by Dawn Edwards
I would have thought they’d say something to either myself or Drew, but nothing had been said that I knew of, and he was still allowed to hang out in my area upstairs whenever he wanted.
If my parents suspected anything, that would have been the first thing to be squashed.
I thought that my parents were pissed off at Matt due to the fact he’d been missing in action for most of the summer thus far, and the times he’d committed to being here, he’d showed up late—days late.
When my parents asked after it earlier, Matt had apologies for not being here sooner, but offered the excuse that a client invited him aboard his boat for a celebratory dinner. I didn’t buy it, and I wasn’t sure anyone else did either. I knew he was with his side piece, which meant that he was unlikely to ask me for anything this weekend.
‘I thought you hated boats,’ I said, causing everyone to look at us.
‘Business, dear,’ he responded confidently.
‘What kind of vessel?’ my father asked, sounding intrigued. Matt should have known, really, Dad was obsessed with boats and sailing. Yet, he owned a jet company, go figure.
I could tell by the look on Matt’s face that he didn’t have a fully formed story to cover up his lie, so he just shrugged it off. ‘One that floats with a sail,’ he laughed, and they laughed with him, or at him—I was so far from actually giving a fuck. My parents left us to continue their mingling with friends and business associates. I was kindly reminded to do the same.
Breton and Drew were standing by the edge of the yard down by the water. I could tell their friendship also irked Matt. He never fully trusted Breton, and now I fully understood why this was. Any person with limited vision could see how sexy and confident Drew was. Girls wanted to get with him, guys wanted to be him (or at least look like him).
I went to get more food; it wasn’t like I was hungry, but I was stressed, the food was good, and the champagne was going down way too easy. On my way back to where Matt was standing, alone, I saw Drew walking towards me. He smiled at me. It wasn’t sexual, but I read his face, he was holding back the smolder as he recognized Matt was around.
‘I’ll take another Sam Adams,’ Matt called to Drew as he walked by, raising his glass for him to take. ‘Chilled glass.’
Drew smirked, looking at him like he might just ignore him, then smiled and pointed to the bar. ‘It’s an open bar,’ Drew said as calm as he could muster, but I noticed his expression and body language. He was pissed and holding on by a thread. ‘Go help yourself.’
‘I’m a guest,’ Matt replied. ‘Just asking the hired help to make me feel welcome.’
I walked forward to try and quell the situation. Drew, clearly having had enough of Matt’s antics, walked right up to him, his face only inches from Matt’s and lowered his voice. ‘Look around, asshole, most of these people, including myself, are on Cahill payroll. I’d like to see you go up to Colleen’s mother, Mr. Dawson, or one of Steve’s partners and pull that shit.’
Matt pushed Drew out of his way. He hated to be put in his place and called out on his behavior. Drew had taken his fill all summer, I was happy that he was finally pushing back. Matt needed a dose of reality. ‘Who the fuck do you think you are?’ Matt nearly whispered. Drew just glared at him, rolled his eyes and walked away. If it weren’t for all the suits, I was pretty sure Drew would have punched Matt and knocked him out, lowering him to the ground where the scheming bastard belonged.
I reached out to Matt. ‘What was that about?’ I asked in a concerned voice.
‘That boy needs to learn his place, that’s all.’ Matt stepped out of my touch. ‘I need another drink.’
After the incident with Drew, that thankfully no one was witness to, Matt spent the rest of the afternoon pretending to kiss ass and win people over with his fake-ass smile. He didn’t have any of us fooled.
It was nearly eleven before everyone had finally cleared the house and grounds once the fireworks were over. The catering crew was packing up.
Matt was sitting in the lounge area, checking his phone when I left my father’s home office after a quick chat with him and my mother. ‘Oh, there you are. Can you come into the office? Daddy wants to speak with us,’ I told him, putting one hand on his chest in an embrace, while I really wanted to hook my fingers around his neck and squeeze—long and hard.
‘Ugh, fine,’ he complained. ‘But then get changed, I wanna go to town.’
‘No,’ I whined. ‘We’re all going tomorrow. The guys have a fire on the beach and some fireworks.’
I could tell just by his face that he was less than impressed. He hated everyone down at the beach, and he knew they were all judging him, and he couldn’t pull shit with any of them. It was a reason to stay home, where I had more of an advantage of control.
We walked into Dad’s ‘summer study’ as my mother was walking out, a strong smile plastered on his face. ‘Sir,’ Matt announced as we entered. Dad looked up from his laptop on his desk.
‘Matthew, please come in, have a seat.’, Dad said smiling and pointing to the sofa in the far corner. He closed his laptop and took a folder out of his desk drawer. Dad sat next to me, Matt took a chair opposite. I knew what was coming, Dad and I had been discussing it for months now.
I didn’t think Matt had any idea what was coming, and he was about to blow a gasket, in five, four, three...
‘Well, Matthew, I guess there’s really no easy way to start this conversation. But I have had my lawyer draw up a prenuptial agreement.’
Two, one: boom—let the imploding begin.
‘A prenup?’ Matt questioned, appalled. ‘You have got to be fucking kidding me!’ he looked around, his hands pulling at the back of his neck. I knew he only got this way when he was panicking. ‘You should be happy I’m willing to marry Jessa.’
‘Matt!’ I cried out, and my father, the calm businessman that he always was, held up a hand. It was shaking, and I could tell by my father’s posture and facial expression he was pissed, and he was going in for a strike.
‘This agreement protects both your interests,’ Dad started to explain.
‘Both?’ Matt questioned again, this time mockingly. Clearly, he wasn’t able to form his own thoughts and could only repeat my father’s words.
‘Yes, Matthew.’ I knew how Matt hated how my parents always used his full name like it was somehow more proper by not shortening it. ‘Really, you cannot be shocked over this. Jessa comes from a wealthy family, you had to have expected this.’
‘I didn’t think you thought so little of me...’
‘It’s not that at all…’ my father tried to explain, but of course, Matt had to try and take hold of the situation.
‘Right…’ Matt said sardonically. ‘Please tell me how this benefits me, and what makes you so sure that we are going to divorce?’
‘Matthew, I am not aware of the value of your trust fund, but Jessa’s is substantial. This protects both your funds, and it outlines banking practices that will put you on an equal playing field…’
‘So, we’re not even married yet, and already you’re dictating household accounting practices?’ he spat out.
‘It’s not like that,’ my father tried to tell Matt.
‘Are you going to schedule our sex too? Make it in accordance with your guidelines?’
‘Matthew, that is uncalled for.’ My father was moving beyond just being frustrated at the asshole sitting with us, to downright angry. He didn’t tolerate that kind of talk or disrespect from anyone, especially Matt.
I was feeling horrible, knowing that in the grand scheme of things, the prenuptial agreement would be moot, as there was never going to be a wedding.
‘No, what’s uncalled for is your interfering. Jessa and I will have an equal marriage in everything, including money and property.’
‘Well, this outlines you will each keep your own properties independently unless…’
‘What property does Jessa own?’ Matt questioned. I saw the fury cross his
face as he looked at me, radiating anger, wondering what I had kept from him, and then it dawned on him as he said it.
‘The summer house,’ my father said flatly, void of any apology and keeping a straight face. Matt had lost his mind because the next thing I knew, he couldn’t help but laugh.
‘So, you give us a wedding present, but really it’s just Jessa’s?’ He was smiling but shaking his head, ‘You really are a smug son of a bitch, aren’t you…you're definitely something.’ Matt nodded to the folder, then looked to me. ‘Jessa, did you know about this?’
‘Yes, she has had a read and has agreed to the terms. She has signed it,’ my father answered for me, while I nodded my head.
‘Of course, you did. You’d never go against dear old Dad.’
‘Matthew.’ My father’s voice was composed, he was trying to calm the situation. ‘Have a read through it. Have your lawyer look it over. If you don’t have one, I have included a list of reputable lawyers that have not represented our family or company, so they are not biased. You may invoice me the bill…’
‘You don’t think I can pay?’
‘I am sure you can,’ he assured Matt. ‘I was just offering so you would not have to shoulder this added expense.’ My father handed Matt the folder. ‘Read it.’
Matt took the folder, took out the papers and looked at them, took them in his hand and ripped them in half.
‘There’s my answer,’ Matt told my father then stormed out of the office.
I rested my head on the back of the sofa, and my father placed his hand on my knee and let out a sigh. ‘Sorry, Jessa, I didn’t think it would be easy…’
‘But I didn’t think it was going to go like that either,’ I replied, pushing to my feet. I needed a walk and some fresh air.
‘We are going to have a bonfire down at the beach,’ I heard Abby say as Matt stepped out of the office. ‘Are you guys coming?’ she asked in her overly kind-hearted voice.
‘Naw, I’m good. But there’s some scrap paper in the study that can be used to start the fire.’
Breton and Drew were already on the back deck while Zoe and John were on their way down the stairs. I turned to the others. ‘We’ll meet you down there.’
Matt didn’t even wait until they were a foot away, let alone out of earshot. ‘A prenup, Jessa? Really?’ he shouted. ‘They should be giving me money to take you.’
‘Thanks.’ I forced a fake smile, looking more hurt than I really was. ‘Look, you may not be a millionaire, but I am.’ I smiled inside, I wasn’t just a millionaire, I knew had a few million in my trust. ‘And my family wants to protect that. They had to make sure you wanted to marry me for the right reasons. But I guess you played right into their hands.’ I walked off in the direction of the water. The water always brought me clarity.
The last I saw of Matt, he was storming up the stairs, hopefully to pack his bags and never come back. I knew he was too drunk to drive, and I really hoped there was a spot check as soon as he got on to the main road; I didn’t want him to hurt anyone else due to his carelessness. I didn’t care about him, but I didn’t want an innocent family getting hurt. I should call the police to tip them off, but he would know it was me and might retaliate with the videos. I was pretty sure there would be a spot check getting on and off the bridges all weekend, as there had been in previous years. With any luck, he’d find a room somewhere, though it was unlikely given how popular the Cape was this weekend.
I took a walk along the water until the sandy beach turned rocky. I thought about how relieved I was that Matt and I might possibly be done. For the first time in so long, I felt free and elated. My thoughts were scattered, erratic and all over the place. There would be so much work to be done to cancel the wedding. And I didn’t know what this would mean for what Breton and I had discussed, but right now I didn’t care, I wanted the creepy bastard—whoever he might be—far, far away from me and the rest of my family.
When I literally couldn't go any farther on the beach, I climbed up and walked back on the sparsely lit path that would lead me back home. I saw a fire lit down on the beach and followed it home. Drew and Breton sat across from one another on the logs. I took a beer from the cooler of ice, opening it and taking a long swig as I sat down next to Drew. Zoe and John sat close to each other.
They were all just looking at me, no one dared to say anything, but the silence was awkward and uncomfortable. 'To prenups,' I said, laughing and raising my bottle of beer.
'To short ugly men.'
'To little men overcompensating with fancy things.'
'To users and abusers.'
I loved my family and friends, they all took turns making digs at him until Breton raised his bottle and said, 'To us, and to an awesome second half of the summer.' After a few more drinks, Breton stood up. 'I should get going,' he announced, pulling his phone out, either to call a girl or an Uber to pick him up.
‘Yeah, we should get some sleep too,’ Zoe said standing, playfully helping John to his feet. As they walked off together, I looked at Abby, who hadn’t been hanging out with us much, instead staying at the house most of the weekend to spend some time with her mother and brother, but joined us down here this evening.
I knew I needed to get away from Drew; he was going to want to talk, and I just didn’t have it in me tonight. He wasn’t going to give me what I needed physically, and any more rejection tonight would simply do me in.
I stood up, brushing the sand off, to find Drew standing next to me. He leaned closer and put his arm across my shoulder. It was the first time he’d ever touched me with anyone around. 'You ok?' he asked, trying to get me to look at him, but I couldn't. Instead, I nodded looking forward, focusing on Abby folding the blanket she had with her.
'Ok…I don't believe you!' he said. I laughed because he didn’t know the truth, no one but Breton did—but even he couldn't fully understand my feelings right now. 'But in time you will be, and if you want to talk, you know where to find me. I’m always here for you, cupcake.'
I nodded in thanks. 'I think I'll just keep it to myself for now.' Not wanting to commit to calling off anything just yet without fully thinking of the possible consequences with Breton. And I knew I wouldn't be having any heart-to-hearts with my cousin tonight.
‘I’m going to call it a night too,’ Abby said, gathering the bottles around here.
As I followed Abby up to the house, I looked over my shoulder a few times, to see Drew dumping the cooler of ice and melted water over the fire, then he walked to the edge of the water to fill the cooler and dumped that over the coals too.
* * *
The next morning I had been awake for a short time, but too lazy, tired and overwhelmed by everything that had happened last night to even roll over and check my phone to see what time it was. I had my blackout shades drawn and just wanted my mind to stop racing. I heard my door opening and the light from the hallway made me pull my sheet over my head.
‘I come bearing gifts,’ Breton said, walking into my bathroom to get a bottle of Tylenol then slid in next to me on the bed, handing me both the pills and a bottle of water. I wasn’t hungover, but my head did hurt; he knew me too well.
I moved over, making room for him to sit next to me. 'How are you doing?' he asked.
'I'll live,' I moaned.
He didn't say anything for a bit, wanting to give me time to wake up and hydrate.
'We need to discuss what you want to do regarding everything that went down last night,' he whispered, and I nodded.
'I know, I was thinking that over too, I barely slept at all last night.' I paused and drank more of the water. 'What more do you have, and what should I do?'
'Not much more than last time. I really have a feeling there's more here, I have some things, some leads, but I'm hesitant to call in help, so it's taking more time, I'm sorry. I should know more soon, another day or so. Let’s just sit on it, but if you’re willing to play nice with him, do so. I know we’re onto something.'
&nbs
p; ‘The end is near?’ I asked him.
‘You know that feeling? Well, I have it, and I'm not about to quit,’ he told me in no uncertain terms.
Chapter 26
DREW
BRETON CAME OUT OF the house wearing the same clothes he had on when he left here last night, to the back deck where I was sitting with Abby, drinking some coffee, and eating grapes and cinnamon rolls Abby had found in the kitchen.
‘Everyone still sleeping?’ he asked pouring half a cup and grabbing a handful of grapes and one of Kathy’s cinnamon rolls.
‘Yeah,’ Abby moaned, obviously feeling the after-effect of an open bar.
Breton pulled up a chair and looked to the lawn.
‘I feel rougher than sandpaper…’ I groaned.
Abby laughed at him. ‘I think we all do.’
‘That’s what free alcohol all afternoon will do to you,’ Breton joked.
‘Were you in to check on Jessa yet?’ I asked him, catching the way Abby’s eyes glanced over at me. I was sure she was curious as to what was up with us, or my intentions. But I wasn’t ready to go there yet with anyone else. I didn’t even know it myself. ‘She hasn’t been down yet.’
I didn’t blame her, it was still relatively early, and even the Cahills were still in bed.
But with the events of last night, I couldn’t help but wonder that I might actually have a real chance with her now. I knew she was interested in me and that he was the only reason we weren’t together. Well, that and the fact that her father was my boss, I wasn’t established, and she had a host of personal things she needed to sort out for herself.