We stay there for a moment as Leo’s breathing starts to steady. Roman’s breathing becomes more erratic by the second, but we’ve all learned to stay calm when Leo needs it. When Leo has finally calmed down, he pulls away, moving to check on Beth and Sienna. A sigh of relief rolls through me that someone is at least checking on her.
Looking back at Roman, he stares at me, still seething with rage. Slowly, I raise my hands, keeping my voice calm.
“I was just trying to have fun,” I say.
“Fun?” Roman’s eyes squint, his eyebrows pulling together. I place my hands at my sides, in an effort to control the shaking.
Roman takes a step back, creating a fraction of distance between us. “You’re just like him! You have no responsibility, no respect for others, and after pulling amove like this tonight, you have no future at Kane Construction.”
My anger boils up quicker than I expect, fueled by the adrenaline coursing through my veins. “We had a deal! Just because I fucked up one night doesn’t mean it erases everything else. And what do you mean I’m just like him? Like who?”
“Dad!” Roman throws his arms out, his voice booming as he points at me, continuing, “You’re just like Dad. You may have been too young to remember, but I do. I remember getting the call that Dad had wrapped his car around a tree in theexact same fucking Mustang,killing both himself and Mom in the process.” Roman takes a breath, trying but failing to regulate his temper at this moment. “You’re selfish and irresponsible just like he was. You almost took this young woman’s life just like Dad took Mom’s.”
I open my mouth to say something, but realize I have nothing to say. I know better than to argue with Roman when Mom and Dad are brought up. At this moment in particular, I’m not sure I have anything to combat what he’s just said.
“This little stunt you two are pulling is over.”
“What are you talking about?” I ask.
“Whatever this thing is between the two of you”—Roman gestures back and forth between Sienna and me—“it’s over. There’s no place for you at my company, Theo. The deal is off.” Turning toward Sienna, he continues, “Sienna, I was impressed by your portfolio, but I’m not impressed by the lies you’ve been telling in an effort to get a job. I wouldn’t hire you based on that onecharacter trait alone, and I know Graham won’t either. I think it’s time that you and Beth leave. I can give you both a ride home in the morning.”
Sienna looks as though she was just struck across the face, and a pain spreads through my chest at the sight.
“Roman. They’re not your guests, they’re mine. I say when they go,” I say, adding a bite to my tone. Stepping away from the car, I block his eyesight to Sienna, stopping him from saying anything else that might cause her further pain.
I continue, “It might’ve started out as a lie, but it’s not anymore. I?—”
Roman cuts me off with a raised hand. “Stop lying, Theo. I entertained this for too long. It’s time you grow the fuck up. Bringing a fakegirlfriend on our family trip was a stupid, immature idea, and tonight, you put her life in danger.”
I open my mouth to speak, but he continues, “This is final, Theo. We can talk more in the morning, but this shit ends tonight.”
With that, he turns his back and heads inside.
“Can you believe him?” I try breaking the ice with Leo, but his expression doesn’t change at my quip.
“In Dad’s fucking car,” Leo mumbles, shaking his head as he walks off, fists clenching and unclenching at his sides.
I turn toward Alex, but he puts his hand up to stop me when I take a step toward him. “No, Theo. You can’t charm your way out of this one. You’re not six anymore.” He turns his back to me as he follows Leo inside.
Watching my brothers turn their backs on me as theywalk inside the lake house is the cherry on top of seeing the look on Sienna’s face when we hit the tree. It makes me want to crawl out of my own skin. Adrenaline still pumping through my veins, I’m overcome with a need to be anywhere but here.
Turning back toward Sienna and Beth, I ask, “Are you okay?” I have to force myself to look her in the eye as I push past the shame of my mistake tonight.
When she doesn’t answer, I take a tentative step toward her. When I do, Beth puts her arm around Sienna’s shoulders and holds out a hand to me, indicating that I shouldn’t come any closer.
“I’m not physically hurt,” Sienna finally says, avoiding eye contact with me.
I try getting closer, ignoring Beth’s warning, but Beth puts her hand up again. “No, Theo. You’ve done enough.” At her statement, they move to head inside, following the others.
As I stand outside alone in the darkness, next to my wrecked car, Roman’s words replay in my head. He wasn’t wrong. I’m irresponsible and shouldn’t be wasting my time on stupid fake-dating schemes. Even if my feelings for Sienna are real, I’ve proven tonight that I’m not worthy of being with her.
Not able to join the others inside, I head down the hiking path on foot. I’m not sure where I’m going, but I need to clear my head. I’m not far down the path when I break out into a full jog, forcing the adrenaline out of my body. When I finally tire, I reach an old bench on the path about a mile from the house.
Sitting there, I catch my breath as my heart ratefinally starts to come down. Though the anger and disgust I feel toward myself lingers. I put Sienna’s life in danger tonight. Her carefully thought-out plan could’ve been destroyed because of one stupid moment of fun. I almost robbed the world of seeing Sienna Parker’s beautiful architectural designs. Beth could’ve been leaving here without her best friend, her sister. I almost took away her father’s little “pumpkin.” Her mother’s baking partner. The look of fear in her eyes flashes before mine again, and I know what I have to do.
I refuse to repeat history. I refuse to be my father.
31
