Chapter 26
26
LINCOLN
I t’s been a week of my mother calling my office. I keep telling Kylie to let her know that I’ll call her back, but I never get around to it. I’m just not in the mood to put on an act. She’s going to do her typical bullshit and pretend like she’s a good mother, like she actually cares about me. It’s the same runaround, and I’m getting tired of the act.
I’ve never actually confronted her or my father about my childhood, but I don’t think they even deserve that. They continuously give me the guilt trip that I never come around. There’s just no way they don’t know why. The only reason they care about me now is because I make ten times what my father does. He wants my connections or bragging rights that I’m his son at his social gatherings.
Fuck that.
It’s not something I’ve ever talked about with anyone besides the guys. Even with that, they don’t know the full story. They know I wasn’t treated right, growing up, and they’ve left it at that. I keep the truth hidden from everyone. I’m not sure why. Maybe embarrassment of who I was before I became the well-respected person that I am today.
“Hey.” Kylie pops her head into my office.
“Hey.” I smile, feeling instantly calmer. “Come on in.”
She walks into my office in my favorite tight white skirt of hers. I try not to ogle her, but her wicked smile tells me she knows exactly what I’m thinking.
“Don’t look at me like that,” she threatens playfully as she takes a seat in the chair across from me.
“I’ll look at you however I feel like. Don’t act like you don’t want me looking at you like I can’t get enough.”
She rolls her eyes, but the smile on her face tells me I’m right.
“I’ve been meaning to ask you,” she starts, “what is going on with you and your mom?”
My muscles tense. “What do you mean?”
“Well, it’s just that she keeps calling and you keep telling me to tell her that you’ll call her back. Then she says that you haven’t called her back. Is that true?”
“Yes,” I say as I pick off a piece of lint from my thigh.
“Why? You don’t want to talk to your mother?”
I feel suddenly weak and vulnerable with her interrogating me. “I don’t see how that’s any of your business.”
She appears startled by my response. “Oh, I just … I thought maybe I could help you if there’s something you wanted to get off your chest.”
I shake my head vehemently. “No, I do not wish to discuss my mother. I kindly ask that you respect my privacy on the matter.”
“Right. Of course. I’m sorry.”
We both sit in awkward silence for a moment.
“I’ll just, uh … get back to work.”
I nod my head in agreement and pretend to dive right back into my own task while she scurries out of my office. As soon as she’s out, I release a tense breath. I’m not sure why I reacted so hostile toward her. Of course, she’s going to be curious why I’ve been dodging my mother’s phone calls. But I felt so raw and exposed, like she could see through my years of neglect and disappointment.
The phone calls from my mother go on for the next couple of days, each one seeming to make Kylie more uncomfortable. I can tell she doesn’t like telling my mother the same old lie without knowing what the hell is going on. I’m not ready to tell her about my childhood, but I suppose I can just take the damn phone call to get my mother off my back.
“Fine,” I tell Kylie, who’s standing at my door, “send her through.”
She seems surprised and more than a little relieved. “You got it. Just one second.”
I can already feel the anger boiling under my skin as I wait for her to put my mother through. The second the phone rings, I grab it off the base abruptly.
“Yes,” I say cuttingly.
“Lincoln, honey, it’s been ages. I’ve been trying to call you all week.” She says this like she can’t think of a single reason why I could possibly be dodging her calls.
“What do you want?” I reply to move the conversation to the point.
“Your brother is engaged,” she says with excitement evident in her voice.
My brother, Jace, has been dating some socialite for some time now. I’m not completely surprised by the news. It was only a matter of time before he popped the question. It’s expected of him to settle down and produce children. It’s part of the image my parents need to uphold in their circle.
I don’t necessarily have an issue with Jace. It’s not like he ever did anything to me, but that’s also part of the problem. He never stood up for me. He let it all happen.
“I see. Well, I will send him and Danielle something to congratulate them.”
“That’s not necessary. You can give them your congratulations in person tomorrow at their engagement party.”
My voice hardens. “Tomorrow?”
“Well, yes. It wouldn’t sound so last minute if you had taken any of my calls this week.”
I roll my eyes. I don’t owe her anything. “I don’t think I’ll be able to make it. Tomorrow is Friday. I’ll most likely be working late on this acquisition.”
She’s silent for a moment. A clear tell that she’s upset and trying to figure out how to manipulate me. A lady doesn’t let those emotions show on the outside, but that doesn’t mean she won’t resort to other measures to get her way.
“I know it would mean a lot to your brother. Despite your feelings toward your father and me, you owe it to him to be there to celebrate.”
She knows how to guilt me into it. Perhaps she’s right about that. I’m his brother, and he never did anything directly to me.
“Fine,” I bark. “Send my assistant the details.”
I slam the phone down, not giving her time to respond.
It’s now Friday, and I’m on edge, thinking about the fact that I have to leave in thirty minutes for my parents’ house. Just walking back into their apartment brings back memories from my childhood. Ones that cause my entire body to go into a state of anxiety.
Kylie has continued to check on me all week. She can tell something is bothering me, but after my little outburst on her, she hasn’t pressed me on it.
She walks into my office just as I’m changing out my tie for the evening. “You heading out?” she asks.
“Yeah,” I reply as I tighten the knot at my neck. It feels like it’s suffocating me.
“So, your mother said it starts at six sharp. A celebration?”
I nod my head. “My brother’s engaged.”
“That’s wonderful,” she replies.
I turn around and see such kindness in her eyes when she looks at me. It instantly relieves some of the adrenaline coursing through my veins.
“Come with me,” I spit out before even realizing what I’m doing.
Her mouth drops open. “You want me to go with you to your parents’ house? Isn’t this a family event?”
It’s too late. The idea is already stuck in my mind. If she were there with me, I might actually be able to get through the evening and come out of it in one piece.
“Yes, please. Come with me.”
“As … your assistant?” Her voice rises an octave.
I grab her hands. “Sure. I mean, I can tell them you’re my assistant and we have work to do after the party. But you’ll be there for me.”
It’s not very forthcoming with anything, but she knows it’s my way of telling her that I need her.
Suddenly, I realize she might need to get home to Ben. “I’m sorry. That’s selfish of me. Ben is probably waiting at home for you.”
“No,” she replies quickly. “He’s hanging out with his friends again tonight. You know, Friday night with your sister isn’t fun anymore.”
“So, you can come with me?” I hate how desperate I sound right now.
She looks down at herself. “I don’t know if I’m dressed properly for an engagement party.”
“You’re perfect. No one will notice.”
She smiles softly. “Okay. I’d be happy to go with you.”
Relief crashes against me. The tightening in my chest loosens just enough for me to take a deep breath. I nod my head, trying to keep my expression neutral.
As we walk out to my town car, the usual cold, dreadful feeling is replaced by an unfamiliar warmth. I realize this is what it is like to have someone there to support you. This is what it’s like to not be alone.