Page 85 of Game Change

“Hmph,” is all he says before he walks away. “And my shins are normal size.”

After a deep breath, I continue to the small conference room. Oliver’s sitting there, sipping the coffee Clover probably got him. He has a shiny bald spot in the middle of his head. His face doesn’t look much better. He has bald patches in his beard, and he’s wearing an oversized, bulky coat that’s seen better days.

“What?” I snap, forgoing any pleasantries. I don’t bother to sit down since I won’t be here long.

He stands and smiles, but I don’t return it. He reaches for my hand, but I pull away. The resentment I have for him comes to the surface. There was no smile for me the day he threw me out of the only house I ever lived in.

“How are you?” he asks. He sits back down, but I remain standing.

“I’m well, Oliver. I’m also working. Why aren’t you?” I gesture at him.

“I’m doing some freelancing while I look for something permanent.” I haven’t been around Oliver much for most of my adult life, so I can’t speak to his work ethic, but his father was always on him for being lazy. For looking for a shortcut instead of doing the work. It makes sense, considering he stole my art for his college application. “Listen,” he says. He rubs the back of his head, and I hold my breath and wait. “Is there any way you can give me a loan? Maybe about twenty thousand—”

“Oliver, that’s not going to happen. Do you not realize that I just bought a house? The one you destroyed that had to be gutted and remodeled completely.”

He has the nerve to huff and roll his eyes. “That house was a piece of shit when I got it,” he says. “And why are you always throwing old shit in my face? You think it’s easy for me to come here and hold my hand out to you?”

The house was far from a piece of shit. It was old and constantly needed work, but Mom and Isaiah always maintained it. The house was fine until Oliver got his greedy hands on it.

“Then why the hell are you here? Get the fuck out.” I head for the door, but he gets to it first and blocks it.

“I know you have the money,” he says. “You got money when your mother died, and I got nothing.” If he had hit me, it would have had less impact.

“And you got an entire house and your father’s life insurance when he died. Even though you were too selfish to care for him, I got nothing. You barely visited.”

He looks away, and I think I see shame or regret for the first time in years. “I couldn’t see him like that, and I convinced myself he would beat it.”

“So, you’re not only selfish but weak? And I’m supposed to what? Bail you out after you ended up with everything, and I got nothing. And that money I inherited when my mother died? Most of it went to the care of your father when he got sick. And for the record, Oliver, I’m not giving you a dime. Move and get the hell out of my office and never return.”

He doesn’t move, and for the first time, I’m nervous. He’s not a large man, but he’s bigger than I am. Besides that, I’ve never been in a fight in my life. I don’t think I could fight a woman, never mind a grown man.

“I don’t have anywhere to go,” he says.

“Aren’t you at your mother’s?” I already know the answer to that. His mother was never interested in him. He was a nuisance to her. He’d go to her house every few months, only for a few hours. In all the years we were a family, I can count on one hand how many times he spent the night at his mother’s house.

“That’s not working out.”

If I cared, I’d ask why, but I can guess. She doesn’t want him there and has given him a deadline to move out.

“I’m sorry to hear that, but I can’t help you.”

“All of this over a damn house, Brynne? Our parents would be ashamed of you for treating me this way.”

My head rolls back at his audacity, but I let out a loud laugh. “And how do you think they would feel about what you did?” He has the decency to look away. “At least I never put you out like you did to me. And let’s get one thing straight. I’m not responsible for your circumstances. You are. Now, get the hell out of my way.” At the least, I can kick him in the shin and stick my finger in his eye, but the door is shoved open, and Colin barges in.

Heath is right behind him, and I know he’s the one who told Colin about my guest, but for once, I’m thankful to him.

“What the hell is going on here?” Colin asks. He looks over me. “Are you okay?” When I nod, he says to Oliver, “Security is on its way. You can leave now, or they can toss you out.”

“I knew it looked suspicious, Uncle Paddy,” Heath says. He stands there with a smug look on his face. He acts as if he caught me doing something wrong.

Oliver raises his hands and takes a step back. “I’m only here to talk to my sister," he says.

"Sister?" Heath asks. “You two don’t look alike, and I’m not buying that.” He gestures at me and Oliver and scoffs.

“Why don’t you shut up?” I say to Heath.

“Are you sure you’re okay, Honeybee?” Colin asks, and I nod again. I inch closer and take his hand in mine. If we were alone, I’d kiss him.

---