Chapter 5
Payson
Since the phone call with Aunt Vivian, I have been on edge.
Usually, I don’t let people get under my skin.
With her, it’s hard to let it not bother me.
That woman has despised me since the first moment she met me.
“You are not, nor will you ever be a Reith.” Those were the first words she ever spoke to me.
Each time we run into one another, the hatred between us is clearly seen.
The gates open, allowing me entrance, as I pull into the driveway of where I once grew up.
Hopefully, Jay decided to work from home today.
We haven’t really spoken face to face since the day I went off to college.
That was nearly two years ago. Multiple vehicles are lined up in front of the main entrance to the house, none of which I seem to recognize.
Jay must have had one of his business meetings scheduled here.
Sure enough, when I stop in front of the door to his office to knock, it opens with a force that nearly wipes the ground from under me.
One by one, men dressed in exquisitely tailored suits begin to file out, excusing themselves as they slip past me.
As Jay stands to follow, he notices me at the door.
“Payson,” he says, greeting me with a warm smile. “I wasn’t expecting you.”
“What is it with this family telling me to fuck off, today?”
Jay sighs, continuing to walk right past me, not paying me another thought.
“That came out wrong, I’m sorry.” I’m near about at a jog just to stay up with him.
“It’s just that Aunt Vivian…” The words taste like vomit in my mouth, I nearly gag. “Called me earlier…” He stops suddenly, catching me off guard, causing me to barrel right into him. Okay then.
“What did she want?” He looks as angry about her calling as I did.
“She said you were ignoring her calls. That it was important, and for you to call her.”
He huffs, rolling his eyes.
“When did you add this on?” I ask, admiring the layout as I walk in behind him.
“Shortly after you went off to college.”
“This is my design.” I look at him, surprised as he pours himself a glass of his favorite bourbon. “You bought my design?” He nods. “Why?”
I don’t miss the sharp inhale he takes looking out into what I assume is the backyard.
“I needed an area I could relax in outside of work.”
“You never cared to see my designs before.”
“Don’t start,” he quips, narrowing his eyes at me as he takes a seat in one of the leather chairs beside him.
“Sit.” He gestures to the identical chair across from him. The last thing I planned was to come here today. Judging by the emotions etched on his face right now, this is the last thing he planned would happen as well.
“Let’s get one thing straight. I am not going to apologize for the past. It’s exactly that, the past. We can move on from it, or you can let it consume you.
Your choice. If you want to hate me, that’s fine, too.
Despite what you may think, there are things you just don’t understand yet…
but everything I do is for my family, and that family includes you,” he clarifies.
I grab the glass of bourbon from his hand, downing it in one swallow. If this conversation is heading in this direction, one glass will not be enough to settle the pain that comes with it. I take a deep breath and take a seat.
“Do you know what my favorite memory is?” I rest my head against the back of the chair, trying to relax. “The night I snuck into your car when you were headed to work.” He lets out a small laugh. Something I haven’t heard since I was a little kid.
“I was so fascinated by the different lights and colors of all the buildings that when you pulled up next to one and stopped, my excitement gave me away.”
“You were just lucky you chose the right car to hide in that night.” He takes the glass from my hand and walks behind the bar. I watch as he grabs another glass from the cabinet.
“Jeff happened to call, apologizing for not paying attention sooner. When I asked what he was talking about, he said you were no longer asleep in bed. The cameras showed you sneaking into the garage just minutes before I left.”
Jeff is the head of security, one of Jay’s best friends, and my personal bodyguard when needed.
“He checked the other cars afterwards, and when you weren’t in any of them that just left mine.”
I smile softly at the memory.
“All I remember thinking was that I was going to figure out where you had been going every night. When that door opened, the look on your face told me I was in big trouble.”
“Oh, you were. Jeff was already on his way to pick you up.”
Jay returns to his seat with not one, but two glasses of bourbon this time.
“I don’t like to share,” he states. I can’t help but laugh as I take the glass from him. Focusing back on the conversation, he adds, “The look on your face when I said you were going home nearly broke my heart, but not nearly as much as the words you mumbled after.”
Pain flicks across his eyes as he looks at me. I take a sip of my drink, letting the scent of cinnamon and citrus flood my senses as the smooth liquid coats my throat.
“Dealing with me couldn’t have been easy. I’m sorry for all the trouble and pain I have caused you.” My voice breaks as I apologize for my behavior over the years. “Can we start over?”
“Like I said,” he leans forward in his chair, staring into his glass for a few moments before looking back at me with a genuine smile on his face, “the past is the past.”