Chapter 70

The next few weeks flew by for the group. The women had all made inroads at their jobs and were being given more challenging assignments; Phil spent hours on the phone with his investment brokers as he freed up money to purchase the house and spent days away from the apartment as he hammered out the final agreement (and he was thankful that June was the break-even date on the apartment complex – the month when all of the expenses he would incur during the year were covered); Scott and Lisa were investigating housing options at State while thinking about their wedding and dealing with the legal implications of her father’s arrest (not least of which was him dropping her from his insurance policy); Terrence spent the summer working out at home and running with Phil and Scott as he prepared for his final season of college football; and Beth, David, Tara and Jackie were busy with their careers.

Through it all, Phil and Hailey made time for dates at least three times a week. They would dine with his parents once or twice each week, alternating hosting duties, and they set aside one weekend night per week for solo dates.

The three other roommates picked up short-term boyfriends, which made them happier (and easier to get out of the house). They didn’t bring the guys to stay overnight at the apartment but they sometimes spent the night elsewhere. Phil and Hailey both worried a little but neither said anything. In mid-July, they announced they were all heading away for a weekend. The couple enjoyed the relative silence of the apartment during their absence but they were also happy when Sunday evening rolled around and the trio returned.

The weekend, however, proved to be the end of all three relationships. Phil wondered what happened but didn’t pry. He left that for Hailey and then he got the information from her. The relationships ended for different reasons but it all came down to one base cause, according to Hailey: The guys were looking for something long term and the girls weren’t interested in anything more than a summer fling.

Hailey told Phil that the guy Molly was dating had urged her to transfer to his school (since he had no chance of admittance to Heilman); Tiffany’s guy wanted her to move out of the apartment from the moment he learned of Phil’s presence there and had given her an ultimatum (that didn’t work out as he hoped); and the guy Katelyn was dating had arranged for his parents to meet her (and the mother immediately started talking about weddings and grandchildren).

“They were nice guys, I suppose,” Hailey had told him, “but let’s face it: They were batting out of their league.”

“Do I know what that means?” Phil had wondered.

Hailey immediately broke into laughter and told him that she was positive he understood. He rolled his eyes at her when she explained it meant they were dating a girl too good looking for them.

“Yeah, fine,” Phil had grumbled. “I see where I rate.”

“Poor baby,” Hailey had told him. “Let me make it up to you.”

Phil soon decided that she had a marvelous way of soothing his hurt feelings.

Each of the women would send Phil at least one photo of them during the week. It became a competition for who could show the most skin without revealing anything indecent. Katelyn, much to Phil’s surprise, had become a master. He would never admit it but the hottest picture he’d received had been of the mocha-skinned beauty sitting on the couch. She was leaning forward, chin on her hands with her elbows on her knees. Her nipples were strategically hidden by her forearms and her pussy was darkened by shadow. Only the barest trace of her pubic hair told the viewer she was completely bare.

His phone now held dozens of nude or near nude photos of his girlfriend and his three roommates – and several pictures of them fully clothed as well.

Courtney Hollings disappeared from their lives but no one really thought she was gone for good. It was obvious to Phil that she was still pissed off over something – even if he didn’t really know that that something was.

Ryan Boatwright also was forgotten – until his name popped up on a serious of websites in regard to a sexual assault investigation in Colorado. The police in Vail said they had been contacted anonymously but so far hadn’t located the alleged victim.

The news caused all of the females (with the exception of Beth) to read the website in stunned silence. Boatwright withdrew from a movie project once word leaked out that he was under investigation (which further fueled rumors of his involvement). The news hit Hailey particularly hard. She wasn’t alone among the group in harboring teenaged fantasies about the guy but she alone knew of the stray thought that hit her brain when she recognized him and his apparent interest in her.

For the briefest of moments, she had considered accepting his raincoat – and going with him wherever he wanted to go and doing anything he wanted to do. She tearfully confessed these thoughts to her boyfriend and was surprised when he accepted the news without anger. Instead he told her that it would have been more surprising if she hadn’t thought about it – and he told her that he had wondered if Courtney Hollings had actually been interested in him when he found out who she was.

The first annual “Children of the Cornbread” picnic and mixer came off without a hitch during the weekend before Independence Day. Children ranging from six to 18 were dropped off at the SouthPointe Fairgrounds for an afternoon of games and food. There was a live band, complete with dancing. The evening ended with a water balloon battle and a small fireworks show. The kids who had graduated high school earlier in the summer were already making plans for next year’s event.

The annual Barton Holdings Summer Bazaar followed two weekends later and Hailey had a blast. She had tried to remain anonymous during the Spring Awards dinner because of how her mother was behaving. Now almost all the executives had met Hailey or at least spoken to her on the phone so she was more comfortable around them. She and Phil made the rounds of the adults for part of the day before rounding up the “Children of the Cornbread” for games and other activities. The guys in the younger group were all unhappy about the lack of a water battle because Hailey had worn a white T-shirt to the event but everyone still left feeling positive about the company they worked for and the people they worked with.

The Monday following the bazaar, Phil drove out to his parents’ house alone to visit with them. He had something important to discuss with his mother.

“I haven’t asked you for a favor recently, have I?” he asked.

“I don’t think so,” Beth answered warily. “Am I to assume you would like me to do something I won’t like?”

“Maybe,” Phil admitted. “It’s not for me; well, not entirely for me. I thought Hailey should have a little ‘vacation’ in her summer vacation. I was hoping that I could convince you to let her have Friday and next Monday off.”

“That’s not a favor,” Beth said dismissively. “If you want to sneak away for a dirty weekend, you don’t need to ask your mother.”

Phil blushed but carried on.

“It’s more than that. We’re closing on the house Friday. The Carstairs are already in an assisted living complex. I want her to be with me. I have to have one member of the group along to countersign the closing documents. I would prefer it be her because I have slightly more influence with her employer than I do with any of the rest.”

“Slightly,” Beth said, smiling at her son. “Her internship is over, Philip. She was only contracted for 375 hours and those were done earlier this month. I’ve been paying her a salary since then to continue her role. I hate to say this but I’ve really come to rely upon her. She is a very astute young woman.”

“I have no doubt,” Phil said with a smile.

“It’s going to be rough on me taking over all my old work again,” Beth admitted. “I’m thinking about seeing if she can telecommute for about 10 hours a week while she’s at school. I planned to let her get settled into her classes before I broach the subject. Just having her and Bonnie winnow down my schedule has been a huge help. I’ve already told her she has a job next summer if she wants it. I’d like for it to be what she’s done this year but I’ll put her anywhere she wants to work.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” Phil said. “I’m sure it will be a relief to already have her internship out of the way.”

“It won’t be an internship,” Beth corrected. “It will be a straight hourly job. The reason I’m giving her the option of where she wants to work is because I want you to work with me next summer. It won’t be as an assistant. I will expect you to be everywhere I am. I’m not sure if we’ll work it through the college or just a straight wage but I want you to know everything I do. I should have begun your training this year since you’ll graduate in four more semesters.”

“I’m going to back off on my course schedule,” Phil admitted. “If I make the baseball team it’s going to take up a lot of my time in the spring. I also want to have time for a social life. I think I’m going to stay three more years barring anything unforeseen.”

“I’m not opposed to that,” Beth said. “In fact, I encourage it. If you’re not opposed, I’d like for you to work on your MBA while you’re already working for Barton. Can I assume you’d like to work there when you graduate?”

“I think so,” Phil replied. “A lot can happen in three years. Right now my answer is yes.”

Beth nodded slightly.

“I’m not going to do things like your grandfather,” she confided. “I plan to work for maybe six or seven more years and then turn things over to you. I’ll leave earlier if you show you’re ready. You’ve made great strides this summer, Philip. I initially worried that you would need someone tough – like Hailey – to handle the shitty portions of the job. Your experience at Waterford, although not as I would have liked for you, toughened you up. I worried that it had jaded you and you’d go into a different field. I think having those young women around you helped bring your softer side back to the surface and I’m grateful to them. I’m also very proud of you. Your father and I don’t want to wait until we’re in our 60s to relax. He’s going to retire in four or five years and I will want to follow him soon after, I’m sure. I don’t want it to be a surprise if I drop everything onto your lap a few months after your father turns in his papers.”

Phil gulped. It was an awesome responsibility and he knew it.

“I think Danielle and Madison should also be given consideration if they’re interested,” Phil advised, mentioning his cousins.

“I’ve spoken to each of them,” Beth assured him. “Madison is studying veterinary medicine and Danielle wants a degree in international relations. Can you see her as a diplomat! Talk about the start of World War III. My point is, neither of them is interested in taking over the company.”

“But I’m sure they both still expect dividend checks every quarter,” Phil remarked.

“They both own 8 percent,” Beth said with a shrug. “They’re entitled to the dividends. Your uncle and aunt transferred half of their holdings to them.”

“And you still held onto your share,” Phil said, winking at his mother. His mother controlled 51 percent of the stock in the company; her brother had 32 percent and the remaining 17 percent was in shares outside of the family. If Beth had turned any of her stock over to Phil or David, she would have to seek a coalition with another shareholder before any decision could be made. She already had a board of directors to deal with but she liked being able to make the day-to-day decisions without consultation.

“You’ll have it soon enough,” Beth warned him with a laugh.

“You never did answer my question about Hailey getting time off,” Phil reminded her.

“Yes, Philip,” Beth said. “I have no issue with you stealing my valued assistant to work on your projects. I’ll have to dock her wages, of course, but I’m sure you will pay her well for her time.”

“Ha-ha,” Phil replied. Now he wondered if he could drag Hailey away from Barton for four days alone in their new home.

Phil was chagrined to learn that the main reason Beth had been so quick to agree was that Hailey had made arrangements as soon as the closing date was announced. She wasn’t angry, though, because she had only asked for the Friday off. Now she had Monday, too.

They drove back to college as soon as Hailey closed out of work on Thursday. The rest of the gang wished they could go, too, but they all had work – and Tiffany and Molly both had Saturday commitments, too.

They started out with the convertible top down but stopped at the first rest area to put it up because they couldn’t hear each other talk. Hailey was buzzing with excitement – not only about seeing the house but from being able to spend four solid days with her guy.

She found herself turned in her seat just watching him as he drove and she reflected on how much her life had changed since the first time she’d found herself alone in a car with Phil Warner.

“I love you,” she said as a soft smile came to her face. Phil gave her hand a soft squeeze and took his eyes off the road for a moment to return her smile.

She filled him in on the rest of Beth’s offer for the following summer and they talked about some of the things they wished they’d had the chance to do but hadn’t. The miles flew past and before they knew it they were exiting the highway. Phil didn’t tempt fate by staying at the same place where he’d run into Courtney Hollings seven weeks earlier. Instead they stayed at a little bed and breakfast only a few blocks from the lawyer’s office where they would sign the relevant documents and transfer the funds to the Carstairs family. The final total should let the sellers live in their subsidized retirement community for 50 years if they lived that long.

Phil carried the small overnight bag into the room and they shared a shower to refresh themselves after five hours on the road. Then, as they’d done almost every night since they met, the couple made love. Hailey traced Phil’s jaw with her fingers as they cuddled together afterward.

“I hope you like the house,” Phil told her.

“I already love it,” Hailey informed it. “I fell in love with it from your description and from the pictures. I’m sorry I battled you so hard on this.”

“I understand,” Phil replied. “I could have been more considerate of how everyone would react. I’m really happy that I could talk you around, though. This really is a perfect place for us. We’re removed from the college crowd but still close enough to do things there if we want. It’s private and it’s quiet. It gives everyone their private space but it has areas where we can all spend time together, too.”

“And a pool where I can swim naked,” Hailey offered.

“I asked the Carstairs to let me have it treated last weekend,” Phil told her. “It should be ready for you to do that tomorrow if you want.”

“I want to cook supper in our apartment tomorrow night,” Hailey told him.

“I’m game,” Phil replied. “I think we should fix it together, though. Things are always so much better when we do them side by side.”

“That’s why I wanted to be here for this,” Hailey said. “This is a huge step. I mean, when we all signed the articles of incorporation it was a real thrill for all of us. This is what makes it real, I guess. We’re really going to do this. You and I are going to live together. We can’t run away; we can’t hide. We’re partners. I’m excited by that. It’s not the house or anything like that. I’m excited that we’re truly partners.”

“I hope this is just the first of many partnerships we share,” Phil answered, hugging her tightly to him.

“I keep thinking it’s too soon to think about things like that,” Hailey admitted. “Then I wonder why not? The last two months have been amazing. Since we spent the week at your parents’ house all I’ve been able to think about is setting up a house with you. I’m not trying to scare you away and I hope I’m not. It’s just how I feel and I wanted you to know how serious I am.”

“I know you are,” Phil said. “I’m just as serious as you are. It kills me to be away from you. Whenever I’m not with you I’m counting the minutes until I see you again. When I am with you, I just want to hold you and never let you leave.”

“I know,” Hailey confided. “It scares me sometimes. I can’t picture a life without you beside me. I used to have all these grand schemes and plans. I was going to make vice president by 30; chairwoman of the board by 40. None of that matters any more. If Barton goes bankrupt tomorrow, you and I will go down to the Pizza Shack, get jobs and still love each other. I know that. I can feel that.”

Phil chuckled.

“Well, we still own a $150 million building we could probably sell if we got strapped for cash,” Phil said.

“You own a building,” Hailey replied.

“Same thing,” Phil countered. “Your car, my car, it doesn’t matter. We drive whichever one is more convenient. They both belong to us. The house will belong to us – well, us and three others. I feel the same way about the building. I sincerely thought about just buying this house through Warner Properties and splitting that five ways. My attorney talked me out of it.”

“If he hadn’t I would have,” Hailey insisted, sitting up and peering down at him.

“It had nothing to do with us,” Phil told her sincerely. “We’re solid – all five of us are solid. It’s more about who might gain access to those shares in the future. We’ve all been taken in by smooth talkers in the past. I would hate for Tiffany to lose half of her shares to some guy in a divorce action. I’m not especially concerned that you and I are going to break up or divorce or whatever.”

“Really?” Hailey asked. “I mean, you don’t worry that I’m going to do something stupid again?”

“No,” Phil said. “I don’t worry about that. You had a chance to hook up with a guy you’ve dreamed about for years and you turned it down. You could have given him your phone number. Hell, you could have run off with him. You were so upset that you even considered it that any doubt I might have had was removed. I don’t think I had any doubts by that point but if I did they were gone.”

Hailey bit her lip and blinked away tears.

“So you’re thinking forever, too?” she asked in a small voice.

“I’m thinking that you and I are going to be partners in whatever we do for the rest of our lives,” Phil said confidently.

Hailey was practically bouncing in her seat when Phil drove up to the security fence and punched in the code.

“You didn’t tell me about that!” she said. She had read over every facet of the contract during the meeting with the attorneys and asked questions Phil had never considered asking. She got clarification on expansion and adding rights of way to a road behind the property. She asked about the mineral rights to the property and then insisted the attorneys find the answer before she would countersign. Now she was almost wetting her pants over a security fence.

Phil pulled into the circular drive and stopped in front of a three-car garage. Hailey was out of the car before he shifted into park. Phil was surprised she waited for him but she did. She grabbed his hand and pulled him to the front porch.

She had called all the other partners to inform them that the deal was finalized. Katelyn was the only one who answered the phone but the others called back when they had a break. They were all excited but Phil doubted any of them were as excited as Hailey.