by E. L. Todd
“Nothing happened, Conrad. I’m fine.”
“But…I’m sure you were shaken up about it.”
“Not really. I was drunk so everything was numb. And Slade dragged me out before I could really think about anything.”
He sighed. “I’m so glad he was there.”
“I’m not sure how he knew what was going on. But he did.”
He stared at me, concern in his eyes. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine. Really.”
“Please be more careful. Most of the time I can’t stand you and I think you’re annoying as hell…but…I do love you.”
Warmth flooded my heart. “I love you too.”
He coughed into his hand then shifted his weight. “Should we hug or something?”
“I guess we could.”
He closed the gap between us and hugged me quickly. Then he pulled away.
“You aren’t going to mention anything to Dad, right?”
“No. You never tattle on me and I’ll never tattle on you.”
“Thanks. I’m not worried about how he would treat me. Honestly, I’m terrified of how he would react to those three guys.”
“I know, right?” He chuckled slightly. He put both hands in his pockets. “Are you watching the game tonight?”
“Yeah, I’ll be there.”
“Cool.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “I know you and Slade argue a lot…but maybe you should try to be nice to him since he…you know…obviously cares about you.”
“He’s the one that’s an asshole every second of the day. It’s hard to be nice to him.”
“It’s just some friendly advice.” He walked out and shut the door behind him.
I didn’t need any advice when it came to Slade. He was the definition of an asshole. And just because he saved me didn’t mean I’d let him treat me like dirt. No way.
We got a booth in the corner and faced the large screen TV.
“Come on!” Conrad shouted. “Score, goddamn it!”
“Go…go…go!” Roland thumped his hand against the wood of the table.
Slade leaned forward on his elbows. “I’m about to be a thousand bucks richer.”
The player made it to the end zone.
“Yeah, baby!” Slade clapped his hands. “Alright.”
“Who did you bet a thousand bucks with?” I asked.
“Online sport betting,” he answered.
“Isn’t that illegal?” I asked.
“Anything worth doing is illegal.” He spoke without looking at me then drank his beer. His arm was covered in various tattoos. A black squid moved up his forearm and a grizzly bear was on his bicep. His body was a canvas of random images. But he used color in every single one. Instead of traditional black ink, he was covered in bright hues, like red, green, blue, and orange.
“Does your dad know?” I asked.
“Duh. He bets too.” He finished his second beer but didn’t seem affected by it.
Cayson had his arm around Skye while his free hand held his beer.
Roland watched them. “This is so strange…”
“What?” Conrad asked.
“Seeing them together,” Roland said. “I thought it would never happen, and now that it finally has, it’s hard to understand.”
“Get used to it.” Skye leaned in and kissed Cayson on the cheek.
Cayson smirked then gave her a fond look.
Roland cringed. “Just keep it PG, alright?”
“You talked about fucking that married woman countless times,” Skye countered.
“Totally different.” Roland drank his beer then wiped his lips.
“No, it isn’t,” Skye snapped.
“You’re my sister,” Roland said. “It is different.”
“Sexist pig,” she mumbled.
“Annoying brat,” Roland mumbled back.
Slade stared at the screen like it was the most fascinating thing in the world. “If they win with a score of 28 to 22, I win ten grand.”
“Shut up,” Conrad said. “How?”
“The odds are slim but it could happen,” Slade said. “I did a lot of research.”
“Imagine how well you would do in school if you used all the time you spent on gambling, doodling, and playing your guitar toward your classes,” Cayson said.
Slade didn’t seem to care. “Nah.”
I sipped my wine but couldn’t drink most of it. I was sick of alcohol from the previous weekend. My body needed a break.
“Do you want some more hot wings or fries?” Cayson asked Skye.
She shrugged. “I guess some fries wouldn’t hurt.”
“We just ate,” Roland snapped. “How can you possibly be hungry?”
“Because I am,” Skye argued.
Roland rolled his eyes. “I hope you like fat girls, Cayson. Because Skye is going to be huge.”
“I like it when a girl knows how to eat.” Cayson leaned toward her. “I’ll be right back. Keep my seat warm.”
“Or I could just sit in your lap,” she whispered.
“Don’t make me gag,” Roland said.
Cayson left and headed to the bar.
I sighed in sadness. I couldn’t deny how envious I was. I wished I had a great guy that loved me the way Cayson loved her. All I had were a string of guys that meant nothing. And I meant even less to them. Good guys were hard to find, nearly impossible. I’d given up at this point.
Cayson retrieved the basket of fries and placed them in front of Skye. “Eat up.”
“Thank you.” She gave him a bright smile before she started to munch.
I glanced at Slade. His eyes were glued to the screen. “Fucking refs. It seems like none of them are even qualified.”
“Maybe they paid their way through school,” Cayson said.
“They have referee school?” Slade asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Yeah, it’s in Australia.” Cayson drank his beer and avoided Slade’s look.
I didn’t know anything about football but I knew that was totally off.
“Australia?” Slade asked. “But they don’t even have football over there.”
Roland tried not to laugh.
Conrad was struggling too.
Cayson shrugged. “They want the refs to have absolutely no distractions during their training.”
Slade’s eyes narrowed. “But how would they practice if there’re no football games?”
“They have all virtual testing,” Roland said.
Slade stared at them suspiciously. “Wait a second…”
Cayson smirked.
“You’re fucking with me, aren’t you?” Slade asked.
Roland laughed. “I can’t believe you bought that.”
“Idiot,” I murmured.
“You’re one to talk,” he snapped.
I sipped my wine and ignored his look.
“I’ll get you back, Cayson,” Slade threatened.
“Oooh…I’m so scared.” Cayson laughed.
“You should be.” Slade returned his eyes to the TV.
We watched the rest of the game then squared the tab. Cayson and Skye immediately paired off then headed home together. Roland and Conrad were inseparable so they drove together. I was the only one who drove on my own.
“See you later.” Slade headed down the sidewalk, his hands in his pockets.
“Did you walk?” I asked.
“Yes, genius.”
“You want a ride?” I asked. “It’s cold.”
“And sit with you in a car? I’m good.” He kept walking.
I knew he was a dick but I was getting sick of his attitude. “Do you ever get tired of being a jackass?”
He didn’t turn around. “No.”
I got a text message from my father a few days later.
Breakfast on Sunday? He usually came down every other week. It was a routine we established a long time ago. It was unspoken but always acknowledged.
Sure.
I’ll pick
you up at 9.
Okay.
My father never brought my mom. It was always something only he and I did. I loved my mom but we weren’t nearly as close as my father and I. I still remember going to work with him when I was younger. He’d let me play with my toys in his office, and he even took me to meetings with him. When he finished his workday, we would go by McDonald’s and never tell my mom. He and I were always rule breakers.
On Sunday morning, he knocked on my door.
I wore my black leggings with boots and a thick sweater. A gold bracelet hung on my wrist and my hair was pulled over one shoulder. When I opened the door, I saw him wearing his usual attire. He wore dark jeans and a t-shirt. A dark blue blazer covered him, keeping him warm. My dad was at least a foot taller than me, if not more.
“Hey, Trin.”
“Hey, Dad.”
He stepped across the threshold and gave me a warm hug. He held me for a long moment before he pulled away. “Hungry?”
“Do you know me at all?”
He smirked then walked out. “Then let’s get our grub on.”
I walked out then locked the door behind me.
“The usual?” he asked.
“Yes, please.”
He walked to his Porsche then opened the passenger door, letting me get inside. Then he walked around the car and got into the driver’s seat. My dad was the only guy I knew who treated me like a lady. Every other guy couldn’t care less about chivalry. My brother wasn’t even nice to me.
My dad pulled onto the road and headed to the diner we always went to. It was a tradition that we never broke. When we arrived, he opened the door for me and even pulled out my chair.
“How’s school?” He sat with his back perfectly straight then looked at the menu.
“Good. Nothing too interesting.” I looked at the menu even though I already knew what I would order. It was the same thing I always got. “How’s work?”
“Good. Nothing too interesting.” He smirked while he read through the menu. “Are you getting the strawberry waffle with bacon and eggs?”
“When do I ever order anything else?” I said with a smile.
“Well, you always look at your menu so I know you consider it.” He put the menu down. “New York steak and eggs for me.”
“A very hearty meal.”
He nodded. “I’m a big guy.”
My dad wasn’t fat. He was thick with muscle and strength. His eyes were blue, but most of the time they looked gray. He had an intimidating look about him. He looked like his brother but he had his own distinct features. I knew my father boxed for exercise and trained in martial arts. He was an intense person sometimes. “How’s Mom?”
“Good. She’s doing Cross Fit now.”
“That doesn’t surprise me. She’s always been super fit.”
“She’s a fit chick. A hot one.” A grin was on his face.
My mom was still pretty, even after all these years. “She could outrun you.”
“Now let’s not get carried away…”
The waitress approached our table. “I already know what you want, Trinity.” She smiled then turned to my dad. “What can I get you, sir?”
“Mike,” he answered. “Steak and eggs. Medium well, please.”
“You got it.” She took the menus.
“And some coffee, please,” I blurted.
“Make that two,” my dad added.
“Of course.” She walked away.
My dad stared at my neck. “That’s a nice scarf.”
I felt the purple fabric. “Thanks. I got it on sale.”
“It’s a good color on you. Brings out your eyes.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“Anything new?” he asked. He leaned back in his chair then rested his hands in his lap.
I thought about the party I went to last weekend and what almost happened. No, I couldn’t bring that up. What could I talk about? “Cayson and Skye are cute together.”
He nodded. “Your uncle Sean is very happy about that. I am too.”
“Yeah…I can’t believe it took them so long to figure out their feelings.”
He shrugged. “Sean took longer.”
“So I’ve heard from Skye.” I crossed my arms over my chest and leaned back.
“Your brother behaving himself?”
“As far as I know. But if he wasn’t, he wouldn’t mention it to me.”
“Like you would tell me anyway.” He had a playful look in his eyes.
I shrugged. “I’ve never been a tattle-tell.”
“Good. Those are annoying.”
I chuckled. “Yeah, they are.”
“Juggling any guys?” he asked.
My dad always asked this question in a calm way, almost like he didn’t care. But I knew how protective he was of me. The last time I had a boyfriend, he insisted on meeting him and his entire family. It was an ordeal… “No.”
He nodded. “Seeing just a single guy?”
“No guys at all,” I answered. I hadn’t dated in a while. I was getting tired of it. Most guys were jerks, boring, and horrible kissers. I wanted a guy to sweep me off my feet but I was quickly realizing that would never happen. I shouldn’t bother waiting.
“Any reason why?” he asked.
“No…I just haven’t met anyone who’s worth my time.”
“Good. I’m glad you’re picky. You deserve nothing but the best, honey.”
I smiled slightly then dropped it.
“You have the rest of your life anyway. And I don’t want to have a heart attack anytime soon.”
“Then you probably shouldn’t order a steak,” I noted.
He smirked. “I’m a man. I order what I want.”
“You sound like a caveman,” I said with a laugh.
“Me like meat,” he said in a deep voice.
I laughed again.
“So, how are your classes?”
“You already asked me that.”
“And you didn’t give me a sufficient answer.” He stared me down, suddenly becoming serious.
I shrugged. “Classes are alright.”
“Conrad made it sound like you don’t like school much.”
“He did?” When did he say that?
He nodded. “He said you were more interested in fashion.” He stared at me like he was waiting for a response. When I didn’t say anything, he kept going. “Trinity, is that true?”
“Well, I do like fashion…”
“More than business?” he asked.
I guess I should just be honest. I could tell my dad almost anything. Sometimes I feared I would disappoint him for not wanting the company, something he spent his life doing. “I guess I’m not that into it…”
He nodded slowly. “Do you have any desire to take over the company with Skye?”
Not really. What should I say?
My dad leaned over the table. “Honey, you can tell me anything.”
I looked down. “I guess I don’t want to disappoint you.”
“You could never disappoint me.” Thick emotion was in his eyes. “Honey, I want you to be happy. Don’t do something you don’t want to do. Talk to me.”
“I guess…no, I don’t really want to do that. I think it’s amazing that you and Uncle Sean have done such a great job growing the company into the empire it has become but…my heart isn’t into it.”
He stared at me for a long time, taking in my words. “Okay.”
Okay? That’s it? “What?”
“Trin, it’s your life. I want you to do what makes you happy. If you don’t want the company, you don’t have to take it.”
“But I know how important it is to you…”
He shrugged. “What does it matter? You need to live your life for yourself, not other people. No matter what you do or how aware you are of other people’s feelings, you aren’t going to make everyone happy. So don’t bother. My dad started that company out of his garage when he was eighteen. When I graduated college, he wanted Sean and I
to take over. But neither one of us wanted it. I did my own thing for years. I didn’t come to it until I was ready and knew I really wanted it. Sean did the same. Do what you want, Trin. You have my support no matter what.”
My dad made it so easy. “Thanks…”
“But you should really think about it before you make any hasty decisions. That’s all I ask.”
“You’re right.”
“So…what would you like to do?”
I never entertained the idea before. “Well, I like fashion.”
“You could do modeling. Are you interested in that?”
I rolled my eyes. Of course my dad thought I was model material. He was blinded by his love. “Maybe design. I really like putting outfits together.”
He nodded. “I know a lot of people in the city. I can set you up with something or even a designer. Or we could launch your own clothing line. Whatever you want, Trin.”
Sometimes I forgot all the power my father had. “Thanks. I’ll think about it.”
“Okay.”
The waitress returned with the food. “Plates are hot. Be careful.” She set everything down then walked away.
I picked up my fork and started to eat. “What do you and Mom do now that Conrad and I are out of the house? Are you guys bored?”
He laughed. “Bored? Definitely not. It’s nice having time to ourselves again. And the peace and quiet…” He shook his head. “There’s nothing like it.”
“We weren’t that loud,” I argued.
“Maybe not in high school but you certainly were growing up.”
“You said I was a cute baby.”
“Oh, you were. You were adorable, still are. But that doesn’t mean you weren’t a pain in the ass.”
I glared at my dad and kept eating. “Conrad was the terror, not me.”
He laughed. “You have some odd perceptions of yourself. You guys both drove your mother and I up the walls. You both had your golden moments, but also times of pure terror.”
“How sweet,” I said sarcastically.
He smirked. “Your mother and I miss you guys—sometimes.”
“I miss being home sometimes,” I said with a sigh, feeling the emotion come out.
He caught the look. “Is everything okay, Trin?”
“Yeah…I guess I miss living in a fairy tale.”
He studied me for a moment. “I don’t understand your meaning.”