Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 20958 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 105(@200wpm)___ 84(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20958 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 105(@200wpm)___ 84(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
“I think we’ve said all we need to say to one another after the last ordeal you created.” My father is trying to ruin my buzz from this morning. There was no sleeping in either, not with the surf report. I peeled myself away, made some coffee, counted the sets, and then I woke Drena up with a slap to her bare ass. She didn’t protest, grumble, or groan. Instead, I was shocked to shit when she rolled over, and sat up, stretching her arms and giving me one hell of a view of her naked body. From there, I told her to grab her bathing suit and meet me out back. We were going surfing. We did our thing, ate breakfast, surfed, came inside to clean up, and then I was dropping her off at her place before hitting Whitecaps.
“It would have been helpful if you’d given me a heads-up, Kade.” Dad tries to use the parental tone. Too bad for him it doesn’t fucking work, and he’s over twenty years too goddamn late.
“I quit checking in with you a long-ass time ago. The only reason I’m being cordial to you now and not hanging up is because of Mom.” Jasper Callahan sucks an audible breath back. Yeah, I’m hitting him below the belt. He deserves it. Rhodes looks at me out of the corner of his eye. I made a quick call earlier today while watching the waves, asking how things went and how he wanted to handle the shop. He was good with opening the store, and I’ll do the closing. When summer rolls around, we’ll look at hiring an extra hand or two, but right now, things are fine with it being just us.
“Don’t bring your mother up.” This guy is fucking unbelievable. Years later, and he still can’t so much as stomach the thought of my mother. He tried his hardest to pretend like she never existed after her death. Jasper Callahan couldn’t handle looking at me and seeing his wife. I’m the spitting image of her and her side of the family. The only thing I got from my dad are his eyes. Where my mom had hazel eyes, I inherited his. Mom always told me she’d prayed for her dark hair and Dad’s cerulean-colored eyes. Her prayers were answered. Mom’s gene pool pulled strong her way, and after she passed away, it made it nearly impossible for my father to look at me, let alone be around me. The man is a fucking anomaly. Now that I’ve met a woman I can see having a future with, I can one thousand percent say if roles were reversed, I’d never be like Jasper. I’d cherish every fucking moment of my child, not hold a grudge against an innocent party.
“Say what you need to say already.” I’m over this conversation, and it barely started. Leave it to Jasper to try and ruin a damn good morning, and believe me, he could do it very easily.
“I need you to come to dinner.” He pauses for a moment before saying, “At The Wharf.” My ears have got to be deceiving me. This fucking guy. He wants me to have dinner with him at a restaurant that was a place we ate at for big occasions, like Mom’s birthday, Easter, and Mother’s Day. I swear he never ceases to amaze me with the level of low he’ll hit.
“No, not happening.” The last time he asked me to meet with him at a restaurant, dear old dad wanted me to sign papers. I didn’t even look at them, just pushed them away and walked out. I’m not an idiot. He’s got no one in his corner, and he knows it. When he leaves this world, Callahan Banking will be distributed through its shareholders. I’ll be bought out and donate every damn penny to a cause that could help someone out.
“Kade, I’d really appreciate it if you could make a short appearance. Give me twenty minutes.” Hell must have frozen over. Him begging me to meet with him must mean something big is happening.
“I’m not making any promises. Some of us have lives to live.” I don’t bother waiting to hear what else he has to say. Instead, I hang up on him, done with whatever he’s trying to sell or who is the next love of his life. My father can’t get his head out of his ass. He’s surrounded by shit, his own. I pocket my phone and turn to look at Rhodes, who is silently asking me how I’m doing.
“You mind if I work on a board for the next bit? Drena had a hard time finding her balance on my short boards. Thinking she may need a longboard for a little while.” I got to the store early after dropping her off at her place. We’re already creating a routine, and neither of us questions it. We go with the flow. Rhodes was surprised to see me this early, but there was nothing that needed my attention at home. Sitting still isn’t my strong suite, and staying busy keeps me from wanting to plant my fist in my father’s face.