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Devon's POV
"Liv hurry up! I'm gonna be late for work." I looked down at my watch as the time ticked by. "Think fast!" She tossed her soccer ball at me from the top of the stairs, and I caught it last second. She hurried down the steps and fixed the bag on her shoulder. "I miss Summer, can we all hang out soon?" I grabbed the bag from her, adding it to mine and picked up my keys. "Yeah, she should be free this weekend, we can go to an amusement park or something." She clapped her hands and ran out of the door.
"Do you have a water in here!?"
I rolled my eyes as she was already made it inside the car, probably hearing nothing I said. I ran to the kitchen and pulled two waters out of the fridge and grabbed her lunch which she had also forgotten to pack. I quickly took a sticky note and jotted down a message for my mother, telling her I was taking Liv to practice and would be leaving for work after. She's been having more bad days than good recently. Her and my dad had just started the divorce process and she was drained every time she came home from a meeting with her lawyer. If she wasn't at work or sorting through bills, she was sleeping. I would sometimes walk past her room and hear her crying, reality crashing in on her. She and my father had more bad times than good. But they had been married for years, she was mourning the loss of a partner.
No matter how terrible he was.
"Next time check the fridge." I tossed Liv's stuff in the backseat and started my car. "Sorry!" She yelled, crossing her legs in her seat playing on her phone. "Has dad called you?" I had heard that he was fighting for more days with Olivia which didn't make sense because he barely spent time with her now. "No." Her answer was short and firm. I could tell she didn't want to talk about it so I dropped it.
"He thinks Liv would do better if she lived with him and Rachel."
"The courts wouldn't possibly go for that?"
"Unfortunately, It's not up to him or me or even Liv. We just have to see what happens when we get there."
As I approached the soccer field, Liv started preparing to get out the car. "Your game is Friday right?" She nodded her head as she stared out the window. "I'll take off, mom and I will both be there okay?" She looks at me, a smile stretched across her face. "And dad?" A lump formed in my throat immediately. I didn't want her to be disappointed if he didn't show up.
I wouldn't let him disappoint her.
"Yeah, and dad. So you better win!" She threw her arms around my neck before grabbing her bag from the back. "Have a good day at the beach!" She shouted before running off and joining the rest of her teammates.
Summer's POV
"So what did you decide?"
I sat in Tyler's office chewing on my tongue, tapping on the folders he had tasked me with. "After looking through all of the proposals I think the contest would be the best bet in keeping and attracting more people to the company." He nodded his head, taking in what I said. "And why is that?" I pinched the inside of my hand before continuing. "Well, because the contest is targeting eighteen plus you are bringing in a younger audience, and giving them an opportunity of a lifetime. Can you imagine how many people want to see their work on your building? I would imagine the news on the event would be impossible to avoid."
He smiled and ran his hands through his hair.
"Excellent. Very impressive Summer. I'll speak to my father and tell him we are moving forward with the contest." He tapped the end of his pen twice on his desk before taking down some notes. "You look troubled, is there anything else you wanted to add?" He was now tapping his pen against the corner of his mouth. "Uh, no I was just-" I cleared my throat and held my hands tightly in my lap.
"No idea is a bad one Summer."
I guess there was no harm in saying something.
"I was just thinking that maybe you guys could start moving into electronics. Like a portable tablet? It can have all of the necessary features any artist would need to create their projects. Light enough to travel with and big enough to work on."
He smirked and parted his mouth to speak, "and how would they work on it?"
"A pen of course. There would also be a separate purchase for different sized pens with different points."
"Any upgrades?"
"I haven't thought that far sorry."
He rocked back in forth in his chair, his lips tightly tucked into his mouth. "I love it. I'll have the team fine tune the idea and design. But I am very impressed Summer. I knew you would do well here." I let out a breath of relief, happy that he was pleased with my idea. But as much as I appreciated the praise, I didn't want him to overlook Caleb.
"About this assistant position. While I am very grateful that you gave it to me, I feel as though it wasn't for the right reasons. After talking to Caleb more, I became aware that a job like this would mean much more to him than it would to me. And I don't think it's fair that you chose me just because we know each other." I took a deep breath, realizing I was talking fast due to nerves.
"Does the idea you just pitched not prove that you also deserve an opportunity like this?" There was no arrogance in his voice, he seemed genuinely curious. "Like I said, I appreciate it but my time here at Media First won't go longer than this Summer." He raised his eyebrows in disbelief. "That came out wrong, I meant Caleb wants to be here long term, it's what was offered to him. So I just feel like he deserves it more than me." I didn't want him to think I wasn't appreciative. I knew how many doors this internship could open.
"You never cease to amaze me Miss Nolan. If you feel so passionately about this then fine, I will let you go and take on Caleb instead. But I would still like your input on the tablet, it is your idea after all." I couldn't help but smile. I was happy he didn't protest my decision or think less of me like some bosses would.
"I would be happy to be apart of the process, thank you." I stood up brushing off my skirt. "Can you call Caleb in here when you return to your desk? I want to deliver him the good news." He began punching in a number on a landline beside him, putting the phone to his ear. "Of course. Thank you again Mr. White." I began walking out of his office and stopped when he called my name.
"Summer?"
"Yes?"
He had the phone pressed into his shoulder, holding his glasses to the corner of his mouth with his other hand.
"Nothing. Have a productive day."
I scrunched my eyebrows in confusion, but he doesn't offer me relief. Instead, he put the phone up to his ear and began talking. I took that as him dismissing me, so I left and lightly closed the door behind me.
"What are you so smiley about?" I held back a squeal while Caleb stared at me, arms crossed. "Mr. White would like to see you in his office." I sat down beside him and logged onto my computer, checking my tasks for the day. "You didn't?" I tucked my lips in trying to hold back a grin. "Did what?" I knew he probably had an idea of what Tyler wanted but I didn't want to ruin the surprise. "Thank you Summer, seriously." He placed a hand on my shoulder before quickly jogging off to the elevator.
I watched as he threw both his thumbs up smiling before both of the doors closed.
...
"Attention everyone!" Every head in the room turned to Tyler as he clapped his hands together. "An important meeting will be taking place in the office today, so you all are free to leave early. Consider it a treat for all of your hard work." A few cheers could be heard around the room as everyone gathered their stuff ready to depart. Tyler caught me and Caleb and began walking over to us.
"Caleb, I have to ask that you hang back and be present for this meeting. My father is returning today and he needs someone present with him until his PA is available. Is that something you'll be comfortable with?" Caleb's eyes lit up. "Of course sir! I'll wait for him in the lobby." He looked to me and put a hand on my shoulder. "I'm sorry I can't give you a ride today." I shook my head and stood up. "Don't worry about it! Go make a good impression." He thanked Tyler again and sped off to the elevator.
"Need a ride?" Tyler asked loosening his tie. "I couldn't possibly-"
"It's better than the train."
He had a point there.
"Okay. Just this once." I didn't want to make a habit out of accepting favors from him. We shuffled out of the building earning a few glances and whispers from a few of the employees that were hanging around. "You're not worried about people seeing us together?" I could imagine how office gossip would spread like wildfire. "No. You're not the first employee I've walked beside Summer." He maintained a stony expression while he spoke. Once we reach the parking garage he clicked a button on his keys twice and a car a few paces away honks.
Of course he drove a sports car.
I got in and was greeted by a fresh linen scent. Tyler stretched out beside me in the driver's side, pushing up his sleeves. "Thank you again for the ride." I wasn't sure of what else to say. "Don't worry about it. I have to admit the main reason I offered was because I wanted to pick your brain a bit." He shifted gears and sped out of the garage. "About what?" There wasn't much material we had to talk about.
"What's your opinion on Tony Washington?"
Devon's POV
After my shift I drove to Rachel's house to talk to my father. I wanted to confront him on why he thought Olivia would be better off with him, but I didn't want to give him ammo. Instead I was just coming to invite him to a soccer game.
When I pulled up to the house Rachel was on her way in, leaning over the railing of the front steps. "Woah, are you okay?" I ran up to her and helped her into the door. "Yes, thank you. I just get a little winded sometimes." She took a few deep breaths and fixed her posture. "Are you here to see your father?" I smiled at her and placed my hands in my pockets. "Forgive me that was a stupid question. Of course you are. He's probably out back." I thanked her and began walking to the patio door. "Hey Devon?" I turned back around giving Rachel my full attention.
"I'm sorry. If I could take it all back I would. I had no idea Tony had a wife and kids, I was just too stupid to see through his lies." She placed her hand on her belly looking down at it. "But now I have this little one to look out for, so I can't afford to make anymore mistakes."
I sighed, running my hands through my hair.
"You shouldn't blame yourself Rachel. But a word of advice? If you really want to avoid making another mistake you might want to rethink your relationship with my father."
"What do you mean?"
"He's incapable of being faithful and he's a shit dad. You wanna know why I'm here? To beg him to go to his thirteen year old daughter's soccer game." I turned my back to her, not wanting to see the expression on her face. "I don't say this to hurt you Rachel. I actually like you, and I want the best for my siblings. Half or full it doesn't matter." I heard her shuffle off in a different direction, sniffling in between her footsteps. I didn't want to upset her but I also didn't want her to think he was just going to suddenly wake up and be a changed man.
He's had twenty-one years to do that and it hasn't happened yet.
I walk edout onto the patio to see him smoking a cigar, a drink in the other hand. "Olivia has a soccer game on Friday and she wants you to come. It was stupid of me to tell her you were going to, so I need you to not make me look bad." He put his cigar out in his ashtray and stood up to face me. "Why wouldn't I come? She's my daughter isn't she?" I couldn't help but laugh. "When's the last time you called her? The fact that I had to tell you about her game tells me it's not often." He shifted in his stance and crossed his arms. "I'll be there." He downed the rest of his drink and rested the cup on a table.
"How are things for you? Still holding onto that football dream?" The bastard couldn't help himself. "Fuck off. I just came here to tell you about Liv." I opened the patio door and walked off, hearing his footsteps behind me. "Don't get me wrong, you have an impressive throw, but you need something more realistic to fall back on. It's childish to think you'd make the league."
If he was trying to piss me off he was succeeding.
"And what would you suggest huh? Becoming a drunk like you? You're nothing but an embarrassment." He stepped closer to me, our faces inches apart. "You watch how you speak to me Devon." I placed my hands in my pockets and kept his gaze.
"Or what?"
"Trying to fight your own son? What a Neanderthal." I turned around to see Tyler with his usual displeased look on his face. My eyes glanced to the left of him and I found Summer, her arms crossed and disappointment on her face.
Why was she with Tyler and more importantly why was she here?
"Summer? What are you doing here?" I walked away from my father now uninterested in our argument. "Tyler's parents just flew in so everyone in the office got to go home. He offered me a ride and Rachel texted him saying you were here and she was worried you guys would argue. So he thought you'd want to see me." I looked over to Tyler who's now emotionless.
"Your parents are here?" My dad spoke, a tremble in his voice.
Tyler pinched his nose in laughter. "Yes and they want us all to have dinner tonight. As a family. Would you two like to join us?" Tyler's smile was wide, he was making no effort to hide it. "I don't know if that's a good idea." I've had enough drama for the day.
"Oh come on. They'd love to get to know you and Summer. I insist."
I checked out Summer who's looking up at me, her face saying 'what's the worse that could happen?' I sighed and turned back to Tyler, "fine, what time is it?" He smiled and glanced at his watch. "At eight pm sharp. I'll airdrop you the directions." My phone beeped, letting me know that I received his message. Summer and I said our goodbyes and piled into my car.
"I hope you aren't mad that I was with Tyler."
I kissed her on the cheek and played with her fingers. "Of course not, it was just unexpected. You two walked in at the right time though." She shook her head and looked back at the house.
"This dinner is gonna be a shit show isn't it?"
"Yup."
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Just checked the weather and there's a drama warning for the next two days⛈🏃🏽♀️