“About?” I asked.
“Rebranding,” he explained. “I’ve worked with you long enough to know you have more opinions than you’re sharing.”’
“I gave my opinion on Friday,” I reminded him. “What we need is an authentic motorcycle enthusiast to become the face of Ray Yates’ Motorcycles. I don’t believe a model will achieve that goal. Our target market will see right through our ploy and they’ll write us off immediately. Do you remember when that cigarette company rebranded? They hired that cowboy. Their profits rose through the roof because he was exactly what everyone wanted to be. We need someone who can do that, who can make our customers want to be him. But, you didn’t want to go in that direction.”
“It’s not that I don’t want to,” Ray sighed. “Tara, I know you’re right. Sean would be perfect for us. Having him as the face of the company… People would flock here in droves. I agree with you.”
“Then, what’s the problem?” I asked.
“Sean and I,” Ray began. “We don’t have the best relationship. I haven’t spoken to my youngest son in years. Neither has Zach. Things are strained. I don’t believe he would work with us.”
“It can’t hurt to try,” I pressed. “Ray, I don’t want to stick my nose where it doesn’t belong, but you asked for my opinion. You’ve always trusted me. I’m asking you to trust me again. This will work. Just call him and ask.”
“I can’t call him,” Ray said. My heart sank. I really thought he was changing his mind. “But, you can.”
Ray’s words hit my ears like a brick. I blinked and smiled nervously. Was he seriously suggesting that I, a stranger to Sean, reach out to him?
“I’m happy to,” I said slowly. “But are you sure that’s what you want?”
“It’ll be better coming from you,” Ray said. He sounded certain, but I wasn’t so sure.
“Okay,” I nodded. “I’ll call him right now.”
“Thank you, Tara,” Ray said. The look in his eyes told me he wasn’t just thanking me as the president of the company, but as a father.
***
“Turner’s Repair Shop,” a voice said on the other end of the line.
“Hello,” I said, using my best professional voice. “May I please speak with Sean Yates?”
“Yup,” the voice said. “You got him.”
“Hi, Mr. Yates,” I said.
“Sean,” he corrected quickly.
“Sean,” I repeated. “My name is Tara Isaac. I work for you father at Ray Yates’ Motorcycles and I was wondering if—”
“What do you want? Just spit it out.”
Sean’s voice was rough. I stopped talking and closed my mouth quickly. I hadn’t expected to be interrupted, and it threw me completely off balance. I cleared my throat and began again.
“Like I said, I work for your father. We have a business proposition for you.”
Before I could say another word, Sean hung up. I heard the dial tone, and I pulled the phone away from my ear. I stared at the receiver and blinked slowly. I couldn’t believe what just happened.
I dialed the number again, holding my breath as I waited for an answer. It rang for what felt like ten minutes before someone picked up.
“Turner’s Repair Shop, this is Jason. How can I help you?” The voice sounded younger than Sean’s, lighter, friendlier.
“Hello,” I said. “May I please speak with Sean Yates?”
“I’m sorry,” Jason said. “He just stepped out to lunch.”
“Lunch?” I scoffed. “It’s not even ten.”
“He takes an early lunch,” Jason explained unconvincingly. “He gets hungry easily.”
“I see.” I rolled my eyes. “Well, do you know when Sean will be back?”
“Not sure,” Jason said. “I can take a message though, if you want.”
“No,” I said. “That won’t be necessary. Thank you, Jason.”
I hung up and exhaled loudly. Putting my hands behind my head, I spun my chair around to face the back wall. I closed my eyes and pretended like I wasn’t at work. For two minutes, I let my mind wander far away. I was on a beach in Florida, lying in the sun and listening to the waves. I pictured my best friend Niki beside me, popping open a beer and handing it to me. It was perfectly blissful.
Then, I opened my eyes, and I was back at work. Back on a mission. I shoved myself to my feet and walked purposely toward Ray’s office. Clearly, I wasn’t the right person to reach out to Sean, after all.
“Got a minute?” I asked Ray. I stepped inside and saw that Zach was already there. He was sitting in a chair against the side wall. He grinned at me. I turned away.
“Sure,” Ray said. He glanced nervously at Zach. “How’d it go?”
“Not great,” I admitted. “He hung up on me.”
“Who?” Zach asked. I ignored him.
“I tried to call back, but he pretended to be at lunch,” I said. “Obviously, he doesn’t want to talk to me.”
“I’m not surprised,” Ray said. “I didn’t think he would be interested.”
“Who are you two talking about?” Zach demanded.
“Your brother,” Ray explained. “Sean.”
“I thought we already told you it wasn’t going to happen?” Zach snapped, turning his attention to me. His grin was gone and, in its place, was a petty glare. I wanted to reach over and slap him.
“Your father and I discussed it this morning,” I explained. “And he seemed to think it was a good idea, after all.”
“Well, you were both wrong,” Zach said. “Sean is a selfish, narcissistic ass. He wouldn’t help us if we were dying.”
“Stop,” Ray warned. He gave his son a look that made Zach immediately fall silent.
“Look,” I said, taking a step forward so I could talk to Ray only. “I don’t know what problems you have with your son, and I don’t want to. It’s not my business, but you asked me for help. You asked what I thought would solve our problems, and I know, I know, that this is the answer. Yes, Sean sounded like an ass when I spoke to him, but his look is perfect for this company. If what you’re looking for is someone to come in and shake things up, it’s him. He’ll draw in so much business our profits will double within six months.”
“How can you be so sure of that?” Zach asked from behind me.
“Because this is what I do,” I snapped. “My dad spent years working on bikes. I know this demographic better than any other, and I believe this will work.”
“Not if Sean refuses to help,” Ray said.
“Which is why you should go see him,” I said. I knew immediately that my words would not be well received. Ray looked like I’d hit him, and Zach made a sound like an angry cat. I held up my hands in surrender and added, “Ray, this is your company, and I would never tell you how to run it. I don’t mean to be pushy. I think this could work, but just say the word, and I’ll drop the whole idea right now. The decision is ultimately yours.”