The Ahern Brothers Collection - Claudia Burgoa Page 0,18
the city lights. The second story seems to have more rooms than my apartment does. When my gaze turns to the left, I immediately fall in love with the kitchen. It’s not only huge, but it has a double oven and a big refrigerator to match.
Storage space matters to me. Places to store food are essential. Some people like to collect stamps, spoons, plates, or books. I hoard food. Food soothes me—it keeps my anxiety at bay. Like counting objects does. If everything fails, I pull on the rubber band I wear on my left wrist. But having food around, holding a snack, assures me that I won’t go hungry, and storing enough of it so that I won’t starve no matter what happens, is my obsession.
Not Wes’ though, he doesn’t have a disaster plan like I do.
“This seems like a little too much for you, my friend. Or are you cooking now?” I scrunch my face, wondering if it’s a new hobby of his.
He usually has someone who will cook for him, or if that’s not an option, he has a big batch of takeout menus at the ready—at least he did in his old apartment.
“I dabble a bit,” he says with a light shrug. “The appliances came with the kitchen, and I didn’t want to remodel.”
He links our fingers together and pulls me to the kitchen island where a few Chinese cartons wait.
“Chinese food?” I read the labels. He ordered my favorite—Hunan chicken. Wes snags the beef with oyster sauce and mushrooms for himself.
“We can share the combination fried rice,” he offers walking to his refrigerator.
“Wine?” He pulls out a bottle of chardonnay.
“No, thank you. I’d rather just drink water.”
He nods, putting the wine back in the fridge and taking out a beer. He sets it on the counter, grabs a glass, and fills it with water.
“I miss this,” he says taking a bite of meat. “Sharing a meal with you. It’s been a long month.”
“You could’ve come to visit more often,” I shrug casually.
“Things at the company are getting tough. As much as I wanted to take a few days off, I just couldn’t.” He puts his hand on top of mine. “Thank you for coming back. I know it’s hard for you.”
I’d take the hardship as long as I know that my presence makes a difference. Life is better for us when we’re together and we hide inside our little bubble.
For him, it’s about being away from work, the press, and everyone who wants a piece of Weston Ahern—or his money. For me … the bubble means tranquility, safety.
“You haven’t mentioned anything specific. How are things at Ahern Inc.?” I dare to ask.
Our recent conversations have been too short to discuss the business. We only talked about my move and what I would be doing once I was here.
“The board wants Sterling as the CEO, not me.” His jaw clenches.
“Your dad wants you in charge of the company,” I remind him.
“He wanted me,” he corrects me harshly.
I squeeze my eyes shut briefly, regretting my words. I still talk about Will as if he were among us. Some days I wish that he was still alive. The last time I saw him was on my twenty-second birthday. I spent a week with Will and Linda, letting them spoil me rotten. We made plans for the summer. This time he swore he’d take the three months off just for me. I swallow the tears and the pain. He wasn’t my dad, but he was the closest father figure I had.
“But he died,” he sighs, stabbing his food with the chopsticks. “And Sterling doesn’t give a shit about the company.”
Sterling only gives a shit about a few things—his family and his art.
“He can sculpt for the rest of his life. That’s what he loves,” Wes says, gulping his beer. “The board doesn’t give a fucking shit though. They want the ‘real’ Ahern to take Dad’s place in the company.”
“You’re an Ahern,” I assure him.
“Mom and Dad never made me feel like I didn’t belong. These assholes though … they never miss a chance to remind me that I’m adopted.”
I rise from my seat and kiss his cheek. “You’re their son. Never forget that.” I sip some of his beer and steal a piece of beef.
“You’re done?” He rolls his eyes when he sees my carton empty and the fried rice too. “Some days I wonder where you put all that food.”