Page 16 of Everything Has Changed
And it doesn’t escape me how my mom chooses that moment to down the rest of her glass. Her eyes locked firmly on the table.
“The Triton team sent over their Letter of Intent on Monday. Being the gracious father that I am, I allowed you a few days to get settled and get your head out of your ass before we discuss the logistics. Your time is up. It’s time to get serious.”
I won’t lie and say this wasn’t part of my plan—to drag out any serious discussions regarding this takeover. If only to buy myself a little more time to settle in and make connections with the town. To put my ear as nonchalantly to the ground as possible to find the weak links, but also to find the strong ones. The ones that will fight to keep their backyard from turning into a tourist trap.
Reaching over to the edge of the table, I notice my father’s briefcase for the first time. He pops it open, slides his hand in, then with the flick of his wrist he is sending a manila folder my way. I slam my hand on the table to keep it from sliding off, causing everything to shake around us.
“Read it. Learn it. Figure out any loopholes we need to be aware of.”
I look up at my father, who is staring me down. I wonder if he’s trying to peel away my skin so he can see what’s going on inside my brain. To see what weak spots he can manipulate.
“Don’t you have a whole team behind you just for that?”
He shrugs. “Maybe I want my son to put that college education I paid for to good use for once.”
I lay the folder down on the edge of the table. “Why are you doing this?”
He scoffs, tossing a look around the table as if to say,is this a joke? “Involving my son in family business? In the town business which he will be leading come next year? What a ridiculous question.”
I shake my head. “No. Why are you doing this?” I slam my finger down on the documents. “Why are you destroying the way of life that is working so well for Willow Grove?”
The heat coming off of my father’s glare is almost palpable as he stares me down over the table. I wouldn’t be surprised to find steam coming out of his ears.
“Destroying? I am helping. I am building them a future that will have them throwing statues up in my honor because of how brilliantly I have brought them into a new age.”
“By taking away the things that make this town what it is.”
His fist slams down on the table. Out of the corner of my eyes, which I never let leave my father, my mother flinches but doesn’t move. She knows better than to walk away right now.
“I am not taking away anything! I am giving them everything! Their businesses will boom with the growth. They will be thanking me for finally reviving this sleepy town.”
“Then why haven’t you told anyone about it, yet? If it’s so great, why are they still in the dark?”
The silence is deafening in the dining room. The only noise is the audible swallow from my right and the heavy breathing from my father.
His lips curl up in a wicked grin. “Sometimes you have to take matters into your own hands because people don’t know what’s good for them until it’s already done. A lot like you. You don’t see it now. The power. The pride. I’m handing them over to you on a silver platter. A ready-made empire. I am building a legacy so that you won’t have to lift a finger. You don’t see it now, but you will.” He leans back in his chair, his hand immediately bringing his wine glass back to his lips for a sip. The grin is toned down a bit, but the ghost of the darkness is still there.
“Any other asinine questions?”
“One more,” I say. “What’s so important that this festival needs to be the greatest there has ever been?”
“Honey, we can talk about this later.” My mother finally chimes in, her hand grasping my father’s now.
“No,” he responds. “Let’s talk about this now. This year’s festival is a bit of a showcase for the investors and Triton to see exactly what Willow Grove has to offer. Show them how lucrative and beloved this town is. That’s why I need you to have a hand in this, but not the only reason.”
There’s a long pause as my parents share a look. A silent conversation happens between them as I watch my mother nod her head slightly before looking back over at me. My father’s eyes move slowly over Camila, a wink tossed her way, before they land back on their target.
“You will announce your claim to the mayoral seat that night.”
I shift in my chair, because that can’t be all.
“That’s not news. Everyone is expecting that. What else have you got up your dirty sleeves, dear old Dad?”
He glares at my taunt, but continues on.
“And then at the gala, you will announce the Triton Resorts expansion into Willow Grove.”
Fuck. Me.
