Vital Company Read online

  I drive to the hospital, thankful I keep the spare set of scrubs in my locker. Slamming open the locker room door, I run into the one person I don’t ever want to see again.

  “Rough day already, Quincy?” Mika asks, looking me over. She looks perfect, because of course she does. Lots of money and a douchebag husband will do that to you.

  “Just a run-in with a sprinkler,” I lie.

  She smirks, and I want to punch her. “Well, I suppose that’s par for the course with you.”

  Bitch. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to change,” I tell her, pulling out the scrubs I keep in there.

  “Bye.”

  She saunters out the door like she owns this place, probably because she practically does. It’s not bad enough she stole my husband, but her family has donated enough wings to the place that everyone seems to forget about it. “Friends” no longer speak to me, and if I wasn’t so damn good at my job, I know I’d have been fired by now.

  My phone rings as I come back out of the bathroom and I smile when I see the name on the screen. “How are you, Ken?”

  “I’m well. I’m calling with a proposition for you.”

  “Does your girlfriend know about this?”

  I can almost hear him rolling his eyes as he sighs. “I need more help here in Las Vegas and I’ve been authorized to hire someone of my choosing.”

  “Corrigan & Co. has that much need for a second doctor?”

  “I primarily work with the C&C Foundation, and yes.”

  “I’d love to say yes, but I don’t know if Rick will let me move Bianca.”

  “Waverly said you told her he cancels almost every weekend he’s supposed to have with her.”

  “He does, unless it’s something he’s doing publicly. Heaven forbid he be seen as neglectful when the press is around.”

  “Moving won’t be a problem if you’re interested.”

  “How do you know?”

  “I can’t explain until you’re here and agree to work with me, but you can trust me on this.”

  “I do trust you. You and Wave were my best friends back in Boston, and I was so happy when she reached out last year. I miss you both, and I’d love to have B get to know her Godparents better.”

  “Is that a yes?”

  “Yes. I’d love to quit this job, and come work for you.”

  It’s the truth. I don’t even know what the pay is, but from everything I’ve read, Matt and Reina Corrigan keep their employees happy. I’m ready to leave this place and make a new start for myself—and my little girl. No more asshole swim instructors, and no more bastard fathers. It’s just what we both need.

  Chapter 1

  Cohen

  Shane is being extra two today. I refuse to call him a “terrible two”, but he’s definitely a handful some days. Even as he approaches the three-year mark.

  “Daddy, I want the other waffles.”

  “These are the waffles I always make for you.”

  “Grammy makes the other ones. The ones with swaberries on them.”

  “We don’t have any strawberries, but if you’re good at school, I’ll buy some later.”

  “No school!”

  He used to love his daycare center, but lately he’s been complaining about it. “School is cool.”

  “Not when you don’t have a mommy. I don’t have a mommy!”

  Whoa. “You have me, and I love you more than a mommy ever could.”

  “But there’s a mommy party next week!”

  This is something I haven’t been informed about until now, and I’m more than a little pissed. I know for a fact that I’m not the only single parent whose kid goes there, but the others are mostly women. I get them wanting to celebrate the moms, but a little warning would’ve been nice.

  “Do you want Grammy to go with you?”

  “No,” he insists. “I no go.”

  “We’ll figure something out,” I promise him.

  I clean up, and drive him to the center. After asking to speak to the director, I take a seat and wait. And wait. I know she’s making me wait on purpose, and I’ve had my fill of women who think they’re better than me this week. First the doctor—because yeah, I looked at Bianca’s file and saw her mom’s info—and now this woman who’s in charge of my son’s happiness for a few hours every day.

  “What can I do for you, Mr. Horton?” she asks, once I’m seated across from her in her office.

  “Why am I just now hearing about a ‘mommy tea’ that’s taking place?”

  “You’re not a mommy.”

  She says it with such derision, I have to fight the urge to jump from my chair and defend myself. “No, which is why this should be a ‘parent tea’ and not one specifically for mothers. I’m not the only single father who brings his child here.”

  “There are far more single mothers and their situations are harder.”

  The fuck. “You don’t know my situation.”

  “You really think you go through what a single woman trying to raise her child goes through?”

  “I’d imagine our situations aren’t that different.”

  “Of course, you would. Perhaps this isn’t the right place for you if you can’t respect women.”

  “Are you insane? Nothing I’ve said today has been about me not respecting women.”

  “I think this conversation should end now, before either of us becomes more agitated.”

  “I’ll be in touch,” I tell her, walking out.

  I know I’m going to have to move Shane somewhere. She didn’t take my concern seriously, and actually tried to make me feel like I was anti-woman. Totally not true, but if that’s the way it’s going to be here, my son is better off elsewhere.

  I think I know where we should go and it’s not to a new daycare here in San Diego. We both need something different. I’m hoping the chance I was offered a couple of months ago is still available.

  “What’s up?” my best friend Knox asks, answering my call.

  “Just driving to work, but I was wondering if the job you asked me about is still available.”

  “Here? I’ll ask Matt, but I’m pretty sure it’s available. If not, I can totally find you something else.”

  “I don’t want you to find me something. I can do it on my own.” I know I’m being an asshole, but I don’t want to ride on his coattails any longer.

  “Shut up, and don’t even think about saying I was your meal ticket again. You kept me balanced, did a kiss-ass job managing me, and were there when I needed you. Matt doesn’t offer people jobs just because they’re friends with his friends.”

  “Okay, yeah. I’m the best friend ever,” I say the words, but we both know he had my back when I needed it too. And, I needed it way more than he ever did. “If the job’s still open, I’d like to try it.”

  “I’ll call him right now, and call you back.”

  The job Matt Corrigan offered me is basically what I did for Knox, but on a bigger level. He and his brother have assistants who go through their mail, and a publicity department for press releases, but he wants someone to take on the extra work. I can understand why he’d rather have his assistant helping him with business stuff rather than going through gala invites or deciding where to put sponsorship money. Those are both things I know I’m good at. Not just from Knox, but from helping with my family’s fortune as well. Yeah, I’m rich and still giving swim lessons, but my parents always encouraged me to do what I love, and I love to swim.

  I always imagined I’d be doing it here in San Diego forever, but now, I’m thinking Las Vegas might be good for me and my boy. My best friends are there, and there are other perks for working at Corrigan & Co.—not to mention all the hot chicks who like to party. My city has hot chicks, but I don’t like playing close to home since I’ve had Shane. Vegas will be home, but still allow me the freedom to hit it and quit it with willing tourists.

  “Cool. Things here are getting a little messy, and I think it’s time to give Vegas a try.”
r />   “Wave is going to totally freak out when I tell her.”

  “Only because she knows I was the better choice and she let me get away.”

  “Keep telling yourself that, Coh, but we both know better.”

  “Yeah, yeah, it was always you. But I make an awesome friend.”

  “No denying that. It’s going to be great having you with us again, and you know we love our Godson.”

  “I do. I’ve got to give notice at the swim school, but then I’m available if Matt wants me.”

  “Sweet.”

  “Talk to you soon.”

  I hang up as I pull into the lot of the swim school. Thankfully, I’ve had no further run-ins with the crazy—and hot—mom, but that’s probably because I practically run the other way whenever I see her. Even without her, I’m ready for a new challenge. Knowing what I know about Reina and that secret society of hers, I can’t wait to see what Vegas has to offer.

  Quincy

  True to his word, Ken worked some magic on Rick. Okay, it was probably Reina Corrigan, but either way, it worked. The hospital staff were jerks on their own, but I shouldn’t have expected it to be any different. They told me I wouldn’t be needed any longer, once my notice was turned in. I was a bit taken aback, because despite everything that’s happened, I’m one of the best doctors they had on staff. Money should never come before medicine, but in my case, it clearly did. It makes me even more happy to be leaving.

  I decided to hold onto the house here, so there isn’t much to pack, meaning Bianca and I will be in Vegas by the end of the week. She’s taking this better than I thought she would and I can only be thankful for that. It’s been rough for her, with her father cancelling on her over and over again, so being away might be exactly what she needs too.

  “Is there a pool in Las Vegas?” she asks, as I help her pack up some of her clothes.

  “There are lots of pools in Las Vegas.”

  “But, will there be one I can swim at? At our apartment?”

  “Yes. We’re going to live at the C&C apartment building, where there are two or three pools. Ken also said there’s a whole C&C Activity Center we can use. There’s mini-golf, and games, there too.”

  “I only want to swim.”

  I should be happier that at six she’s voicing what she wants, but it makes me sad to see my little girl growing up. Too soon, she won’t need me to defend her from assholes, and I’m dreading that more than I probably should. Although, if I’m being honest, I’ll always defend her.

  “Then you’ll swim. I’m sure we can set up lessons for you.”

  “Will my teacher be nicer than Cohen?”

  “I’m sure they will be.”

  “Good. He was nice, but then he wasn’t. Like Daddy.”

  No, no one is like her father, but I refrain from telling her that right now. If we were staying, I’d have to talk to her about comparing a swim teacher who switches a class, to her father who breaks her heart. As it is, I need to impart a little bit of wisdom.

  “It’s not nice to compare people to each other. We’re all different.”

  “I know,” she says, hanging her head. “It’s just hard to remember sometimes. My heart hurt when the other teacher told me I was in her class now. Cohen always smiled at me, but then he didn’t want me.”

  “Getting your feelings hurt is hard. I’m so proud of the girl you are, and how much you care. Sometimes it’s easier to get hurt when you care, but I don’t want you to ever stop caring.”

  “I’m proud of you too. You’re a doctor and you save people. Not because you have to, but because you want to.”

  “I do.”

  “Maybe I’ll be a doctor when I grow up.”

  “You can be whatever you want to be.”

  “You wouldn’t be sad if I wanted to be a swimmer?” she asks, looking hopeful and earnest.

  “Not at all.”

  “Thanks, Mommy.”

  It breaks my heart a little, my girl thinking she has to thank me for encouraging her dreams. She should always know I support her, no matter what career she chooses. I’ll make sure she knows from now on.

  “Let’s finish packing, and go to the beach.”

  “Really??”

  “Yep. We’re both going to miss it when we move, and it’s a perfect day for it.”

  “I love you, Mommy.”

  “I love you too.”

  This is the right thing for us. I know it in my heart. Being away from Rick and his toxicity is going to be best for both of us. Working with people who won’t betray me will be even better.

  Chapter 2

  Cohen

  “This is sweet,” I tell Knox, looking around the apartment I chose in the C&C building. It’s got a blue and grey theme, reminding me of the ocean. Chloe Griffin’s in the smaller bedroom, asking Shane what he wants his room to look like, while I’m perfectly happy with the way mine is.

  “Yeah. Only people who know about the Society are allowed to live here. Matt gives housing stipends to everyone else, but this is definitely the lap of luxury.”

  “Fuck luxury, I’m down with those pools, and the game room, and shit, we’re rich man, but this is insane.”

  “Everyone’s cool, and we don’t abuse the concierge privileges, so it ends up being pretty chill around here.”

  “Just what I’m looking for.”

  “About that,” Knox says, rubbing his neck. “Pretty much everyone who lives here is coupled up. Anyone who’s not is kinda off limits.”

  “Meaning I can’t fuck the concierge even though she was giving off signals.”

  “Signals? I thought she was going to climb on the counter, and then try to climb you, but yeah—no fucking around with the staff.”

  “I wouldn’t even if you weren’t warning me off,” I tell him honestly. “I keep all that away from Shane.”

  “Maybe you’ll find a good woman and settle down.”

  “Not even close to being ready for that.”

  “I wasn’t ready for Wave.”

  “No,” I agree with a shrug. “If it happens, I won’t run from it.”

  “Good. And thanks for helping with the swimming lessons. After I got the last instructor fired for almost letting one of the kids drown, I promised to find someone else to help me do the lessons myself. I feel more comfortable with two of us in the pool.”

  “I’m happy to help. I can meet you at the pool once Shane’s done giving Chloe his crazy ideas.”

  “Not so crazy,” Chloe says, walking into the living room with Shane’s hand in hers. “At least, nothing so crazy I can’t make it happen.”

  “I’m going to have a spaceship in my room, Daddy!”

  “I could’ve bought you a spaceship bed, buddy.”

  “Would it have full technology in it? Because Scott’s going to program it to do some awesome stuff.”

  I can only shake my head. The Griffin family is entrenched with the Society, but even without that connection, Scott Griffin is a legend. One of the best computer minds in the world, and a cool guy on top of that.

  “Thank you.”

  “My pleasure.”

  “Can we go swim now, Daddy?”

  “Yep. Let’s get changed.”

  “See you in a few,” Knox says. Chloe gives Shane a kiss on the cheek and I get a hug before they leave.

  “Remember, Uncle Knox and I have to teach some other kids, so you need to stay with our class, or in the little splash area until we’re done.”

  “I knows.”

  I smile, knowing I should correct him, but he’s just too adorable when he says his words wrong. I want him to remain a carefree kid as long as possible and I know he’ll grow out of it eventually. So, for right now, I’ll let him just be a kid and talk the way he wants.

  Once we’re outside a few minutes later, I see a group of about eight kids of varying ages sitting with their feet in the pool. Knox is kneeling before one little girl with a troubled look on his face. As we approach, my heart sin
ks when I hear them talking.

  “I’m not a good swimmer, Knox. I shouldn’t be in class. You’ll have to spend too much time with me. It’s not fair to everyone else.”

  “You let me figure out how much time to spend with you, Bianca.”

  “I’ll help her,” I say, knowing I’m responsible for her sadness, and worry.

  “Cohen!” she gasps, he eyes going wide.

  Knox’s eyebrows rise as he looks between us. “You know each other?”

  “I was her instructor back home.”

  “Until you moved me down a class.”

  Shit. She looks like she’s going to cry. I drop to my knees in front of her, and take her face in my hands. I probably shouldn’t be touching her at all, but I can’t help but want to comfort her. It’ll be worth another push in the pool if that happens.

  “We had bigger classes there, and I couldn’t give you the extra time to help you be ready for my class. I know you were trying your hardest, and I promise we’ll have fun while I help you here.”

  “You mean it? I don’t want to be a problem.”

  “I wouldn’t lie to you,” I tell her, wiping a stray tear from her cheek. “Will you let me help you?”

  She nods, and I breathe a sigh of relief. I never meant to hurt this little girl. Knox gives me a look, letting me know we’re going to be discussing this later, and I just nod.

  I truly have fun with Bianca over the next hour. I keep an eye on the other kids when I see them stray from Knox, but they all listen to us when we tell them something. Shane’s having fun playing in the splash pool by himself, and I’m calling this a good day. Until she arrives.

  Quincy

  It’s been a great day, but my mind is completely exhausted when I arrive back at the C&C apartments. That’s the only excuse I can give myself for leaving Bianca with Waverly’s boyfriend Knox, and bolting back upstairs for a glass of wine.

  Today, I learned about a secret society, and saw some technology I thought was years away from being available. I was given an actual office, and met a top-notch nursing staff, who’ve worked with Ken for years now. They accepted me, and I feel like I’m where I need to be. I have a sense of belonging I never had back home.