The After of Us (Judge Me Not #4)(46)

“Well, I may have an opportunity for you. It’s not with the same company as before, but rather a competitor of theirs. You’d still need to go to New York City. But let me say ahead of time, Will, that these people want you. Like, to the point they’re willing to go way up on the salary.”

“How far up?” I ask, intrigued.

“Twenty-five percent higher than what the other company was willing to pay.”

“Wow.” I do some quick math calculations in my head. “That kind of money is unheard of for someone fresh out of school.”

“What can I say?” he states. “They really, really want you.”

But I have a life here, my gut urges me to tell this guy. And so does Lily. Wasn’t she just telling me how excited she is for school to start?

“Shit.”

Sensing my reticence, the recruiter says, “Listen, man, I know you’ve been landing some freelance advertising work—and that’s great and all—but you’re never going to make bank and get your name out there in any meaningful way unless you get in with one of these top firms. And, Will, my man, this is a golden opportunity with a top firm.”

Don’t I know it?

I don’t feel elated, like I probably should. Within the course of this five-minute call, I feel more like I’ve been thrust back to square one, with nothing certain in my life. I feel just like I did the day I arrived in Harmony Creek.

A dozen things run through my mind…

What about Lily starting school?

What about Emma?

What about my new life here with my brother and his wife and kids?

And, in the back of my mind, since I know I haven’t given my graphic novel a chance to come to fruition, I think, What about my dream?

Sighing, I ask the recruiter, “When would I need to decide?”

I can’t believe you’re even considering this, an inner voice chastises.

“It’s pretty much yours if you want it, but you need to meet the head of advertising before anything is deemed official. The guy you’ll need to see is flying up to Chicago this weekend, for some big conference that begins on Monday. So, if you’re really interested, Will, you need to drive up on Sunday and meet this guy by nightfall.”

“So,” I say, calculating drive times, “I basically have until early Sunday morning to decide.”

The recruiter sighs. “Look, I’ll tell him you’re coming, but, yeah, you could always back out by then. If you do, just know it’s the end of the line for any more chances like this one. Word will get out and that’ll be the end of any more sweet offers.”

“Okay, man, I got it.”

From there, it’s like some unseen clock begins ticking. And, shit, I feel like my time here in Harmony Creek is running out.





Emma



Will’s in a shitty mood on Saturday. We’re supposed to go out on a breakfast date, but he just called and is canceling on me. He claims he’s not feeling well.

Yeah, right. I know he’s hiding something.

When he tries to get off the phone, I blurt out, “What’s really going on here, Will?”

“Nothing,” he says.

“Hey, it’s me you’re talking to. You can share stuff with me. You know this, right?”

He sighs, and I imagine him dragging his hand through his hair. “I know, Emma.” His voice is soft, almost forlorn, and I know for sure something’s up.

But before I can press, Lily starts crying in the background, prompting Will to say in a rush, “I have to go.”

And then he’s gone.

I toss the phone aside and stare down at the letter I printed out, the emailed response from the agent who can’t wait to see Will’s work. I planned on showing it to him this morning at breakfast.

Alas…

Still, the agent needs an answer, and soon. Offers like these don’t hang around indefinitely.

I close my eyes and fall back on my bed. What should I do?

If I wait for Will it may be too late. Not to mention, he sure can be a moody bastard at times, like this morning. What if he’s feeling pissy and decides he doesn’t want to send the agent his work?

I cannot let that happen.

Jumping up, I grab my laptop from the dresser and scramble to find the agent’s email.

There.

I type in a professional-sounding reply, one that hopefully seems like it’s really from Will and I’m just acting as his representative. Like a publicist, or something. I then attach his complete comic book file.

Squeezing my eyes shut, I hit Send.

I sure hope Will doesn’t hate me for doing this.





Will



First thing I do when I wake up on Saturday morning, which is unusually chilly for August, is tug on a pair of sweatpants and grab a long-sleeve T-shirt. Second thing I do, as I’m pulling the tee over my head, is head to Lily’s room to talk with her about our potential move.

“Hey, sweetheart.” I sit down on the edge of her bed as she opens her eyes, noting how they’re as bright and green as her cute pajama set.

Lily sits up and rubs those cute green eyes. “Daddy, what’s wrong?”

Crap. Guess I can’t hide my apprehension from my child. I just know that my daughter is not going to be pumped for another potential move to New York City. She loves it here in Harmony Creek. She has her aunt and uncle and her cousins, whom she adores. Plus, kindergarten is starting soon.