“Great dig, asshole. Did you pick that one up from Dad?”
Do you have an interest in being anything but a family failure?The memory of my dad laughing his drunk ass off takes center stage in my head; him shunning my need for a calculus tutor is quickly replaced by a darker memory.
Why am I not surprised that you couldn’t even succeed at hitting a block of rubber around—the harsh words my father shared during my post-op after I tore my ACL.
The only reason you’re on this company board is because your grandpa knew you wouldn’t amount to anything on your own.My father’s red-rimmed eyes flick over my seat in the conference room.
The one thing my father succeeded at was finding a hundred different ways to make me feel like a pathetic failure.
And now Declan…
Fuck him.
“Shit. Cal…” Declan’s glare softens.
Screw Declan for using my one weakness against me. It’s not like I don’t want to be better. Todobetter.
I just don’t know how.
I shoot him my fakest smile that makes his eye twitch. “No need to apologize, brother. It’s not like I didn’t spend my entire life hearing those same words time and time again.”
Declan’s words follow me long after I leave the Kane Company building, feeding off my insecurities like a parasite that can only be cured with a bottle of vodka.
You could get help again.My hand trembles as I pour myself a drink. Some of it spills from my jerky movement, soaking my hand and the surrounding area around the glass.
I shake my head, ignoring the voice in my head beckoning me to stop before I take the first sip.
Always a disappointment.
I pause as my lips touch the rim of the glass.
You’re better than this.
No. I’m really not.
I knock back the first drink with a few swallows before pouring myself a second glass. Declan tries to call me twice throughout the night. He even leaves a voicemail, which I delete right away because I’m too drunk to care.
Just how I like it.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Castillo.” Brady Kane’s lawyer apologizes for the second time today, although it does little to ease the burn in my throat.
This can’t be happening.I reach out for the kitchen counter to stabilize my wobbly legs.
Leo clears his throat, making the speaker beside my ear crackle. “I understand all of this must come as quite a shock, but I’m sure that Brady had your best intentions at heart. He spoke fondly of you during all of our discussions.”
The pressure building behind my temples intensifies despite me rubbing my temples. “It doesn’t feel that way.”
“If it’s any consolation, Callahan expressed a similar frustration during our conversation earlier.”
“Did he also mention how he wants to sell the house?”
“He did.”
My fingers clutching the counter turn white from the pressure. “What happens if I don’t want to sell it?”
“All decisions regarding the property must be mutually made. The only way Callahan can sell the property is if you agree and vice versa.”
I release a heavy breath. “Finally, some good news.”