“What do you want?” Teddy asked. His back was very straight as he looked across the desk at Flynn. He couldn’t have missed the check, set neatly in the middle of the expanse of green leather, but he didn’t acknowledge it with even a twitch of his eye.
“You left something at mine. I thought I’d bring it back.”
Teddy finally acknowledged the check with a brief downward glance. “You should reconsider.”
The corner of Flynn’s mouth twitched. He rubbed the taut muscle with his thumb and nodded over Teddy’s shoulder to the window. “That lighthouse was my dad’s middle finger to you, you know.” He shook his head ruefully. “Everything he did was, I think. His whole life revolved around him hating you.”
“Because of you.”
“No. It was the money,” Flynn said. “You bought and paid for him. He could never forget that, and he didn’t want you to, either. Not that you gave a damn.”
Teddy reached for the slip of paper, thought better of it, and drew his hand back. “I don’t see why this has suddenly become relevant.”
“Your money’s poison,” Flynn said. “I’m not taking it.”
“Fine. Show yourself out. Tell Nathan to see me on Monday.”
“Are you going to fire him?”
Under hooded lids, Teddy’s eyes flashed angrily and his nostrils flared around a snort. “How is that your business?”
“I just wanted to let you know, I don’t care,” Flynn said. “Fire him if you want. It won’t change anything, I make good enough money. He’s smart.”
The chair creaked as Teddy leaned back. He considered Flynn with something like interest. The first he’d even shown. His finger tapped idly against the desk.
“I could blackball your business. Make sure no one on the island would let you touch their car.”
“I’m a mechanic, I can work anywhere,” Flynn said. “It would probably be easier for Nate to get another job if we did leave Ceremony. You’re the one whose life would come apart, Teddy.”
The snort of laughter was incredulous. “I’m fond of the boy,” he said. “But he’s just another employee, in the end.”
“Liar.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“You heard me.” Flynn crossed his arms. “Do you think I’m the only person in this room the gossips turn over, Teddy? I’ve heard it all. So think about it, before you do anything stupid. If I go, Nate goes. That means Ally goes too, and who will keep you company at Christmas then? Oh, and do you think Max would be far behind? I might think he’s an idiot, but he loves Nate and you’re not exactly a good father.”
The finger had stopped tapping. “Max knows what side his bread is buttered.”
“We’ll see won’t we, if you fire Nate.” Flynn nodded briskly. “Good night, Mr. St. John.”
He turned to go.
“That’s it?” Teddy asked his back suspiciously. “No threats? No blackmail? No gloating?”
Flynn paused and looked down at his feet, scarred work boots battered and grubby against the rich carpet.
“I don’t like you, and I resent the hell out of you,” Flynn admitted. “But I’m done playing my dad’s game. I don’t know what your problem with me is, it’s not like anyone would care about your bastard, but if you stay out of my life? I’ll stay out of yours.”
He waited. When there was no answer he shrugged and headed for the door. Teddy’s voice stopped him on the threshold.
“Do you want to know what my problem is?”
Flynn looked back. “Knock yourself out.”
The check was gone. Teddy had half turned in his chair so he could stare toward the mute, one-fingered accusation of the lighthouse.
“You’re an eternal reminder I behaved badly,” Teddy said quietly. “And I am a petty enough man to resent you for it.”
