My father straightens his posture and sits at the head of the table. Alec takes the seat next to him, and my mother on the other side of him, while I sit at the other end.
“You’ll need to give that café up when you become a wife. You know that, right?”
My mother pours him a drink as he watches me, waiting for my answer.
“What if I don’t get married?”
My mother spills her wine glass all over the table at my words.
“Oh, you will. You have to, Everly.”
I roll my eyes at his words. For years he’s been telling me I will be getting married, and that day never comes. I’m not in a relationship. Well, I don’t know what I have with Gunner, and I sure as shit don’t want to scare him with the word ‘marriage.’ Fuck! That word even scares the shit out of me. I’m not sure I ever want to get married, let alone to Gunner, who’s so hot and cold it’s going to make my head explode.
Plus, my father’s views on marriage are not something I want to go into.
“Your father recently purchased a massive land block…”
My food is placed in front of me, and I try hard to listen to what they’re talking about, but I don’t care and tune out. My father’s business is just that, his. He’s always said he wants me to have it when the time comes, but the things I’ve heard and seen, I’m not sure I want it.
“It’s a massive piece. They’re going to build a whole new gated community, just like Evergreen,” my mother carries on and on.
“I guess you plan to hustle them, too?” I spit out, not meaning to, but somehow the words escaped from my mouth.
My mother chokes on her drink, and the table goes deadly silent.
“Excuse you?” my father bites back at me.
I bite the piece of chicken off my fork, chewing it, and watching him closely.
Then I decide, fuck it! I’m going to say my piece. “You make them sell you their land. I’ve heard it spoken about. Seen it, Papa. Do you care to lie about it to my face?”
His fork and knife clang as they’re placed on either side of his plate quite hard. His hands fold in prayer position in front of him as he studies me. “You have a problem now, with how I make a living? Because you didn’t when you took the money for your café. My hard-earned money from the business you now have a problem with.”
“That’s different.”
“Tell me how so, daughter?”
“I plan to pay you back, every damn cent.”
“Good. And now I want it back with interest. But don’t be so quick to judge, young lady, because one day this will all be yours.” His hands wave around this massive house that I grew up in. The house that feels cold, bland, and lifeless.
“I don’t want it. Give it to Alec.”
Alec closes his eyes softly and looks down at his food knowing all hell is going to break loose.
“He doesn’t want it. It goes to the firstborn. You are my daughter, Everly. This will be yours. And you will be married when you take it.”
“Why?”
“Why, what?”
A glass falls to the floor as my mother begins to speak, “Oh, would you look at that…” She looks at the floor where the red wine is spattered all over the marble, looking a lot like bloodstains. “Come on now, let’s eat our food, it’s getting cold.”
My father looks at her and covers her hand with his. Despite everything that’s fucked up with this family, one thing I do know for sure, is how much he loves her. Even if he doesn’t treat her the way I expect a woman to be treated.
Alec smiles at me and goes back to eating. My father ignores me, and they start talking about work. I tune them out again as my mother makes small talk about the last gala she hosted.
When it’s finally time to go, Alec’s the one to walk me out. His hand goes to my back as we reach the car. He pauses, and I know there’s something on the tip of his tongue.
“Just say it, Alec.” I throw my hands up in the air.
“I know you don’t understand all of our traditions, but you will. One day.”
“You want it all. I have no problem with that. Why can’t you have at it?” I ask him honestly. If anyone deserves the business, it’s him.
He brushes my chin with his fingers. “Because it’s yours. It’s been groomed to be yours since before you were born. And soon, squirt, you will understand it all. But I’ll see you next week, okay?”
I nod my head, leaning in to cuddle him again before I leave, having no idea what he means and I’m honestly too tired to care.