by Amanda Ashby
“So you did.” His father walked over to the liquor cabinet and poured out a whiskey, a thoughtful expression around his mouth. He picked up a second glass but Will gave a swift shake of his head. This was hardly a social visit. “I’ll tell you what, William. How about I give you the building?”
“What?” Will froze.
“Ah, that got your attention.” His father seemed pleased with himself. That was never a good sign. “I’m completely serious. Just say the word and I’ll transfer the title to you. You can give it to whatever community group strikes your fancy.”
“What’s the catch?”
“I wouldn’t call it a catch exactly, more like an opportunity. You have a creativity that doesn’t get bogged down by obstacles. Instead you look for solutions. Even when you were a kid, you were always looking at new ways to solve problems. You were born for business. It’s a crime to see you wasting your life.”
“Wasting my life?” Will came to a halt as the familiar frustrations caught in his throat and threatened to choke him. It had been always been like this with the old man. The claustrophobic anger that made it impossible for Will to be in the same room with him. Hell, most of the time he couldn’t bear to be in the same country as him. “So let me get this straight. You’re using the future of a community center to bribe me to come back and work for you? Is this all because I refused your investment offer?”
“No, Will. Buying that building was a business decision that was made long before you came back. And you know better than anyone that I don’t normally change my mind about that. But since you’ve come charging into my home, demanding that I reconsider, this is my alternate solution. I make decisions quickly. So do you. This wasn’t some convoluted plot, Will. I’m not the villain that you like to make me out to be.”
“Really, so you didn’t marry my ex-fiancée, then? You didn’t make my mother’s life a living hell, to the point where she’d rather drink than have to face up to you?” Will snapped, the coolness he preferred to use around his father momentarily dissolved. He clenched his fists and turned to face the wall, desperate for some kind of control.
Behind him, he could hear his father put down his drink and sigh. “Will, I’m sorry about Lisa. If I had thought for one minute that you were still in love with her I never would’ve asked her on a date. Can you honestly tell me that I’m wrong?”
Will forced himself to turn around. In three years they’d never talked about Lisa. About the fact that she’d gone from son to father with barely months in between. If they were going to have this conversation, they needed to have it face-to-face. So it could be over and done with once and for all.
“Is that how you justify it to yourself?” Will was stung into replying. He didn’t have the energy to explain to his father that it wasn’t even the betrayal that had hurt. After all, he and his father had been estranged long before Lisa came along. What had really hurt was that Lisa had lied about how she felt. She picked his father’s life over Will’s, after Will had told her how he felt about that world.
“No, son. I accept that I made an error. One that hurt you. But can you honestly tell me that you didn’t make an error too? You think that Lisa and I both betrayed you, but what about your betrayal of her?” his father said in a soft voice, the hardness around his mouth disappearing.
Will was thrown off guard. “What are you talking about?”
“You obviously didn’t see her for the person she was. She came from nothing, and she never hid her fear of not wanting to go back to nothing. I knew that even when you two were dating. She has her reasons for rejecting your lifestyle. But you judge her for wanting something just because it’s not what you wanted. Is that fair?”
“I don’t know. Perhaps I should ask my dead mother about fair?” Will clenched his fists, furious that his father was trying to sell him a story that just wasn’t true. And Will was getting dragged into it. First talking about Lisa and now his mother?
“Will—”
“No.” He shook his head and began to pace the room. “This was a mistake. I should never have come here.”
“Yes, you should have. I want to sort this out. I’m sure we can find a conclusion that will suit us all.”
“I’m not talking about tonight. I’m talking about Seattle. Even being in the same town as you is no good. I’m not like Tucker or Mom. I can’t just ignore the kind of man you are.”
“I know full well that you’re not your brother or your mother,” his father said, his eyes sorrowful. He really was an excellent liar. “Though, if it’s any consolation, she forgave you for what you did.”
Will’s stomach tightened like he’d been punched as the memory slammed into him.
He’d been five and Tucker had been seven when their mother had gathered them together and explained that their suitcases were packed and that they were going to move out of the mansion and live with their grandmother for a while.
Tucker had been excited at the idea, but Will, who’d been looking forward to a school trip the following week, had thrown himself onto the ground and refused to move. He was still there when their father came home. Then after a hushed argument between his parents, the suitcases were unpacked and nothing more was said of it. But over the years Will had often wondered what his mother’s life would’ve been like if they’d left that night.
Would she be alive and living at the beach, writing her poems and helping those in the community around her instead of buried under the ground, forgotten by her husband? Would she have been happy as opposed to the quiet, drunken woman she’d become in those last few years? Of course he’d never know, because Will had prevented that from happening.
Where there was a Will, there was a way.
He swallowed hard.
“We both know the truth. You’re not like your mother or brother. You’re like me,” his father went on. “And you can run to the other end of the world, but it won’t change the fact that you think like I think. You’re ruthless and competitive and you love to win. I heard about how you got your meeting with Geoff Tait. You feel justified because you think that your cause is worthy and mine aren’t, but did you ever stop to think how I feel? I’ve never gone into a project trying to make things worse for people. I’m trying to look after my shareholders, my employees, my family. Will, we’re not so different.”
Will was silent, thinking of the meeting. His father was right. Will had practically stalked Geoff to get the meeting. He hadn’t taken no for an answer—he’d done whatever it took. And then was Riley. He’d been so convinced that having her as his fake girlfriend was the right thing to do that he’d virtually bullied her into. He clenched his fists and swallowed hard as his father’s words washed over him. We’re not so different.
Then he turned and walked out the door and right past Tucker’s car. He needed fresh air and some time to clear his head, to get his fathers words to stop ringing in his ear. For once everything the old man had said was true. It was what Will had always known, and everything he had always feared.
Despite all the good he did, at heart he wasn’t the son who his mother could be proud of. He was the same as the man his mother had hated more than life itself. He was the same as his father.
And that thought terrified him more than anything else.
Chapter Fifteen
“You look like you haven’t slept a wink,” Italy said the following morning as Riley walked into work chugging back her second espresso of the day. “Let me guess, you and Will were up all night trying to decide on the name of your firstborn. He likes Phoenix and you prefer Jane. Then you realized it was your first fight and got all sentimental as you made up.”
“Has anyone told you that you read too many books?” Riley yawned. Secretly, she wished that was her only problem. Unfortunately, right now her main concern was why Will hadn’t come home, or even phoned to tell her where he was.
At the
best of times that was unheard of. After visiting his father, it was dangerous.
“Not so much.” Italy checked her lipstick before putting her purse in her locker and turning to Riley. “So, are you going to tell me what’s going on?”
“Turns out that Will’s father is the developer who bought Sparrow Street Community Center and there was an article in the paper linking Will to the development.” Riley put away her own purse and took another slug of coffee. “Of course it’s not true, but Will went to confront his father and see if he could get him to change his mind anyway. He felt guilty, I think.”
Italy’s face lost some of its color. “Oh, honey. Please tell me that he didn’t do anything stupid.”
Riley’s lip trembled. “That’s the thing. I don’t know. I haven’t seen him since last night. I’ve left him a zillion messages and went up this morning, but he wasn’t there.”
“Well, that just means he’s done the sensible thing and gone off somewhere to clear his head,” Italy said in a firm voice, which helped keep some of Riley’s panic at bay.
“Do you really think so?”
“I know so,” Italy responded. “Look, I hate to boast, but I’ve dated far more guys than you, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that they’re useless when it comes to processing their anger. He’s probably gone for an extended run or a swim. Or, knowing Will, both. Yes?”
Riley nodded. There was a good chance Italy was right. Will never liked to be caged up for too long and would often go for a run to clear his head. Relief flooded through her. He’d gotten home late and then gone out for an early morning run. As for not returning my calls, he probably hadn’t charged his cell phone. Simple explanation.
“Thank you. I feel a bit better now.”
“Good, because here comes Gloria, which means you’d better look busy if you want to keep that new promotion of yours.”
***
Will sat at his mother’s grave. He hadn’t been there since the funeral, but it was obvious by the sun-faded irises lying there that Tucker must’ve visited in the last month or so. Irises had been their mother’s favorite flowers. Even without the flowers as evidence, knowing his brother, Tucker probably would have taken Danni there before the wedding. Will wasn’t sure if it was morbid or sensitive. All he knew was that staring at the shining granite headstone made his heart pound.
He rubbed the fatigue from his eyes. The groundskeepers were beginning to materialize with wheelbarrows and lawnmowers, while a couple of old women trundled by with armfuls of roses and jasmine. The smell caught in his nose, somehow reminding him he had yet to sleep. After the argument with his father, and a long walk on his own, he’d gone to see Sam at the community center to apologize for the bad press and assure him that he hadn’t been aware that his father was the buyer. It felt like the least he could do.
He didn’t bother to mention his father’s offer, since there was no way he could accept.
Sam had been understanding, yet somehow that had only made Will feel worse. Which was probably why instead of going home to Riley, he’d tried to run it off.
It hadn’t helped.
He lay back against the green grass, still dewy from the previous night, while the clouds danced above him. He was just deciding if he should go home when his cell rang. Tucker’s name flashed up on the screen. Avoiding Riley for a little while was one thing, but his brother would be ten times as annoying if he didn’t pick up.
“So, you heard that I left your car at the house?” Will said by way of greeting as he reluctantly sat up. “Sorry about that.”
“Will, this isn’t about the car. The old man told me what happened. He didn’t mean to insult you with his offer.”
“Then he shouldn’t have tried bribing me.”
“Yeah, well there’s changing and there’s a lobotomy,” Tucker said dryly. “You know he doesn’t really like to put things on the table, not even with us. But here’s the deal. You wouldn’t be working with him, you’d be working with me. And if you’re worried about having time to set up your business, then don’t be. We could just hire you as a consultant and you could work the hours that suit. At least think about it. It makes sense, especially considering you’re with Riley now. This would be an easy way to make a living here.”
“It’s not that simple.” Will rubbed his eyes as one of the lawn mowers kicked into life, making him jump. He was too tired for this right now.
“What’s that noise? Where are you?” Tucker asked as Will got to his feet and brushed the grass from his jeans.
“I’m at the cemetery.”
“Jeez. I meant to go there before the wedding but things got too hectic.”
“What?” Will frowned as he glanced down at the irises. “Are you sure?”
“Um, yeah. It’s not the kind of thing I would forget,” Tucker said, then swore under his breath. “Hell, I’ve got to go. We’re going on a day trip to one of the outer islands. But, Will, please think about the old man’s offer. You could do a lot of good with us. Help us become the kind of business that you would be proud to be part of. Be the change.”
“I’ll see,” Will said, and finished the call, tilting his head back up to the sky to look at the sun breaking through the clouds. Will let the warmth run through him. He knew that it wasn’t an offer he could consider. He had to leave Seattle. It was the only way to escape his father’s toxic touch. Every moment he stayed here, he would end up playing more games like these, and they might turn him into someone he didn’t like. The problem was that now it wasn’t just him. There was Riley to consider. But she’d once told him that she wanted to do whatever it took to make their relationship work. That he was more important than worrying about money and her job. Which was why he needed to ask her to go with him.
He jumped to his feet, his mood improved. Of course. He might have to leave Seattle, but he didn’t need to leave Riley behind. For the first time since he’d read the newspaper article, he felt hope return.
***
Riley’s heart hammered as she walked out of the library and over to where Will was waiting for her, a bunch of wildflowers in his hands. She still had no idea where he’d been all day, but at least he was here now. She increased her pace, but as she got closer, the dark smudges under his eyes became clearer. Where had he been last night?
“Hey,” she said as she reached him, trying to keep her voice light. “So, sleeping not a thing with you right now?”
For a moment he was silent, then a small smile crept onto his mouth and one of his dimples appeared. “Are you saying that I don’t look fresh-faced? Your words wound.”
“You’ll always be pretty to me. Well, apart from that time when we played paintball and you ended up with a purple face.”
“The problem with librarians is that they never forget anything,” he murmured. Without another word he crossed the space between them and wrapped her up in his arms. He smelled of coffee and his skin was gray with fatigue, but when she felt his tense muscles relax as they pressed against her body, none of that mattered. His mouth found hers and he let out a raw groan, kissing her hard until he finally let her go and dropped his head again. “And I’m sorry I took off like that. I should’ve called but after I spoke to my father, I just wanted to—”
“It’s okay,” she said. All she could feel was relief that he had turned up in one piece. “I know what effect he has on you.”
“Yeah.” He stepped back and pressed his lips together. Once again she could see clearly the strain on his face. “But these are for you. Freshly picked from the vacant lot over by the skate park.”
“Thanks.” Riley gave him a shy smile as he passed her the collection of wildflowers. If Italy was there, she probably would’ve called them weeds, but to Riley they were more precious than any hothouse roses. Colorful, unexpected and unique. A bit like Will. “So what happened with your father? Was it te
rrible?”
Will was silent as he studied the ground before he finally looked up to meet her eyes. “He’s using the building as leverage. If I agree to work for him, he’ll give me the entire property and I’d be free to do with it what I wanted. And if refuse, then everyone loses.”
“Will, no one would expect you to say yes to your father, especially not Sam, so if that’s what made you feel so guilty, then you can stop it. Okay?” Now Will not coming home last night made sense. He’d been feeling guilty that he couldn’t work for a man he despised, and so had doomed the community center.
“I know. But it’s also made me realize that I can’t stay here.”
“What?” Why had all the air suddenly gone from her lungs? “But we talked about it. You’re going to spend more of your time in Seattle working on the startup. You said that you were staying for me.”
That you were going to be my boyfriend.
“And I meant it, I really did. Then.” He reached for her hand, but she shook him away. If he touched her, it would be real, and if it was real she didn’t know what she would do. Her throat tightened and her head spun. “Riley, I’m so sorry.”
“Sorry.” She blinked as she forced herself to stare at him. “I don’t understand. If you leave you’re not hurting your father, you’re hurting me. And what about Tucker? You might hate your father, but you love your brother, and he lives here too. He was going to love having you close.”
Will shut his eyes and gritted his teeth. “The last thing I want to do is hurt you or Tucker, but the problem is that I don’t want to be this person. The kind who reacts so badly every time my father’s name is mentioned. Hell, Riley, you shouldn’t have to stay up half the night worrying about me because I was too wound up to call.”
“I worry about potted plants and guinea pigs, so worrying about you doesn’t put me out much.” Her heart was hammering in her chest. “Will, I don’t mind.”
