Page 136 of Catching Sparks

My father has put an obscene of work into our relationship since our talk. He called me every single day during my last two weeks in Cherry Peak, insisted on picking me up at the airport, and has checked on me far too many times while I’ve been staying with him and Mom. I’ve lost count of the number of trays of food I’ve heard him bring to my bedroom, only for me not to touch them.

I want to tell him that I appreciate it, but I don’t know how. I’m too much of a fucking mess right now to try.

“They don’t hate you. Things were heated when you left. People were concerned. Just . . . just try to understand where everyone was coming from,” he encourages, sounding close to outright begging me.

“I don’t care enough about them to do that. But I’ll leave it well enough alone. I just want to get back to work.”

“Has Nathan got you up to speed on everything that went on while you were gone?”

“He tried.” I didn’t answer a single one of his phone calls over the past three days. “I’ve read the emails he sent me prior to last week. I know enough.”

His lack of reply has me glancing his way. He twists his mouth in thought, tapping at the steering wheel.

“And your assistant? She’s spoken to you about your schedule today?”

I’ve ignored her too. “I’m sure I’ll figure it out once I get there.”

“Garrison,” he starts as the towering glass building that’s home to Swift Edge Records climbs into the sky above us. I contemplate jumping out of the car before we get there. “Tell me if you need me to turn the car around and I will. Work can wait another day.”

Dropping my arm to my lap, I fiddle with one of my gold cufflinks. Not once in my career has a suit felt itchy on my skin, but that changed this morning.

“No, it can’t. I’d hate for people to start assuming I’ve found something better to do than work. The board needs to be reminded who I am and that I’m here to stay,” I say, the words sounding rehearsed. They feel it too.

“The board trusts you and your judgment.”

I don’t have the energy to laugh. “No, they don’t. If I weren’t your son and you didn’t hold half ownership, they’d have tried to sweep the company out from under me years ago. They’re loyal to you and you alone.”

“I haven’t heard anything along those lines from them, son.”

“That’s surprising to you?”

The zebra-striped fedora on his head lifts as he slips his fingers beneath it to itch at the side of his head. “Well, I suppose not.”

“It’s fine. Their dislike motivates me.”

“I will schedule a meeting to discuss this with them. I’m aware that you can handle yourself, but you’re my son. That alone demands their respect.”

The first tease of warmth I’ve felt in days slips through the cracked chunks of my soul. “Thank you.”

After parking in his designated spot in the underground parking lot, Dad offers me a reassuring smile. I attempt to return it, but when he grimaces and grabs my arm, it’s obvious I’ve failed.

“I know I’ve been a terrible father to you, but I want you to know that I’m very committed on fixing our relationship. You don’t trust me, and I understand that. I hate it, but I’ve given you no reason to trust me in the past. I’m going to earn back all of your trust. And I want you to know that I’m here for you. You deserve to be happy, Garrison. And right now, I don’t need you to tell me you aren’t to see it. I’m here to help in any way that I can, even if that means just sitting here and listening.”

My throat clogs with another wave of emotion. Every shuddered inhale I take burns. The air around me is too thin, empty. I’m in pain. Inside and out.

“I can’t talk about it,” I croak before clearing my throat. “Not yet.”

Understanding fills his expression as he nods. “Well, when you’re ready, I’ll be waiting. Both me and your mother.”

“She’s upset with me, isn’t she?” I ask.

His brows tug inward. “Your mother?”

“Yes.”

“She’s not upset with you at all, Garrison. Why in the world would you think that?”

My scoff is cruel. “Because I was too selfish to choose Poppy over my career. She loved her. It was obvious. I could have avoided all of this had I just been okay with giving this fucking job up. And truthfully, I don’t think it was worth it. The thought of heading inside is enough to make me want to send everyone home and blow the entire building up.”

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