Page 68 of Coastal Runaway

“Oh, please. You think that I would just disappear and not keep tabs on you? You’re a terrible liar. Always have been.”

“So what now then? I know you’re not here to offer congratulations on my relationship so, tell me, what do you want?”

He chuckled, “I couldn’t give less of a fuck about your relationship, son, I care about your reputation. That girl is not up to the Cavan standard. She’s a college cheerleader who makes silly little posts on social media so people will like her, and she’s careless enough to have elicit photos scattered across page six. Do you understand how that would have made this family look if your relationship was public? You need to get serious.”

“I am serious. And that was a violation of Keegan’s privacy, it was not her fault. The Kellys are a powerful family, yet their reputation is intact regardless of the photos. You can’t march into my life and tell me who is worth my time, especially when you’re not worth a single second. Regardless of your name.” I stood, ready to storm out of the office.

“Not so fast,” he held up a hand and I paused out of habit, “listen to me carefully, I will not repeat myself. You want to go to law school so bad? Fine. But you will go to Columbia. You will work on the legal team for KavTech afterwards, and you will dump Ms. Kelly. You especially will not embarrass me by showing up to this gala with her on your arm.”

My jaw was on the floor, he simply couldn’t be serious, “and if I refuse?”

“I will black list you from every law school in the country. I might not have been able to control your finances, but I sure as hell can control your social status. Think about it.”

He left the office and house without even a goodbye, and I couldn't move a muscle. I worked so hard to be out of his shadow. The man had so much money, pull, and malintent that I knew he'd make good on his promises. But would I give up the girl of my dreams for good? Or would I give up the career that I so desperately wanted?

I was so fucked.

thirty

Keegan

Mr. Cavan started walking towards the office door so I slipped back into the living room and sat on the sofa with Maeve. Did I just hear that right? Mr. Cavan thought that I wasn’t good enough for his family? Who the fuck did he think he was?

My silly little posts made me a lot of money, and even besides that, they made people happy. Life was about more than gaining power and getting ahead.

And how dare he think less of my family just because some entitled jerk shared intimate photos against my will.

He steamrolled in here and tried to take control. I honestly felt bad for Luke, he had no say in any of this. Mr. Cavan was an asshole, but he’s right about one thing: Luke deserved so much more. I had no real set future. I was going to work for my dad and make social media posts while living off of the Kelly name. Luke had real dreams and aspirations to start a life of his own.

I knew Luke. I knew that he didn’t want to work for KavTech, but I also knew that he would suffer for a few years if it meant that he could get the law degree that he wanted and had been working so hard for. He would eventually figure out a way to outsmart his dad and leave, but not before the time under his reign took its toll.

Where Luke was going to law school had been weighing on my mind and my heart.

What would happen after graduation?

We couldn’t even be open about our relationship and yet he thought we’d survive long distance?

I didn’t think so.

When Luke and his dad left the office, I smiled at him like my heart wasn’t cracking in half. I knew that Luke didn’t want to follow his dad, but I also knew that Luke wouldn't break my heart on purpose. It was up to me to make sure he selfishly went after what he wanted, for once in his life.

Luke took a seat next to me on the couch and I reached for his hand. He stiffened momentarily before lacing our fingers together on his lap.

His touch was so soothing. Every time that I needed to come up for air, the feel of his skin brought me back to the surface. I squeezed his hand in mine and rested my head on his shoulder.

When we stood to say our goodbyes, everyone was silent. Like the entire night just exhausted us. The fake pleasantries and stale conversation felt forced. The ride home felt heavy, and when we walked through the front door of Malibu house Nolan walked right up to the liquor cabinet and poured six shots.

“Oh thank god,” Maeve said as she tossed back the clear liquid, “that was torture.”

We all laughed and took the shots as the tension lifted.

“Beach fire, anyone?” Aiden asked, pointing to all of us. We nodded and made our way barefoot onto the beach. The boys gathered driftwood and tossed them into a shallow hole, lighting it ablaze.

I looked at Luke who took a seat next to me, “what did your dad have to say?”

“Nothing important.” He was staring into the fire but he placed his hand right on top of mine in the sand. He didn’t expand further into their conversation and I would give anything for him to let me into his thoughts.

These last few weeks felt like everything I had ever wanted, but it was at that moment I knew what had to be done. I just didn’t know if I had the heart to do it.