The Heir

Ch. 5: Eric

"He's here, Mr. Collins." Cora interrupts my hangover–my work through the intercom. I glare at its red light, which is lit up and waiting for my reply.

Just wonderful.

"Thank you, Cora, please send him–nevermind," I sigh, "he's already letting himself in."

River saunters through the door, leaving it wide open. He starts to walk through my office like it's some private gallery.

Except he touches everything.

"Would it kill you to wait? I have other things I'm busy with, you know." Slowly standing up, I stalk over to the door and close it. Then, I follow his path.

Righting the picture he crooks. Putting the vase back in its place. And straightening the stack of papers he dominoes across my desk.

I drop back into my seat, letting my eyes close briefly.

"Rough night?" River asks. I hear multiple thuds hit my desk and look up to see him place water, cranberry juice, and a sports drink in front of me.

"Shut up," I grumble, but open the water and chug some down. Glaring up at River as he looms over me. "And sit down."

Taking one of the chairs across from me, he settles in. "Drinking contests really aren't your forte."

"I don't have as much experience as you. I spent my time on greater accomplishments."

"Greater than mine?" River places his hand on his chest mockingly. "Ha."

"I was class president."

"In high school. The same school where I helped take the baseball team to State. Twice."

"I don't remember that. Probably because I was on my way to Nationals for swimming."

River's grin gets set in place, his relaxed manner switching to engage in battle. "Because I was placing in Science Olympiad, all four years."

I give an exaggerated shrug. "Too busy graduating with honors. High school and university."

"Big deal, you still went to work for your family."

"So did you!" My voice rings in my own ears. River's Cheshire grin is raising my hackles. "Well, you still can't spell Massachusetts."

"Well, I-" River pauses. I lean forward and wait to see what he comes back at me with. "At least I don't live with my mom!"

"You live in a house that your parents bought!"

"Yup," River smirks. "A-lone." Settling back into the seat, he kicks his feet onto the desk's edge.

"That's not really the brag you think it is."

While he scratches his head over that, I reach over and smack his shoes. "Get your feet down!" I glare at him until they hit the floor again.

"You need to chill, Eric."

"Grow up."

"GrOw uP." He mocks.

"Did you have to come here? We could have done this over an email."

"I am taking the time to have this meeting with you."

"Well, it's a meeting that could have been an email!"

"Ah, ah." River shakes his finger at me. "I don't think so. Now that the date is set, I need to make sure you and your team are ready to sign off on the deal."

"But-"

River puts his hand up when I open my mouth. "You know what? Just get over it. We are gonna be working together, so quit trying to squirm your way out of this."