Free Trade Off by Cheryl Douglas Page B

worries,” Aiden said, shaking his hand as he drew him into a hug. Luc had always been like an uncle to him, and he was one of the many people Aiden missed when he left Tennessee. “It’s great to see ya, Luc. How you guys been?”
    “Can’t complain.” He gestured toward the elevators. “You here to see one of the boys?”
    “Yeah, Ryan, but I think he’s still in a meetin’.”
    “Perfect, that’ll give us a chance to catch up.” Luc looked at the woman behind the desk. “Katie, hold all my calls.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “Oh, and when Ryan gets out of his meeting, tell him to come up to my office.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    Aiden smiled as he followed Luc to the elevator. Apparently, his semi-retired status hadn’t changed things at the company Luc founded. Everyone still saw him as the big boss. “How’s Marisa?”
    “She’s great,” Luc said, punching the button for the elevator. “I guess you heard she finally managed to talk me into takin’ a step back and lettin’ the boys try their hand at runnin’ the show, huh?”
    Aiden laughed as he stepped onto the elevator behind Luc. “Yeah, I heard somethin’ about that.” He slapped Luc on the back. “How’s that workin’ out for ya?”
    Luc grimaced. “I hate it. Everyone knows I’m a control freak and a perfectionist… I love my kids. I’m proud of them, but…”
    “They don’t do things the way you’d like them to, huh?”
    “Not even close.” Luc made a big production of taking a deep breath. “But my wife keeps tellin’ me I can’t control everything. I have to be willin’ to let go and allow them to make their own mistakes.” He shoved his hands in his pockets. “But I spent half my life buildin’ this company… The thought of lettin’ them run it into the ground ‘cause they’re not experienced enough to handle the responsibility, that’s the part I’m havin’ a hard time with.”
    “Come on, you know that’s not gonna happen. They wanna make you proud. From what I hear, Evan’s already been bustin’ his ass around here.”
    “Yeah, he has. It’s my other son I’m worried about.”
    Aiden could understand why Luc might be concerned about giving Ryan more responsibility. From what he heard, Ryan still treated his upscale townhouse like a frat house, with his friends routinely converging there to drink and entertain women. In many ways, Aiden envied his friend’s carefree lifestyle. His life had been about hockey and heartache for so long, he’d almost forgotten how to have fun. Maybe Ryan could remind him.
    “Listen to me bitchin’ and moanin’,” Luc said, chuckling. “I still haven’t congratulated you on the trade. How does it feel to be back on your home turf?”
    Aiden stepped off the elevator and followed Luc to his plush corner office. “It’s been good. I’m glad to be home, but…”
    “Uh-oh,” Luc said, sitting down behind his desk. “I don’t think I like the sound of that. Mixed feelings about the move?”
    “Nah, it’ll just take some gettin’ used to, that’s all.”
    Luc tipped his swivel chair back and laced his hands behind his head as Aiden claimed the guest chair across from him. “I know your parents couldn’t be happier about it.”
    Aiden smirked. “Ya think?”
    “So, what are your plans now that you’re back?”
    “The first order of business is to find a house. Sela’s helpin’ me look for one later today as a matter of fact.”
    Luc frowned. “Sela… as in your ex-girlfriend? The one who married your best friend?”
    “Yeah, that’s the one.”
    “How the hell did that happen?”
    “I asked her to help me with the search. It’s been okay…” After last night, he didn’t know what to think or how to feel, which was the reason he came to see his old friend, Ryan. “It was a little awkward at first, but we’re figurin’ things out. I’d like for us to be friends again.”
    “Where do things stand with you and Michaels? You tryin’ to resurrect that