36 #BusyDay

 

[10:17 AM]TEDDI:  How did you escape this morning without committing to my Twitter training?

[10:18 AM]JON: You were busy sneaking me out before your assistant got to work.  Keeping your dirty little secret was more important than bullshit social media, I guess. 

[10:19 AM]TEDDI:  “I’ll be your dirty little secret and you’ll be mine”

[10:21 AM]JON: STOP quoting my fucking lyrics to me

[10:21 AM]TEDDI: “When the world gets in my face, I say…”

[10:22 AM]JON: To hell with Twitter.

[10:23 AM]TEDDI: No.  “Have a nice day”.  I really thought you’d know your songs better than that. 😂

[10:23 AM]JON: You’re hilarious.

[10:25 AM]TEDDI: Oh, come on.  Install the app and create an account.  I promise I’ll make it worth your time.  😉

[10:30 AM]JON: Grr.  Fine.  I’ll install it if you’ll create the account.

[10:30 AM]TEDDI: Deal.

# # # # #

[10:45 AM]MAGGIE: I sent you 2 msgs last night and 2 this morning.  Answer me or Stef is coming over.

[10:46 AM]TEDDI:  I’m sorry.  I’ve been busy but saw the messages.  Yes, I’m fine and no I haven’t decided what to do about Peabody’s yet.

[10:47 AM]MAGGIE: Tori says you’re going to torture Endicott.

[10:49 AM]TEDDI: You need to stop talking to Tori.

[10:50 AM]MAGGIE: Fat chance. If it was left up to you, nobody would know anything.

[10:50 AM]TEDDI: Precisely.

[10:52 AM]MAGGIE: Now, now.  You know we just love you.

[10:53 AM]TEDDI: And I you.  That doesn’t mean you have to know my every breath.

[10:53 AM]MAGGIE: It’s nice to know you ARE breathing tho.  Just saying.

[10:54 AM]TEDDI:  Sigh.  Duly noted.  I’ll text when I make a decision about Peabody’s.

[10:54 AM]MAGGIE: xoxo

# # # # #

[3:07 PM]JON: You did NOT set me up as @hashtaghero

[3:07 PM]TEDDI:  LOL!  I thought you could use the reminder.

[3:08 PM]JON: You’re killin me. 

[3:10 PM]TEDDI: Last time you told me that, it was a compliment.

[3:11 PM]JON: It’s not this time.  Have you thought about my proposition?

[3:11 PM]TEDDI: Proposition?

[3:11 PM]JON: Peabody’s.

[3:12 PM]TEDDI:  Oh, that. A bit, but I need to talk to Tori and Craig.

[3:13 PM]JON: Then do it. 

# # # # #

[3:20 PM]TEDDI: Are you excited by owning Peabody’s?  Outside of the opportunity for torment?

[3:22 PM]TORI: Not gonna lie.  Torment is the primary appeal.  The cash doesn’t hurt either.  Paying off my mortgage and Shea’s college education will be amazing.

[3:23 PM]TEDDI: What about Craig? Is he really going to sell?

[3:24 PM]TORI: Last I heard, yes.  Torment doesn’t interest him but the cash does.  It’s a no brainer in his case.  What about you? 

[3:25 PM]TEDDI: I just don’t know.

# # # # #

[5:18 PM]DAVE: Have you talked to Teddi lately?

[5:18 PM]JON: Got a text from her earlier.  Why?

[5:19 PM]DAVE: Did she mention me?

[5:20 PM]JON: No, she set me up with a Twitter account. Why?

[5:21 PM]DAVE: Tell her to check her IG messages, would ya?

[5:21 PM]JON: WHY?

[5:22 PM]DAVE: Because she’s ghosting me. 👻 You know how fragile my ego is.

[5:23 PM]JON: My ass.

[5:23 PM]DAVE: Give me her phone number.

[5:23 PM]JON: No

[5:24 PM]DAVE: C’mon man!  I need a fortune teller and she said she knows a psychic.

[5:25 PM]JON: She’s yanking your chain.  She doesn’t know any psychic.

[5:26 PM]DAVE: She has gypsy relatives, dude. Give me the number.

[5:27 PM]JON:  I’ll tell her to check IG, but that’s it.  I still say she’s yanking your chain.

[5:28 PM]DAVE: My crystal ball says different… 🔮

# # # # #

[5:30 PM]JON: Check your IG messages. 

[5:32 PM]TEDDI: Okay.  Any particular reason why?

[5:33 PM]JON: Lema needs a psychic and thinks you know one.  You don’t, do you?

[5:34 PM]TEDDI: Yes.  Maggie.

[5:35 PM]JON: WTF? She’s psychic and didn’t warn you about the will?

[5:35 PM]TEDDI: She sees some things, not all things.

[5:35 PM]JON: Not to insult your family, but I don’t buy it.

[5:36 PM]TEDDI: Some day you will.

# # # # #

[6:08 PM]STEPHIE:  My friend Jacey is coming to the city.  She’s the one I’m inviting to the beach.  Have dinner with us.

[6:09 PM]JON: Tonight?

[6:09 PM]STEPHIE: Tomorrow. 

[6:10 PM]JON: Why are you inviting the old guy to dinner with your friend?

[6:11 PM]STEPHIE: Because I want you to pay, of course. 

[6:11 PM]JON: I can do that without being there.

[6:12 PM]STEPHIE: Jesus, you’re going to make me say it, aren’t you?  Fine.  I MISS you.  We just spent a whole week together.  I might be having separation anxiety.

[6:13 PM]JON: Dinner sounds great.  What time and where?   

[6:14 PM]STEPHIE: Café Mogador at 8.  ❤ u!

[6:14 PM]JON: Back at you, kid. 

# # # # #

[7:15 PM]UNKNOWN: Theodosia, it’s Endicott.  I need to talk to you.  Answer the phone.

[7:18 PM]UNKNOWN:  Answer the phone, please.

[7:22 PM]UNKNOWN:  It would benefit you greatly to take my call. 

[7:22 PM]UNKNOWN:  I’m ready to make an offer on your share of the company

[7:25 PM]UNKNOWN:  Pick up the damn phone!!

# # # # #

[7:30 PM]PRIVATE: Theodosia, it’s Deidre.  I understand we’ve all had our differences, but you really must take Endicott’s call.  

[7:34 PM]PRIVATE: Your obstinacy is only making him testy.  Generosity is not borne of testiness.  Either take the call or he will take the company.  It’s as simple as that.

[7:37 PM]PRIVATE: You really are a thickheaded bitch.  Grandmother’s weakness for special needs children is the only reason you aren’t a prostitute like your mother.

# # # # #

[7:40 PM]TORI: Endicott wants to buy me out. 

[7:41 PM]TEDDI: Did you accept?

[7:42 PM]TORI:  Hell no! 😤 Do you really think I’m going to give that asswipe anything?

[7:42 PM]TEDDI: Taking all his money is hardly “giving” him anything.

[7:43 PM]TORI: It’s giving him leverage, which I won’t do.  I’m not so sure about Craig, though.  He just wants rid of the headache. 

# # # # #

[7:45 PM]UNKNOWN: My lawyer will be contacting you tomorrow.  If you don’t answer for him, I’m coming to godforsaken New Jersey.  Don’t force me to make that trip.  You WILL regret it.

# # # # #

[7:47 PM]TORI:  What about YOU?  What have you decided to do?

[7:48 PM]TEDDI:  I’ll get back to you on that shortly.  I need to make a call first.

# # # # #

[7:49 PM]TEDDI: Do you have a few minutes to talk?

 

 

Teddi watched the screen for Jon’s text message reply, but instead she was greeted by an alert that he wanted a FaceTime call. 

 

Damnation. 

 

She hadn’t considered that option.  As a result, her untamed hair hung loose, and makeup was probably smudged around her eyes like dirt.  The indecisive heart palpitations lingered enough that the call switched over to a missed call notification.

 

[7:50 PM]JON: I assumed you wanted me to talk to YOU and not myself.

[7:51 PM]TEDDI: Talking doesn’t require looking, and I’m sure I LOOK a fright.

 

Proactively avoiding the placating response he was likely to give, she tapped the icons that would initiate an old fashioned voice call. 

 

“I could just knock on your door,” he said by way of greeting.

 

Despite herself, Teddi smiled.  He was more playful than she’d anticipated.  It was a welcome surprise from his serious interview persona, where there was always an agenda at work.  Unscripted Jon brought welcome pleasure, even outside the bedroom. 

 

“And I could sell the security footage of you climbing my gates.  That’s what would be necessary to get to the door.”

 

“Nah.  You’d open ‘em,” was his confident assurance.  “I’m your celebrity crush.”

 

“Which is precisely why I don’t want you seeing me looking haggard.”

 

His chuckle was soothing, and Teddi balanced her cocktail on the chair arm while tucking bare feet into the patio cushion.  Day was fading to night, and the sky glowed a soft pink that likely matched the tint of her cheeks. 

 

“It would take ten years of neglect for you to look haggard, Cookie, but whatever.  How was your day?”

 

Her contentment dimmed along with the setting sun.  “Busy.  How about you?  Did you fulfill your assignment of a Twitter post and following some Bon Jovi fans?”

 

“Not yet.”

 

She waited for the other shoe to drop in the form of a snide remark, but to her astonishment, it never came.  “Well, well.  Did you just bypass the opportunity to gripe about social media?”

 

“I’ve decided to focus on the reward rather than the idiocy.  You better have some damn good rewards up your sleeve.”

 

“You’ll be satisfied,” she promised softly.  “We both will.”

 

The low growl resonated not just in Teddi’s ear but deep into her core.  The days between now and Monday were going to be unbearably long, especially since they’d be filled with unpleasant tasks.

 

“Did you just want to make me horny, Cookie, or was there another reason for this non-visual call?”

 

“It’s thrilling to know I have that kind of power, but yes.  There was another reason.  Peabody’s.”

 

“You’ve made a decision then?”

 

“No.  Not exactly, but I’d like to discuss it, if you have the time.”

 

“Me and my wine are alone in a city of millions.  I got nothing but time tonight.”

 

Unaccountably disappointed to discover he was in New York instead of across the Navesink, Teddi nonetheless stuck to the topic at hand. 

 

“Very well, then.  Money aside, I don’t feel I’m ruthless enough to destroy an entire company.  There are more people at stake than just Endicott and Deidre.”

 

“You already mentioned Tori and her brother.”

 

“We’ll get to them in a minute.  Right now, I’m talking about an obligation to the employees.  Surely you understand that.  It’s why you carried on with the tour after Richie Sambora left.”

 

“That’s not the only reason,” he drew out slowly.  “But, yeah.  It was a significant factor.”

 

“Then can’t we come up with another way to exact your revenge?”

 

“Hang on a minute here.  If this was just about me, I’d buy your share and let you walk away.  This is a chance for you to even a lifelong score.  Don’t you want some revenge of your own?”

 

She should.  Deidre and Endicott certainly deserved to reap what they sowed.  Anyone else in Teddi’s position would jump at the opportunity to help them do just that.  Personal retribution wasn’t enough to lure Teddi, though. 

 

“My psychology degree says a certain degree of retaliation could be healthy, but as far as wanting it, no. I wouldn’t even consider it if it wasn’t for you.”

 

“Jesus.  I can’t believe I have to say this, but don’t do anything just to please me.  Well, unless we’re naked,” he amended with a dose of humor.  “Then you should do everything to please me.”

 

“I’ll keep that in mind,” was Teddi’s drawled assurance.  “But in this case, it’s not about pleasing you; it’s about penance.  I’m the reason Endicott went after you so cruelly.  He’s well-aware that I’m a Bon Jovi fan, and I’m afraid that caused him to double his efforts in the slur campaign against you.” 

 

“Endicott is a douchebag.  All the more reason for him to get a great big helping of humble pie.”

 

“You’re not alone in that opinion.  Tori would like the money but said seeing him tormented was the real appeal of Peabody’s ownership.  Craig just wants to sell and be rid of the headache.”

 

“Are you telling me a third of Peabody’s is up for sale?”

 

“A sixth at the very least,” she confirmed. “Tori’s not sure what she wants to do yet.”

 

“But you think she might?”

 

“Perhaps, once she gets past the novelty of being a thorn in Endicott’s side.”

 

A silence fell that she had no compulsive urge to fill.  It felt natural to allow him time to think uninterrupted while hoping for an idea that didn’t involve Peabody’s ruination. 

 

On the surface, annihilating the baby that Randolph left behind could be gratifying.  She would also like to see Endicott and Deidre atone for…. Well, for being horrible human beings, really.  The world deserved that justice.

 

But then there was the factor of money to consider, along with the fact that she wasn’t a horrible human being.  It would haunt her knowing Peabody’s staff fell victim to this family feud. 

 

If only she had a mind for business and a stomach for conflict.  Then maybe Teddi would be inclined to take on the daily battle needed to keep her share of the company and exercise authority over Endicott.  Since she possessed neither, however, selling seemed to be the most logical alternative.

 

“You ever want to own a business?”

 

Teddi’s brow drew down at the quiet question.  “I’m not qualified to do that.”

 

“Didn’t ask if you were qualified.  I asked if you wanted to.”

 

“Not necessarily, but I’m not violently opposed to it, either.  Why?”

 

“If you don’t want to decimate the company, then restructure it so that Endicott isn’t in charge anymore.  You’re the majority owner.”

 

“But Endicott effectively controls both his and Deidre’s shares.  That gives him equal leverage in the way things are run.”

 

“Not if you have your cousins’ shares at your disposal.”

 

Teddi gave a dry laugh.  “I don’t have the resources to buy them out.  Even if I did, it’s as I already said; I’m not ruthless enough for this.  Fighting Endicott day in and day out doesn’t appeal to me.”

 

“It appeals to me, though.”

 

“What are you saying?”

 

“That I want to buy out Tori and her brother and become partners with you.  Together, we’ll get the resources necessary to give Peabody’s a colonoscopy and an enema.  To look at its insides and then flush them clean.”

 

“By ousting Endicott.”

 

“By ousting Endicott,” he confirmed. 

 

She didn’t understand the logistics of ejecting an owner from their own company, and it left her asking dumbly, “How are you going to do that?”

 

“Not really sure, but I’ll find someone who knows how.  I want this, Cookie.  For both of us.”

 

“What…. What happens after we oust him?”

 

“We earn an honest living without fucking people over.”

 

Jon Bon Jovi wanted to “earn an honest living” with her.  To avenge her.  To connect their lives outside the bedroom. 

 

He’s seeking his own revenge. 

 

But he was seeking hers, too. 

 

Something like this had never been part of her Bon Jovi fantasy, so Teddi didn’t have a carefully thought-out plan for the situation.  Who could have a plan for this situation?  It was totally unforeseeable yet here it was, requiring an immediate and unrehearsed decision.  She had to trust her instincts – and, foolish as it may be, her instinct was to trust him.

 

“Endicott will be furious,” she mused, not really caring.  “I’ve ignored a dozen texts today from him and Deidre, offering to buy my share.”

 

Jon disregarded the Peabody interest in her holdings to pointedly ask, “He will be furious?  Does that mean we’re gonna be partners?”

 

What was it about this man that painted a streak of bravery in her?  Why did she believe he could make everything right?

 

Who cares?  You do believe, and that’s all that matters. 

 

“Yes,” Teddi told him with quiet confidence.  “If you’re willing to shoulder the load of making this business work… we’re going to be partners.”