Dad shrugs his shoulders and when I look at him, I’m at a loss.
“You’ve become a bitter old man,” I sneer the words at him. “If you’re not careful, you’re going to lose everything you’ve built. I understand your reputation and appearances are the only thing that matter to you, but the illusion you’ve built about yourself is going to come crashing down if you’re not careful.”
I’m ready to be done with this because I know what I need to do now, and I should have done it a long time ago. It’s time to claim my woman and build a life which doesn’t involve men who will never be worth looking up to.
“And you’ll only have yourself to blame,” my voice has a tinge of sadness in it because they might not realize how high the stakes really are.
There’s a moment when it feels like time freezes. In that moment I believe, just for a split second, Dad can change. He can admit his wrongs and choose a different path.
Then he laughs. It’s not a sly chuckle. It’s not a sinister snort. No, the man belly laughs like my only purpose in this life is to entertain him.
Dad’s expression is smug as hell. “You shouldn’t worry about that scourge on Storyville; it’ll close down soon enough.”
Something inside me snaps. I shake my head, my voice sharp, “I am so tired of not being with the woman I want, the woman I’m in love with, because of you and your stupid fucking hatred for their business. It’s not a scourge. It’s a damn business and you need to get over yourself. These are people’s lives you’re fucking with without any regard for the trust you’re given as mayor. I’m sure as fuck not going to allow you to continue to believe my silence is support.”
Dad’s eyes narrow and turn hard. His words are slow and measured, “What are you talking about, Aiden? Who are you in love with? Not one of those hippie bitches,” he warns me.
York jerks back like Dad slapped him. Poor guy. I’m not at all surprised.
This is who our father really is. I was hoping it wasn’t true, but you can ignore the truth all you want. Hoping doesn’t change much and willful ignorance isn’t a good look.
“Greylin Cross,” her name comes out solid and sure. “I’ve wanted her for a long time, but the timing was never right. There was a window when I had a chance, but I didn’t take it and then this whole vendetta started. I’ve stayed away from her, even though I craved her with everything I am. No more. I know she’s the woman I’m meant to be with.”
York stares at me for a long moment with yearning in his eyes so deep I can feel the ache of it. I don’t get the chance to find out what that’s all about.
Because dad slams his hands down on his desk and stands up slowly. Every word is a threat. Every look is condemnation. “How dare you? You will not be with one of those girls. They don’t know their place and it’s people like them who will slowly ruin this town.”
With a shake of my head at the man, I see him for what he is now and wonder why I let it go on this long. He can’t touch me and he knows it. And his words? I’ve heard it all before.
“You won’t have anything to do with Greylin Cross,” he spits her name with disdain and truly believes he can make such a declaration without recourse, and that it will be followed.
Not this time.
“You don’t even realize what you’re going to lose.” I look at the two men who are the last family I have left and all I feel is sadness and pity.
Sadness that they won’t ever get it.
Pity for everything they’ll miss out on.
Because I’m going to make Greylin mine. Then I’m going to throw everything I am into building a future with her. It’ll be filled with smiles and laughter, bargains and compromises.
And, hopefully, one day we’ll grow our family.
Dad and York won’t be included or get to enjoy any of those moments.
“I used to be so afraid of losing this,” I scoff, “of losing my family. I realize now, it wasn’t much of a family to begin with.” York frowns and his eyes fill with sadness, but I can’t spare my brother’s feelings right now. Ipoint at my dad, my voice dropping to a warning, “I won’t stand on the sidelines while you try and ruin everything Greylin and her friends have built. You better watch yourself because I will be watching you.”
I turn around and walk out of my father’s office, maybe for the last time.
“Aiden,” Dad calls out after me, “you get back here right now. We are not done with this conversation.”
I don’t look back.
“If you do this, if you walk out and take up with that Greylin girl, you’re no son of mine,” he rages at me.
My steps don’t falter. I walk away from them and out of City Hall. The moment the cold winter air hits my face, I take a deep breath.
Now all I need to do is make sure Greylin will still have me.
