by E. L. Todd
“My parents.” I rolled my eyes. “They totally ganged up on us.”
“I think that’s the point,” he said with a laugh.
“But it’s still not fair. My mom is really good.”
“So are you.”
I shook my head. “I’m no match for her. She’s good at everything she does.” I looked back over my shoulder and saw that Conrad and Trinity had left. They were probably sitting at a table. “You want to sit down?”
“Sure.” He walked with me until we reached a table. Couples were slow dancing in the middle of the room. The women wore long ball gowns, and the men all wore suits. My dad was dancing with my mom in the center, his face pressed close to hers. He held her so close that there was no space in between them. Then he leaned in and pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth before he pulled away.
“They’re still in love,” Cayson said.
“I know…” I rolled my eyes. “It’s gross.”
He smirked. “My parents are gross too.”
“You want to dance?” I blurted. Why did I just ask him that?
“Uh…sure.” He shrugged.
I got to my feet then walked with him to the dance floor. I’d never danced with Cayson before. He seemed to know exactly what to do. He grabbed one hand and held it in his own then placed the other on my hip. I wrapped my free hand around his neck then let him lead the dance.
“You know how to waltz?” I asked.
“My dad taught me.” He held my hand while he gracefully moved me. The other couples were doing the same thing and we fit right in.
“You’re good.”
“Thanks.” He looked into my eyes for a moment. Suddenly, he looked away. “You look nice.”
“Thanks. My mom picked out the dress.”
“She has good taste.” He spun me under his arm then pulled me back.
“I don’t know…she married my dad.”
He laughed. “Good point.”
“Are your parents here?”
“Yeah. They’re mingling somewhere.”
“What did you guys do today?”
“My dad and I got a few beers and watched a college football game.”
“That sounds nice.”
“I like spending time with my dad—even though he drives me crazy sometimes.”
“Me too.”
Cayson’s blue eyes reflected the light from the chandelier. I could see every crystal and every light. His eyes seemed brighter, magical.
“What?” he asked.
“Nothing.” I wasn’t sure why I didn’t tell him the truth.
The music ended and Cayson dropped his hands immediately. “Thanks for dancing with me.”
“I should be thanking you. I asked.”
“Well, it would be a little cocky for me to prematurely say you’re welcome.” He smirked.
“Well, thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
We walked back to the table then sat down.
Trinity and Conrad joined us.
“Hanging out with my sister on a Saturday night…fun.” The sarcasm was heavy in Conrad’s voice.
“It’s not my fault you got rejected,” Trinity snapped.
Roland joined our table then sat down. “I’m hooking up with Blondie later tonight.” He patted his own shoulder.
“Does Blondie have a name?” I asked.
He shrugged. “If she does, I don’t remember it.”
Such a jackass.
We made conversation for the rest of the night while the benefit continued. Cayson was quieter than he normally was, and Trinity didn’t mingle with any of the men. It seemed like we were all off in some way. I hardly saw my parents because they were having a great time. Uncle Mike and Aunt Cassandra were lost in the crowd, and Grandpa was too busy break dancing. Even though we were the ones in our youth, we were definitely the lamest people there.
***
We came home a little after midnight and went straight to bed. Even though my room was on the other side of the house, I could faintly hear my parents going at it. It was cute they were in love, but could they knock it off for like a minute? When I looked at the clock, I realized it was 2 a.m. God, my parents were annoying.
Unable to get back to sleep even an hour later, I went downstairs for a glass of water. I left the lights off because I knew the route through the house better than the back of my hand.
When I reached the kitchen, I saw the red light blink across every window. My dad had the finest security system for the house. He was anal about stuff like that. I headed to the refrigerator then opened the door.
In the refrigerator light, I saw Roland grabbing the keys from the hook. “What are you doing?” I whispered.
He shoved the keys into his pocket. “Hooking up with Blondie.”
I looked at the time. “It’s three in the morning.”
“That was the only time she was available.”
“Why?”
“Her husband is asleep.”
I slammed the door shut.
“Shh! Keep it down.”
“She’s married?” I asked incredulously. “Roland, don’t you dare.”
“It’s not my fault her man can’t satisfy her.”
“Roland, don’t. What if her husband comes after you?”
He laughed. “You think I’m scared? If he even touches a hair on my head, I’ll make him regret it.”
“And if her husband works for the Preston Empire, you’re giving Dad a bad name!”
“Calm down. She isn’t going to get caught.”
I eyed the key rack. The key to my SUV was still hanging. “You better not be taking Dad’s car.”
“Why? He let me drive it earlier.”
“With his permission. He’s not giving it to you now.”
“Geez, calm down. You’re such a tight ass.”
“You need to knock it off. This is serious.”
“I’m not going to be lame like you. I’m actually going to take some risks and enjoy myself.”
“Of all the women in the world, why do you have to pick a married one?”
“Because she’s hot,” he snapped.
“Roland, I mean it. Don’t do this.”
“Are you going to tattle on me or something?”
I sighed. “No. You know I never would. But just listen to reason for a second.”
“Nope.” He headed toward the door. “I’ll be back before sunrise.”
“Dad gets up early so make it sooner than that.”
“Thanks, sis.” He winked then faced the alarm pad. He disarmed the alarm before he walked out.
I sighed then opened the refrigerator again, getting a glass of water. The fact he was screwing a married woman really got under my skin. What if she had kids? What if he was breaking up a marriage? Roland was more reckless than I was. I understood he was younger, but still. I downed the whole glass and felt the coolness moved down my throat. Then I wiped my upper lip, hoping my brother didn’t get caught.
When I headed out of the kitchen, my dad rounded the corner with a gun in his hand. He held it like a cop, one hand rested underneath the other for balance. My eyes widened and I was about to scream when he quickly pointed it at the ground.
“Oh my god.” I clutched my chest and breathed hard. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Sorry, pumpkin. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“Why do you have a gun?”
He kept it pointed at the ground. “Did you touch the alarm pad?”
How did he know? “No.”
He opened the panel and examined it. Then he turned back to me. “Are you lying to me?”
“No.” Technically, I wasn’t. “What’s going on?”
“Someone disarmed it.”
“How do you know?”
“There’s nothing that goes on in my house that I don’t know about.” His voice was intense. His anger was barely below the surface. “Now I’ll ask you again, Skye Preston. Did you touch the damn
alarm pad?”
He never cursed at me. “No. I didn’t.”
He examined my face before he looked away. “Where’s your brother?”
Now this was tricky…
“Uh…”
He looked to the key rack and realized his keys were gone. “He took my car.” He marched to the garage then opened the door. “That brat took my car.” He shut the door again and came back to me. “Where did he go?”
I eyed the gun in his hand. “Please put that away.”
His eyes softened when he stared at me. “I’m sorry I scared you.” He walked to the counter then dismantled the gun piece by piece. It lay in a pile on the counter, unable to be used.
When did he learn to do that?
“I take the security of my family very seriously. I never gamble with something I can’t afford to lose.”
What made him this way? Did something happen a long time ago?
He came back to me and stared me down. “Where did he go, Skye?”
I hated lying to my father but I couldn’t rat out my brother. It was an unspoken code.
“You will answer me.” The threat was in his voice.
I was glad the gun was unusable. I knew my father would never hurt me. He didn’t even spank me when I was little, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t scared of him sometimes. Just his words alone inflicted wounds. He was an intense man. Just a look from him could make you crumble. “I don’t know…why don’t you just call him?”
“Are you lying to me, Skye? You know how I feel about that.”
Ugh. “I know where he is but I’m not telling you anything. I’m sorry, Dad.”
He clenched his jaw. “Is he safe? Is he doing something dangerous?”
“Yes, he’s safe. No, he isn’t doing something dangerous. He’s just hooking up with some girl.”
My dad relaxed noticeably. “What girl?”
“I can’t say…”
“Someone he met at the gala?” Now he started to get angry again.
“No comment.”
He clenched his fists by his sides. “These are people I work with. The last thing I need is drama in my company, and a bad name from my son. He can screw around with anyone else, but this is unacceptable.”
“I told him it wasn’t a good idea.”
“Men never listen to the wisdom of women.”
“Are you going to call him?”
He thought for a moment. “No, the damage has been done. I’ll let him think he got away with it until he walks back into this house. Then, I’ll eat him alive.”
Damn, I felt bad for my brother.
“I understand why you won’t rat on him. My brother and I are the same way. But now you will do something for me. You will not warn him about this, Skye. I mean it.”
“Okay.”
“I have your word?”
“Yes, Dad.”
“Now go to bed.” He dismissed me then turned to the gun on the counter.
“Please put that away before you confront him.”
He didn’t look at me. “I take gun safety very seriously, Skye. I’ve had them since you were born but you never saw them for a reason. I don’t intimidate my children with fear. I intimidate them with respect. There’s a big difference.”
I walked behind him and headed to the hallway. “Dad?”
“Yes, pumpkin?”
“Did something happen…to make you this way?”
He tensed at the counter but didn’t turn around. A few heartbeats passed before he spoke. “A lot, actually. I’ve seen too much to discuss, and I’ve almost lost more than I could afford.”
“What…?” I wasn’t sure if I wanted to know.
“I’m sorry, Skye. I promised your mother I wouldn’t tell you. Please don’t ask me again.”
My mom doesn’t want me to know? What doesn’t she want me to know? I wasn’t stupid enough to ask my father twice. I headed upstairs to my room but couldn’t sleep. Knowing Roland was about to be attacked made me anxious. I felt bad for him. He made this decision even though I tried to get him to change his mind.
***
I knew Roland was home when I heard my dad yell.
“Sorry. Did I scare you?” my father snapped.
“Shit, Dad. Why are you lurking in the dark like a troll?”
“Do I look like I’m in the mood for jokes?” His voice practically shook the house. “Where were you?”
“Uh, out…”
“In my car?”
Roland was quiet for a while. “I didn’t think you would mind…”
“Then why did you tiptoe behind my back? Don’t play games with me, Roland. I promise you will always lose.”
“I just wanted to drive a nice car, okay?”
“Without my permission? That car doesn’t belong to you. It belongs to me, your father, the man who gave you everything since the day you were born. How dare you disrespect me like this. You defied my trust just to borrow the car for an evening? If you weren’t an adult, I’d let this slide. But you’re a grown man, Roland. If you don’t know the meaning of respect, then I obviously have failed as a parent.”
Ouch…
“Dad, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize until I’m done.” His words sliced through the air. “If you think you can sneak out of my house without my knowledge, you’re an idiot. I know everything that comes in this house and everything that leaves every hour of the day. Don’t flatter yourself to think you can outsmart me.”
“Maybe you need to chill a little bit...”
I covered my face even though no one could see me.
My father said nothing for a long time.
God, the tension was killing me.
“I’ve never been more disappointed in you in my life.”
Ouch…
“What’s the big deal?” Roland said. “I borrowed your car and took off. It’s the only bad thing I’ve ever done. You’re acting like I killed someone.”
“Just because you have a clean slate doesn’t mean any crime you make is vindicated. Now where did you go?”
“Just out.”
“Out where?”
“And about.”
“Roland, answer me.”
“I was out with a girl, okay? You used to be a shithead when you were younger. I know you were with a different girl every night. I know you drove Grandpa crazy. You aren’t a saint.”
“I never said I was. But we aren’t talking about me. We’re talking about you. And your grandfather didn’t go easy on me. Believe me, compared to him, I’m tame.”
“I fucked some girl then I came home.”
“Why did you have to do it in the middle of the night?”
Oh no. Here it comes.
“Just because…”
“Roland, answer me.”
He remained silent.
“I’ll either find out from you or I’ll find out in a different way. If you choose the latter route, you’ll be a coward. Keep that in mind. If you want me to treat you like a man, you need to act like one. Real men own up to their mistakes and look the devil in the eye as they admit them.”
Roland stayed quiet for a while. Finally, he spoke. “She’s married. She wanted to make sure her husband was asleep.”
Minutes of silence passed.
“You bedded a married woman?” my father asked.
“Like you haven’t.”
“The only married woman I’ve ever had is your mother. You’re playing with fire, Roland.”
“I didn’t get caught so it’s okay.”
“It is not okay.” My father’s voice grew louder. “I’m not going to tell you how to conduct your personal life. I’m not going to stick my nose in your business. What you do with your dick is none of my concern. But you need to think this through. If you have any respect for marriage, you need to rethink this. How would you feel if your wife cheated on you?”
“She would be satisfied so that would never happen.”
“Roland, I’m b
eing serious.”
“Fine. I wouldn’t like it.”
“I taught you better than that. Tell me you’ll never do this again. And mean it.”
Roland sighed. “I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”
“Don’t bullshit with me, Roland. The fact you hooked up with one of my employees or the wife of one of my employees is a slap in the face to me. It will take time for you to earn my forgiveness for that. Of all things, I’m most hurt about that decision. I respect my workers, and I’m embarrassed that my own son, a possible future CEO, doesn’t.”
“I made a mistake. I was just bored at the gala and wanted something to do.”
“You were bored?” My dad was even more irritated. “You’re just making this worse.”
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I learned my lesson and I won’t do it again.”
“Learned what lesson?”
“I’ll never sleep with a married woman and I’ll never steal from my father.”
“And I hope you learn to respect me at some point in time.”
Roland stayed quiet for a while. “Dad, I do respect you…”
“I don’t believe you.”
“I do…I was just being an ass.”
“You really hurt me, Roland. You’ll have to do better than that if you ever want to repair that damage.”
My brother stayed quiet for a long time. Nothing happened. I wondered if my father had returned to his bedroom. I wondered what was happening. Did Roland walk away? Was the conversation over?
Then I heard Roland cry. “Dad, I’m sorry. I’d take it back if I could…” My brother never cried. You could beat his face with a baseball bat and he wouldn’t blink an eye. Only my father could make a grown man crumble into pieces.
“It’s okay, Son.” His voice was gentle.
I imagined they were hugging.
“I just worry,” my dad said. “I’m not going to be around forever and I need to know you can take care of yourself. And I don’t mean financially. I need to know you’re a strong man that is both gentle and kind. I need to know you will raise my grandchildren right. I need to know you can take care of your mother and sister if something happens to me.”
“Dad, don’t talk like that.”
“I sugarcoat things for your mother and sister but I won’t do that with you. You’re my son, and you need to be prepared.”
“You talk like someone is after you.”
“When you’re as rich as I am, someone is always after you,” he said quietly. “Being a father isn’t just about providing and putting food on the table. It’s about the lessons you teach your children, the people you mold them into. Money means nothing to your mother and I. Family, friendship, and love is all we care about. And I want to make sure you have those same morals. Sleeping with a married woman doesn’t qualify.”