Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
Jase
Present
When I arrive at the main house, I find it eerily empty.
No sign of my mama, nor the housekeeper, definitely not the laughter of my little sister Brynn, who has not returned home.
The day after Thanksgiving, she left with Camden, needing some space from our parents until she decides what she’s going to do now that my parents are no longer the two people she’s admired since the day she was born.
I’d even heard she postponed her engagement to Thomas Du’Pont III, a man my father approved of and had practically arranged for his little girl. If Brynn was questioning her future as Mrs. Du’Pont, then her crisis might be more serious than I’d originally thought.
As I make my way further into the house, I find the door to my father’s office closed, the way it always was growing up, signifying he’s in a meeting and not to be bothered.
Bismarck King is a businessman. Every meeting he’s ever had has been conducted behind those closed doors, and only a handful of them I’ve been privy to.
Not that I’ve spent much time here the past few months.
Not since the shouting match he and I had when I told him Bailey and I were opening a bar.
He slammed the door after telling me, “I ought to start taking my future seriously and live up to the family name, or he’d cut me off if I kept dragging the King name through the mud. ”
Funny, given he was the reason for our biggest scandal. The King's name is in everyone’s mouth. Usually it’s praising us for being the exemplary Southern Christian family, but now, it’s meant to ridicule my father’s affair and love child.
It’s been weeks since I've come around the main house, weeks since I've spoken to either of my parents. But after last night, I knew I had to come and clear the air about Indy’s arrival. Her car is still in my driveway, which means she’s still here. I need to clear this up before dinner tonight.
Just as I reach for the handle, I notice it’s open. My father’s voice booms through the small opening, though I can’t quite see who he’s with.
“I know things have been rocky lately, but I can assure you it doesn't mean I plan to keep you out of the family business.”
“Let me stop you right there, Sir,” the voice says, and I instantly recognize it.
I push the door open without knocking and find my father sitting behind his desk, his posture rigid in the leather chair turned slightly toward the man in front of him.
Dark blond hair, sharp cheekbones, and a restless energy I’m familiar with. Beaumont Bishop. Or should I say Beau King, my half-brother. The one I share with the mother of my child.
We only learned about each other a few weeks ago, in the fallout of a family secret so twisted it still makes my head spin if I think about it too long. That, and Monroe and I have made it known we are not ready to discuss that on top of everything else we’re dealing with.
My father’s expression hardens instantly. “Jase, this is a private—”
“Don’t bother,” I say, stepping further inside. “I’m just here to see Mama. Do you know where she is?”
“She’s with Indigo. They went into town to buy some groceries for dinner tonight.
You are coming, right? I was just telling Beau here he’s welcome to join us too.
Might be easier for him to accept since you’ll be bringing his sister along, and your ex-girlfriend,” he pauses, a smug look I know too well on his face.
“Mind telling me why she’s staying in my home? ”
Beau looks between us, his jaw ticking. “I can give you guys a minute—”
“No,” I say too quickly, surprising even myself. “That is not something I plan on discussing with you, Father. She won’t stay long.”
The tension in the room is palpable, and I don't miss the glare Beau gives me at the mention of Indy. My father’s hands fold over the desk, his eyes cold in that way he’s perfected over years of being in a position of power, securing business deals left and right.
My family owns more property than anyone else in town.
Being one of the founding families of Crossroads, our wealth here is unmatched, and my father has his hands in everything.
The ranch, although it hasn’t been running to its full potential the past three years, is one of the largest cattle farms and horse training centers in North Carolina.
He was a man I looked up to for his intelligence and dedication to making this town thrive.
From supporting small businesses with capital, to his charity work as the Mayor of Crossroads, I admired him, even defended him when other’s, such as my best friend Nash and his family, would constantly tell me I was blinded by my loyalty and love to him.
But on the night of the Harvest Festival, I saw the real man behind the mask he kept in place for everyone else, and I was ashamed to bear his name.
My stomach churns with a nauseating mix of disappointment and disgust as I remember that night.
The lack of surprise on my mother’s face meant she’d known the whole time.
The rest of my siblings were stronger than I was, distancing themselves from him after the news broke out.
But when I had Monroe and my baby to think about, I needed to ensure his fortune would be mine.
Even if I had to pretend his betrayal didn’t sting as heavily as it did.
Especially since I blamed him for everything I did to keep Nash and Bailey apart too.
“Jase,” my father calls out as I turn to leave.
“Don’t,” I cut in. “I made myself clear the last time we spoke. I may be staying on your ranch, but I won't be your puppet any longer.”
I don’t wait for his answer as I step out into the hallway, half expecting Beau to stay behind, but a second later, footsteps follow me.
Beau follows me outside, where the crisp winter hits my already aching lungs as I try to stay composed.
The sound of boots crunching over gravel is the only thing I hear as I head toward the driveway.
Beau’s Bronco is parked in front of mine, and I’m not sure how I hadn’t recognized it before.
It’s a deep forest green color with darker green embellishments.
I stop as I reach it, feeling him approach behind me.
“Hell of a family reunion,” Beau mutters, trying to cut the tension with humor. He must have gotten that from the Bishop side of his bloodline because I know a dark-haired, blue-eyed goddess who does the same.
I huff out a humorless laugh. “If you can even call it that.”
I turn and find the man standing with his hands shoved into his brown suede jacket.
He’s wearing dark blue jeans, brown cowboy boots and a navy baseball cap covering most of his hair, but the blonde scruff on his chin is oddly similar to Cam’s and mine.
Looking at him now in this light, after years of not seeing him since he’s also been mostly absent from Crossroads for the last decade or so, I can’t deny the resemblance.
Beau’s not broad-shouldered and built like a lineman like the rest of the Bishop men.
His tall, thin frame is built with muscle, but is toned from working out in a gym rather than out on the farm like Monty or from doing God knows what on the road like Nash.
Even Theo, who spends his time on stage, keeps in shape from dropping in on rodeos in whatever state he’s currently on tour.
“I’m still wrapping my head around it,” Beau says. “One day, I’m living my life. Next, I find out my mom and your dad…you know.”
The look of disgust on his face matches the way I feel. “Yeah. Trust me, I get it.”
For a few seconds, we just stand in silence.
Neither of us knows what to say. “It’s been crazy lately,” Beau finally says.
His voice sounds strained, like he's forcing the words out, and I notice the way his hands are now clenched into fists at his sides. “Not just this but everything. You and Monroe, the baby. Hell, even the town acts like it’s their personal business. Reminds me why the hell I got out.”
I tense at her name, waiting for whatever is coming. “Then why are you still here?” I ask, my question coming out a lot harsher than I’d meant.
“Because my family needs me. Now more than ever, even if we’re all too proud to say it. Both sides,” he says. “That’s why I’m gonna say this. Be careful with her, Jase.”
My jaw tightens. “I am careful.”
“I’m not saying you aren’t, but I know Monroe.
She comes across as strong. Hell, she is strong.
God knows I’m more of a mess than she is right now.
However, she’s not bulletproof. She’s got a kindness in her that she tries to hide behind sarcasm and stubbornness, and when someone like that gets hurt…
” He shakes his head. “It cuts deeper. Lasts longer.”
I stare at the gravel under my boots, taking in his warning and trying my best not to tell him to mind his own business.
Beau doesn’t know half of it. How much I’ve already seen of that vulnerability in her.
How much of it I caused back when I didn’t know how to handle what I was feeling.
All her brothers think is that I fucked her and now have to deal with the consequences.
I don’t blame them. This came out of nowhere, but I want more than just having a baby with her. I want it all.
“I’m not planning on hurting her.”
“We don’t plan on hurting the people we care about, Jase.
Sometimes we just do.” That sounds personal, like it might be something he’s currently dealing with himself.
“Look, I’m not trying to be an asshole. I know my sister’s life is hers and your decisions are your own to make.
But if what your father said is true, if you have your ex-girlfriend staying here and Monroe knows and is pretending she's okay. She’s not.
And I won’t stand back and watch her have to put up with—”
“I’m going to stop you right there, Beau. For the sake of our relationship, which I would like to work on at some point. You said it yourself. Our decisions are ours to make, and I can promise you I know Monroe better than you think. I would never do anything to hurt her.”
“Then we agree.”
I nod as I reach for the handle of my truck door.
Beau leans against his, watching me. His expression is unreadable, though I know he’s aiming to be intimidating until a smile teases his lips. “This thing between you two,” he pauses. “It’s gonna get messier before it gets easier.”
I meet his eyes with a laugh. “You sound like you’ve done this before.”
He smirks, and that’s when I realize how much we look alike. Like him. “I’ve been around, and I’ve seen enough to know some people are worth walking through the mess for.”
I don’t answer him, but his words stick with me long after I drive away.