A knife twisted deeper into my already splintered heart.
“If it will make you happy, I’ll bring Sloane because I don’t want to hurt her and you’ve already set this up. I agree that she’s an amazing woman and would be a great wife.”
I stumbled away from the doorway. I couldn’t listen to any more - not that I should’ve heard any of it. Learning that Milton wanted Sloane as his daughter-in-law should be good news, right? She was my best friend after all and Milton was right—she would be perfect as Grayson’s wife, but it hurt.
And then Grayson agreed. My heart ached so damn much that I had to rub at it with the back of my fist. He deserved the best and Sloane could give him everything he could possibly want.
Only, I could never watch the two of them together as man and wife. It would kill me slowly but surely watching Grayson with her and imagining them making love. I just couldn’t do it.
My appetite had completely disappeared, with heavy feet and heart I climbed the stairs back to my bedroom. This time I made sure to lock the door so that nobody could interrupt.
I reached for my phone. I knew what I had to do. I had the perfect plan.
7: Grayson
Why couldn’t my father understand that while business was his passion, it wasn’t mine? Since I was knee high, I’d wanted to be a doctor. And that remained true throughout my school years.
Time Magazine had recently written an article about me titled “The Reluctant Billionaire”. They couldn’t be more right. I hated glitz and glamor and all the blingy, shiny shit rich people seemed to attract wherever they went. I wanted a simple life with a woman I loved, in a career I was passionate about. Was that asking too fucking much of life?
More pressure from Dad and his Board of Directors to get into the goddamn family business was having the opposite effect on me. Besides, I wished he’d realize that I’d suck at running his empire. Not because I was incapable or incompetent—I’d been a straight-A student all my fucking life - but what he wanted for my future was the polar opposite of what I wanted. There simply wasn’t a solution to the problem.
I ran my fingers through my hair. “But just so you know, Sloane’s not the one for me. So quit trying to force me into a relationship with her. I’m not getting married remember?”
“Don’t be daft. If you don’t get married it will present all kinds of problems and start viscous rumors and you know how I feel about those.”
As usual when I had this kind of discussion with Dad, my head started pounding. I rubbed my temples with my thumbs to try and alleviate the pressure.
“Frankly I don’t give a fuck about what other people think. If people want to think I’m gay, let them, I don’t have a problem with that. Your and Mum’s divorce caused quite stir, so I think you’re being unfair expecting everyone else to not cause rumors.”
He loosened the tie around his neck and pulled at his collar. “I nearly lost Forbes International over that scandal. Your mother running off to London to become a fashion model with her fucking gym instructor nearly ruined everything I’d sacrificed so much for. That’s when I took a vow to never put our company under such intense pressure and jeopardize everything like that ever again.”
Suddenly Milton Forbes looked his age. No, he actually looked older. I noticed how sallow his skin was and the dark circles under his eyes. He even had a slight yellow tinge to his complexion.
“Dad, when last have you had a decent rest? You’re pushing yourself and everyone else way too hard.”
He stopped pacing the room and sat on the edge of the desk facing me. His shoulders slumped forward and his voice had lost its hard edge.
“I’m tired, Son. I need a break but I don’t have faith in anyone else to run the company. Everyone has their own agenda. That’s why I’m so desperate for you to join me . . . so I know the company is in the hands of someone I can really trust.”
Now that he’d put it that way, I felt like a complete asshole for fighting him so hard about it. As much as I wanted to please him, I couldn’t relent, so I changed the subject.
“Dad, you need to have a check-up, okay? Have you ever had your liver function tested?”
“Do I look like someone who has time to go to a doctor? I barely have time to wipe my ass, never mind going through blood tests and all that crap.”
I cleared my throat. “You’ve made it abundantly clear what you think of the medical profession, but I’m worried about you. Since I’m going along with your plans for Sloane and your birthday bash, I want something in return from you.”
Dad threw back his head and laughed, it was a deep sound that travelled all the way from his belly.
“See, you’re a natural at this negotiation business. I’m not having any more of your bullshit—in five weeks you’ll be initiated into Forbes International and take your rightful place alongside me. In return, I’ll get whatever goddamn tests you want me as long as you set the appointments up through Linda so there aren’t any clashes in my schedule.”
Worry gripped my insides, afraid that if I didn’t give in and become part of the business, my father would keel over one day and I’d blame myself for it. Since I’d detected the jaundiced tone of his skin, I’d also noticed on closer inspection that the whites of his eyes were also a shade of yellow.
“Okay. It’s a deal. I’ll call Linda in the morning.”
I sighed, long and hard. I felt like the whole world was closing in on me. The only two people who understood my passion for my work were my mother—who was virtually impossible to reach these days—and Layla.
I needed to speak to my stepsister. She was always able to ground me in a way no one else could. She’d help me make sense of everything in her calm and logical way and I’d have to tell her about my date with Sloane. I wanted her to hear it from me.
“Dad?”
“Yes?”
“I hope you haven’t invited that Matthews kid to your birthday party?”
“No, I didn’t,” he said as he grabbed his jacket off the back of the chair. Before I could heave a sigh of relief, he continued, “But Alice did. She invited the whole family because she and Norma Matthews are in the same tennis group. Your stepmother is planning a huge damn party, even though I told her I don’t want a big fuss.”
“Fuck.”
“What’s your issue with the younger brother? He seems all mad about Layla and you know how shy she is about dating. A push in the right direction may just lead to something more. Maybe you and Layla could have a double wedding, huh?”
“What?” I spluttered, “Don’t be crazy. You can control your company and even control what I do, but stay out of our relationships. I thought you said you don’t have time for anything else?”
“I want grandchildren before I die, Grayson. I want to know that there is a line of heirs ready to take over the Forbes Dynasty after you. Make your old man happy and get married soon, Son. It would be the best birthday present you could give me.”
“Jesus, Dad, I’m only just turning twenty-five. You’ve got to stop pushing so damn hard.”
“I don’t know what it is with you young people these days . . . why you are so damn afraid of commitment.”
I huffed. “That’s not true. I’m committed to my career . . . as a doctor. I’ve worked my butt off for six years to be the best I can be. Why can’t you see that?”
Frowning, Dad looked at his watch. “I’m running late. Think about everything we’ve talked about. I’ll be back in a week and a half before the party. Please help Alice with whatever she needs. You know how she can get carried away trying to make it special.”
I hated big elaborate parties as much as Layla did, but Alice? She thrived on organizing big events that people would remember years later. “I’m sure it will be spectacular. You knew she was an event organizer before you married her, so what do you expect? It’s what she does.”