Alpha Billionaire Series
Love to Hate You Chapter 2

NASH

Walking out of my lawyer's office, I loosen my tie and try not to think too hard about the fact that I just sold my company. Don't get me wrong- I wanted to sell it and I've had the urge to move on for months, but now that all is said and done and I just signed on the dotted line, uncertainty hits me.

Did I jump the gun?! wonder. Hell, too late now so there's no point dwelling on it.

The software company was a start-up between me, and another guy and he just bought me out. Good Luck to him. I did what Ido best and created something profitable out of nothing. Now I'm ready to try it again.

Atleast I think I am. But doubt is beginning to plague me and I'm not sure why.

Once I reach a certain level of success, I tend to bow out. For whatever reason, I don't want to be in it for the long haul. I think I have my father to blame for that. He was so invested in TB Tech that he forgot or ignored everything else around him I don't want to be like that and even though 'm a workaholic, I still manage to have friends and go out and have fun.

Unlike my old man.

It still rks me that he never made any attempt to reach out to me after I quit. I suppose I'm just as guilty for the radio silence between us, but he's the one who chose someone else over his own son. Because no matter which way you look at i he betrayed me.

I know that Charlie is good at her job. Maybe ever better than good, I reluctantly admit to myself. But I'm better and no matter how much time passes, I can't let go of this grudge I have. That VP promotion should've been mine.

Unlocking my Tesla, I slip inside and frown. I think what bothers me most about the whole situation is my father's lack of loyalty. Out of all my siblings, I'm the one who went to business school and decided to follow in my dad's footsteps. I startec at TB Tech, worked my way up, proved my loyalty and then when he had the opportunity to reward me, he shits all over me. Fuck. I rake a hand through my dark hair and glare out the windshield. I should go to therapy or something because even after two years, I still can't let it go. Trust and loyalty rank very high on my list and when you break them, I do not forgive or forget.

With a heavy sigh, I start the car and maneuver it out of the garage. Well, I am now officially unemployed. Wondering what tc do next, I pull up Alex Gardener's name on my phone, my best friend, and hit send.

“Nash! What's happening, buddy?”

“Just signed the papers. Looks like I'm a free man,” I say, maneuvering the car through traffic.

“Excellent. Congratulations! Where are we celebrating?”

“Drinks at Whiskey's?” I ask, even though I'm not in a very celebratory mood. Everything in me feels off and I can't place my finger on the exact cause.

“Should I invite the girls?"

“No," I immediately say. Alex has been dating this woman named Jackie and anytime I'm there, Jackie has to bring her friend Lori along. It's clear that Lori is interested in me but I am not into her at all. She's nice and not bad-looking or anything but she gives off this clingy vibe that is an instant red flag. I don't do needy women.

My motto is in and out. I give them a night of pleasure, take what I need and then send them on their merry way. The idea of a serious relationship is enough to give me hives. No thank you.

Alex chuckles. “Lori is sweet, and Jackie thinks you two would make a great couple.”

Couple? Just the word makes me cringe. “I'm going to say this one last time, Alex. F**k no. I'm way too busy for a stage 3 clinger”

“Alright, guys night out then.’

“Cool. I'm on my way over now.’

We hang up and I head toward the Village. As usual, traffic is a bitch, and it takes me even longer than I expect. But what can you do? It's Manhattan. If I wanted clear, empty roads, I'd move out to the middle of the country somewhere in Bum-Fuck, Upstate New York.

I love the city, though. Despite the dirt, smog, crowds and traffic, there's something about it. It's kinetic, electric and always buzzing with energy. It's a city that never sleeps and there's always something to do or somewhere exciting to go. I love having options- sports games, theater, shopping, restaurants. You name it, New York City has it in abundance. They don't cal this place the greatest city in the world for nothing.

After finding a garage, I park and then walk down to the local bar that Alex and I frequent. Whiskey's is laidback and cozy unlike a lot of the pretentious places down in the Financial District. Alex and I meet up here at least once a week and shoot the shit for a couple of hours while watching the game and tossing back some beers.

Despite how hard I work, or maybe because of it, I need to unwind. Otherwise, I'd implode.

The place is pretty crowded, and I wander through the crowd until I see Alex lift a hand and wave. He got a good spot at the bar, right on the corner, and I head over.

“Hey," I say, and we slide palms as I sit on the stool.

“So, what's the plan, my man? Just sit on that cool million you made from selling your company. Or hurry up and start working again?"

I order a beer and a burger then turn my attention to Alex. “Are you inferring that I should take a vacation?”

“When's the last time you took a vacation? Honestly."

Itilt my head and spin the cardboard coaster on the bar. “2009?”

“Unacceptable” Alex says. “Your ass needs to go on an extended trip where the likelihood of easy women abounds.”

“Like Spring Break? Because that was my last vacation.”

“That's depressing. And, no, not some hellhole in Florida. I'm talking about some exotic locale with crystal blue water and tropical breezes.”

Itake a sip of beer and shake my head. “I'm not really in the mood for that."

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Iarch a brow. “What are you implying?”

“I'm not implying anything, Nash. I'm flat out saying you need to get laid before that dick of yours shrivels up and falls off. Unless I'm too late. Did it already happen?”

Lifting my middle finger, 'm about to say something rude when my burger arrives. I haven't eaten all day and my mouth starts watering as I grab it and take a huge bite.

“Eat much?”

“Not today,” I say around a mouthful of food. “And my d**k is just fine, thank you very much.”

“Poor lonely guy,” Alex laments.

“Really? You get yourself a girlfriend and now I'm the sad, pathetic one?”

“I didn't say that, you did’

“I'm not interested in anything serious right now, I say and swipe several fries through a pile of ketchup.

“Exactly why I asked if you wanted me to have the girls come tonight. Lori is really into you."

“Seriously? Lori isn't a one-night stand kind of person. We'd sleep together and by morning, she'd be looking at me with googly eyes and have all our children named. Hell to the no, bro.’

“Okay, okay. So maybe it's time to call a hooker. I know a guy who knows a girl"

With a groan, I wipe my mouth. “Me and my dick are quite content. Please leave us alone.”

“I'm just saying all work and no play makes Nash a dull boy."

“I play. What do you think 'm doing right now?”

“Eating dinner since you've been working all day.”

“Okay, so maybe the way I play now isn't as exciting as how I used to play, but I'm good. I'm 3, not 24. Nowadays I get excite about business deals, coupons, when gas prices drop and being in bed by I0pm.”

“0h, Grandpa,” Alex laments.

“We can't all maintain that party boy lifestyle like you."

“Wait. You have a Tesla. Why do you care about gas prices?”

Ishrug. “I don't know” But that's not true. While growing up, my dad used to always keep his eye on the price of gas and every time we drove by a gas station, he'd get excited when it fell down a few cents. For some strange reason, I still do. “You're a weirdo,” Alex says.

“A weirdo who just sold his company.” I say, and we clink bottles.

“What's the plan now? If you aren't going to take some time off that means you're about ready to dive back in and start something new.”

“Yeah, I'm still debating. As happy as I am about the sale and success of my company, it was on a smaller level. I want to grow something bigger”

“Like your dad?’

“Bigger and better than TB Tech," I say. Although I'm not sure how that's even possible. TB Tech is right up there with the big 5 tech companies Apple, Google, Amazon, Facebook and Microsoft.

“Do you think he knows you sold your company?”

I shrug a shoulder. “No clue. I mean, he'll read about it eventually, but I doubt he cares.’

Alex nods and knows better than to pursue the subject of my father. I don't talk about him very much because when I do, I get really angry, really fast. Thomas Beckett is this scab that I just keep picking at so the wound never heals properly or fully goes away. It's always there and on the verge of being infected.

We end up watching some basketball match on the large screen TV above the bar, drink a couple more beers and then I glance down at my watch. It's only 8:00 p.m. and I'm exhausted. God, am I turning into a grandpa or what?

“I should probably get going," I say and throw some money down on the bar.

Alex nods. “Yeah, me, too. I have to head over to Jackie's."

I haven't decided if I'm a fan of Alex and Jackie being together yet or not. I guess only time will tell. Outside, we say goodbye and head our separate ways.

“Congrats again, bro!” Alex calls.

“Thanks!” I yell back and toss him a jaunty salute.

By the time I return to my apartment, I'm ready for a shower and the couch. When I finally sit down, it's strange not to open my laptop and start working. It's barely 9:00 p.m. and I have nothing to do right now. This is a first. Free time isn't something V'm overly familiar with at all. Huh. I suppose I could binge watch a new show that I thought looked interesting or read a book that's been collecting dust on my shelf or check out this documentary I'd seen a commercial for.

Instead, I sigh, get up and walk over to my balcony. I open the doors and step outside, breathing the outdoor air in deep. My apartment is in a high-rise and is situated 30 floors up. The views are outstanding, and I love to come out and just gaze over the city skyline when I'm trying to come up with a solution to a problem or just clear my head.

Right now, my mind feels heavy, and I can't exactly say why. Technically, I'm completely free of responsibility for the first tim in my life- no job, no significant other, no family. Nothing to worry about or stress over. I've got plenty of money in the bank thanks to selling my business.

But it doesn't feel like enough. I'm not satisfied. Something is...missing.

An image of my father pops into my head as I lean my arms on the iron railing and gaze out over the edge. At some point over the last year or so, I was expecting a call from him. At least one lousy phone call congratulating me on building up a successful company from scratch. Or, deep down, maybe I was hoping he'd ask me to come back to T8 Tech.

But that call never came and I'm sure he probably still thinks I'm not good enough. It eats away at me, and I hate it. I'm not even sure why. Maybe because a son inherently needs his father's approval.

Whatever the case, I have a feeling my dad will never give me the satisfaction.

Itturns out I couldn't be more right.

Five minutes later, I get a phone call that confirms that my father and I will never speak again. Because Thomas Beckett is dead.

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