I was going to need another tin of popcorn.
Torrential rain pounded on the roof of my car. The cold rain matched my own dreariness. I pulled up to the curb, staring at the house that seemed to shrink every time I stopped by.
But a call from my dad was a rarity these days. Bitterness swept through me at the thought of how the phone calls had stopped once the box seats and all-expenses-paid vacations had dried up.
Getting out, I tugged my collar up and rushed to the front door. I knocked, waiting in the pelting freezing rain.
He opened the door with a wide smile and a beer in hand. “Leo, you’re here.”
At least he was happy to see me.
“The check came through just like you said, son. You’re a lifesaver.”
“I’m glad I helped when I could.” I dragged my hat off my head as I stepped through the front door.
“Of course. I won’t keep you too long.” Dad set down his beer and clapped me on both shoulders before muting the TV he hadn’t had last time I was here. The one covering a third of the wall, with a huge sound bar installed below it.
A sinking feeling punched at my gut. Don’t jump to conclusions. Don’t read into things you don’t know are true. Trust him. Isn’t that what I’d harped on Zara for? Don’t always think the worst of someone.
“Is that a new TV?” I jerked my thumb over my shoulder.
He walked around me and stood beside it. “Isn’t it a beauty? Got a great deal.”
His words tamped down some of the ire bubbling up. A deal. Okay, maybe it wasn’t that bad. He’d found a bargain and couldn’t pass it up. He loved watching every game that came on TV. It was a long-term investment.
“Dad, I could use some advice.” Why was I doing it? And why couldn’t I stop myself? Why did I keep going to this well although every indicator pointed to it being dry?
“I have an offer.”
“With another team?” He threw his arms over head, bowing his back and shouting at the ceiling in celebration. “That’s my boy!”
His pride almost made me wish it were true. Almost. “No. I’m not playing again. It’s not happening. But there’s a commentator spot at Sports Central.”
He gave me an assessing look.
Maybe he’d—
“How much does it pay? Will they give you an advance? If you’re making TV money that could be even better than football money.”
“This isn’t about the money.”
“Of course, it is. Come here.” He smiled over his shoulder, walking down the hall to his office. “Money is the key to happiness.”
I followed behind him, not sure I wanted to hear the rest of this story.
“And money can buy you things like this.” He shoved a brochure in front of my face.
My fingers tightened around the edges of the glossy boat brochure.
“Are you going to rent this for a few days over the summer?” The muscles in my neck tightened, throbbing and pulsing as I struggled to keep my shit together.
“Hell, no. We don’t want something someone else has beat to hell.”
“You bought a boat.” I stared, blinking extra hard to make sure this wasn’t the result of one too many hits to the head.
“She’s a beauty, isn’t she?” He took the brochure from my hand and stared at the shiny paper showcasing the fucking boat he’d bought—I’d bought.
My fists clenched at my sides and anger rolled through me like the waves of a rising tide.
“After the year I’ve had, Faith and I deserved it.” A shit-eating grin spread wide across his face.
He didn’t see one thing wrong with this. All my life, I was an annoyance until I was a meal ticket. A slot machine that always paid out.
“I gave you money to bail out your business. You said the ten guys who work for you would’ve lost their jobs.” I kept the words on a low simmer. If I didn’t keep my voice down, I was going to rip his damn head off. The flash of sadness in Felix’s eyes when I’d told him I couldn’t cover the loan stabbed at my heart like a pair of rusty cleats. He’d told me he understood and gave me a hug before making me promise I’d come to his house for Christmas dinner.
One Sam would be having without him.
And I’d let him down. I’d let them both down.
My dad plowed ahead like he hadn’t ripped my fucking heart out.
“Your bail-out was just what I needed. We’d have had to cut back around here, if you hadn’t come through. Selling the shore house and my two trucks to keep the business afloat wasn’t something I was prepared to do.”
I staggered back like I’d been hit with an illegal tackle. “You still have the shore house?” Anger raced through my veins, searching for an outlet. It was seconds from being my own father’s face.
“Of course I do. We leased a slip down there for the boat. Where else would Faith and I go for our summer vacations?”
“How about nowhere, if you can’t even keep your business afloat? I had plans for that money, Dad.”
“Plans that should’ve included giving your old man a cut of it anyway.” He scoffed. “You wouldn’t be where you are without me. I deserved a piece of the pie too. You were getting stingy with it, but now you’ll be on TV. You won’t even feel a tiny pinch.” His eyes flashed dollar signs, already spending the money I hadn’t made.
Yeah, I’d had my money kept away from me because I was afraid I’d burn through it. But a part of me knew if I had access to it, I’d keep trying to buy my own father’s love and respect. The blinders had been lifted, not only on him, but on me.
“Bull-fucking-shit. You’ve been pulling that guilt trip on me for years, but it’s over now. I’m through with you. I should’ve given that money to Felix. I should never have even given you that last check—hell, I shouldn’t have given you the first one. I won’t make the mistake again. The next time your business is in trouble, I’ll help your employees set up their own business that’s not run by a selfish asshole like you.”
“You’d rather have given that money to my brother over me?”
Out of everything I’d said, he’d homed in on that one detail.
“Yes!” My voice ricocheted throughout the hallway. “Because he wasn’t an inconsiderate asshole. He overleveraged himself helping people who worked for him, not buying a fucking boat and a brand new TV and sound system. And he actually cared about me.”
“I’m your father, goddammit.”
“You could’ve fooled me. But I’m not falling for your bait and switch anymore. That’s the last cent you’ll ever see from me again. Enjoy your boat. It only cost you your son.”
I stormed out of the house, determined to make it the last time the old oak door slammed closed behind me.
Pulling into the garage of my building, my phone buzzed in the cup holder. If this was my dad trying to coax me back, forget it. There wasn’t anything in the world to drag me back there.
“What?”
A sharp gasp was followed by a throat clearing. “Is this Mr. Leo Wilder?”
“Yes, sorry. I thought you were someone else.”