Chapter 31
Chapter
Thirty-One
XAVI
I peek into the pot and look at the coffee.
I hate the smell of brewed coffee. Freshly ground coffee beans are heavenly, but once brewed?
Yuck. There’s also a kettle of hot water for tea.
The mini fridge is freshly stocked with different options for creamer, and the little caddy on top has all the sugars, shots, and shit that anyone could ask for.
We’re having a larger crowd here today for this meeting, so we’re not in the little dining room. There are two medium-sized dining rooms. This is the larger of the mediums. Not the one we used. This one is specifically for hosting, hence the coffee station.
The second medium-sized dining room was the one we always used growing up. It fits a dozen people, which I understand sounds very large. But our large, formal dining room seats thirty. In comparison, a dozen is pretty small.
I stare out the window for a minute and then move around the room, making sure all the chairs are in place. I count them again because I’m anxious. Today is the day. Today, Avory and Nash will be here to present both of our parents with the decimated contracts and then the new ones.
I’m fucking nervous. I’m so nervous that I feel like I’m vibrating. Turning away from the table, I stand at the window once more. I can barely see the driveway from here. Not all of it. Just a sliver through the trees. I’m not sure if I’m hoping to see our parents pull in.
I jump when Enfield’s hand lands on my hip. I begin to turn, but he has a mug in front of me, and I can smell the hot chocolate before I even look at it. My smile feels a little sappy.
Enfield kisses my cheek as I take the mug. “Thanks.”
“You doing okay?”
“I’m nervous,” I admit. “You?”
“Giddy.”
I laugh.
“Also tired. I think I’m tired in my soul, but at the end of the day, this will be finished.
I won’t have to see my parents outside of Christmas at the Holt family gathering.
No contact. No interference. I’ll have my trusts and sell my company shares to a cousin or a sibling or some shit and maybe build a rival brand of resorts and not put them under the Undergrove name. ”
“You’re just thinking up ways to piss your parents off,” I muse.
He grins. “Actually, yes. And no. I think I want to punish them at the very least. They deserve that, at minimum.”
“I can’t imagine growing up like that,” I say, sighing. I lean back into him, keeping the warm mug between my hands. It’s not cold, but I like the warmth it provides.
“I realize that this is the wrong driving force when parenting, but I’ve always vowed that I would never be like them with my own kids.”
I check my watch as I nod. “That’s better than my plan for when I was forced to have kids.”
He chuckles. His lips press to my cheek again, and I smile. He’s gotten so sweet. “Are you sure you don’t want Sparrow here?” he asks for maybe the fourth time.
“You don’t have a friend here,” I point out.
“I do, actually. Nash is my closest and only friend.”
“Your only friend?”
“Remember? The last decade has only been about getting out of this. That didn’t leave a lot of time to make friends.”
“Left you time to breed,” I tease.
He laughs. “I always joke around with Nash because I found him in the same coffee shop where I found all three mothers of my kids.”
“You didn’t!”
Enfield grins widely. “I did. It’s an ongoing joke that I picked him up there as well.”
I laugh. “That’s funny.”
“Yep. So you want to call Sparrow?”
“No, I’m okay. Nervous but fine. I swear.”
We don’t have any more time to talk as Nash steps into the room. Enfield kisses my temple and steps away. “You two ready?”
“Yes,” Enfield says. “Ready when you are.”
I set my cocoa on the table and take a breath.
Nash backs into the hall and to the side of the door.
My parents come in first. Mom is all smiles, though I can see the flash of irritation in her eyes.
I’m guessing that’s for Enfield’s parents.
While I can’t see him, I know Officer Fellagh is there.
I’d asked if he’d be present to escort the Undergroves onto the property and off again since I’d made it clear they weren’t allowed here.
“Hi, Mom,” I say.
I meet her at the side of the table, and she gives me a big hug. “Hey, baby. How are you?” She pets my hair down as if I’m a small child, and just skinned my knee.
“I’m fine.” Taking a step back, I gesture to Enfield. “I know you’ve kind of met, but maybe not under the best of terms. This is Enfield. My mom, Patricia.”
Enfield’s hand rests on my lower back as he leans around me to offer his hand. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Adair.”
My mom looks between us, clearly curious about the obvious change in demeanor and his proximity. I only smile. “You as well, Enfield.”
She takes a few steps back so my father can come close. He gives me a one-armed hug and offers his hand to Enfield.
“Paul Adair,” he greets before I can make the introduction.
“Enfield,” Enfield returns.
“We’ll have time to catch up after this meeting you called, yes?” Mom asks.
I nod, though I’m not sure anyone is going to want to visit after. My parents move back around the table, and Enfield’s mother steps forward, taking my parents’ spot at the side. Enfield has already moved back to his chair and has me going with him by his hand on my arm.
“Enfield,” she scolds.
“Take your seat, Mother. There’s no pleasant blood between us, so don’t be na?ve enough to think you’re getting a warm greeting.”
His voice is cold and detached, though his hold on me doesn’t match his tone. He pulls out my chair, and I take a seat. He sits beside me. Nash comes around back and takes the seat on his other side. Avory takes the one on my left. Officer Fellagh remains at the door to observe.
“The coffee bar is stocked,” I offer, gesturing to the coffee. “Please help yourselves.”
My parents stop at the coffee bar and return with drinks, offering one to the Adair family attorney, Bethany Wright.
Enfield’s parents sit as well, though neither gets a drink.
There’s a brief introduction of attorneys around the table, and I have to admit, I like the way everyone eyes Nash and Avory when we introduce them as Van Dorens.
Not just attorneys at the Van Doren Law practice but actual Van Doren attorneys.
Jason Clements, the Undergrove family attorney, stared for what felt like a solid five minutes!
That was an unexpectedly delicious reaction.
I’m unsurprised when Betty speaks first. It’s difficult not to roll my eyes.
“You both need to drop the charges against me,” she demands.
“No,” Enfield answers simply.
“It’s ridiculous. If you weren’t being such a child and would answer my calls, I wouldn’t have come over here looking for you.”
“I don’t owe you anything,” Enfield says, “including access to me.”
“You’re my child!”
Enfield looks at Nash.
“Enfield is an adult, and therefore, he’s correct. You aren’t entitled access to anyone, regardless of relation.”
“But—what will people think when they learn that you’re charging your own mother with harassment?!” she demands.
“That I have an overbearing mother who only thinks of herself and has no regard for anyone else’s boundaries,” Enfield deadpans.
His mother looks absolutely shocked. Man, this woman lives under a rock!
“The charges will not be dropped, Mrs. Undergrove. However, we’re not here to discuss this,” Nash says. “All conversations regarding this will remain between me, Avory, and Mr. Clements, moving forward. As I’ve stated, the charges will not be dropped.”
“This isn’t fair,” Betty says.
“That’s enough, Betty,” Ryan says. “Drop it. I’d like to know why we’ve been called here.”
Avory stands and hands each person on the other side of the table their own copy of the contract and a book full of attachments.
“As you can see, this is the original marriage contract,” Avory says.
“If you flip through, you’ll see various sections and lines highlighted with notes that correspond to accompanying documents.
The documents included are the Undergrove Trust bylaws, the Undergrove Resort bylaws, the Adair Family Trust bylaws, and the Adair Sports Club franchise bylaws.
The overlaid note on the front of the first page is the key to determining which document is being referenced in the contract, and then followed by the page and paragraph it references. ”
My heart races as I watch everyone on the opposite side of the table flip through the pages.
“I don’t understand what I’m looking at here,” my mother says. “I mean, I see what these are and how each corresponds, but why are we looking at them?”
“You’re breaking the contract,” Enfield’s father states.
“No,” Enfield says. “You have broken the contract on multiple accounts.” He looks at Nash, a clear sign that the conversation is now handed over to our attorneys.
“There are multiple sections that both Guardian parties have broken. However, the section first and foremost is the interference clause,” Avory states.
“We have no less than a dozen videos as evidence of Mrs. Undergrove repeatedly ringing the doorbell, pounding on the door, and yelling for our clients to let her in.”
“I did not!” Betty says, horrified.
“Video. Evidence,” Nash says, emphasizing each word. “One instance is thirteen minutes long. Another is of the local police officers escorting you off the property. You’ve made both of our clients so uncomfortable that they’re pressing charges, Mrs. Undergrove.”
“They’re throwing tantrums,” Betty says.
“The only one throwing a tantrum is you,” Ryan hisses. “Enough already.”
She’s not happy. I glance at Enfield. He’s leaning back in his seat, elbows on the arms of the chair, and his hands steepled together like a villain with a little smirk on his face as he watches this unfold.
“I’ll move your attention to the section concerning the wedding,” Nash says, and the group flips their pages until they all land on the same section.
“Mrs. Undergrove took it upon herself to orchestrate the wedding between Mr. Adair and Mr. Undergrove without either party’s request or permission.
Furthermore, Mrs. Undergrove illegally tied my client’s funds to pay for these events without permission. ”
“They need to get married,” Betty demands.
“Shut up, Betty,” Ryan snaps.
“Please turn to page eight in the original contract,” Avory says. The sound of rustling paper fills the room. “Section thirty-nine, subsection four—disclosure of all life events. Mrs. Undergrove failed to inform the Adair party that Mr. Undergrove has three children.”
“What?” my mom says, horrified. My father looks like he’s about to hit something.
“He doesn’t,” Betty says.
“I do,” Enfield says, his voice sharp and angry. “I have three children. My blood. My genetics.”
“No,” Betty insists. “They’re not approved children. They’re illegitimate. They’re not parented by a contract!”
“What the fuck,” my father mutters.
“There are eight separate and distinct paternity tests proving without a doubt that all three children are Enfield’s,” Nash says. “Furthermore, my client has made it very clear that his children are important to him, to your complete disregard.”
“They’re not family!”
“Get out,” Ryan demands as he gets to his feet. He pulls Betty up and shoves her toward the door. “Get out now.”
“But I—”
“Not another word! Get. Out.”
Betty stares at the room. This is a woman not used to not getting her way. She looks between us all until Officer Fellagh ushers her from the room and shuts the door behind her.
Both family attorneys have been silent for the entire exchange. Not that Betty has let anyone else talk.
“The Adair Guardians have also failed to include Xavi Adair’s first contract,” Nash continues once Ryan has retaken his seat.
My mom flinches. “I’m sorry. That was an oversight. I didn’t—” She looks at me. “I’m sorry I didn’t include it. I know you want to forget it, and I guess I’ve tried to forget it, too.”
“Perhaps subconsciously, we didn’t include it because it’d be a constant reminder when you read this contract of the previous,” my dad says. He looks at Enfield. “We apologize. That wasn’t an intentional secret that we were keeping from you.”
Enfield inclines his head. “Understood.”
Over the next twenty minutes, Nash and Avory go over the rest of the items where the contract was broken by our parents. Primarily by Betty. Ryan is looking more livid as time passes.
Silence settles over the room once the Van Dorens have finished going line by line to emphasize just how thoroughly the contract has been broken.
My mom looks between Enfield and me, and I can tell she’s trying to figure out what this is about since we’re clearly getting along now. My dad stares at the contract.
There’s no mistaking that Ryan is angry. I’m not sure if he’s angry regarding the contract or his wife. Maybe a combination of both.
Both family attorneys are silent as they look over the paperwork. No doubt they already know what’s coming.
“Now what?” Dad asks. “I’m sure there’s a purpose to this meeting beyond emphasizing just how thoroughly we broke the rules of the contract.”
“You’re being generous,” Ryan says. “There’s very little ‘we.’ Primarily, this has been torn to shreds by my wife.”
Dad inclines his head. “I wasn’t really sharing responsibility. I was being polite.”
Ryan snorts, shaking his head.
“Do you want to bring her back in before we discuss the results of these transgressions?” Avory asks.
Ryan frowns but gets to his feet. Their attorney joins him, and they leave the room.
“You’re canceling the contract,” my mom says once they’ve left. “Aren’t you?”
I nod. “Yes, Mom.”
She sighs. “I’m sorry I failed in finding you a husband for a second time, Xavi.”
I incline my head. Enfield grips my hand for a minute, and I meet his eyes. He smiles, and my heart does a little skip. She hasn’t failed. Not really.
His parents return to the room, and Officer Fellagh retakes his position at the door. Betty looks furious, but her lips are pressed together.
Nash inclines his head to Avory, and Avory grins.
It looks a little devilish as he turns it toward my parents.
“Our clients are canceling the contract. On the grounds that both Guardian parties have broken several of the clauses they set forth, both parties are entitled to the release of their respective trusts and company shares as a result, and the contract is terminated.”
A beat of silence fills the room before Betty says, “Are you fucking kidding me right now?”