CHAPTER 2
AIDEN
Pulling Greylin over because she didn’t signal when she pulled out of the parking lot of GMH last night was a stretch. I might have strained something, honestly. But I had to see her last night.
I was unable to avoid tonight and the family dinner I was expected to attend. Which is why I’m seated at a table that seats ten with only my brother and my father.
Because they’re all I have left.
And my father doesn’t do anything halfway.
His home is set up to host a fundraiser, or anything involving a photo op, at the drop of a hat.
My father can do what he wants, he’s a grown ass man who will have to confront his demons just like everyone else in this world. What bothers me is that my brother drank the political party punch and works hard at being dad’s clone.
I wish he would be his own man.
When we were growing up, I looked up to him even though he’s only two years older than me. He saw our dad as the mayor of Storyville and endeavored to be a kid worthy of having that kind of father.
But as a kid you believe your parents are infallible and their moral compass is resolute.
Later you find out parents are just people.
Flawed.
Shaped by things beyond their control while not noticing how they’re passing on their scars.
Human.
Infinitely fallible.
York is still clinging to the idea of who dad is and is more than willing to be his henchman to get things done.
Well, as long as Dad’s vendetta involves a business four women have built from the ground up.
I don’t think York would hide a body, but he’ll feed dad’s petty bullshit.
He has no problem with dad weaponizing city ordinances that haven’t seen the light of day since the Great Depression or were only intended to be enacted during wartime.
It’s ridiculous. I can’t say it’s harmless because it isn’t. But it’s not violent.
I’m aware that I’m a hypocrite, considering the number of times I’ve pulled Greylin over for petty, pithy little reasons.
The turn signal last night was barely a reason.
From the look in her eyes when I leaned down, wishing I could reach out and touch her, she was barely holding in her anger and frustration.
But I just needed to see her, to soak up her light.
The number of years I have wanted Greylin is embarrassing. It just never seemed like the right time.
She was in a serious relationship when she was in college, but they broke up when she moved back. Along with her three best friends. All of Storyville knew they’d go off to school together, but coming back?
People were taking bets on that one.
I figured I’d give her a little time after her breakup because being her rebound was the last thing I wanted. But then something happened that I couldn’t have predicted when I was planning the best way to make her mine.
Because there is no doubt in my mind that Greylin is mine.
Then the whispers started.
About the plans for Green Mountain High. I thought Dad was going to drop dead right in front of me. It was a shitshow and as much as I wanted to ask Greylin out, I wasn’t brave enough.
I was hoping Dad would change and see the benefit in a new, thriving business in town. I’ve pretty much lost hope at this point.
“Now that Mayer girl is pushing to have their events, where all they do is get high,” Dad’s lip curls as he sneers the words, his eyes bulging, “put on the city’s event calendar.”
This is the third time he’s mentioned it. Now that we’ve gotten to dessert, which is chef prepared because the man has never cooked a meal in his life, I can’t bite my tongue anymore. “Isn’t the calendar for everyone and where tourists are directed to see what they can do when they visit?”
Dad’s eyes are sharp when his head snaps in my direction. York winces, but he smooths out his face quickly.
Yeah, I probably should have kept my mouth shut.
But I can’t do it anymore.
Not when I have the memory of her ice blue eyes still so fresh in my mind.
She probably wanted to throttle me, but she held herself in check. I’m aware the only thing that saved me was my uniform.
I wish her eyes didn’t hold so much resentment and frustration when she looks at me, but I can’t say that I blame her. Considering everything Dad has done to GMH, it wouldn’t surprise me if she thinks I’m one of his trained monkeys who is simply doing his bidding.
Still, I pull her over whenever I can find the smallest excuse. Which is exactly what I did last night.
I just needed a moment.
A moment in her presence. A moment of peace. A moment when I could imagine that I didn’t wait too long and lost my chance of making her mine.
Because there is no way in hell that my father would sit on the sidelines if I were to build the future I want with Greylin. He would rain hellfire and brimstone down on me, but it would look more like budget cuts to the police and shunning.
I wouldn’t miss the invites to family dinner. This is awkward as hell, but someone had to say something. It wasn’t going to be York.
Dad’s gaze licks at me and feels like being baptized by fire. “You should know as well as anyone that the only thing their drug den is bringing to town are degenerates and increasing addiction rates.”
It’s nearly impossible to keep my face neutral. Because I don’t know where he got his information, but he’s wrong. When I glance at York, he’s looking at me like I’m a kid again.
“This is an important issue to Dad and the Mayor’s office,” York’s voice is indulgent and placating.
“Don’t forget who you’re loyal to,” Dad’s words are a threat. When he pushes his plate back like a toddler all I can do is nod. He stands up and shoots me one more look before his hand lands on York’s shoulder. “It’s time.”
Time for what?
Before I can ask him what he’s talking about, he’s gone and only his last huff of anger remains. I’ve gotten used to it now and his displeasure, at my choices and my opinions, doesn’t sting the way it used to.
I’m never going to be York. I’ll never kiss Dad’s ass and follow him around. Sure, York gets paid to do it as his executive assistant, but at least that’s honest.
I look at York, really look at him. We’re similar in some ways, but he favors Dad. I’ve always been told I’m more like our mom.
Knowing where she is makes why Dad hates GMH very clear.
When I was almost two, she decided being a mom wasn’t the path she was meant to walk. Yes, apparently, she used those words. She then proceeded to go off grid by joining a commune after spiritually marrying five men.
It’s not a far leap to say Dad never really dealt with his feelings over how his marriage ended. But I do think there were moments when he genuinely tried his best to be a good dad. Or maybe I just need to believe that.
“What is he talking about?”
York rolls his eyes and leans over the table, completely ignoring my question. “Why did you have to rile him up? You know he can’t stand that place and is determined to see it closed.”
“I’m aware of his unhealthy obsession,” I snark. With a sigh, I ask, “Don’t you think this vendetta has gone on long enough?”
York scoffs. “I can’t control the man or his vendettas.”
“But you encourage him,” I point out. When my brother arches an eyebrow, my shoulders slump. “You don’t put a stop to it, and you do his bidding.”
“Grow up, Aiden,” York sighs. “He’s really just adding inconvenience to their lives and sometimes the girls have to pay a fine to get things cleared up. It’s not like he’s going to burn the building down or kidnap someone. It’s all red tape and bureaucratic hurdles he’s throwing in front of them.”
“You think it’s okay that he wants every code enforced when it comes to Green Mountain High, but not the other businesses? How is that fair?”
“Life isn’t fair,” my brother says like I’m the one being ridiculous. He eyes me, his tone almost bored, “You of all people should know that.”
The fucking layers in his words. I swallow hard, unwilling to be baited. “I’m aware life isn’t fair,” I grit out through my clenched teeth. “If he ever crosses a line, I’ll have no choice but to arrest him and you, if you’re an accomplice.”
“Fucking hell,” the words burst from him. “You can’t be serious,” he chastises me like I’m not a grown man; one with a badge. “We’re the only family we have.”
“I took an oath,” I remind him.
He was there the day I graduated from the academy. Dad was there too, but afterwards when people approached him to take pictures, it became clear why he really showed up.
It had nothing to do with me.
When I told him about my plans to become a police officer, he tried to talk me out of it. He even had York talk to me about it. They thought it was below the Simmons name. Serving the community from an office is fine, but in a police uniform? Nope, too blue collar.
He’s more than happy to use me as a prop while smiling for the town, but the truth is he’s written me off.
“Don’t get all bent out of shape.” He rolls his eyes and sits back in his chair. “It’s nothing like that anyway. Dad is not some criminal mastermind. You make it sound like he’s been having clandestine meetings with assassins who used to work for the government. This isn’t a spy movie.”
Sure, when he puts it like that it does sound ridiculous. But I’ve seen people do things out of character when pushed too far, or when they simply snap.
York tries to placate me, “Look, Dad has earned a few favors here and there over his years of service. He might be cashing some in; no one is going to get hurt or anything.”
I’m not entirely sure I want to know, but I ask anyway, my tone wary, “What kind of favors?”
York smiles, the man actually smiles like he finds this whole thing amusing.
“Dad and the county’s health inspector have known each other for years,” he says the words offhandedly, but I know what he’s doing.
“Dad recently started up his weekly poker game again. He comes along with your boss, the Chief,” he winks at me and I want to punch him, “and the county medical examiner.”
“What is your point? Did Dad bribe him to shut down GMH?”
“Don’t be dramatic,” he warns me. “It’s nothing like that, but an inspection will happen soon. Whether they pass is completely up to them.”
“He’s going to start harassing those ladies, isn’t he?” I sigh, thinking about the kind of proof I would need to bring this conspiracy out into the light.
Greylin and her friends shouldn’t have to deal with Dad and his bullshit. He needs to get over the fact that mom left him. It’s going to sound shitty, but there are times when I can completely understand why she did.
Dad is not an easy man. I can’t imagine trying to be his partner; it was nearly impossible to be his son. The weight of expectation can be crushing, and it’s even worse when you can never live up to it.
“You need to pull him back,” I warn York. “He’s going to take things too far and you need to look at this from the perspective of those ladies. They don’t deserve it; it’s not like any of them is the same woman who left him.”
“I’ll do what I can,” he tells me, but I’m not sure I believe him. “Look, man,” he tries to reason with me, “you need to calm down. It’s not that serious.”
I don’t respond because there is nothing I can say. As much as I hate what is at stake, I know I’m approaching a crossroads.
There was a time when York being my brother made me feel special, like I mattered just because of him. Now I’m thinking being second best has its benefits and I might have spent a good portion of my life looking up to someone who isn’t worthy of it.
Damn it.
But he’s still my brother and Dad is still my dad.
I need to figure out a way to be with the one woman I’ve been craving for years. Pulling her over isn’t enough anymore.
Dad’s demons shouldn’t be ones that his sons have to battle.
Greylin deserves to be worshipped by someone. I’d give almost anything for it to be me.