“Then get off the bottle and your ass in the office and do it yourself,” I finally said to him during our last altercation. “It’s your father’s fucking legacy, not mine.”
“You’re an asshole, Ash, you know that?” he’d said, slurring his words.
I wanted to remind him he was the one ruining his life and hurting his sister but reined myself in. It was his pain and the booze talking, and I worked hard to remember that.
Aside from losing him as a friend, I hated how much I was having to take on in the company. It took time away from loving Beth, growing a relationship with my daughter, and pursuing my own business interests. Maybe that’s why Ben acted the way he did. Perhaps he thought he was sabotaging my relationship with Beth and Hannah. Fat chance I’d let that happen. There was no way I’d let anything get in the way of my woman and child now.
Things with my father were back to normal, at least for him. He acted like nothing had happened between us. Not six years ago, and not a few weeks ago when I wanted to knock his block off. On my end, I was having a difficult time letting go of my anger over what he’d done to keep Beth and me apart. But even as I felt the anger, I’d feel guilt at having let him get away with it. Had I been stronger back then, Beth and I wouldn’t have parted, and I’d have been there for every moment of Hannah’s life.
“You know, I was really hoping you’d hold out from this getting married crap and stay a bachelor with me,” Kade said, coming to stand next to me as we watched Hunter and Grace dance.
“Sorry, not sorry,” I replied.
“I’m trying to convince dad I’m married to the business, especially since I’ve taken over the clubs.”
I wasn’t doing any Raven Industries work except dealing with the McAdams acquisition, because I was still bitter about what my father had done. But in the back of my mind, I knew I’d probably end up back in the family fold. I appreciated that my brothers were giving me the space to work through everything.
“Good luck with that.” I glanced at him as he scanned the area, probably looking for a woman to entertain once the wedding party broke up. “You know, it’s not something you plan.”
“What?” he asked, returning his attention to me.
“Falling in love. It hits you like a two-by-four.”
“I knew love was painful.”
I laughed. “A better metaphor is probably that it sneaks up on you. Someday you’re going to meet a woman that you think will just be a good fuck, and before you know it, you’ll be addicted. The need to be around her will consume you.”
Kade shivered. “Not if I can help it.”
“That’s the point, Kade. You can’t help it.”
“I’m stronger, and probably less emotionally developed than the rest of you,” Kade said looking a little sick at the idea.
“Less emotionally developed for sure. But you shouldn’t look so forlorn about it. Love is fucking awesome.”
“Maybe for you guys. I can’t imagine sticking with one woman for the rest of my life.” He looked at me. “Can you? Are you going to tell me that there isn’t another woman in the world that you’d like to fuck?”
“There isn’t another woman in the world I’d like to fuck. In fact, the idea of it is revolting. Beth’s it for me. She has been since we first got together.”
“You’d had other women when you two were split.”
“But it wasn’t the same.” I patted him on the back. “I know you think you have a good time with your women, but you don’t know how good it can really be. It’s infinitely better when you’re with a woman you love.”
“You’ve all gone soft,” Kade said. He nodded across the crowd. “I guess I’ll go tempt Cupid with that lovely lady over there.”
I looked to where he indicated to see a young woman serving drinks to the wedding crowd. “The waitress?”
“Aside from the fact that she’s hot, she’s not attached to us in any way, and won’t want anything after tonight. It makes her a perfect choice.” Kade explained.
“You’re a horndog.”
He grinned. “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you all.”
I shook my head as I watched him weave his way through the crowd to the young woman.
“He off to pick up his woman-du-jour?” Beth asked as she and Hannah joined me after a trip to the little girl’s room.
“Yep. Hunter used to be like that. Worse actually.”
“It will be fun when the love bug bites, Kade.”
“He needs to grow up some more,” I said. “But you’re right. It will be fun to watch.” I put my arm around her, noting that other people were finally joining Hunter and Grace on the dance floor. “How about a dance?”