Page 15 of Love Collided

I sighed, staring into the fire. A few weeks ago, Ash let me know that Holt would consider me for their team, there was no hesitation that everyone was going to pick up my slack so I could race more along with helping me at the track when I was there, so I had no room to complain about one car repair. I looked over at Chase who was leaning back on the trunk of the Charger with a beer in his hand.

I wasn’t sure why everyone seemed to find Chase so…delightful. Apparently, the guys even liked him enough to invite him to guys’ night.

This was the guy they needed me to deal with for a week or two while I fixed his car.

This stupidly gorgeous, annoying guy.

I had to do it.

“Of course I’ll do it. Sorry for even suggesting I wouldn’t.”

Fox smiled, the scar on his face showing more clearly as his lips tightened, but he didn’t care about it anymore.

“Don’t worry, I will promise for him that he will be on his best behavior.”

I looked at Chase again, a bit of his hair breaking free to fall down across his forehead. The tousled look only enhanced his gorgeous face.

That wasn’t exactly what I was worried about, but I had no ideawhatI was worried about. There wasn’t anything I could do though, if any of them needed my help, I was going to do it.

SIX

CHASE

It’s notlike my father barging into my apartment and screaming at me was a new thing, but now he was here at 9 AM on a Sunday, and I had to admit I was a little thrown off.

“You are sitting here not even dressed, probably hungover, instead of ready to go to the company outing.”

“I barely work there. I’m more of a volunteer than anything anymore. I don’t even get paid. Why would I need to go to the company outing today?”

He walked around the island in the kitchen, and ripped open my fridge, pulling out a bottle of water and shoving it in my direction.

“Because you get plenty of money to live on and you need to prove that you bring some value to the company. Which, I think you’ve made it obvious that you’re adding nothing lately, but you should at least attempt.”

I sipped the water as he glared at me. Despite being in his sixties, my dad took great care of himself. He was about my height, still pretty slim, and worked out regularly. He was graying, and the wrinkles made his age obvious, but overall, he looked good. I almost wondered if he could kick my ass if he wanted to right now.

“Wow, what a way to motivate a man to work harder. Tell him his hard work isn’t worth anything,” I said, rolling my eyes and pouring a cup of coffee.

“You know damn well you aren’t doing your best there. I would assume you aren’t doing your bestanywhere.Now get dressed, the outing starts in an hour and like hell will we be late. I’m supposed to set an example, and by now some employees are already there. Your mother is waiting in the car and expects you to look your best. Claire will be at the outing today, too, so actually look your best.”

“Claire?”

“The girl your mother has picked for you.”

I suppress my gag and turn to him. “Picked for me? Are we in the 1800s? Do I get a wife chosen for me now?”

“Considering your taste in women has historically been a less than desirable girl for one night at a time? Yes, I think we’re done waiting for you to choose.”

“First of all, disgusting of you to say that. Second, I’m twenty-four, not quite the end of marrying age. I think that counts even for men in the 1800s.”

“I think for an up and coming lawyer who is set to take over my firm, you’re well past the age to settle down. You’re sloppy drunk half the time, and party like you’re still in college. I don’t know that you have any responsibilities outside of law school, and I still have to question if you even take that seriously. I’ve given you the chance to find yourself a girl who can help you take on this life. Now I’m out of options. Hopefully, a nice girl like Claire can help you get on track and take this all more seriously. Your mother helped me when I was starting this business. I think Claire will help you focus on taking it over.”

“I am in college. Why would I be focused on taking over your business already?”

“You’re in law school, Chase! Law school isn’t for partying. Law school is for focusing on becoming a lawyer while you learn the ins and outs of my company. And you can't get ahead in this business without a suitable woman on your arm to show that you are serious and reliable. One who will act appropriately at work functions, who will handle this lifestyle. Claire is beautiful, well educated, knows the family, and is ready to find a husband. Luckily, I have one for her.”

“And when is the wedding?” I asked sarcastically, sipping on my coffee that I suddenly wished had whiskey in it, if only to help my mind drown him out.

“Two years. The fall after you graduate as a lawyer would work nicely. And a respectable time to date and be engaged.”

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