Bachelor Swap

it doesn’t ease the anxiety.
“I’m ready to take a step back.”
If I’d been standing, my knees would have buckled.
“What? From Evolution Technologies?”
Dad chuckles. “Yes, honey, from Evolution Technologies.”
“But…”
I’m so floored by my dad’s statement, I’m unable to speak. Dad started this company when he and mom were first married, and the technology industry was starting to boom. Dad’s business grew leaps and bounds when he was able to secure government contracts. In fact, he’s had offers over the years that contain so many zeroes, it would make your head explode. He’s always turned them down, though, so it begs the question: why now?
“Why?”
“Well, honey, I want to improve my golf game,” he states with a chuckle. “I want to sit in the backyard, listen to the birds chirp, and watch the sunset. I want to travel. Someday, I’d like to watch my grandkids grow, and I can’t do that when I’m working seven days a week. You don’t want the company. It’s not in your blood, and that’s fine. I want you to do whatever you want with your life, and I know that doesn’t involve Evolution.”
“But, Dad, you love that place.”
“Yeah, I do, but it’s time to pass the torch, Kyla. I’m not getting any younger.”
“You’re barely sixty,” I remind him. My parents didn’t meet until their late twenties and were both my age now when they married. A year later, I was born.
“Yes, but most days I’m feeling seventy, and I don’t want to let all my good years pass me by. We don’t know how much time we have on this earth, honey, and I don’t want to spend all of mine at the office.”
A soft smile spreads across my face. “I’m happy for you, Daddy.”
“Me too, but it’s not final yet. I’ve had a few offers, but one in particular I’m drawn to. They’ve made a more than generous offer, and I’ve signed the letter of intent to sell. It’s another technology firm here in Boston with some big hotshot at the helm.”
I snort. “Sounds like you.”
Dad barks out a laugh. “Maybe back in the day, but I’m content with just being your father for now.”
And that right there is why I’ll never leave.
I’m all he has left in this world. With Mother passing, he’s all alone in that big house.
“All right, I need to go. My next appointment is here.”
“Let’s do lunch soon,” I suggest.
“Sounds good. You could bring that fella you’ve been dating, you know.”
I think back to Matthew and his recent standoffish behavior. “We’ll see. He’s been busy with work.”
“Bring him by anytime. I’d like to meet the man my daughter is interested in.”
“We’re still pretty new and casual, Daddy.”
“Humor your old man, will you?”
Smiling, I reply, “Okay, I’ll bring him by.” I have no intention of doing so.
“Love you, Kyla.”
“Love you too, Daddy.”
I press the end button on the screen and back out of my parking spot. With a quick glance at my dash, I realize I have a little free time to stop by the shelter and visit with the animals before I need to head home to prepare for my dinner with Matthew. I have no idea how tonight will transpire, but I’m hoping to have the answers I need by the end of it. The truth is, we’re missing that spark.
That sizzle.
Sure, he’s handsome in a domineering, brooding way, but the few times we’ve kissed, my toes haven’t exactly curled. In fact, it was more reminiscent of kissing a cousin, if I had one to compare it to.
My point is I have a decision to make where Matthew is concerned, and I’m hoping tonight will help me decide one way or the other.
Do we move forward or do I move on without him?

Chapter Three
Mason
I scan the document in front of me, with a critical eye. When I get to the bottom, I glance at my twin. “Are you serious?”
Matthew doesn’t so much as flinch. “You need the money, and I have it.”
“But…you want me to be you?”
He nods once. “For three weeks. It should be a walk in the park.”
“A walk in the park? Seriously? I know nothing about running a business like yours, Matthew,” I argue, reaching for the glass, only to find I’ve already emptied it.
“Or any business, if your financial situation is any indication,” he retorts, hitting directly below the belt.
“Fuck you.”
He just gives me a half grin and relaxes farther into his chair. “Do you have another way of securing one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, Mason? I don’t see another bank anywhere in the United States touching this with a ten-foot pole. The beef market is shit right now, which means you have cattle you can’t sell for profit. How long has this been going on?”
I refuse to answer, mostly because he already knows the answer. If my brother has found out about the lack of loans and the debt already incurred, he knows more than he’s letting on. So instead of pacifying him, I just return his stare.
“I’m told the market projection is on the upturn, but in the meantime, you have a debt owed and no way of paying it.”
The bastard gets even more comfy, as if he’s not talking about my livelihood. I’m well aware the market tanked and is expected to rebound this fall, but the damage is already done. I’ve cut costs wherever I can. My only help is a seventeen-year-old kid who lives a few miles away. He comes over and helps whenever I need it, which I try to keep to a minimum. I manage the day-to-day aspects of maintaining the fifteen-hundred head herd, but everything else has gone to shit. I’ve sold off everything I could, including the horses and other small animals I had. The barns are in need of some TLC, but the money isn’t there yet to maintain them. It’s been a rough year, to say the least.
When my brother realizes I’m not going to answer, he sits up and rests