”

“I guess I’m learning a lot this year. I need to at least give him a chance and talk to him about it. I’ll reach out soon. I’m not sure of his schedule with school.”

“Nights are normally best for him. I’m sure they are for you too. Talk to him first, then talk to your cousins. You know how much West values family loyalty, but no one gets a handout.”

“I know,” he said.

“That was all I was calling for,” his father said. “Go enjoy your Sunday with Crystal and Elsie.”

“We aren’t doing much. Elsie wants to go to the movies and Crystal said she’d take her. They didn’t even ask me to go.”

His father laughed. “Don’t worry about it. Your sisters always wanted to do more with your mother than me. Maybe Elsie needs that connection to do something with a woman like she did with her mother.”

“That is how I’m looking at it. That and the fact I’ve got a lot of work to do anyway.”

“Sounds like it’s all falling into place then,” his father said.

“It does, doesn’t it?”

He just hoped it continued.