by Xavier Neal
Mathew opens my father's office door and waves his hand for me to enter.
The bright sun is illuminating the enormous space, highlighting the red accents on the furniture like that's its only job. To my surprise the fire is crackling and he is seated on couch across from it as opposed to his long oak desk on the other side of the room.
Once Mathew shuts the door behind me, my father frowns. “You didn't feel the need to put on decent attire?”
I glance down at the only article of clothing I'm wearing. “You should feel flattered I put on anything at all. This conversation is interrupting something important.”
My father reaches for his glass on the small table beside him. “You should sit.”
Drinking before ten in the morning and wanting me to sit are two things that never bode well.
I deny his request. “I'll stand.”
“Kellan, you should sit.”
“No, because when I sit you feel compelled to drag on your lectures past the point of annoyance. If I stand you typically cut straight to the point and we can both carry on with what truly matters in our lives.”
He has a sip and shakes his head. “You've always been this way.”
Unsure of what he is implying, I merely fold my arms across my chest.
“Always. Since you were three years old you've always been defy first, smile in your face after. I'll never forget how you pooped in your pants during your great grandmother's 90th birthday celebration on purpose, simply because you knew if you did you wouldn't be forced to sit for the portrait.”
I vaguely remember that...
There's a heavy sigh followed with, “You've always done what you want, Kellan, regardless of what the rest of the world had to say.”
My eyebrows arch. “Point?”
He briefly glances away to the fire before back at me. “This time, you have to stop.”
“Stop what?”
“Dating her.”
Confusion invades my reaction. “What?! Why?!”
My father swallows whatever emotion is clogging his throat. “Because it is what's best.”
“Why is that what's best?”
“Because she's...different.”
Disbelief darts down the back of my throat. “And that's a problem.”
He pauses but eventually nods.
“And by different are you referring to the fact she's a full blooded American or the fact she's African American?” My father doesn't answer and rage rips through me like a hurricane with a vengeance. “You are bloody kidding me!”
“It's not as simple as you're thinking, Kellan.”
“To bloody hell it's not!”
“This isn't just about you. This is about this family. It is my responsibility to do everything in my power to honor the Kenningston name and that means not only understanding the way the world works, but abiding by it. Brie is different and while you may appreciate her differences, others do not. It's my job as not only King but as the head of the Kenningston family to protect our name and reputation-”
“Our reputation isn't at stake!” I shout. “Being with Brie hasn't negatively affected that! If anything I behave better because of her!”
“It is not just about you,” he tries to repeat.
“You mean this is about you.”
“I mean this is about the headlines being made where we're being accused of disregarding so called valued traditions. This is about the endless media coverage over an apparent race war drawn in the sand and where we stand on it. This is about the fact we spent six hours at a brunch where we were laughed at, taunted, and partially ignored because my son has a different girlfriend. Social expectations aside for the circles we move through, the financial investments we could lose because other people are not accepting of your different choice in a lover could be catastrophic.” He places his glass down and folds his hands in his lap. “And I cannot and will not let the happen.”
Disorientation continues to seep into my soul.
This is not happening...
“This fling has to end and it needs to end now.”
My arms constrict tighter as my voice grows gruff, “And if I say no?”
“Please, do not force my hand.”
“Meaning what?” I challenge. “What could you possibly do? Exile her from this country?”
“That's a start.” When my jaw cracks in shock he adds, “And you from this family. I cannot have this family lose the respect it has spent generations cultivating. We have more than ourselves to consider, Kellan. And you are selfish. You have always been selfish. You will most likely always be selfish, but this time, this one time, I'm begging you to consider how this looks to your country. To our fellow associates. To other royal families we have been companions with for generations. We can't just throw all that away because you are hell bent on proving your unwavering ability to defy authority. You may enjoy being under the false veil that leaves you to be believe something like race doesn't matter to the world any more, but you my son can't continue to be so bloody blind.”
I attempt to collect a breath through burning lungs but am interrupted by a broken voice. “I hate to interrupt...”
No...No. No. No. Please tell me she didn't hear any of that.
“You don't believe in knocking?” My father snaps, his own voice shaky.
“I um...I did,” Brie whispers holding back what sounds like a sob. “Repeatedly actually. You must not have heard me.”
“And it couldn't have waited?” He snips again, which forces my face his direction.
“For you to go off in another bigoted tantrum, I imagine not.” I turn my attention back to my girlfriend's solemn face. “You alright, love?”
“No,” she answers voice still uneven. “I um...I need to go home.”
“You don't,” I sigh heavily.
“No...I...do. My father had a heart attack and was rushed to the emergency room. He's....He's in surgery.”
The dread begins to drown me as I rush towards her.
Rather than allowing me to embrace, she flinches backwards. “I need to go home, Kellan.”
“I'll have the jet fueled and waiting.” My father rises to his feet. “I'll send someone to collect your things.”
“Thank you, sir,” Brie whispers before spinning on her heels and dashing out.
I turn and give him a hard look. “This is far from over.”
He gives me a slow shake of his head. “I don't think it is.”
Without another word, I storm off after my girlfriend, the condition of her father and callousness of mine combining together to create an excruciatingly painful purgatory neither of us deserves to dwell in.
***
The return flight to the states is as agonizingly quiet as the hasty preparation was. Since having interrupted the conversation with the news of her father, Brie hasn't uttered more words than necessary nor has she allowed for me to make physical contact. In fact she's not even making eye contact. It's as if she's lost in her own thoughts with no intent of inviting me in to understand them. While I'm doing my best to give her space and understand where it is she's coming from, there's a lump of trepidation lodged permanently in the back of my throat.
She's just emotional about the possibility of losing her father, right? She's not upset with me. She can't possibly hold me accountable for his hatred, can she?
After the captain announces we're clear to de-board, I quickly stand, and extend my hand to help her up.
Brie rises on her own, causing the lump to swell.
“You should message your mother. See if she needs us to bring her anything on our way to the hospital.”
I begin to head for the door when her hand lands on my arm. “Kellan, wait.”
When I turn to face her, my relief from her touch is short lived and the dread amplifies.
“The first time we met I never imagined I would see you again. I never thought we'd date or fall in love for that matter. I damn sure never thought I'd end up in your country,
experiencing the life you spend so much time running away from.” She pauses as if collecting her thoughts. “And I understand why you run. Why you act out. Why you're hell bent on enjoying your time rather than wallowing in the misery looming for you thousands of miles away. It's a burden to be who you are. To be told what to say and taught how to say it. Where to go and when to be there. To fulfill expectations regardless if you agree with them or not. You run because you know someday you're not going to be able to. Someday you're going to have to stop, turn, and face the crowd, not because you want to but because you were born to. You brush off all the aristocratic shit because you hate that you can't alter that reality. That you rely on them to get the things you want to get done, done. You are a duke. A beloved prince. You are an image that cannot be altered simply because it's what you want.”
Her words cause my mouth to thoughtlessly tremble.
“You are going to change the world, Kellan Kenningston. You're going to give hope to the hopeless just like your mother did. But in order to do that you need those people your father mentioned. You need your family. And I know you hate your father right now, but you didn't always and you won't always. Both of you are sitting on pain from losing the woman you both loved most. Your family matters tremendously to you. It's the real reason you attend balls and functions hosted by zillionaires. You don't want to disappoint them because you love them the same way they love you. You all want what you believe to be right for one another. And I'm not going to be the reason your family loses another member.”
My breathing ceases completely. Brie takes my hand, carefully places the locket in it, and folds it shut. Afterward she rises to the tips of her toes to kiss me on the cheek. In a desperate frenzy, I grip the nape of her neck, and press my forehead against hers. “Please...” I swallow my sob. “Please don't do this, Brie.”
She sniffles away any conflicting decisions. “I have to.”
She doesn't! She shouldn't! We should fight this! We should prove him wrong! We should....It doesn't matter what I say to her, does it? I've already lost her...
“Sir,” Swiss' voice states loudly. “Would you like me to load the bags?”
I pull back to allow my tear-filled eyes to meet hers. Still staring into them, determined to detail every centimeter, I answer, “Just hers.” My hand loosens its grip and I take an unwanted step back. “Take her to the hospital where her dad is. Give her the same treatment and respect you would if I was in the vehicle.” His voice starts to interrupt and I divert my attention to him. “Don't worry about your fee. My father will be more than thrilled to pay it.”
Swiss gives me a nod of understanding and disappears.
Brie grabs her cell phone and wallet before making her way towards the door.
I stifle another sob. “Brie?”
She hesitates yet turns around anyway.
In a voice I barely recognize, I ask, “When I call, will you answer me like I'd answer you?”
The reference to the only other time I almost lost her sends the lingering tears down her face. She gives me one last somber look. Her lack of a reply is the final pang that causes my body to cave onto the couch. Brie exits the jet and I shut my eyes in a pathetic attempt to not shed any more tears.
This can't truly be over...can it?
Wonder what's in store next for Duke Kellan Kenningston and Brie Sanders?
Don’t worry! They shall return before you know it.
Curious about Merrick and Jovi? Check them out in their own books! Available now.
Classic (Adrenaline Series #1)
Boy meets girl. Girl meets boy. They fall in love and live happily ever after, right? That is unless boy is a criminal and girl is the daughter of the man trying to catch him. With circumstances this unforgiving, is there anyway their love story will have an ending that we've come to know as classic?
*Warning: Cliffhanger. This is the first in the series*
Thank Yous!
Crazy Lady- Someday I will take you around the world.
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Sissy B- You rock and this year is going to be great!
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The Law Student- Thanks for understanding sometimes I have to cut our time together for work.
Katniss- I look forward to fun ahead this year!
Throwback- Hopefully baby Liv will understand your swag duties, lol
The Real Life Erin- Love love.
Dallas Angie- Can’t wait to have many lunch and dinner dates with you!
Boss Lady- You amazing person you! From covers to edits to advice, you are at the heart of my career and I love you.
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The Editor- You are one of a kind, you know that?
The PAs- Left and Right brain, this year is going to get even better for us!
Dream Team- You ladies make every day worth it.
When I Grow Up- To all the authors out there who I follow, who help me, who have supported me from a share, to advice, I cannot possibly thank you enough, but damn sure will never stop trying.
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Until next time….
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Senses Series (Sports Romance/ Romantic Comedy)
Vital (Prequel Novella)
Blind
Deaf
Numb
Hush
Savor
Callous
Agonize
Suffocate
Mollify
Blur
Blear
Adrenaline Series (Romance/ Romantic Suspense)
Classic
Vintage
Masterpiece
Unmask
Error
Iconic
Prince of Tease Series (Romance/ Romantic Comedy)
Prince Arik
Prince Hunter
Hollywood Exchange Series (Romance/ Romantic Comedy)
Already Written
Blue Dream Series (Contemporary Romance)
Blue Dream
Purple Haze
Havoc Series (Military Romance/ Romantic Suspense)
Havoc
Chaos
Insanity
Collapse
Devastate
Never Say Neverland Series (NA Fantasy Adventure)
Get Lost
Lost in Lies
Lies, Mistrust, and Fairy Dust
Rub Me Series (Erotic Shorts)
Rub Me The Right Way
Rub Me The Wrong Way
Rub Me All The Way
The Just Series (Second Chance Romance)
Just Out of Reach
Just So Far Away
Private Series (Romantic Suspense)
Private
Standalones
Compassion (Military Romance)
Cinderfella (YA Contemporary)
The Gamble (Romantic Comedy)
Freeform (Romantic Comedy)
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