Chapter 22
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
ASLAN
I nstead of coffee, I request a chamomile tea latte for Keaton.
She falls asleep ten minutes after she drinks it.
I guess she was right—warm milk helps people fall asleep fast. I just hope that she stops giving me a murderous glare when she wakes up.
Will they notice that she’s not very affectionate with me?
Will it tip them off that she gives me death-glares because my mother had the brilliant idea to invite her sister’s boyfriend?
It’s not my fault. In fact, when Mom told me about it, I almost had a heart attack.
“What do you mean Savannah’s boyfriend is coming along?”
“She’s going to be with a bunch of strangers. I want her to feel comfortable,” she explained. “After all, she’s going to be family. Isn’t she?”
I couldn’t tell her the truth, nor could I tell her that Keaton isn’t a fan of Lex. He seems like a good kid, but that doesn’t change the fact that Mom overstepped. And I understand it’s all my fault.
Should I have told Keat that her sister was bringing Lex?
Probably, but that’s what she gets for avoiding me. We barely spoke yesterday, and when we did, she focused on work. I can’t wait to see what she tells me once we’re alone in the room. She’s going to be pissed. That’s a problem for later, though.
Once I’m sure she’s asleep, I kiss her forehead and make my way to the small office we have on the jet.
I plan to spend the next few hours working on the to-do list she sent me last night before she headed home—at eleven. If it hadn’t been for family dinner, I would’ve stayed with her until she went home. I’m glad I asked Tim to drive her.
We have to discuss her schedule. I don’t mind if she works until the next day, but would it kill her to take her computer home?
I don’t know how much time passes, but at some point, the voice of my sister startles me. “Working?”
“Why aren’t you sleeping?” I finally lift my gaze and arch my brow. “You’re not an early bird.”
Fern loves to sleep. I recall that when it was time to nap, she’d just grab her teddy bear and go to her bed without protest. In the meantime, the rest of us would be jumping around the house. My poor mother had a hard time controlling us.
She checks her watch. “I slept for a few hours.”
When I look at the time, I realize we’ll be landing in less than an hour. “Fuck, I’m not going to get all of it done before we land.”
She rolls her eyes. “Mom won’t be happy if she catches you working during this trip.”
Like I need her to remind me about our mother. There’s a long list of reasons why she’s never happy with me. “That’s why I’m trying to trim the to-do list, so we don’t spend as much time in the room working,” I lie.
My ulterior motive is to spend more time with Keaton enjoying Hawaii. She deserves a real vacation.
“There’s more to life than just work.”
“It’s not like I spend all my time in the office. Last weekend I was at the vineyard.”
“Hmm, what were you doing?” She taps her chin. “Right, you were working.”
“Lysander needed us.”
She glances toward the cabin then takes a seat next to me. “Do you know what the one thing is Mom wishes Dad had done differently?”
“Get physicals more often?” I shrug a shoulder. “They could’ve detected that he had a heart problem.”
She rolls her eyes. “You can be so insensitive. It’s impossible to have an adult conversation with you.”
But it’s the truth. Isn’t it? There’s no other explanation as to why he had a heart attack. Should I look into his autopsy? It was a heart attack, end of story.
“Sorry? Can you tell me about this revelation she’s never cared to share with me?” Okay, I should watch my tone because that sounded too cynical.
She scoffs. “She wishes Dad hadn’t spent so much time working.
If he wasn’t in the office, he was at the vineyard.
That was his passion, you know? She wishes he had quit Spearman LP and just cared for what he loved.
They could’ve spent a lot more time together.
He wanted to continue his father’s legacy.
You and Lysander are following in his footsteps. ”
“What does that mean?”
“Dad was the oldest of his brothers, but he didn’t get married until all his brothers were taken care of. Then, he continued working until he died. You and Lysander are doing exactly the same thing. What do you do all the time? Work.
“Your girlfriend was in Arizona and instead of catching a flight and heading her way, you stayed—working.”
Did I think about jumping on a plane to catch up to her?
Of course, I did. Several times after I learned she left. However, I can’t explain to Fern that I’m not dating her, and I would’ve looked like a stalker.
“I didn’t want to look like an overbearing boyfriend,” I say in what seems like a logical explanation.
“There’s a difference between I need to know where you are, and I came to visit you because I missed you.” She shrugs. “Did you miss her while she was gone?”
I don’t need to think twice. “Yes, I did.”
“Instead of spending ninety percent of your day working, why not try to be with her, enjoying life?”
Because we’re not together? I don’t answer the obvious, but she has one thing right. If I want something serious with Keaton, I have to drag my ass out of the office—and hers too. The two of us spend more time working than experiencing life.
“Just think about it, big brother.” Fern pats my shoulder. “Finish your to-do list and avoid working during the entire trip. It’s not for Mom, but Keaton and yourself.”
She rises from her seat, and before she walks away, she says. “I understand why you didn’t tell us about her before.”
I cock an eyebrow. “You do?”
“I love Mom, but she’s too intrusive with you guys and your love lives. I don’t know how you handle it.” She looks around and whispers, “If you ever tell her I said this, I’ll have you killed.”
I laugh. “Really, you will?” I cross my arms. “So, tell me, why doesn’t she do the same with you or Cory?”
“We tell her everything. She’s been in the front row of all my failed relationships. Maybe if you guys trusted her and told her everything that’s happening in your life, it’d be different.”
I wince. “I’ll pass. That sounds like torture.”
“Again, we have a totally different relationship with our mother.”
After she leaves, I wonder about my parents’ relationship.
Dad spent a lot of his time in the office or working in the vineyard. I’m the one who has the most memories with him because I stayed up at night waiting for him to be in front of the window. He didn’t have much time for us while growing up.
He missed recitals, games, contests…I can’t recall any event when Dad was in the front row, watching us. Mom was always there, taking videos that Dad would watch later. He’d praise us, but he always chose work first.
Is that what we’re doing, prioritizing work?
I always thought that what I do is for my family’s benefit.
It’s the way Dad did things.
Then, I recall Hannah telling me that she changed her working hours because she has a family. Ethan Killion wouldn’t take our call because he was spending time with his family.
If given a choice, I’d rather spend my time with Keaton outside of the office.
Is that why I always find things to do with her?
So I can be around her while we work? I’m pathetic.
Maybe I don’t have Dad with me, but I could ask Uncle James or Jackson.
They always told me I could go to them when I have any questions, didn’t they?
I want to be better for Keaton and for my family too. We all have to learn how to live and not work all the time.