Nothing was ever personal growing up. Nothing.
I have no idea if the man listens to music or what kind. He reads leadership books. Well, he has leadership books and sometimes it looks like the spine has been cracked on one, but I’ve never seen him read a damn thing. I have no idea if his only dreams in life were politics, and if he wanted to stop at mayor or if his goals were loftier.
I have no fucking idea who this man is. Not really.
It’s heartbreaking.
“Aiden? What’s going on? Is everything okay? Did something happen to York?” His voice gets a little bit more desperate with every question.
So, he does have feelings.
Just not morals.
Got it.
“No,” York calls out from behind me while closing the office door, “I’m right here, and I’m fine.”
York keeps glancing at me like he’s just waiting for me to explode. He’s not far off.
When I’m in front of my father’s desk, I don’t bother sitting down. The words are pulled out of me, each one feeling like venom, “The health inspector was too far. You need to get over your issues with Green Mountain High and get over yourself. You think you’re protecting this town, but all you’re doing is acting like a scared little boy who can’t handle being rejected. Get over yourself and get over your past. Everyone has shit happen to them, deal with it in therapy.”
Dad scoffs, “Therapy? Like I’m going to pay someone to listen to me talk and then make humming sounds.” He rolls his eyes and shakes his head. “Not going to happen.”
I plant my palms on his desk and lean over it as best I can. It’s not easy because the thing is massive. I’m sure he wanted it to be intimidating, but I can’t help but wonder what he’s compensating for.
Having a soul and a moral compass, most likely.
“That’s all you got from what I said? The only thing you want to comment on is how you aren’t going to go to therapy because you’re too setin your ways?” I mutter, “Well, what else is new there?”
Even though I’m looming over him, he isn’t the least bit worried about it. Whatever surprise he felt when I first burst through the door has faded quickly. York walks around the desk and eyes me.
These two.
What a fucking joke.
I almost bark out a laugh at how ridiculous all of this is.
To think my own fear about what I could lose, instead of focusing on what I would gain, had me pushing Greylin away over the last few days.
She texted me. I gave her some lame response and left it there.
That’s on me and I’m not going to make excuses for it. When I’m on my knees later begging for her forgiveness and another chance, I’ll make sure she knows I’ll never do it again.
Because it’s been hell.
I didn’t pull her over, even though I’ve been craving to be close to her. There have been more than a few times when I thought for sure I was catching hints of her lemon verbena scent on the wind.
It’s been fucking with my head.
“You need to relax,” York tries to calm down the situation, his voice placating. It’s not going to work. “The health inspector thing isn’t a big deal. They still passed. So, they have to complete a checklist and pay a fine. It’s not a big deal.”
I glare at my brother, unsure who the man in front of me even is. “Do you hear yourself?” When he blinks at me, I shake my head. My voice drops to a dangerous octave, “You need to understand something. They are running a business, a legal one. You have used your position, both of you,” I cut in before they can try and protest, “to try and ruin their business, a legal and legitimate business within this community, into the ground. All because you can’t deal with the fact that mom left you,” I look right at dad as I say the last part.
He doesn’t even flinch and it makes me wonder if this is really about mom or if that’s just an excuse for his misplaced intolerance. I’m not sure the why matters anymore.
“Who even cares? Those girls should be finding jobs, if they have to work, that are more appropriate. What they’re doing isn’t very lady-like,” Dad scoffs.
My mouth drops open and the disgust that flashes in York’s eyes makes me think there might be hope for him yet. “You can’t be serious? And what should they be doing? A teacher? Or would you really only be happy when they’re barefoot and pregnant in some kitchen?”
