CHAPTER 10
AIDEN
I’m fuming, fucking seething, my vision a haze of red, as I stalk toward the mayor’s office in City Hall. No one has stepped into my path or tried to slow me down. I don’t know whether it’s because they figure I’m allowed to go and see my dad at any time, or they caught a glimpse of my face.
I know I look as pissed off as I feel.
This has gone on too long and too much bullshit has happened. Dad is supposed to be a public servant, the entire public. I let how he was using his office against GMH go at first, but I can’t sit on the sidelines any longer and let it continue.
Not when I’m in love with Greylin Cross.
She deserves a man who will stand up to those trying to tear her down. She deserves a man who isn’t afraid of his family’s reactions because he stands by his convictions.
And this is wrong.
Dad’s whole vendetta is wrong.
Do I think he’s going to turn over a new leaf and become their best customer? Hell no, but there really is zero reason for him to keep holding onto the hurts from decades ago.
Yes. Decades.
Holding a grudge is one thing, but this has gone past that.
What Dad is doing could really negatively impact their business. All because mom wanted to be a hippie instead of being married to him? Honestly, I’m starting to understand her outlook, and I have to wonder if I’m just like he always said—more like her than him.
When I slam into the outer office, York immediately jumps up from his chair. The moment he realizes it’s me, he relaxes and shoots me a glare.
His look might matter if I respected the man like I used to. He’s made it impossible with his actions lately. It’s not just dad who I need to cut out of my life.
If you cut them out, then nothing can stop us from being with Greylin.
The thought has me flipping off my brother as I storm past him, not bothering to slow down. I’m on a fucking mission and the man I need to see is my dad. He’s the one who has been driving this vendetta.
“Aiden,” York’s voice has an edge of worry to it I’m not used to hearing, “what’s going on? Is everything okay?”
I turn around so fast that York almost slams into me. My lip curls as I snarl, “I’m not here to see you, York. I’m here to see Mayor Simmons.”
He rears back, clearly surprised at the way I’m coming at him. I’ve spent a lot of my life being the peacemaker. Being the one who didn’t want to rock the boat too much. Fuck, it already felt like my boat was lost in a damn tropical storm most days. Why would I rock that further?
I don’t spare my brother another look. When he reaches for me, trying to stop me, I don’t pay him any attention.
I’d just like him to actually try and stop me.
“You can’t just barge in there because he’s your dad,” York calls out.
But it’s too late.
Dad jumps slightly when the door to his office slams open and hits the wall with a thud. He blinks a few times as if he’s trying to process what is going on.
Good. I caught him unaware.
At least it’ll take him a moment to get it together and his slick mask will slip. I’m so tired of seeing it. I don’t even know who my father is. Not really.
Nothing was ever personal growing up. Nothing.
I have no idea if the man listens to music or what kind.
He reads leadership books. Well, he has leadership books and sometimes it looks like the spine has been cracked on one, but I’ve never seen him read a damn thing.
I have no idea if his only dreams in life were politics, and if he wanted to stop at mayor or if his goals were loftier.
I have no fucking idea who this man is. Not really.
It’s heartbreaking.
“Aiden? What’s going on? Is everything okay? Did something happen to York?” His voice gets a little bit more desperate with every question.
So, he does have feelings.
Just not morals.
Got it.
“No,” York calls out from behind me while closing the office door, “I’m right here, and I’m fine.”
York keeps glancing at me like he’s just waiting for me to explode. He’s not far off.
When I’m in front of my father’s desk, I don’t bother sitting down.
The words are pulled out of me, each one feeling like venom, “The health inspector was too far. You need to get over your issues with Green Mountain High and get over yourself. You think you’re protecting this town, but all you’re doing is acting like a scared little boy who can’t handle being rejected.
Get over yourself and get over your past. Everyone has shit happen to them, deal with it in therapy. ”
Dad scoffs, “Therapy? Like I’m going to pay someone to listen to me talk and then make humming sounds.” He rolls his eyes and shakes his head. “Not going to happen.”
I plant my palms on his desk and lean over it as best I can. It’s not easy because the thing is massive. I’m sure he wanted it to be intimidating, but I can’t help but wonder what he’s compensating for.
Having a soul and a moral compass, most likely.
“That’s all you got from what I said? The only thing you want to comment on is how you aren’t going to go to therapy because you’re too set in your ways?” I mutter, “Well, what else is new there?”
Even though I’m looming over him, he isn’t the least bit worried about it. Whatever surprise he felt when I first burst through the door has faded quickly. York walks around the desk and eyes me.
These two.
What a fucking joke.
I almost bark out a laugh at how ridiculous all of this is.
To think my own fear about what I could lose, instead of focusing on what I would gain, had me pushing Greylin away over the last few days.
She texted me. I gave her some lame response and left it there.
That’s on me and I’m not going to make excuses for it. When I’m on my knees later begging for her forgiveness and another chance, I’ll make sure she knows I’ll never do it again.
Because it’s been hell.
I didn’t pull her over, even though I’ve been craving to be close to her. There have been more than a few times when I thought for sure I was catching hints of her lemon verbena scent on the wind.
It’s been fucking with my head.
“You need to relax,” York tries to calm down the situation, his voice placating. It’s not going to work. “The health inspector thing isn’t a big deal. They still passed. So, they have to complete a checklist and pay a fine. It’s not a big deal.”
I glare at my brother, unsure who the man in front of me even is.
“Do you hear yourself?” When he blinks at me, I shake my head.
My voice drops to a dangerous octave, “You need to understand something. They are running a business, a legal one. You have used your position, both of you,” I cut in before they can try and protest, “to try and ruin their business, a legal and legitimate business within this community, into the ground. All because you can’t deal with the fact that mom left you,” I look right at dad as I say the last part.
He doesn’t even flinch and it makes me wonder if this is really about mom or if that’s just an excuse for his misplaced intolerance. I’m not sure the why matters anymore.
“Who even cares? Those girls should be finding jobs, if they have to work, that are more appropriate. What they’re doing isn’t very lady-like,” Dad scoffs.
My mouth drops open and the disgust that flashes in York’s eyes makes me think there might be hope for him yet. “You can’t be serious? And what should they be doing? A teacher? Or would you really only be happy when they’re barefoot and pregnant in some kitchen?”
Dad shrugs his shoulders and when I look at him, I’m at a loss.
“You’ve become a bitter old man,” I sneer the words at him.
“If you’re not careful, you’re going to lose everything you’ve built.
I understand your reputation and appearances are the only thing that matter to you, but the illusion you’ve built about yourself is going to come crashing down if you’re not careful. ”
I’m ready to be done with this because I know what I need to do now, and I should have done it a long time ago. It’s time to claim my woman and build a life which doesn’t involve men who will never be worth looking up to.
“And you’ll only have yourself to blame,” my voice has a tinge of sadness in it because they might not realize how high the stakes really are.
There’s a moment when it feels like time freezes. In that moment I believe, just for a split second, Dad can change. He can admit his wrongs and choose a different path.
Then he laughs. It’s not a sly chuckle. It’s not a sinister snort. No, the man belly laughs like my only purpose in this life is to entertain him.
Dad’s expression is smug as hell. “You shouldn’t worry about that scourge on Storyville; it’ll close down soon enough.”
Something inside me snaps. I shake my head, my voice sharp, “I am so tired of not being with the woman I want, the woman I’m in love with, because of you and your stupid fucking hatred for their business.
It’s not a scourge. It’s a damn business and you need to get over yourself.
These are people’s lives you’re fucking with without any regard for the trust you’re given as mayor.
I’m sure as fuck not going to allow you to continue to believe my silence is support. ”
Dad’s eyes narrow and turn hard. His words are slow and measured, “What are you talking about, Aiden? Who are you in love with? Not one of those hippie bitches,” he warns me.
York jerks back like Dad slapped him. Poor guy. I’m not at all surprised.
This is who our father really is. I was hoping it wasn’t true, but you can ignore the truth all you want. Hoping doesn’t change much and willful ignorance isn’t a good look.
“Greylin Cross,” her name comes out solid and sure.
“I’ve wanted her for a long time, but the timing was never right.
There was a window when I had a chance, but I didn’t take it and then this whole vendetta started.
I’ve stayed away from her, even though I craved her with everything I am.
No more. I know she’s the woman I’m meant to be with. ”
York stares at me for a long moment with yearning in his eyes so deep I can feel the ache of it. I don’t get the chance to find out what that’s all about.
Because dad slams his hands down on his desk and stands up slowly. Every word is a threat. Every look is condemnation. “How dare you? You will not be with one of those girls. They don’t know their place and it’s people like them who will slowly ruin this town.”
With a shake of my head at the man, I see him for what he is now and wonder why I let it go on this long. He can’t touch me and he knows it. And his words? I’ve heard it all before.
“You won’t have anything to do with Greylin Cross,” he spits her name with disdain and truly believes he can make such a declaration without recourse, and that it will be followed.
Not this time.
“You don’t even realize what you’re going to lose.” I look at the two men who are the last family I have left and all I feel is sadness and pity.
Sadness that they won’t ever get it.
Pity for everything they’ll miss out on.
Because I’m going to make Greylin mine. Then I’m going to throw everything I am into building a future with her. It’ll be filled with smiles and laughter, bargains and compromises.
And, hopefully, one day we’ll grow our family.
Dad and York won’t be included or get to enjoy any of those moments.
“I used to be so afraid of losing this,” I scoff, “of losing my family. I realize now, it wasn’t much of a family to begin with.
” York frowns and his eyes fill with sadness, but I can’t spare my brother’s feelings right now.
I point at my dad, my voice dropping to a warning, “I won’t stand on the sidelines while you try and ruin everything Greylin and her friends have built.
You better watch yourself because I will be watching you. ”
I turn around and walk out of my father’s office, maybe for the last time.
“Aiden,” Dad calls out after me, “you get back here right now. We are not done with this conversation.”
I don’t look back.
“If you do this, if you walk out and take up with that Greylin girl, you’re no son of mine,” he rages at me.
My steps don’t falter. I walk away from them and out of City Hall. The moment the cold winter air hits my face, I take a deep breath.
Now all I need to do is make sure Greylin will still have me.