Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 20958 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 105(@200wpm)___ 84(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20958 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 105(@200wpm)___ 84(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
“The shop?” I ask, grabbing a mug and placing it on the counter, then filling it up to the brim.
“Fuck no. Damn place is in the black. We’ve got more custom boards than we can keep up with. Add in the tourists buying hundred-dollar-plus bathing suits, and we’re doing good. Really good,” he says.
“What’s the problem, then?” I take a sip of the coffee. The shit is strong, as strong as our time served together. The only difference now is it’s hot, thank fuck.
“Your pops. He saw me leaving your place. I’m pretty sure he knows you're home. Nah, I’m positive he knows. He thinks he’s slick, driving by the store a couple of times a day. He doesn’t realize his hundred-thousand-dollar car sticks out like a sore thumb.” There’s no love lost between Rhodes and my father. The same can be said for myself. He’s nothing but a callous pretentious prick. My father isn’t much of a father. Jasper Callahan is a ruthless businessman first and foremost. The man cares about few things in life: his money, his looks, and the woman on his arm. I didn’t want any part of Callahan Banking. A suit and tie weren’t for me. Never had been growing up and never would be once I became an adult. My dad was a good guy at one time, back before Mom died. After cancer ate her alive while we watched it take away the person we loved the most, Jasper Callahan became a man I’d never known before, and I know for a fact my mother would have left the man he is now if she were still around.
“Sounds about right. I haven’t called him and probably won’t. He’ll make his presence known soon enough. If he bothers you or makes himself a nuisance, let me know.” The last thing I want is for Rhodes to have to deal with my father. Jasper Callahan isn’t one to get his hands dirty, but what he’ll do is make your life a living hell. The firsthand experience I’ve had is enough to keep me away from him. While the military helped mold me into the man I am, it was my grandmother who set me up with success, my mom’s mom. She sat me down as a teenager and told me to do what I wanted, regardless of what my dad wanted. Rosemary was one hell of a woman. She raised a great one, too. When I got the call on my second deployment that my grandmother passed in her sleep, there was no surprise. I received a decent-size inheritance, made a quick call to my bank that wasn’t affiliated with my father, and it only earned money from then on.
“He won’t bother me. He’ll make your life a living hell, and just for the fun of it.” Rhodes has had his fair share of run-ins with my old man while I’ve been out of the country. Specifically when he stayed at my place. Not sure if my father thought he was doing a good deed or not, but sending the cops to my place didn’t help a whole lot. I was overseas, and getting ahold of my commanding officer was a pain in the dick although necessary. Needless to say, we were all pissed, and my father acted like he was the one put out. I was on a mission. The last thing I needed was my dad calling the fucking cops, attempting to kick Rhodes out of my place because he all of a sudden wanted to be father of the year. Yeah, that didn’t help our father-son relationship in any aspect.
“He can try, but he won’t succeed. Alright, let’s get down to business. You’ve been working here non-stop. Put me on the schedule and tell me what I need to get up to speed.” I’m a born and raised beach bum. I figure if we’re that backed up on custom boards, I’ll step up and help. Or if Rhodes finally needs a damn break, well, then I’ll work the store.
“Good, you’re on the clock starting now. Shit isn’t hard. You scan the tag, take the money, and bag the items. Tomorrow, we’ll see where Shane is on the boards. I’m sure he could use your help. Today, I’m out of here to see the doctor. I’d usually close the store since I’ve yet to find someone to help out occasionally.” Rhodes doesn’t elaborate on the appointment, and I’ll be damned if I won’t at least ask about what’s going on.
“You good?”
“Yeah, follow-up. My knee has been acting up. Got an MRI last week. They think a piece of shrapnel is trying to shove through. I find out the results today.” Fuck, that’s gonna be a bitch and a half.
“Let me know how it goes. You need the time off, take it. We can figure the store out either way,” I offer.