Time for what?
Before I can ask him what he’s talking about, he’s gone and only his last huff of anger remains. I’ve gotten used to it now and his displeasure, at my choices and my opinions, doesn’t sting the way it used to.
I’m never going to be York. I’ll never kiss Dad’s ass and follow him around. Sure, York gets paid to do it as his executive assistant, but at least that’s honest.
I look at York, really look at him. We’re similar in some ways, but he favors Dad. I’ve always been told I’m more like our mom.
Knowing where she is makes why Dad hates GMH very clear.
When I was almost two, she decided being a mom wasn’t the path she was meant to walk. Yes, apparently, she used those words. She then proceeded to go off grid by joining a commune after spiritually marrying five men.
It’s not a far leap to say Dad never really dealt with his feelings over how his marriage ended. But I do think there were moments when he genuinely tried his best to be a good dad. Or maybe I just need to believe that.
“What is he talking about?”
York rolls his eyes and leans over the table, completely ignoring my question. “Why did you have to rile him up? You know he can’t stand that place and is determined to see it closed.”
“I’m aware of his unhealthy obsession,” I snark. With a sigh, I ask, “Don’t you think this vendetta has gone on long enough?”
York scoffs. “I can’t control the man or his vendettas.”
“But you encourage him,” I point out. When my brother arches an eyebrow, my shoulders slump. “You don’t put a stop to it, and you do his bidding.”
“Grow up, Aiden,” York sighs. “He’s really just adding inconvenience to their lives and sometimes the girls have to pay a fine to get things cleared up. It’s not like he’s going to burn the building down or kidnapsomeone. It’s all red tape and bureaucratic hurdles he’s throwing in front of them.”
“You think it’s okay that he wants every code enforced when it comes to Green Mountain High, but not the other businesses? How is that fair?”
“Life isn’t fair,” my brother says like I’m the one being ridiculous. He eyes me, his tone almost bored, “You of all people should know that.”
The fucking layers in his words. I swallow hard, unwilling to be baited. “I’m aware life isn’t fair,” I grit out through my clenched teeth. “If he ever crosses a line, I’ll have no choice but to arrest him and you, if you’re an accomplice.”
“Fucking hell,” the words burst from him. “You can’t be serious,” he chastises me like I’m not a grown man; one with a badge. “We’re the only family we have.”
“I took an oath,” I remind him.
He was there the day I graduated from the academy. Dad was there too, but afterwards when people approached him to take pictures, it became clear why he really showed up.
It had nothing to do with me.
When I told him about my plans to become a police officer, he tried to talk me out of it. He even had York talk to me about it. They thought it was below the Simmons name. Serving the community from an office is fine, but in a police uniform? Nope, too blue collar.
He’s more than happy to use me as a prop while smiling for the town, but the truth is he’s written me off.
“Don’t get all bent out of shape.” He rolls his eyes and sits back in his chair. “It’s nothing like that anyway. Dad is not some criminal mastermind. You make it sound like he’s been having clandestine meetings with assassins who used to work for the government. This isn’t a spy movie.”
Sure, when he puts it like that it does sound ridiculous. But I’ve seen people do things out of character when pushed too far, or when they simply snap.
York tries to placate me, “Look, Dad has earned a few favors here and there over his years of service. He might be cashing some in; no one is going to get hurt or anything.”
I’m not entirely sure I want to know, but I ask anyway, my tone wary, “What kind of favors?”
York smiles, the man actually smiles like he finds this whole thing amusing. “Dad and the county’s health inspector have known each other for years,” he says the words offhandedly, but I know what he’s doing. “Dad recently started up his weekly poker game again. He comes along with your boss, the Chief,” he winks at me and I want to punch him, “and the county medical examiner.”
“What is your point? Did Dad bribe him to shut down GMH?”
“Don’t be dramatic,” he warns me. “It’s nothing like that, but an inspection will happen soon. Whether they pass is completely up to them.”
“He’s going to start harassing those ladies, isn’t he?” I sigh, thinking about the kind of proof I would need to bring this conspiracy out into the light.
