AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Youfeel…” his father interrupted.
His mother looked at him then back at the screen. “It’s possible that a big life change could help the situation.”
Chet and Eva looked at one another then back at the family. “What kind of change, Mom?” Eva asked.
“Well, I was thinking a move.”
This time Dominic and Angelica chimed in together. “A move? A move to where?”
“Well, we were thinking—”
“Youwere thinking…” his father interrupted again.
“Thinking maybe Silver Bay.”
Chet sat back in his chair. His siblings did the same, their mouths all open, no one saying a word.
His parents wanted to move to Silver Bay.
Chapter Fourteen
Afew nightslater, Chet sat at a table at Garrett’s Saloon. It was the best-known bar in town, with great food and a small dance floor in the back with an old-fashioned jukebox in the corner. Although it wasn’t a big place, it lived up to the name Saloon, complete with a dark wooden bar along one whole side and chandeliers made of wagon wheels.
Tyler had invited Chet to grab some dinner with him and Drew and Baylee. It was one of his nights off, so he was happy to join and grateful for the time to get to know more people in Silver Bay.
As Tyler and Drew went back and forth about which shortstop was the best in the majors and Baylee chatted with a few friends at the bar, Chet’s mind wandered to the conversation with his family. Not one of them had seen the blow their mother delivered coming. His parents were born and raised East Coasters, so it was a shock that they were considering moving. Even more so for Chet, moving to Silver Bay. The laid-back West Coast vibe would be a huge adjustment for them.
Chet had nothing against his family, no big issues with his parents. But he had to admit he enjoyed living somewhere on his own. Sure, Eva was there, but she wanted her independence just as much as Chet did so it wasn’t as if they had a set dinner time every week together. They had their coffee date, but that was different. With parents, the sense of expectation was stronger than with his siblings.
The call hadn’t lasted long. It was clear his dad hadn’t wanted to be on the call in the first place, let alone talking about a possible move to Silver Bay, or anywhere else. It was more a chance for his mother to drop the bomb and then suggest another call in a week or so to hopefully pick up the debris and give information that would help Chet and the others wrap their head around things.
As head of the family’s private equity business, stress was part of the job description. In fact, Chet couldn’t even picture what his father would be like without stress; the man might keel over from heart failure overnothaving too much to do. Not to mention what a move like that would mean for Dominic and Angelica. Both of them worked for the family business in some capacity and had never showed an interest in leaving Connecticut. He made a mental note to have a conversation with just his brother as soon as he could.
He took a swig of his beer and set the bottle back on the table. Drew and Tyler had moved on to discussing the designated hitter. Chet chuckled at their banter. It was clear they had a history and enjoyed the friendly debate.
His eye caught movement at the door. He sat up a bit straighter as Meg came through, spotted Baylee, and walked toward her with a wave.
Her dark hair flowed down her back. He couldn’t recall a time he’d seen her with it in anything but a ponytail. The desire to run his hands through it caused his fingers to twitch. She hugged Baylee. Her smile relaxed.
They’d gone on their run the past few days and, although he knew it killed her competitive spirit to do so, kept them to three or four miles instead of seven. It wasn’t hard to see her leg had been bothering her. She’d pushed through, while trying to be smart about her limitations. He’d seen the hay bale hit her leg. It could have caused an injury bad enough to slow her down,but his gut told him there was another reason. One she wasn’t willing to share.
“Something catch your eye, my friend?” Tyler said.
Chet turned his attention back to the table. “Not sure what you’re talking about.”
“Right.” Tyler tipped his beer toward Baylee and Meg. Both women were grinning, and then Meg said something that made Baylee laugh.
“I’m pretty sure you aren’t checking out my wife or we’d have a problem.” Drew eyed Chet across the table. “But I can see why you’d be distracted by Meg. That makes sense.”
“She’s beautiful.” Tyler agreed.
Jealousy rippled down Chet’s spine with surprising intensity.
Tyler leaned back in his chair. “Calm down, dude. I was just agreeing with Drew that she is an attractive woman—as is Baylee.” He nodded toward Drew who raised his beer bottle in a toast. “But I am not interested in either one. Your hackles going up, however, just proved me right on her catching your eye.”
Chet shook his head but said nothing.
“So, is it protesting too much or not at all that means you’re right?” Drew grinned at Tyler.
