Page 8 of Letters Book Two
“Yes, sir. Right away, sir.” He leaned into me and rubbed my thigh all sexy like. He lowered his lashes and took on a shy, yet slutty tone to his voice. “Maybe Idowant you to pick me now that I’ve seen this.” He turned to the backseat. “You’ve been keeping secrets, Jack. You bad boy. I thought we were friends?”
“Stop it! Your family is well off too. I’ve been to your house, and I know real estate values.” I stepped on the gas pedal and accelerated up the brick-paved driveway.
“Well off, yes. But we aren’t eight-to-ten-million-dollar beach house, rich.” He whistled as he gazed at my expansive landscaping and acres-large lawn.
“Thirteen, actually.” I should have known better.
“Well,excuseme. How gauche of me, Little Lord Fauntleroy.” Chad started howling at the absurdity of the scene in front of him.
“Dad couldn’t shut up about your Patek Philippe watch. He told me that when he shook your hand and noticed the half-million-dollar watch, he recited a little prayer, asking God for you to marry his son.”
“No, he didn’t!” I was embarrassed at my lifestyle all of a sudden.
“It’s all good, Perry. You worked hard for all this. Don’t be embarrassed by your success.”
“I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to you. How do you practically read my mind?” I didn’t know how he did it, but he did it and it was disconcerting sometimes.
“So, are we staying with theWindsorsor what? Are Will and Kate here too?” He started laughing again, enjoying the fun game oftease the rich guy.
I’d called ahead and alerted my staff that I would be arriving and to please expect a guest. I saw Peter, my landscape supervisor, working with his crew getting the lawns cut as well as planting fresh, fall flowers. The storm shutters had been opened and the silly flag that Jack had designed with ourmade-upcoat of arms was flying over the house. “This way our neighbors will know when we are in residence, just like the Queen!” Jack had said. I knew that Melanie, my house manager, would have called in the needed staff to accommodate my long stay.
“Yes, you heard correctly, two months for sure, maybe even longer,” I’d informed her.
Melanie was also a trained chef that I convinced to leave her last celebrity employer after meeting her at a party two summers ago. She quickly won over Jack and his insane dietary requirements. I was looking forward to eating well again. I was tired of hotel food. Even good hotel, food.
“Welcome home, Mr. Jackson. It’s so nice to see you home, sir.” My personal assistant, Jeremy, was already on the estate and greeted us warmly. I knew every one of my needs would be handled perfectly once again.
“Thank you, Jeremy. First order of business is to alert the staff that I want everyone to call me Perry. Starting today, and no more using,sir. Is that understood?” He raised an eyebrow but agreed he’d take care of itright away.
By the time Jeremy and I exchanged small talk, Michael, my butler and household staff supervisor, had appeared at the front door and had staff emptying the Mercedes.
“Welcome home, sir,” Michael said, opening the double doors and standing to the side.
I smiled and turned to Jeremy. “Make sure everyone knows the new rule,” I said, grabbing one of my bags, much to Michael’s chagrin.
“Changes coming, Michael. Take notes please. And please show Chad to his room.” Michael nodded his head at Chad and extended a hand.
“We’re not sharing? Aw shucks,” Chad jokingly whined. He put his arm around me and couldn’t control his laughter. I gave him abe politestare. “I’m sorry, Perry, but this is surreal, man.” He gathered himself. “I’ll be better. Promise.”
“Why don’t you grab a quick shower and then we can meet on the patio nearest your suite. Michael will show you around.”
Chad leaned in and whispered in my ear. “Relax, Perry. I can see you’re a changed man. Just give everyone the time to adjust. They’ll figure it out too.”
CHAPTER TEN: Lucas
The gray skies and stormy waves at the beach fit well with my mood since Perry had left. It wasn’t exactly chilly, but the rain and lack of sun made me think it wouldn’t be long before winter set in. Even during the winter months of December through March, Beaufort still averaged temperatures in the sixties with overnight lows in the forties. After the stifling heat and humidity of summer, most of us felt the chill.
I remained in my truck, watching the waves crashing on shore. The water always looked darker when it was churning from winds. The waves looked as angry as I felt. Why had I screwed up such a promising relationship? Perry wanted to love me. He wanted to be with me and share his life with me. What was my answer?Run Lucas! Do it before he does it.A lifetime of disappointment convinces one’s mind to expect more of the same. Now that I had the facts about my real father, I realized that the pattern had started at birth. Lachen didn’t want me, even then. The man that raised me never wanted me around. I don’t blame him now. Can you imagine living with and looking at me, the daily reminder of being chosen second?
Every weak attempt at finding a boyfriend, or any kind of love really, failed each and every time. Shit! Even Clint wouldn’t accept his sexuality to be with me. I knew I didn’t want him either, but fuck, it would have been nice to win at least once. I pulled my hoody over my head and got out of the truck. I wanted to walk on the beach and see if Momma’s spirit was here today. I could use some support, maybe even a reminder of her love.
After I’d been officially introduced to Lachen at age six, he began to join Momma and me on our picnics here at our favorite beach. I noticed that Momma always dressed differently on the days that he joined us. She always added a touch of lipstick and wore one of her newer handmade dresses. I never saw her smile at home or carry on a conversation with a man the way she did with Lachen. As I look back on the picnics, I now understood that she loved him too. Just like I had.
The beach was deserted due to the soggy mist and cooler weather. I saw a dog and his master several hundred yards down the beach. The brown beast was delighted with the weather. Rain or shine, it was happy to be with its greatest love, its human.Lucky you.The dog’s owner looked toward me, perhaps surprised to see another hardy soul out and about. He raised an arm in a friendly wave and my heart burst. Was I so desperate for love that his simple gesture affected me like this? Or was it that I saw Lachen in his actions? The memory of Lachen joining my mother for the first time here on this beach came to me. He’d also raised an arm and waved as a seven-year-old me rushed from the surf, eager to meet Momma’s friend.
I turned away from the stranger and his dog for just a moment. I thought I heard noises coming from where I parked the truck along the sandy side road. It was out of my view. Maybe it was just a large wave crashing. I turned back to the man on the beach after only what could have been three, maybe four seconds. He was no longer there. I spun around, searching in all directions. Nothing. No one.
Ever since the first time I brought Perry to this beach, it had become an even more important place to visit. Perry had mentioned on our first visit that he sensed strong feelings here. He’d said it felt like so much love was around the area. He swore he could feel the spirits, even asking me who I had come here with in the past. That would have been a great time to tell him about Lachen and my family history. I didn’t though. Was I afraid he would have thought me unlovable or unworthy if he knew the facts too soon? Could a boy from the wrong side of the tracks be loved by a man that had it all? I doubted it. I hadn’t told him after three months and he still bailed.Had he bailed? Or had I?
