CHAPTER FIVE
TATE
G randfathers chauffeur drove through the wrought-iron gates. The gray, stone mansion hadn’t changed. It’s been years since I’d been here last. Mason was still alive. Our family celebrated Christmas with grandfather. He hosted a high society holiday party the week before Christmas. He knew everyone by name. At twelve-years-old, he introduced Mason and me too many influential business people. He said we needed to learn how to entertain, because once we were the CEO and CFO of our corporation, we’d spend most of our time hammering out deals and understanding what motivated a person’s financial decisions. He said the skill would prove invaluable.
Mason and grandfather spent a lot of time together. He was more inquisitive than I was about the family business. All I cared about was being the best player on our football team. We played football since we were little kids. Mason and I were the best players on the team. Coach said once we enrolled in high school, either of us could become the football captain. I wanted to become captain, which meant I had to train harder. I was the best football player in the state of Georgia. Football was still at the forefront of my brain after all these years.
Why couldn’t the weather reflect how I felt inside my heart, full of vibrant light? Instead, the gray skies hung over head threatening rain. Gardeners tended to the rich grounds. The driver rounded the circular cobblestone drive and halted in front of the oversized wooden door. The butler Benjamin walked out of the house and opened the rear passenger door.
“Master Tate, so good to see you. It’s been too long.” He smiled warmly.
“Hello, Benjamin. It has.”
His blond hair grayed around the temples. He’d worked for grandfather for years. This property had always been in our family. Grandfather didn’t move here full time until Mason and me were thirteen-years-old.
The chauffeur placed my suitcase in the foyer.
I stood in the foyer admiring the elegant crystal chandelier that hung above my head .
“Master Tate, I will show you to your sleeping quarters. Mr. Forrester will join you for dinner tonight. He had business to attend to this morning.”
I peeked at my watch. “At seven?”
“Oh, business never sleeps,” he chuckled.
I followed him up the wide, wooden staircase.
He opened the oversized door. I scanned the bedroom. There were still two beds in the dark blue room. I guess just because Mason wasn’t here anymore, he didn’t need to remove the other bed.
“If you need anything, dial zero on the phone on the nightstand. Myself or one of the maids will be right up. I assure you everything you need is at your fingertips. I could have the cook prepare breakfast.”
I turned and smiled. “That won’t be necessary. I ate on the jet. Lunch after a nap would suffice.”
“Very well.” His gray eyes brightened. “Enjoy your nap, Master Tate.”
“Thank you.”
He closed the door, and I quickly stripped down to my boxers. I was exhausted. Chelsea’s beautiful face came to mind. Get through the week, Tate and you can return to your woman. I rubbed my cock under the blanket as I closed my eyes.
∞
Dressed in a button-down shirt, tie, and slacks, I stood in the grand dining room staring at the ancient art on the walls.
“Tate, so good to see you.” Grandfather entered the room smiling from ear-to-ear. He pulled me into his embrace. He was a foot shorter than me. His hair was mostly gray with brown streaks.
He stepped back and extended his arm. “Have a seat.”
There were age lines across his forehead. He still had a strong jawline. Except for the gray hair, he didn’t appear to have aged that much since I saw him last.
“How was your flight?” He sipped a glass of red wine.
The servers placed the food before us.
“Long. I’ll adjust to the time change soon.”
“Good. I spoke to Brian yesterday. He said you are consumed with football. I wish he never stuck you boys in that sport for heaven sakes.”
My brow rose as I drank the glass of ice-cold water. Shit, this would be a long visit. He wouldn’t budge about me choosing football over running the business.
I smirked. What the fuck else could I do at that moment?
“I ran into a little trouble in calculus, but I am recovering nicely. That was the only class I maintained less than an A average. ”
“Math is of the most importance. If you need help, let your father know he’ll hire a tutor.”
I scooped a spoonful of peas into my mouth. “I am fine. Chelsea is helping me.”
His eyes narrowed. “You aren’t speaking of the same girl who caused Mason’s accident?”
I swallowed hard. “She didn’t cause his accident. No one was to blame. Lightning struck the branch that knocked Mason over the edge.”
“Is it the same girl?”
“Yes. But like I said, she had nothing to do with the accident.” I squeezed my eyes shut. “Mason and I may have argued over her, but she did nothing wrong. I blamed her because she was the center of our disagreement.”
“Mason, told me you both liked the same girl.”
My brow furrowed. “He did?”
Their bond was a lot tighter than I imagined.
“Yup, he said you tried to move in on his girlfriend.”
“Whoa, whoa.” I waved my hands.
“Sorry, grandfather. Mason and Chelsea were never together. If anything, I spared his feelings. The only reason I didn’t ask her to be my girlfriend, was because I didn’t want to upset Mason. Chelsea wanted to be my girlfriend. Mason tried to kiss her, and she rejected him. That’s how we began fighting on the hill. You know let’s drop it.” I rubbed my brow.
He sighed. “Is she moving to London with you?”
“Chelsea has agreed to move wherever I go. We will probably attend Harvard together.”
His brow rose. “Nonsense. You will attend the University of Oxford.” His stern gaze held mine.
“I don’t want to argue about my future. You can’t make me run this company. Hire someone else to run the London office. The football scouts will be in attendance at my game next Friday. My goal is to go pro. Not to run the company.” My heartbeat thudded my chest. I thought it would burst through my rib cage. I was worried mainly about what he’d say. It felt good being honest about what I wanted.
“Next week, before you return to the states sit in on a few meetings. I’ll also invite the most important people in the company over for a dinner party. You never know, Tate, you might enjoy learning about the company that feeds this family.” His blue eyes darkened and he slammed his finger against the table. “The company that pays for your exquisite lifestyle. This is your legacy, Tate.”
Shit, that went well .
“Grandfather, I am capable of living on my own. That is the point I am trying to make. I don’t need your money to survive.”
He grimaced. “Oh, you don’t need my money. So, you can do without your trust fund when you turn eighteen. If you aren’t able to become a professional football player, will you live off your girlfriend’s family oil empire like her father does?”
I shook my head and held up my hand. “Her mother and father don’t live off of their parents’ money. They live off of the income they work for everyday. They lived in a small town. Lived off of the bare necessities. I admit, I’ve behaved frivolous when it came to spending money. Chelsea and I will manage. Next summer, I will ask for her hand in marriage. We will live in an apartment off campus.” I rubbed my brow.
“Maybe you forgot how far you’re willing to go for love because grandmother died years ago. But I would do anything to make Chelsea happy.”
“Then you’d be willing to run our empire and produce heirs that will carry on our name. Your children will grow up and run this company too. Your father knew that before you boys were born. Not sure when he went all liberal, but I won’t stand for it.” He shot out of his chair .
“Five suits await you in your quarters. Monday the chauffeur will drive you to the office. The remainder of the week, you’ll engage with the staff. You will begin working at Forrester enterprises June first of next year. Get your rest. You have a long week ahead of you.”
He turned on his heels and vacated the dining room.
“Fuck,” I roared, shoving away from the table.
Why did I come here? I darted out of the patio doors. Turning my face to the sky, I exhaled. The night sky was riddled with stars. I wished Chelsea and I could lie under the stars at the lake house. I was a bitter asshole for so long. Holding her in my arms would bring me peace. Why did grandfather mention Chelsea’s family empire? She made it clear she didn’t ask her grandfather for anything. I was sure the only luxury she’d be willing to utilize was the jet. Was grandfather, right? I’ve indulged in the finer things in life for so long, if I didn’t have my family’s resources at my fingertips, would I be able to survive?
I peered into the distance. I’d try. Chelsea didn’t give a shit about the money. She only cared we’d be together.
Sunday, I studied for two exams I’d make up once I returned home. I spoke to Chelsea. Didn’t make sense to alarm her. I had no intention to run the company.
My jaw twitched continuously on my drive into the office. This was ridiculous. I wasn’t saying I didn’t feed on power. Almost everyone did. I fed off a different kind of power. The energy from the crowd always gave me strength. I’d play grandfathers game this week. Once I returned home, I’d make arrangements to purchase a condo in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The moment graduation was over, Chelsea and I would hop on a plane and start our new life. Grandfather couldn’t make me do anything I didn’t want to do.