“My office. Now.”
Nick shook his head. If his dad’s angry stalk were to be believed, he might have to add being fired to the worst week of his life.
Chapter 24
A ndrew Sinclair always considered himself a diplomatic boss as well as a loving husband and father, but his children continued to find ways to make him question their intelligence. He couldn't help but feel a sense of pride every time he walked around the office. This was the legacy he built, and he had big dreams of making a strong family empire, but what he got instead were three brats running around being focused on the wrong things.
He knew that he could not force them to be a part of his plan, but he had hoped that they would have their shit together by now. His wonderful wife comforted him plenty of nights while also reminding him that his children had to live their own lives and find their own dreams.
In time, he truly started to accept it and silently rooted for them all to go be great in their own ways. Today, however, all three of them were idiots as far as he was concerned, and it was time for him to intervene. He walked around his big oak desk and stared into three sets of eyes that, even to this day, were the most beautiful eyes he'd ever seen. These three dummies used to have him wrapped around their delicate little pinkies, and he was thoroughly disappointed that each one of them looked like they had no idea what landed them in the hot seat.
"Children, as you know, your mother and I love you all very much and truly want the best for you." He could tell they were all bracing themselves for the "but," and boy, did he have one. "So, tell me why I am trying to convince myself that we were not responsible for bringing three morons into the world?" He sighed. Of course, they would all give him blank stares.
Andrew threw his hands in the air and paced back and forth. "I don't even know where to start with you three..." He eyeballed each of them; Dex, the family smartass, smirked. Andrew pointed at him. "You. You move back here unannounced and didn’t bother to contact your mother or me to tell us that you opened a fucking restaurant? A restaurant that I had to hear about from Kalilah!" He saw his oldest dummy flinch. "Do you really think that I am so much of an ass that I wouldn't support my youngest child?"
Andrew shoved some papers out of the way and sat on his desk facing his children.
"And what of your mother? Did you have to deal with the hurt when she found out?"
That made him look sheepish. Andrew scoffed. So, damn his feelings – the mention of his wife is what made Dex look sheepish.
"You're right, Dad. I'm sorry. Can y’all come tonight?" Andrew nodded.
"And the next event your mother throws, your place is responsible for catering. Free. Of. Charge. Understand?" Dex raised an eyebrow; Andrew returned the sentiment. Dex conceded and nodded.
"Who's next?" Andrew thought out loud. He'd noticed DD trying not to laugh at Dex. "Deidre. Darling, my only daughter. What in the hell were you thinking with the Newman Deal?" Her big eyes grew bigger, and she looked embarrassed.
"I know, Dad, I was trying to take a risk…"
He held up a hand and silenced her.
"At least your mistake was in the interest of the company. Unlike these two. But, you are not in the position to make any kind of risks. You are not the CEO! We've had this talk before. I understand your ambition, and I know you want this position one day, but today is not the day. You were blessed with a healthy father; I'm not going anywhere for a while. Understand? Always consult with me first. Am I clear?"
She nodded her pretty little head, and he was instantly reminded of all the times he had comforted her when she thought there were monsters under her bed.
Andrew shifted his focus to Nicolas. His heart really went out to his eldest, but he was also the most frustrated with him. He didn't like seeing any of them in pain, and he knew firsthand the kind of pain his son was feeling. He had almost lost Amelia once, however, he had a strong feeling Nick's pain could have been lessened or avoided had he just been a man and was upfront with him. He shook his head in disappointment.
"Nicolas, how the fuck did you manage to run off my favorite employee?"
The pain in his child’s eyes was so intense, so palpable, he could feel it. All the anger and irritation evaporated, leaving behind deep empathy. No normal parent could stand to see their child hurting, and he was not an exception. They were his to protect no matter how old they got. If he had the power to fix it, he would. He looked at his other two children. They were sad for him, but neither one of them had the knowledge to help. For the first time in a very long time, Andrew recognized that Nick needed his dad.
“You two give me hugs and get out of my sight. All three of you are expected at dinner tomorrow night. No exceptions.”
He picked up his phone and watched as his son grappled with his emotions. When the line connected, he told Lisa to cancel the rest of the day. Nick’s surprise at him doing so saddened him. He had always thought family was more important than business. How did his children not know that?
Andrew settled in the visitor area of his office and motioned for Nick to sit on the black leather sofa across from him. He poured a shot of whiskey and slid it across the coffee table. He poured one for himself because he could feel he would need it.
“Okay, son. Start from the beginning.”
Nick looked at his dad. He was sitting back with his left arm tucked on the back of the couch and his right ankle resting on his left knee. He took a sip of his whiskey and watched Nick, patiently waiting for him to speak. No anger, irritation, or judgment; just parental concern. Nick felt he’d just slipped into the Twilight Zone; he hadn’t seen this part of his dad since he was fifteen years old.
His dad smirked.
“I’ve never stopped caring, son, you just haven’t needed or wanted my help in a long time.”
Another round of pain shot through him; Kalilah had told him that his dad cared, but he hadn’t fully believed her until now. He took the whole shot of whiskey and let the liquid warm his entire body. He was in unfamiliar territory, and his dad had what he wanted. He knew it was time to swallow his pride and seek parental advice.
“Are you sure? It’s a long story, Dad.”