Chapter 14
Rubie gave me a funny look.
So this prick got my dad to fire you, but you want to help him organise a big charity event?
I hid my grimace behind my coffee cup and took a sip.
He didnt exactly get your dad to fire me, I said. He seems to feel pretty bad about it.
It didnt surprise me at all when she said, Dad never mentioned it.
Of course. I wasnt important enough for that. Hed probably forgotten about my existence by now. Hell, he probably forgot the moment I left his office.
I should try to do the same. Thinking about Carson Thomas brought back the memory of him firing me, then shrugging it off a moment later. That stung like a bitch.
Dads funny like that, she went on. Hell talk about his successes all day long. If things dont go his way, he clams up about it. I think hes trying to make taking over some day seem attractive. I hope one of my siblings is interested in it, otherwise Im selling the moment I get the chance. She gave me a lopsided grin. Wanna buy a football team?
I snorted. I think its a bit over my budget. And my credit card limit.
Shame, I think youd do well with it, Rubie said. Better than me. That wouldnt be difficult though.
Um, thanks? I replied.
Rubie frowned, then laughed. Yeah, that sounded shittier than I intended. You would do an amazing job. My stepmother filed for divorce.
Her sudden change of subject made me do a double take.
Im sorry, I ventured carefully.
Yeah. Its all on him. He couldnt keep his dick to himself. Im guessing itll be a quick, expensive divorce and a spring wedding. Whats-her-name is almost my age. She stuck out her tongue in disgust.
Love is blind, I suggested.
Rubie snorted. So is sex and gold digging.
You think thats all she wants? I asked.
She wouldnt be the first, she wont be the last, Rubie said bitterly. Money is the worst. Sometimes I wish we were just a normal, suburban family. Yknow?
Theres something to be said for normal, I agreed. But you turned out okay.
Thats not what my therapist says, she retorted.
I couldnt tell if she was joking or not. I suspected she wasnt.
Um. I cleared my throat. So will you help?
You know my father will probably think you and Bam went behind his back to organise this thing. Her face was unreadable.
I thought you might like that part. The last thing I wanted to do was to piss off a powerful man like Carson Thomas, but this wasnt about him. It wasnt even about Bam or me. It was bigger than all of that.
Rubie gave me a slow, sly grin. Oh, I love that part. Ill even make sure my father helps out with a very healthy donation. Ill make him think it was his idea, then youll have his full backing.
It sounded like she had Daddy wrapped firmly around her little finger. That wasnt my business, but his backing would make a world of difference.
Id like to be a fly on the wall during that conversation. Id love to know how shed get him to do what she wanted. He seemed stubborn and set in his ways. Although, if she was Daddys Little Girl, hed probably bend easily for her.
Ill give you a transcript afterward. She laughed.
Thanks, I said ironically. That wouldnt be weird at all.
She chuckled. Dont worry, itll be painless. Ill ply him with whiskey and then ask him. It works every time. Youd be surprised the things Ive gotten from him when hes tipsy.
I wasnt sure I would be all that surprised, but I kept my mouth shut. Someone with as much money as Carson Thomas could buy his daughter a yacht without blinking, or missing the money.
I have to admit, a small part of me was envious. I had a nice, ordinary childhood, with nice, ordinary parents. Rubie, on the other hand, had likely been all around the world several times before she was old enough to walk. She would have had the best of everything, and never wanted for anything.
If Bec and Ashley had children some day, theyd have similar, advantaged upbringings. Both women seemed to enjoy their new lifestyles. Neither bragged, but they both wore brands I gazed at with longing in shop windows.
Dont get me wrong, Im happy to work my ass off to make it in life, but a few shiny rings and maybe a nice new car wouldnt hurt once in a while. Hell, Id be okay with a yacht too, in a pinch.
Im sure hell be happy to help, I said finally. With or without whiskey.
Yeah, hes the kind to give so he can feel good, she said. This time she didnt sound bitter about it. She seemed accepting, albeit reluctant. He was her father and hed never change, no matter what she thought about him.
A grin lit up her face. Hes going to feel really good about it when Im done. I have a big sum in mind.
I smiled too. That sounds great. Ill be sure to let the whole city know how generous he is.
Hell only be satisfied if the whole country knows. Rubie grimaced.
The donation is going to be that big? My eyes widened. Are you sure hes not going to be angry over this?
Not in public he wont be, she said. In private, I can handle him. Dont worry, Ill make sure this doesnt bite you or Bam on the ass.
Good, because I dont want to get him fired, I said.
You dont? Rubie asked. I would. You must be nicer than I am.
I didnt know how to answer that. Luckily a knock on the door meant I didnt have to.
Saved by the bell. Rubie sat back and stretched out her legs so one of my cats could climb onto her lap.
That depends who it is, I said. I eyed the door doubtfully, then rose to peer through the peephole.
Shit.
Shit, its Bam. I drew back and looked over my shoulder.
Rubie looked amused. Speak of the devil.
Right? His timing is scary. Coincidental, of course, unless my apartment was bugged. Or my phone. That was more likely. There were always people listening to those things.
Are you going to answer it? Rubie asked.
Bam knocked again.
Oops. I unlocked the door and eased it open. Hey, Bam. This is a surprise.
Hey. He glanced past me. Oh, is this a bad time? I shoulda called ahead.
No, its okay, I was just leaving. Rubie expertly scooped up Karma and placed her on the couch before she stood. Nice idea, Im in.
Bam grinned. For a moment I thought he was going to say something about a threesome. Then he closed his mouth so abruptly his teeth clicked.
Rubie patted him on the chest before she slid past and into the corridor. Apparently she caught the same vibe.
Great, Bam said. Well talk later.
Rubie waved a hand over her shoulder and kept walking toward the elevators.
Uh, come in. I stepped inside and left him to close the door behind him.
Nice place, he said.
For a moment I thought he was joking. My apartment consisted of a small living room and kitchen, and one bedroom and bathroom. He probably had closets bigger than this.
Then I remembered hed lived in a car. Kid-Bam would have been happy to live even somewhere this small. For me, it was all space the cats and I needed.
Thanks. Its cosy, I said. Please, take a seat.
Bam cocked his head. I better not take your couch. I dont think that would fit through the door.
I snorted a laugh. It came with the place. I have no idea how they got it in here.
Bam glanced up. Maybe they took the roof off.
That or they used a shrink ray, I said. Would you like a coffee?
No, Im good. He sat beside Karma, who watched him like he might steal her latest meal. I didnt mean to interrupt.
Its okay. I sat beside him. I was just filling her in on our little event.
Little event? he echoed. This is gonna be huge.
I smiled, but at the same time, I was daunted. I filled him in on what Rubie said about Carson making a donation. Not the bit about her plying him with alcohol, but that it would be big.
His eyes widened. Thats killer. Well be the talk of Storm Valley for years after this.
I wasnt sure I wanted that, but I smiled anyway. Actually, Ive been meaning to ask, why the change of heart? You didnt want recognition for doing good work for the kids, but youre all in for this.
He sat back and regarded me for a moment. Keeping it quiet didnt help them like I thought it would, he said slowly. I figured I was doing it for me, but… He looked embarrassed. Part of me wanted someone to notice and make a fuss. When they did, everything went the wrong way and ended up all offside. He scratched his head. And you got caught up in that crazy huddle. I decided to intercept the ball before the opposition does.
I smiled. Do you often talk in football terms?
He grinned. Sometimes. Its hard when you practically live the game. It gets twined up with everything else. But you get the point.
Yeah, I do, I agreed. You dont want to put yourself in the position where you have to wear a suit.
He looked surprised, but then he laughed. Yeah, you got me. Id rather spend months organising a Christmas in July party for sick kids than wear a monkey outfit.
I looked at him thoughtfully. You might still have to.
He grimaced. Youre going to make me do that?
I doubt I could make you do anything, I said. But if we make the event black tie, then youll have to make yourself wear one.
Casual it is then, he said. Ugly Christmas jumper preferred. The uglier the better. We could have a prize for the ugliest.
I dont own an ugly Christmas jumper. I wrinkled my nose. I tended to avoid buying ugly clothes. Also actual Christmas was in summer in Australia.
Ill take you shopping for one, he said. Christmas stuff is around for the mid-year version.
Its probably been there since December, I said.
Some day, itll be Christmas all year round. He nodded.
Because the real thing isnt stressful enough, I said dryly.
Right? He pulled a face that made me laugh. But this year itll be a metric shit ton of fun. Well make sure of that. I vote Chase dresses up as Santa.
You dont want the honour? I asked. Hed be adorable in a jolly red suit.
Naw, Id rather be an elf, or a reindeer.
Ugly jumper and antlers it is, I said.
Ill add that to our shopping list, he said. And some mistletoe.
At a kids party? I looked at him sidelong.
No, just for hanging around the place, he said. The grin faded from his face and he looked at me intently. Not that I need an excuse.
I was about to ask what he didnt need an excuse for, when he leaned in and pressed his lips lightly to mine.
Fireworks erupted around us, a technicolor display of flashing lights and booming sound.
Oh wait, that was my heart racing like a receiver racing to the line for the winning touchdown in the dying minutes of the Down Under Bowl.
When our mouths touched, mine burned like wildfire, but soft and sweet.
I kissed him back, lost in the moment and hungry for more.
He laced a hand around the back of my head and drew me closer.
Meow! Karma said loudly.
Startled, we jumped apart.
Karma gave Bam a look, nose in the air and jumped off the couch. She walked away, tail high in the air.
I guess pussy objects, Bam said.
She might, but mine hadnt.