I laughed, unable to help myself. "I need to get out of here today. It's Saturday. What's there to do?"
"Lots, but it would require you to get out into the snow." He rolled over and I got up, pushing at his back until I shoved him from the bed. He hit the floor with a loud thud before jumping up and running after me.
I hauled ass into the kitchen and ran around my father, shoving him in between us as Parker attacked the other side of him.
"Hey! You guys are too old for this. Cut it out."
I turned my dad with a tight hold on his pockets, forcing him to become a shield to fend off my brother. "Not happening, Dad. He's after me and you're my only hope."
"Luke...I am your father." My brother gave his best Darth Vader voice, which only opened me up to the worst morning breath in the universe.
"Go brush your teeth, Parker. That's disgusting." My father jerked from us and walked to the sink, turning once to give us a disgusted stare.
"That breath could melt wax, dude." I pushed at his head, and he walked back down the hall grumbling.
"What are your plans today, Chloe?" my father asked with his back to me.
"I'm going into town to look around. I wanted to check out your clothing line and see what other shops in the area are up to. I thought maybe I could make a few suggestions seeing that you paid big bucks for this degree I now have."
"You will have. You don't have it yet. Grades haven't come in for this final semester. I checked." He turned toward me and crossed his arms over his chest. "And, I don't need anyone analyzing my products. The line is selling well. Spend your time figuring out which products you plan to sell. Before you get a penny, all of them will have to go through me. I'm not investing in anything I don't think will sell."
"You're investing in me, remember?"
"I'm still reviewing the designs. Conversation over."
"No, it's not. That wasn't part of the deal. Staying here for twenty-five days was all that you required of me. You're not reviewing my designs because you're a winter wear guy. These designs are for warm-weather climates and beach vacations."
"And, there are a million of those companies already doing well. Find a niche and become the businesswoman you're capable of being. You’re limiting yourself, and I'm not okay with that."
I lifted my hand and walked back toward my room. "I'm packing up and leaving. You lied, which shouldn't surprise me at all."
"Chloe Ann Burke. Stop right there, young lady."
I paused out of what little bit of respect I had left for him.
My brother slipped his head out of his room, his eyes wide. "You're in for it, now. Is your middle name even Ann?"
I rolled my eyes and turned to face my dad. "What?"
"You're not going anywhere, but part of this deal is us agreeing on what products you're going to sell. I'm not going to lay down an iron hammer, but you are going to have to share them with me. Stop being a child."
"Right." I turned and walked to my room, slamming the door and working quickly to get dressed. A pair of jeans and a cute sweater, and I was out the door.
My father's SUV was gone and Parker was busy playing video games from what I could tell. I texted him that I was heading into town and would be back later.
My dad was an ass and would change the rules any way he needed to in order to fit his own agenda. I knew that coming. Now I just needed to figure out how to deal with it.
Proving my worth and talent was at the top of the list. He saw me as a child. Jessie was right – I needed to show him the talented designer I'd become. Then, he would listen to me.
"First stop, Burke's Outdoor Wear."
* * * *
I was milling through the large ski and sportswear store that my dad owned when my phone buzzed. It was a number I hadn't seen in a long time.
"Cindy?" I picked up and smiled as I moved toward the snowboards and paused in the middle aisle.
"Hey, Chloe! I was praying this was still your number. How are you?"