Chapter 39 Caden
CADEN
Nash strode over and handed me a beer as I said goodbye to Clive. “Looks like everything is going pretty damn smoothly.”
My gaze tracked over the crowd as I leaned against the balcony railing and took a sip. “Even the old man can’t be pissed about this one.”
Nash eyed me carefully. “Do you honestly care what he thinks?”
“A part of me always will. He’s my dad, even if he hasn’t acted like it much lately.”
Nash grunted in agreement.
“I’m quitting.”
His brows lifted. “Seriously?”
“Told my mom today. I’ll tell him tomorrow once the dust from the event has settled.”
“What brought that on? You’ve been entrenched in the family business for as long as I can remember. Never even considered working elsewhere.”
“Your sister showed me what family can be,” I admitted.
A smile spread across Nash’s face. “You’re a goner.”
“I think I always have been.”
A little of that smile slipped. “If you quit the company, what are you going to do for work? It’s not like there are a bunch of hotel conglomerates in Cedar Ridge.”
“I’d never make Gigi leave. She loves it here. Her family’s here.”
“But what about you? She’s not the only one who deserves to be happy where she is.”
I’d always loved what I did. All the moving pieces, the constant new challenges, but a job was only one piece of the puzzle of life.
And that piece paled in comparison to a life with Grae.
“I’ll figure something out. Maybe I’ll consult.
I’ve thought about going into the vacation rental game.
Cabins and lodges on the mountain. Maybe organize retreats out of them, as well. ”
“There’s always a market for that if you can find the real estate to buy. It’s getting harder and harder.”
“I have my ways.”
Nash chuckled. “I don’t doubt that.”
I slid my hand into my pocket, feeling for the charm. “I need to tell you something.”
Nash shifted, leaning a hip against the balcony railing. “Okay.”
“I’m going to ask Grae to marry me.”
I waited for shock or maybe even anger, but Nash simply stared at me.
“Was there a question in there?” he asked, taking a sip of his beer.
My lips twitched. “I was expecting some sort of reaction. Want to punch me?”
Nash shook his head and grinned. “You’re one of my closest friends. You’re a good man. And you love my sister like crazy. Why would I be anything but thrilled?”
My chest burned. “Thanks, man.”
He pulled me in for a back-slapping hug. “You’ve always been a part of our family. This will just make it official.”
My throat constricted, and I swallowed to clear it. “Means the world. Gonna talk to your mom and dad. Tell them my plans.”
A devilish grin spread across Nash’s face. “But not ask permission?”
“Nothing on this planet could stop me from asking Grae to be my wife.”
Nash let out a low whistle. “Law’s gonna shit a brick; his baby sister getting married.”
I winced. It was clear that Lawson was the brother who struggled the most with letting her go, but the strides he’d made earlier today told me he’d get there.
“Make sure I’m there when you tell him. If he decks you, I wanna get it on video.”
I barked out a laugh. “Gee, thanks.”
“We can put a still on the family Christmas card.”
“Nothing says Christmas cheer like a punch to the jaw.”
Nash lifted his beer. “Deck the halls.”
Movement caught my attention, and I saw my father headed in our direction. I’d carefully avoided him all day, but he looked determined now.
“This being the last one of these has to make it easier,” Nash said, picking up on my father’s approach.
“I guess so.”
“Want me to stay or leave you to it?” he asked.
“Probably better if you leave.” It was always better when my father didn’t have an audience.
“Just give me the sign if you need me.”
I gave Nash a chin lift. “Thank you. For everything. You’ve always had my back.”
He slapped my shoulder. “And that will never change.”
I knew it, too. And that was one of the greatest gifts.
Nash made a beeline for Maddie, who was chatting with Wren and Holt, avoiding my father’s path. I didn’t blame him.
A handful of seconds later, Dad made his approach. “Caden,” he clipped.
“Dad,” I greeted.
“What the hell is going on with your brother?”
I fought the urge to groan. “Your guess is as good as mine.”
My father’s eyes narrowed on me. “He’s been like this ever since you got back. I know you’ve done something.”
Anger flared from somewhere deep, a place that had lain dormant for over a decade. “Have you ever considered that this might be on you?”
Dad reared back. “What are you talking about?”
“Oh, maybe the fact that you’ve taken joy in pitting us against each other since we could walk? Or that you’ve made it clear that we’re both the world’s greatest disappointments to you?”
A muscle ticked in his jaw. “I’ve made sure you’re strong. That you can handle what life throws at you.”
“You’ve torn us apart, piece by piece. And when we get the hell away from you, what are you going to be left with? Your bitterness and cruelty. Sounds like a pretty pathetic life to me.”
Redness crept up my father’s throat. “You’d better watch your tongue—”
“No. I’ve been doing that for far too long. I’m done. The way you act is beyond wrong. I’m not going to put up with it anymore.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“I quit, Dad. I’m not going to work for the company anymore.”
My father’s jaw went slack as he gaped at me. “You can’t be serious.”
God, it felt good to say. As if the weight of a dozen men had been lifted from my shoulders. Or maybe just the burden of a tyrant of a father. “I’m dead serious. I’ll stay on for my two weeks’ notice, but then I’m gone.”
Coldness crept into my father’s expression. “This is that girl’s doing. She was always trouble. I should’ve known she’d mess up your life.”
“This is me, finally waking up after years of abuse,” I snapped.
He scoffed. “Like your life has been so hard. I’ve given you everything.”
“Except for the one thing I needed. The knowledge that you gave a damn about me.”
My father laughed, but it was an ugly sound. “And you think Grae does? All she wants is your money and status.”
He was grasping at straws, and I knew it, but her name on his lips had me searching the room anyway, unease settling over me when I didn’t see her anywhere. She’d gone to the restroom twenty minutes ago. She should’ve been back by now.
I shoved past my father.
“Hey! I’m not done talking to you,” he snapped.
But I didn’t give a damn. I needed to find Grae. Now.