Page 79 of Yours Actually
I eye the two remaining on the platter.“You can’t have either of those.”
He chuckles.“I wasn’t planning on it.”
I point at the lobster tail.“You can eat those.”
“You didn’t like the lobster?”
“Oh, I loved it, but it’s your favorite of all the things here, so you should have it.”I pick up another deviled egg.“So, what will your new proposal cover?”
He details it for me and when he’s finished, he adds, “Dad seems to think this will have a better shot.”
And there it is.The real reason Callan’s changing his plan.His father.
I love Callan’s dad like a second father, but I didn’t have to grow up with him or live under his roof, and I wouldn’t have liked to.Edmund Black is a hard-nosed man who is extremely driven to see his family succeed in the political arena.He craves power more than anything and will do whatever it takes to have that power.
His sons learned very early in life to strive for his love and affection.In Edmund’s world, love is earned.He will love you very well so long as you prove yourself worthy of that love.
Bradford, the eldest son, didn’t have to try as hard as the younger boys.I adore Bradford, but he was born perfect.I swear it.His father saw great potential in him from a young age, and so Bradford always had his love.
Unfortunately, for the rest of the boys, their parents’ marriage had problems by the time their second son, Hayden, came along.Problems that spilled over to their children.Callan wasn’t planned and neither was Ethan, the youngest son.These two were born into a lot of turmoil and Callan had to work hard to gain his parents’ attention, let alone their love and approval.
I’ve watched Callan pursue his business goals relentlessly.He pushes himself hard and I think some of that is for his father’s attention and approval.I’ve never said this to him, but I wish he could look at the outstanding things he’s achieved in life and feel the pride in them that he should rather than feeling like it’s still not enough.
A text comes through for me as he mentions his father.I quickly glance at my phone in case it’s an urgent work matter.When I see the text, I laugh.
Sasha
I’ve issued Rhodes with an ultimatum.No more jerking off without me or else I’ll ration him to sex once every few days.
I hold my phone up to show Callan.“How long do you bet this will last?”
He grins.“Two days max.”
“Come on, I think she’ll last at least a week.”
“Care to put money on that?”
“God no.I’ve seen how whiny you get when you lose a bet.”
“When have I been whiny?”
“That bet you made with my client that I’m never allowed to tell anyone about.The one where you lost your pride because you had to wear a tutu and a tiara to a football game.”
“I wasn’t whiny.I was pissed off because your asshole client cheated.There’s a difference.”
I roll my eyes.“He didn’t cheat.”Callan has always had an issue with the sports stars I work with.This particular client was a pro football player who Callan ended up disliking almost as much as he dislikes Slade.He actually didn’t care that he had to wear a tutu to the game; he cared more that he lost the bet.
“We’re gonna have to agree to disagree, Ace.But just let the record show that he did in fact cheat.”
I laugh.I enjoy it when he gets all cocky like this.“I’m gonna win the bet about Sasha and Rhodes.”
“I thought we weren’t betting.”
“I’m quietly betting and I will quietly win.”I shrug.“So there.”
He chuckles before turning more serious.“I can’t see Rhodes standing for an ultimatum.”
“Well, I doubt Sasha is going to hold him to it.I imagine it’s just a bit of fun.”