Page 27 of The Work Wife

Uncle Rich took over as acting CEO in Wes’s absence, but it was Ben who took care of running the company, while their mother fussed and complained about every decision he made.

He’d never been good enough for her. He’d never been Wes.

“What’s up? I have tons of shit to do.”

“Sorry.” He heard the layers of guilt in his brother’s voice, which made him feel guilty too. Damn it.

“Isn’t Uncle Rich pulling his weight?”

“I was going to call you about that this week. He’s made some comments to people about retiring. He wants out by the spring so he can work on his golf game. That means you’re going to need to make a decision. I can only hold things together for so long.”

“Maybe it’s time to look outside the company,” he suggested.

“Wes, I’m not sure what happened with you and Dad, but is it worth throwing your family’s legacy into the hands of a stranger?” God, had he just used the words family legacy? He was turning into their mother.

Silence. Not the angry kind, but the thinking kind. This was good. Ben just needed to make Wes think.

“Take some time to really think this over. Don’t rush into a decision because you’re angry at Dad. Don’t punish me for something he did.”

“It’s been nearly six years and I haven’t changed my mind yet.”

“I know, but it hasn’t been on the line before. Rich was here to take up the slack. I’m already doing way too much to do any of it well. Rich might not have announced his retirement, but he’s letting things slide off of his plate onto mine.”

“Why don’t they hire someone to help you?”

“Because it’s more cost effective to make me do everything. Besides, Mother doesn’t want anyone else steering the company.”

“But you’re supposed to be the vice president of operations.”

“Yes. I am. I’m also the project manager. The director of marketing, the director of operations, and since Mother makes me review payroll so no one cheats us, I’m the director of human resources.”

“I’m sorry. If there was something I could do . . .”

Besides coming to New York to fill the role left vacant by our deceased father. Ben could hear the rest of the sentence as clearly as if Wes had actually spoken the words.

This was Ben’s reality. He tried not to take it out on his brother. If Ben could, he’d escape too. But he loved this company and wanted it to succeed.

“It’s time to decide which side of the force you choose,” Ben said.

“Yeah, yeah. Okay, Obi Wan, I’ll really think it over and let you know.”

“Take some time. Rich won’t make a move until May. Come to the board meeting at the beginning of April and let us know. I don’t want to be the bearer of bad news. Mom will say I didn’t try hard enough to sway you.”

“Because everything is always your fault.”

“Exactly. I thought the baby of the family was supposed to be the favorite.”

“You’re my favorite.”

“Uh-oh. You’re sucking up. What do you need?” Ben asked, as if he had time for anything else.

“I was looking over my portfolio and I had a question.”

Right. The portfolio. Because as CEO, Wes was still paid a salary, even though he hadn’t stepped in the building for years or attended a board meeting. Granted it wasn’t as much as he would get if he was acting CEO, but still he was being paid for doing nothing more than being born first.

Ben pushed the irritation away. He knew Wes had argued the salary issue, but their mother basically forced it on him. He rolled his shoulders and let out a breath. None of his anger was for Wes; his brother was a great guy.

“What’s your question?” he asked, hoping he could help.