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Something is wrong. Something is terribly wrong.
CHAPTER 23
A few hours earlier
Ashton
I’ve been down at the rink every day in between trips back and forth to the hospital. There hasn’t been much change in dad’s condition, and that’s a concern. I know these things are unpredictable, but the extent of his injuries is concerning, even if he wakes up.
My mom and sister have constantly been on the phone. I know Kate is particularly conflicted because she has had an even more strained relationship with him than I have. He has never been there for her, and now she doesn’t know what to do.
It’s hard to understand that part of it. Why has he never taken the time to show his kids’ affection? Maybe it just wasn’t something in his repertoire. But it must have been at some point. Mom said he was different when she first met him.
What the hell happened? It’s plagued me for years but has come more to the forefront now. The night after I flew back from Florida, mom sent me a message saying there were things she needed to talk to me about regarding my father. It sounded serious, but I figured it was just the implications if something bad were to happen to him. There has been so much to thinkabout; I haven’t even processed that part of it yet. I also never got to ask her about the inheritance thing that was brought up when I was there. I meant to prompt her about it, but I never got back to Tampa before I had to fly out again.
All I have been doing is sitting next to dad’s bedside for the better part of that time.
Tyler and Cindy flew back yesterday, and I met up with him, Taylor, and Jay at the rink.
Jay is the guy who says what everyone else doesn’t have the guts to say because he rarely has a filter. He isn’t a malicious guy or anything like that; he just says it like it is. Most of the things are in jest, anyway. He’s kinda like the class clown and has been since I’ve known him.
“Fucked up about your Dad,” he says after we finish a friendly two-on-two drill after some laps of the rink, and we skate over to the edge for a break.
“Tell me about it.”
“Even if the guy is an asshole,” he counters with a shrug.
I look at him. Even now, I can’t deny it, but I clench my fist at my side.
“Easy,” Taylor says to him.
“What?” Jay shrugs. “He’s put Ash through hell for most of his life. I’m not saying this is a good thing that’s happened. I’m just saying it’s rough.”
Rough being the operative word. But why he’s choosing to bring that up now isn’t helping me, even if it is true, and I know he’s just looking out for me.
“We’re here for you,” Tyler says.
“Thanks.” I nod. “It’s just proving harder and harder to process anything. The last time I saw him, we had a huge fucking fight again about the company.”
“Again?” Taylor raises his eyebrows. “What was it this time?”
“Same shit, different day.” I shrug. “He’s been hell-bent on bringing me in for the last year or so. I mean, he’s always had that dream for me, but the push has been pretty constant.”
“There must be a reason for it.” Jay shrugs. “I mean, you guys have never seen eye to eye. Maybe your Grandfather had something over him?”
It’s common knowledge that my father inherited a lot of his wealth from my grandfather. I’ve never really thought much along those lines, but it begs the question.
“You know, I heard him talking about something in his office the last time I saw him about when I turned thirty, but I never got around to finding out what he meant.” I remember little about my grandfather, but what I remember was that he wasn’t anything like my father.
“You should do some digging,” Jay tells me. “There’s more to this than meets the eye. Now might be the time to do it.”
“Give the guy a break.” Tyler shakes his head.
“I’m just sayin’ it’s not a normal situation.”
“You’re right on that.” I sigh. “I asked him once why he hated me so much. He said he didn’t hate me, but having emotions was a weakness, and he couldn’t afford to be weak. His favorite quote is, ‘You don’t get anywhere in life, Ashton, showing people your vulnerabilities.’” I make quotation marks in the air with my fingers.
“Still, there must be a reason he’s the way he is.” Jay presses.
