Page 132 of The Love Penalty

I ignore his tone and answer honestly.

“No. But I don’t want to work for you either. I’m more interested in small start-up businesses. Kind of like what Mom’s friend Desiree does. I want to build something from the ground up. I want to help people get started, working alongside them one-on-one. I don’t want to spend my days in high-rise buildings, in constant meetings with boards and businessmen who have been around the block a dozen times already.”

“You want to help people turn their dreams into realities.”

“Yes.” I nod. “And I know compared to what you do, that is so small-time and insignificant, but?—”

“It’s not insignificant.”

I’m so surprised he’s agreeing with me that I’m stunned silent for a moment.

“Look, I’m sorry if you felt like you couldn’t tell me this. If you felt like I wouldn’t support you. But it really disappoints me that you never thought to come forward with this.”

My lips part, and I blink at the green grass in front of me. “You never asked me what I wanted to do with my life. It was just assumed that I’d join the business.”

“Yeah, well, that’s on me, I guess.”

“Mom’s gonna be pissed.” I rub my forehead.

“She might surprise you.” I think I hear a smile in his voice, and it cuts a little of my tension. “I’ll talk to her.”

“Thanks,” I rasp.

“And as for the Harvey nightmare, just make sure all of your actions are aboveboard. Don’t try and take matters into your own hands and do something stupid.”

I wince. “I kinda punched him already.”

“So I heard.” He tuts. “But I’ve lined up my lawyers, and they’ll be ready to step in with legal aid if it comes to that. And let your lady friend know that we can support her, too, if she needs it.”

“Really?” I perk up.

“Son, if you love her enough to throw away free housing, then I’m guessing she’s pretty special to you.”

“She is.”

“Well, then, we’d like to meet her. How about you two fly back for the weekend? It’ll give us a chance to get to know her a little.”

“That’d be… Wow, Dad. That’d be great. I was not expecting you to say that.”

“Can you please stop sounding so surprised that I want to support you?” He kind of snaps the words, and I wince while also fighting a soft laugh. “You’re my son. And you’re an honorable man.”

The words ring through me so loud and clear, I get a little choked up. Those words are the closest thing to an I love you that I’ve ever heard, and I sit in them for a minute, soaking them up like they’re fucking gold.

“Now, I’m sure you have another class to get to, so I’ll let you go for now, but we have some more conversations to have, young man. We need to figure out where you’re going to live for the last year or so of college, and I’d like to look over whatever business plans you might have, make sure you’re on track with your ideas. I’m not taking over… just supporting.”

“Sure, Dad.” I raise my eyebrows, fighting a grin. “I’ll keep you posted on the housing thing.”

“There’s still some surplus left in your college fund.”

“Yeah, I know, but I want to make sure everyone at Hockey House is taken care of.”

“We’re not a charity, Asher.”

“I know that, but these guys are my brothers. I won’t leave them high and dry.”

He huffs, obviously not impressed by my answer.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll think of something.”

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