Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 58353 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 292(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58353 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 292(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
"Okay, but you don't sound thankful. You sound resentful."
Heratio slides deeper into his chair, like he's retreating into himself. Annoyed––he's very annoyed. Not with me, I don't think. "I can need the money, need the customers, and still find the system predatory."
We eat in silence for a few minutes, the tension between us palpable.
Finally, Heratio breaks the silence. "You know, I didn't mean to insult you earlier. I don't really know anything about you, and I shouldn't make assumptions like that."
I nod, feeling a little bit of my anger dissipate. "It's okay. I just don't like being judged."
"I get that," he says, taking a sip of his drink, then finishing off the last of his pancakes. "Listen, the issue between my brothers and myself has nothing to do with you. Marco might think you're able to support him, but it doesn't matter. It's our problem, our future. Even if you're dating Marco."
"Who's dating Marco?" Trey says from behind me. I sit up sharply, staring as he rounds the table into view. He's wearing black cargo shorts and a faded Stone Temple Pilots tee. If I thought Heratio had gone casual, Trey is another level.
His eyes meet mine, and I can see the wheels turning in his head. "Ah."
"Ah?" I repeat.
Trey shrugs. "People should be allowed to keep their personal lives to themselves. Lord knows there's a lack of privacy these days with our 24/7 phone access." He pulls a chair from another table over, spinning it, sitting in it backwards.
Heratio scowls, like he's heard this before. "In this family, personal choices can't be private. They affect all of us too much."
Trey grabs one of my uneaten muffins, taking a big bite. He speaks with his mouth full. "That what you two were on about over here? Family business chat?"
"I was trying to learn more about what you guys do," I say.
"We don't do anything," Trey snorts. He takes another bite, ripping the paper aside, crumbs falling. "We rake in money from people who have too much to count. It's disgusting."
Heratio scrunches his face, I get the idea he's heard this before. "Trey doesn't care if our company goes under or gets taken over by our step mom."
"I care," he replies.
"You say that, but your actions are the opposite."
"Heratio, Heratio, Heratio," he sighs, leaning back in his chair. His eyes slide to me as he grins. "We just think differently. You want to micromanage our empire, I want to turn it into something less offensive."
"What's offensive about it?" I ask.
Trey lights up; Heratio groans. Yup, I was right, this conversation has happened before.
"It's excessive, for a start," Trey says. He bends closer to me, more engaged than I've seen him before. "Rich people just being wasteful. And for what? Nothing that helps society. If anything, it harms it. Our ships pollute the ocean daily! Why can't we transform this company into something that helps the world?"
"You're naive," Heration grumbles.
"And you're a coward."
"I am not!"
Trey sneers at his brother. "Oh, yes you are. You're terrified of trying anything new. You always have been."
Heratio turns beet red. Trey knows how to get to him, that's clear. Sensing that the tension is about to explode in the center of a busy brunch, I act on impulse––I knock my drink over, spilling it on Trey. "Hey!" he gasps, jumping to his feet.
"I'm sorry!" I say quickly. Both men stare at me in shock. I hope I look surprised; I'm not the best at lying. Why do so many of my problems get solved by spilling drinks? I remember the plane incident, cringing at the painful memory of my former career.
Last time this happened, I got fired.
I hope this time I prevented a fight. What if I incited something worse?
"Ugh," Trey sighs. He stands, taking a napkin, drying his pants. "Great."
Heratio's anger dissolves––he starts laughing. I brace myself, hoping Trey won't become enraged. To my shock, and delight, Trey starts laughing too. "She made it look like you pissed yourself," Heratio notes.
"I'm really really sorry," I insist.
Rubbing his neck, Trey chuckles. "It's fine. I was going to get changed anyway, I'm supposed to meet Nathan for a scuba dive session."
"That sounds fun," Heratio says. "Wish I could come along, I've got paperwork to finish first." Their eyes turn to me.
I hold up my hands. "I'm good, thanks."
"What? Can't swim?" Trey chuckles.
"Opposite. I grew up in Orange County, the beach was my second home."
"Then what's the issue?" Trey asks.
Heratio is watching me closely. He knows I want to go look for Marco. "I just ate," I say, searching for an easy excuse. Patting my stomach, I laugh lightly. "Last thing I want is to make you rescue me once those cramps kick in."
"Fine, fine." With a roll of his eyes, Trey walks away with Heratio. I watch them leave, their heads close, talking––smiling. I'm impressed at their ability to shift from bad vibes to good ones so smoothly. If only Marco could manage that with Derek, maybe this family business drama could be resolved.