“Oh Jo..you didn’t go and fall in love with the boy, did you?” My mom asked in shock as Robin stood abruptly before slamming her napkin on the table.
“That’s enough..can’t you see how much she clearly cares for Capsian and he cares for her? If you and Dave would pull your heads out of each other’s asses..you would see what is going on around you. I have never seen two more selfish people in my damn life..come on Jo, let’s go.” Robin spat before walking up to me and taking my hand.
She helped me up just as our food was arriving.
“Sorry we will have to take it to go..and she is footing the bill.” Robin stated hastily before pulling me out of the restaurant.
I think this place is officially cursed..and will I ever eat a real damn meal?!
“Come on..I can’t believe that woman.” Robin grumbled as people began to whisper and stare at us while walking out.
“Robin..do you think..” I began and she didn’t even let me finish.
“No way in hell..he would never do that to you..” She reassured me before stepping outside and calling an Uber.
But why hasn’t he texted me back yet? He wouldn’t agree to that..would he?
(Caspian)
I don’t know why the hell we were here right now..and of course, Dad made us turn our fucking phones off so we can have “bonding time”..whatever the hell that is.
So I didn’t get the chance to text Johnnie back and it was killing me.
I glanced across the water as the boat drifted to a comfortable speed. Dad bought this boat a few years back, it’s a mini yacht and he obviously has no idea how to drive it.
But hey, he has enough money to hire people that do.
I glanced to the side, seeing Freddy and his dad laughing about something as I couldn’t help but scowl.
Why did they have to come too?
“Hey..relax, you look like you’re about to have a stroke.” Milo said before slapping me on the back as he took a sip of his soda.
I made sure he wasn’t going to touch a drop of alcohol this time..so far he is 0-2 and the alcohol is kicking his ass.
“I just didn’t get a chance to text Johnnie..what if she thinks I’m ghosting her.” I grumbled quietly, feeling weird to admit this as my knee bounced up and down anxiously.
“Hey, just try to be in the moment..look where the fuck we are right now. Johnnie will understand after you explain everything.” Milo encouraged before smiling.
I just nodded once, returning the best smile I could muster as I still felt sick about it.
Then I heard Alder laughing about something with my dad as I darted my gaze towards them. Ben on the other hand..he looked just as miserable as me. I felt kind of bad actually..but he has been giving my dad the death glare all morning now that he knows what happened.
“I’m going to use the bathroom.” Milo stated quickly and that’s when Ben came trudging over before plopping on the couch.
“So this is why you were such a dick the past few years…no offense..but I can’t fucking blame you now..I want to knock the dude out.” Ben grumbled quietly before turning his head towards me.
“Yeah..definitely not enjoying this either..” I confessed, my eyes glancing at Alder as he looked so damn happy.
“How are we going to tell him?” Ben asked, speaking my thoughts out loud as I shook my head..feeling just as clueless about this as him.
Alder and I have always been close..he has been more of a dad to me than my own dad since all this shit happened. And after I graduate college..we are supposed to take over the company together. The King brothers will be starting at King Corporations in a few years..and Ben doesn’t know.
My dad said he would give Alder these four years to go out on his own and live his “dream” then he has to get serious and leave that “child’s play” behind. Before he and Ben started their business, Alder interned at King’s Corporations until I went to college.
He says the same about my hockey to me though..but I thought that if he saw how much I loved it, and how good I was…he would let me do this.
I’m already getting fucking scouted and the guy doesn’t seem to care.
But if I don’t do this..then Mom suffers..Dave King knows she is my weakness..he knows that if I rebel, he won’t punish just me to make an impact..no, he punishes her.
“Hey Caspian, can I have a word with you?” My father suddenly asked before placing his hand on my shoulder, making me jerk away.
“What is it?” I responded coldly, already done with this bonding shit.
“I just need to talk to you about a few things.” He said more sternly this time as I glanced over at Ben who looked like he was about to pounce.
“Sure.” I stated, and stood quickly.
My dad held a beer in his hands as he walked towards the lower deck and entered one of the cabins away from everyone.
That’s when I knew I was about to be chewed out. Dave King never revealed this side to anyone but me..I don’t even think Alder has seen it..but maybe that’s because I saw the man without his mask..I knew his deepest darkest secrets and he didn’t have to pretend around me.
“Sit down.” He barked, making me walk to a small sofa as I sat, not even bothering to speak.
“Whatever is going on with you and Johnnie..it needs to end now.” He ordered, making me raise my eyes slowly as I met his cold gaze.
I leaned back before lifting my arm and resting it on the back of the couch leisurely.
“No.” I stated firmly, causing my dad to do a double take like he couldn’t believe I was saying this.
“No? You are throwing away your future Caspian if you date that girl. It’s unacceptable.” He explained, making my jaw clench as I prepared myself for the backlash I was about to get.
“Why? You thought her mom was good enough to fuck? So I thought I would follow in your..” I couldn’t even finish as I felt the slap across my face. I sat there without moving an inch, the sting from the slap not affecting me as much it used t..I was done with this..I’m not that little boy anymore.
My dad towered above me, his blue eyes almost black from the anger that coursed through him.
“So that’s what all of this is about? You are trying to get back at me for leaving your mother for Heather. Well, it ends now..” He said before stepping back and running his fingers through his hair.
“I have spoken to Logan Winfield, he has agreed to invest in King Corporation and you will ask Heaven for her hand in marriage. That is what will be best for our family.” He dropped this bomb on me, making my mouth drop open as I finally stood, losing that cool persona.
“The fuck I’m not..what is this, the 1800s?! You can’t make me do shit.” I yelled, causing my dad to look taken aback by the tone I used with him.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.