He leans back in his chair and takes a deep breath in. After he lets it out so slowly that I’m wondering if he’s counting back from ten before he explodes, he points at the chair in front of his desk.
“Take a seat, Cade. No need to stand.”
I prefer to stand because standing is one step closer to walking, which is what I want to do at this moment. After a great time with Hailey and a decent time working the bar, the last thing I want tonight is to sit here in this office and listen to another one of my father’s lectures.
But I do as he says because it’s easier than fighting him. I know how to pick my battles, and whether or not I bother to sit isn’t one worth anything.
“You looked good out there. As soon as you got behind the bar, things started working a hundred times better. Those two took your guidance, and the customers love you,” he says with a broad smile.
I think this is his way of complimenting me. That’s not a bad thing, but I have a sense he might be going for the compliment sandwich thing tonight, so that means what’s coming next won’t be so wonderful.
“It’s not rocket science, Dad. You smile, you flirt, you pour drinks. People pay you, and if you’ve made them feel good, they give you some money to take home. As for Frick and Frack out there, they might be better at one of the other bars. Maybe the back bar that gets less traffic. Or even better, the second floor bar away from the bathrooms. Maya has no customer skills whatsoever, but people seem to tolerate her. I still don’t know why.”
He sighs again, this time letting the air out in a rush. “Your mother was always an incredible bartender too, and she never wanted to do that either. I guess you take after her.”
Well, this might not be horrible after all. Usually when he brings my mother into the conversation, he’s feeling good about something. I definitely want to keep her as the topic, at least for the moment.
“How is Mom? I haven’t talked to her in over a week. Is she busy at school?”
My father nods and his expression changes to that one he always wears when he talks about my mother’s work. As much as he has no real idea what she’s working on when it comes to the specifics of her research, he’s proud of her and that shows all over his face.
“She is. I’ll tell her to call you when she gets a chance. You know how she is when she’s in the middle of her research. I’m sure you’ll hear from her soon, though.”
The two of us sit there with his desk separating us, two men looking at one another and seeing very similar faces. My father and I look so alike that no one could ever wonder if we’re related. Like him, I have dark hair and brown eyes, different from his brothers and their blue eyes. We take after my grandmother and her side of the family, while Cassian and Kane take after my grandfather’s side.
All of this wanders through my mind as I sit and wait for him to lower the boom on why he insisted on dragging me in here to talk to me instead of just letting me work like I’m supposed to. I’m assuming I’m going to get the lecture about not being late, but with my father, you never know what he’s going to be unhappy about.
“So I hear you have a girlfriend,” he finally says, breaking the silence and stunning me at the same time.
Then again, in this family, nothing should surprise me, including Cassian blabbing like some old gossip to my father about what happened at CK the other night. Or was it Alex? He seems to be full of opinions on my life lately. Maybe he shared some of those with my father.
“Really? The March family gossip mill running full steam these days?”
He throws his head back and laughs at my snappy question. “You know how this family is, Cade. I saw your uncle and Alex yesterday and Cassian mentioned to me that you were at the restaurant to see some girl. From what Alex says, she’s a gifted chef. Impressive.”
Great. So it was both of them. Like father, like son. At least in their case.
“Is that what you called me in to talk about? Because I’m not sure I’d call her my girlfriend. She’s someone I’m interested in, and yes, she is talented at her job.”
Even as the words leave my mouth, I know I’m acting far too defensive about Hailey. The gossip grapevine in my family is nothing new. Hell, I take part in it from time to time myself. It’s not really a shock that my uncle or even Alex would mention my interest in Hailey.
“No, it’s not,” my father says in a much harsher voice than just a few moments ago. “I just liked hearing that you were seeing someone who is so accomplished.”
“Since I usually just see untalented sluts?”
My father frowns and lets out another sigh. “That’s not what I was saying. You always think I’m attacking your choices. All I was saying about this girl is I’m glad you’re seeing someone who is so successful. You deserve that.”
Before I can stop myself, I say, “She isn’t successful. She makes desserts at a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant to help her parents with their business.”
I don’t know why I tell him that. Not that every word of it isn’t technically true, but it makes Hailey sound like so much less than she is.
“Well, Alex raved about her. He says she’s a first-class chef.”
“Well, if Alex says that, then it must be true.”
This meeting has quickly gone to hell, and for possibly the first time in my life, I can’t blame my father for that. I don’t know why, but hearing him mention what Alex thinks of Hailey makes my blood boil. I don’t give a fuck what anyone thinks of her. Let them not think of her at all. That would be even better.
A look of sadness permeates my father’s expression now as he stares across the desk at me. “Does it always have to be a pitched battle between us, Cade? I just wanted you to know that I’m happy you’re seeing someone so wonderful. What’s the problem in that?”
I turn away, hating how disappointed he looks at this moment. “No. Sorry. Thanks. Is this what you wanted to talk about?”
Before I look back at him, I hear the emotion has hardened in his voice. “No. The club is celebrating its five year anniversary after the flood, and I need you here at the front bar Friday night. It’s going to be huge, like a packed house huge, so I can’t have you being late.”
Nodding, I turn to face him. “Got it. Friday night. I’ll be here by six for the staff meeting.”
The look of surprise I get for that I deserve. Even when I worked here full-time, I rarely bothered with attending my father’s staff meetings. He loves those things. My mother told me once that he used to run them when he was just the manager of the bar, and since then, he’s held one every night before opening. She thinks it’s a ritual for him. I think it’s his way to show everyone just who the boss is here.
“Great, great! I’ll be happy to see you there.”
“One favor, though, Dad. Put Maya somewhere I’m not. If that means you put me upstairs and she gets the main bar, so be it. I’m fine with that. Whatever you think works. I just don’t want to have to deal with her all night while putting on my good time bartender face.”
“Remind me again why she hates you?” he asks, showing hints of that gossip gene that runs so strong in my family.
I tilt my head back to look at the ceiling as I decide just how much I want to tell my father about why one of his favorite bartenders hates his son. She’s probably whitewashed the whole story by now, but tonight I’m feeling the urge to spread some truth about that.