by Lea Coll
“I’ll never get sick of hearing that.” Avery smiled, clinking her glass with Dylan’s.
“May we have so many clients, we have to turn them away,” Dylan added.
“That would be a nice problem to have.” I drank a small amount of the bubbly liquid, letting it slide down my throat.
“No, kidding,” Dylan muttered. “Now, who’s going to clean this mess?”
“I know you wanted to do this on our own, but we could have at least invited your boyfriend and his hunky brother to help us clean,” Dylan said.
“He has his big reveal tomorrow for Morrison Construction Rebuilds. I didn’t want him to be out late.” Whereas I didn’t want to go home. I was afraid I wouldn’t get any sleep tonight. The thought of facing my father was daunting.
“Hey, you got approval to paint from the landlord, right?” Dylan asked.
Avery was usually the organized one of all three of us, so I’d assumed she had before we started painting.
“Well—”
Dylan drank the rest of her champagne, before placing her empty glass on the desk between us. “You did, didn’t you?”
Avery winced. “I talked to him, but it didn’t go well. He wants us out after the current lease is over, so he didn’t see the need for us to change anything.”
“Fuck, Avery.” Dylan placed her hands on her hips.
“Why did we spend all week painting when we didn’t have permission?” I’d been too distracted with thoughts of home and Cade to even think about it. I assumed Avery took care of it like she did everything else.
“It looks so much better than it did before I can’t imagine he’d complain about the change,” Dylan said.
Avery’s pinched face said otherwise, but I didn’t argue.
“Let’s get this cleaned up,” Avery said, bringing me back into the room with the girls.
I slowly stood, feeling my muscles protest. My muscles ached from lifting my arms over my head to paint. My head pounded from the combination of the long week and alcohol. I took the paint trays to the back to rinse them in the sink.
On Saturday, I’d have to face my dad and Layton. I wanted to hide in Annapolis so I didn’t have to deal with it. I wanted to bury my head under my pillow.
My phone dinged when the last of the trays were rinsed and rested on paper towels. I dried my hands on a towel before I pulled my phone out of my back pocket. My heart soared thinking it was Cade.
Colin: I’m still picking you up at the airport, right?
Hadley: Yes. See you then.
As soon as the plane landed on Friday morning, I was restless with anticipation to see Colin. It had only been a few months since I’d left, but it felt like a lifetime. I walked through the airport toward baggage, scanning the area for him. I finally found him next to the carousel with a big grin as he watched me approach.
“Hey, sis.” He wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me into him. “Long time, no see.”
“Too long.”
He placed a finger under my chin, tilting my face up. “Hey, I don’t blame you for leaving. I’d escape too if I could. I graduate next year. Then I can do what I want.”
I hoped that was the case for him. That he didn’t wait as long as I did to distance himself from our dad.
“How are things in Annapolis?”
“Great. We’re getting more clients at the firm and the attorneys I work with are working with me to get donors to expand Kids Speak there.”
The carousel dinged as the conveyor belt began to move. He gave me one last squeeze before stepping away from me.
I pointed out my bags. Colin lifted them off the belt before we walked toward the garage where his car was parked. I waited until we were leaving before asking all the questions swirling in my head. “Tell me everything. How are your classes? Do you have a girlfriend?”
Colin glanced over at me. “One thing at a time. College is awesome. Classes are interesting.”
“You’re going, right?” I remembered what college was like. It was easy to sleep in and have fun rather than take your classes seriously.
“Of course, Mom.” He smiled teasingly.
I laughed. “Your grades are good?”
“Again. Yes, Mom.”
“Sorry, it’s a hard habit to break.” I looked out the window at the familiar scenery passing by. I’d expected to feel nostalgic when I was back here, but I just wanted Cade here to show him everything I loved about my town.
I sensed Colin sober. “I know. But you don’t have to worry about me anymore. I’ve got things under control.”
“I don’t worry about you necessarily.” I was more worried about dad doing to him what he’d done to me. He’d strong-arm him into a career he didn’t want or a job he didn’t like.
Colin raised his brow.
“I worry about Dad telling you who you can date, what classes you should take, or what your major should be.”
Colin smiled at me, his dimple popping. “He tries, but I don’t let him.”
“What?” I shifted to face him. When had Colin grown up?
“He tries. I nod like I agree. Then I go do whatever I want.”
“You do?” I tried to remember how Dad was when he was demanding things from me. I rarely considered disobeying him.
“Yeah. He’s too busy to check my grades or my schedule. By the time I graduate with a degree in what I want, it will be too late.”
“It can’t be that easy.” I looked at him now all grown up. The muscles of his arms flexed as he shifted his hand on the steering wheel, his strong jaw ticked with irritation.
“It is that easy. You didn’t have to move across the country to live your life. You just have to know how to handle him.”
I didn’t know if it was because I was the oldest or if I felt the need to hang around here to be there for Colin, or I needed Dad’s love more than Colin, but I wished I had seen things this clearly when I was younger.
“Do you know what’s going on with the business? He told me he’s in danger of going bankrupt. He needs Aiden Black to invest.”
Colin whistled. “Uh. No. I have not heard that. Do you believe it?”
“He’s threatening to withdraw funding for Kids Speak. If the business goes under, he won’t be able to afford it.”
“How are you supposed to help with that? It is what it is.”
“He wants me to smooth things over with Layton and come work for him.”
“No. Fuck that. Layton is a weak bastard for asking you in front of everyone. You’re not going to, are you?”
“No, but I was going to talk to Dad tomorrow morning. I want to discuss things with him before the gala.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“If I don’t work for him, he won’t fund Kids Speak, so it affects the gala. How can I announce an expansion if I don’t have his backing?”
A muscle in Colin’s jaw ticked, but he didn’t answer.
“I want to be clear with him about what I will and won’t do. I’ll tell him the plan for Kids Speak. I intend to go out on my own. If it’s not as successful, then so be it.” It sucked, but I knew if I worked hard enough, I could expand on my own.
“You’ve done what he wanted in the past…”
“He usually has leverage. He paid for my tuition, car, phone, whatever it was at the time, and I had to toe the line. When I worked at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, I bought a car and phone, but I still lived in his apartment. In Annapolis, everything is mine.”
“When we were younger, he should have paid for those things because he’s our father and he can afford it. Not because we have to do what he wants.”
“He thought he could use the same tactics with Kids Speak, but he underestimated me. He’s so confident that I need him, I’m sure he hasn’t even thought about the fact I’d walk away if he pushed hard enough.”
Colin glanced at me. “Kids Speak is important to you and he knows that. He’s tried that shit with me over the years too.
It got worse when you went to law school.”
I hadn’t wanted to move out of our house during college, but it was easier during law school. I studied all of the time and I didn’t want any pressure or interference from my father. Once I was out of the house, I didn’t consider moving back. “What did he do, Colin?”
I wanted to ask why he hadn’t told me immediately, but I knew the answer. He wanted to protect me as much as I wanted to protect him.
“He wants me to change my major to business. To stop playing baseball.”
“But baseball is your life.” As soon as he tried out for baseball in middle school, he’d been hooked. He loved it. He acquiesced to my dad’s demand that he attend college, but I knew he wanted to pursue playing in the minors. His coaches had encouraged him to over the years.
“You know him. He thinks it’s a distraction, a game.”
“Not if it’s what makes you happy and you have a real shot at it.”
“I applied for private loans for next year that will cover my tuition. I won’t change my major from sports management to business. I’d hate working for him. It’s a good fallback if baseball doesn’t work out.”
“But the interest rates on private loans are so high.”
“This is something I need to do for me.”
“I agree, but I hate that for you.” I didn’t have any loans when I graduated. That, combined with the fact that Dad paid my apartment until I moved, allowed me to save enough money to invest in the firm. An opportunity I wouldn’t have had otherwise, but I could see independence was more important to Colin. Especially when he wanted something Dad didn’t.
“The good news is that Dad can’t manipulate you or me anymore. I’m so proud of you and I’m going to be even prouder when you’re a famous baseball player.”
“You should be. I’m pretty great.” He smiled and winked at me before returning his attention to the road. Gone was the serious tone and tight jaw. He was back to his relaxed persona I was used to.
I smiled, happy to be in his presence. The one person who loved me unconditionally. “I love you, brother.”
“Love, you sis. Now tell me about this guy you’ve got in Annapolis.”
A ping shot through my heart. “How do you know I have a guy in Annapolis?”
A knowing smile crossed his lips. “You’re different. More relaxed and settled.”
“I went to Annapolis to figure out what I wanted. I didn’t expect to be attracted to anyone.”
“Does he treat you right?” He raised his brow.
“He does. He wanted to be here, but he has his charity event tomorrow morning. He renovates homes to make them handicapped accessible and he’s doing a big reveal for the family.”
“He sounds perfect for you.” Colin smiled and his shoulders relaxed.
“He is.” I chewed my lip. I thought I was looking for who I was, but maybe I wasn’t lost. I needed to listen to the voice in my head telling me what I wanted and what I liked. I needed to block out other influences. When I cleared all of the useless noise, what was left?
A picture in my mind formed of Cade—blond hair, blue eyes, broad shoulders, capable hands, and eyes filled with longing for me as he reached to pull me in for a hug. I longed to feel his strong arms around me now, his scent surrounding me, and his lips in my hair. I missed him already.
I was anxious to confront my dad and see Cade tomorrow evening. I’d told him I was falling for him, but I needed to tell him he’s all I want. I thought I was searching for myself, but I was here all along, I needed to listen to the voice in my head.
It wasn’t my firm, my career, my friends, or even my apartment. All that was left was Cade. How he made me feel and how important he’d come to be over a short time.
Chapter Twenty-Six
HADLEY
I slept on Colin’s couch last night after going out for drinks with his friends. He had a small one-bedroom apartment with used furniture he’d purchased from graduating seniors, but it was his. He was proud of it and I was too. He’d done what I couldn’t in college. He’d been accountable for finding his way through life. It had taken me a bit longer, but I was doing the same. Starting with the event tonight.
I scrolled through my phone from my spot on the couch when Colin stumbled into the room, scrubbing his unshaven face.
“What’s on tap for today?” I smiled.
He winced as his hand slid off his face. “How are you so chipper right now?”
“I didn’t drink as much as you.”
“I need coffee.” He slid the carafe into the coffee maker and spooned whole beans into the machine as the smell filtered through the room.
I stood, carefully folding the blankets on the couch before sitting on one of his kitchen stools.
Colin grabbed a pitcher of water from the fridge. Then he poured it into the machine while scrolling his phone. “Are you ready for tonight?”
I knew what he meant. There would be talk about Layton’s failed marriage proposal.
“Can I expect another public proposal?” Colin winked at me as he turned on the coffee machine, the noise of the beans grinding filled the room.
I waited until the machine quieted before I spoke. “No. I don’t think he’ll try that again.”
“What’s the plan then?”
“I scheduled a meeting with Dad this morning at his house. I want to make an announcement tonight about going forward without Dad’s backing, but I’m not sure how to do that. I think I’ll discuss my plan for expansion, my progress in Annapolis, and the need for funding.”
Colin leaned his elbows on the counter. “Maybe say you intend to be the sole director going forward, anyone who wishes to contribute can. It’s probably not a good idea to mention you lost your biggest investor.”
I had worried about the implications of Dad backing out, but if it weren’t known, then hopefully it wouldn’t affect me too much. “How did you get so good at diplomacy?”
“Years of attending these events. Some of it filtered through, unfortunately.”
“One day, when you’re a baseball player, you can lead your own charity.”
His eyes sparked with interest. “If I do that, I’ll hire you as my director. You’ll be a seasoned pro by then.” He paused before adding, “Or maybe I could partner with you. I don’t have money to back you, but I can help out. I could offer baseball or sports lessons to the kids when they stay after school. Make it part of the program. Then if I ever make it big, we could start a program in every city. Don’t forget, you started Kids Speak because of me and I feel just as strongly about making it a success.”
The coffee machine beeped, signaling it was ready.
He was right. He was the perfect spokesman. He could talk to the kids about his experience with stuttering as a child. “Colin, I just got chills. That’s an amazing idea.”
He winked. “I’m full of amazing ideas. Coffee?”
“Yes, please. I need something to get through this day.”
He pulled two mugs from the cupboard.
“Are you serious about what you said?” The idea of partnering with athletes to encourage kids was genius. The kids would love it. When local athletes were involved, money flowed.
“I’ve thought about it. I think it could work.”
“I do too. I’ll talk to the acting director here and get the ball rolling. I assume you want to be the first athlete to work with them.”
“I’d love to.”
I nodded, my brain already projecting possible scenarios and events we could do. Take the kids to a ballgame day and meet the players. Athletes could visit the school during lessons as a motivational tool for the students.
Colin poured both coffees. “I’m coming with you to Dad’s.”
My attention was so focused on his suggestions, it took a second to process the change in conversation. “No. You’re not. I want to do this myself.”
“I’m coming with you. This is a family matter and I won’t have him threatening
you. Plus, I’m a part of Kids Speak too, right co-director?” His tone was teasing, but his expression was serious.
I sighed. He was right. It affected him too. “Fine, but you stand with me tonight when we announce this new development. We’ll say we’re in the planning stages.”
He slid my steaming mug over to me and covered my hand with his. “I’ll stand beside you tonight if you let me go with you to confront Dad. Got it?”
“Yes. Can I drink my coffee now?” I smirked.
“Yes.”
I blew on the coffee. I loved spending time with my brother. I hated not living in the same city as him. “Any chance you’ll move to Maryland after graduation?”
“If I play baseball, who knows where I’ll end up. I could be traveling around for years before I ever make it. If I make it at all.”
“If someone had a chance, it’s you. You’re more determined than I ever gave you credit for.”
He winked. “I’m glad you think so. I just have to convince the scouts.”
“Keep working hard and you will.”
Colin pulled into the elaborate circle driveway of Dad’s estate in the lower garden estate where we’d grown up. The tinkling of the fountain greeted us through Colin’s open window. It was beautiful, but when I lived here, I hadn’t seen it that way. It felt more like a luxurious prison.
With six bedrooms and seven baths, it was enormous, especially since Dad lived here alone. He needed a team to care for it. The grand white siding home had two large porches on each story, a pool and gardens in the back. Would he need to move if the business went under or had he saved some money over the years to sustain his lifestyle?
I couldn’t feel bad about the situation he was in. He wasn’t my responsibility. I needed to remember that during our meeting.
“What does he think we’re here to talk about?” Colin’s tone was tight.
“He probably thinks I’m going to accept his job offer.” Dad was usually too busy to schedule meetings with us. He called and demanded things but never took enough time to discuss anything with us.
