Part 64 (1/2)
It isn't worth the fight.
By the time dessert comes, I'm sitting on the edge of my seat, dying to know what is going on. He hasn't brought up my trust fund, and I don't want to because I really don't want Avery to know I asked. I don't want her to know I'm desperate enough to go to him, but it may come to that. I might have to look weak in front of my wife. That thought almost has me keeping my mouth shut. But all I can think about is the conversation with my coach this afternoon where he said someone complained about Avery basically living in the house. He told me he didn't want to cause an issue, but I need to stop having her over. I understand that, I do, but she's my wife. I want to sleep with her, make sure she is okay.
d.a.m.n it.
Swallowing hard, I clear my throat and say, ”So, Dad, about my trust fund?”
Avery's head whips up as she looks from me to my dad and then back. She's essentially burning a hole in the side of my face as my dad wipes his mouth and sits back in his seat. ”About that... You know I don't think it's a good idea.”
My heart sinks as I lay my fork down, my hands shaking. ”Dad, like I explained, we have to move off campus and I really need that money.”
”Jace,” I hear her whisper beside me, but I ignore her.
”Yeah, I know. I hear ya. So I spent the afternoon working up a contact for a nice little condo, right outside of campus, six-minute ride in. It will all be paid for, utilities included for the next year. I know you won't need it that long, but just in case. Figure this way, you don't have to worry about working-which I thought you said you were quitting-and you each can focus on hockey and songwriting.”
Ellen is beaming beside him. Yeah, it sounds great, but I don't want anything from him. ”Wow, that's awesome, Dad. But I really didn't want a handout.”
He laughs. ”Jace, don't be so proud. I want to help you, your wife, and my grandbaby. Call it a wedding gift if you need to so you feel better about it.”
I hold his gaze because I know there is a catch. There has to be; there is no way he is this okay with everything. He's being too overly nice. It doesn't make sense. I look to Avery to find her watching me, and I can see it in her eyes.
She doesn't want his help.
Swallowing again, I look back at him as he asks, ”How's that sound?”
”I mean, how can I turn it down?” I say and Avery looks away, shaking her head. But I take her hand, squeezing it hard. ”But what's the catch?”
My dad's grin grows. ”Catch?”
”Yeah, I know you aren't going to do all that without something in return. Do I pay you back when I sign my contract?”
”Maybe he's just trying to be nice?” Ellen suggests, but I shake my head.
”No, my dad doesn't work like that. You're new. Don't worry, you'll figure it out,” I say, returning my gaze to my dad, and he's still smiling. ”So?”
”No, son, you don't have to pay me back. I'll even sign your trust fund over to you if you really want me to.”
”Okay?”
”If...”
There it is.
”If?”
”Two things,” he says, leaning on the table. ”Avery has to sign a prenup that she can't touch any of your trust fund or future salary if you two divorce.”
Avery gasps, her hand coming down hard on the table. ”How dare you? I would never.”
Squeezing her other hand, I shake my head as she looks at me. ”And?”
”Jace?”
But I shake my head again, giving her a sideways glance. She snaps her mouth shut as my dad's lips curve into an even more sinister grin. ”And I want you to cut off all contact with your mom and siblings.”
I can't help it. I burst out laughing.
”What? Are you insane?” Avery gasps, her eyes wide, and I just laugh. This dude is ridiculous.
”No, they are trying to pull him away from me, and I don't want that. I love you, Jace. I want to have a relations.h.i.+p with you. I want to see my grandchild.”
I just shake my head. ”If you loved me, you wouldn't want to keep me from my family,” I yell at him and his eyes darken.
”I will do what is needed to maintain my relations.h.i.+p with you. If I have to bribe you, I will.”
”Do you know how pathetic that is?”
”He loves you!” Ellen yells at me, but I hold my hand up.
”Shut the f.u.c.k up,” I snap at her, my gaze locking with my father's.
He holds my gaze. I can't believe him. He thinks this is okay. But there is no way in h.e.l.l I would ever agree to this. I will sleep separate from Avery, or h.e.l.l, I'll share a room with her and Mekena before I ever entertain this. Trying to regain my composure, I sigh. But before I can tell him to f.u.c.k off, my gorgeous wife is talking.
”You are a despicable waste of s.p.a.ce if you think he's doing that,” she sneers, standing up and throwing her napkin on her plate. Looking down at me, she pins me with a look. ”There is no way in h.e.l.l I'm letting you do this. And if you do this, you'll be living by yourself. There is no chance that I'll live with you, when doing what he asks would break your mom's heart.” Leaning down, she takes my face in her hands and begs me with her eyes. ”I know what you're doing. You're desperate and you don't have to be. We are fine without this douche canoe's f.u.c.king money. You hear me, Jace Ryan Sinclair?”
Her eyes search mine and I can't help but smile. d.a.m.n it, I love this girl. ”I hear you.”
She lets out a sigh of relief. ”Oh thank G.o.d, I really thought you were gonna do it.”
”f.u.c.k no,” I say with a laugh. ”I love you, baby, but my mom and brothers and sister are a part of me.”
”Completely agree,” she says with a nod. ”So you tell him to go f.u.c.k himself and let's go.”
”Whoa, now. Let's discuss this. And don't you talk to me like that, you little-”
”Watch yourself, Dad,” I warn, turning out of her hands to glare at him. Slowly standing, I take her hand in mine and kiss the back of it before resting it on my chest. ”As my gorgeous, amazing wife just said, go f.u.c.k yourself and never contact me again.”
He stands up abruptly, his chair falling behind him as he pins me with a heated gaze. ”You treat me with some respect, boy. You wouldn't have half the s.h.i.+t you have now if it weren't for me.”
”Yeah, I know. And I already regret it. Come on, baby,” I say, pulling Avery with me as we walk out of the room. Her fingers squeeze mine and I know I just pa.s.sed up the chance of a lifetime.
A smooth ride until I go into the draft.
But I'd rather struggle with the love and respect of my family and Avery than take anything from that man.
”Jace, what the h.e.l.l were you thinking?”
He chances a glance at me, shaking his head. ”Apparently, I wasn't if I thought that was going to work out.”
”Jace, you don't need anything from him.”