Page 25 of His Weekend Girl
He was the embodiment of Oldest Child Syndrome – always had to take care of everyone regardless if he wanted to. “I can’t just leave my employees and business behind. There has to be a safe change in leadership so people won’t think I’ve just abandoned them.”
“We’ll fold it into the parent company. It’ll be under a separate brand and overseen. We can make it work and it’ll be profitable for everyone. It’ll probably bring you more clients.” Jack assured. “I need you back, Grant. This weirdness we’ve had over the past several years has gone on long enough.”
“Weirdness?” Grant stared at his father. “What weirdness?”
“You know what I mean,” Jack gesticulated. “This thing you do.”
“This thing I do?” Grant retorted. “You can’t even say what you’ve all put me through. You said nothing when Charlotte and Nathan got together. I had to attend their wedding with one of the biggest, fakest, and most plastic smiles I’ve ever had to plaster on. I had to pretend I didn’t see people occasionally whisper and look over in my direction at both the wedding and reception while giving me sad glances. Charlotte tried her absolute best to talk to me during the wedding and I conveniently turned her down every chance I got.
“I’ve attended all the family gatherings. I’ve played nice in public. I’ve never said anything negative about any of you thoughyou allhave given me plenty of reason. And because I keep my distance, it’sweird?” He shook his head. “Amazing how everything is nothing my fault yet somehow it still is.”
“You know how this family works, Grant,” Jack’s voice had a bass in it, “you know how do things, how we’ve always done things around here.”
“And that’s the problem right there—everyone fake smiles while stabbing each other in the back. And because I don’t wantto play along, I’m the bad guy?” Grant hissed. “ Funny how that works.”
“You know how this is how we all operate, Grant.” Jack’s mouth twisted, “Every family everywhere does the same thing, regardless of economic status. The richer you are, the more secrets you keep, and the more appearances you have to maintain. You were born into this. This is in you. Don’t act like you have to be the change you want to see. Not with this family.”
Jack’s words cut to Grant. “Thank you for telling me exactly how you feel about me, Pop.”
“Grant cut the shit. I equally love you and Nathan. I may not approve of a lot of what the two of you do, but I love you the same. But if you’re expecting me to give you hair pats and back rubs, you’re going to be disappointed.” Jack stated.
Running this company is more important than attending your damn baseball game!10-year-old Grant could remember how crushed he was and the little boy still lived inside 45-year-old Grant. He would forever be that disappointed little boy who angled to get his father’s attention.
Grant also knew the power of money and how it often made many icky situations feel much better. “I wanted an apology but I know I’ll never get it,” Grant’s face twisted, “so, I’ll come up with a monetary package equivalent to an apology and accept that. Don’t worry; it’ll be monstrous.”
Jack’s lips drawled into a snarl. “Of course, it will be.” His eyes looked heavenward and he sighed. “The Board is going to want a married CEO.” He looked over at his son. “They’ll give you a year to get married.”
Just like with everything else in his life, this also came with terms and conditions. “Fine,” Grant stated.
“Marry Princess,” Jack stated.
Grant met his father’s eyes. It was an order, not a suggestion. “She’s not my girlfriend. We’re not dating. I asked her to play therole of my fiancée this weekend so you two would stop bothering me about who I’m dating.”
“I know that and so does your mother. We’re not stupid.” The corners of Jack’s eyes crinkled. “But I know when a man loves a woman and it’s clear you love her and she loves you. You don’t stay holed up in a bedroom all night and all morning because you like someone. You do that because you’rein lovewith that person and you can’t have enough of them. You never acted like that with Charlotte or any other woman. Marry her and marry her soon.” Jack toked on his pipe. “We’ll formally announce the engagement tonight.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
ALL THESE WOMEN were the same.
As Trixie sat in the chauffeured Mercedes Sprinter van, it was no surprise to her there was a hierarchy of sorts. Whoever sat closest to Sylvia was Queen Bee. Everyone else was her little worker bees.
Usually, that title belonged to Charlotte, and Trixie could tell Charlotte liked Sylvia more than Sylvia liked her. Throughout the years of being around various people, Trixie could read body language very well. Charlotte kissed Sylvia’s ass every chance she got and Sylvia let her.
Charlotte was the leader of the group of women, followed by Erica. Molly and Mercedes didn’t fight for scraps, but it was clear they both benefitted by proximity. They wanted to be as close to the family in any way shape or form.
While she couldn’t see behind her in the van – Sylvia was insistent Trixie sat next to her in front – Trixie could feel the eye rolls and silent text messages sent between the women. She remembered high school rather vividly and knew how nasty women got around each other if there was a threat. Socio-economic status be damned.
It was the type of women she saw in Los Angeles all the time – keratin-treated hair, Louis Vuitton tote bags (but of course!), and Lululemon leggings topped off with Uggs. Oh, and let’s notforget about the precious Stanley tumblers (though, Trixie felt Yeti was phasing those out).
Every woman in L.A. was trying not to be different but fit in simultaneously. Trixie could tell the women weren’t really friends. Frenemies, maybe? Women who only tolerated each other because of wealth and connections and that was probably it. They often did favors for each other not as a nice gesture but more of a ‘I got you, bitch’tetchiness.
“Once we get back to the home, we have massages.” Sylvia lightly yawned. “And then from there, it’ll be a little siesta before the fiesta!”
“Good.” Charlotte chimed in. “I’m looking forward to that!” She leaned forward. “I’m sure you and Grant have plans, don’t you, Trixie?”
I certainly hope we do. Trixie couldn’t get over how Grant folded her up like an unbaked pretzel that morning. “I’m sure Grant might have something in mind.”
Charlotte glanced over to Mercedes, who simply nodded.
