Page 32 of The Bro-code

His father’s tone is brisk, practical. “Not at first. I learned to love and appreciate your mother with time. She’s a perfect host, a trustworthy confidant and has been a real asset to me. I trust her judgment and there’s nothing like being able to confide in your spouse.”

“I trust Bay,” Topher objects. “She has everything you mentioned Mom has. What does it matter if her last name isn’t prestigious? Bay understands me and she’s kind and generous. I don’t care what you and Mom think. If you don’t want to give me that ring, I’ll go to Hartford and buy her one. I’m not going to change my mind on this, Dad. I let you steer me toward the career path you chose for me. I’m giving up on my dream of playing professional hockey because I know you don’t approve. I’m going to do everything you ask of me, like I’ve always done. But Bay is non negotiable. She’s the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. End of story.”

I’ve never felt so much love for Topher.

The way he’s standing up to his Dad for me, for us, is why I adore him. Other people, including Lake, stop at first impressions and think Topher is a douche. But he’s fiercely loyal and protective of the people he loves. That’s what made me fall for him.

The conversation with his Dad isn’t over though.

“I would be very careful about the choice you make, son,” Rupert’s tone is full of ominous gravitas. “If you insist on marrying this Woods girl, I’m afraid your mother and I can no longer support you. That means coming up with your tuition money for next year and standing on your own two feet financially.”

Topher’s tone is incredulous. “Are you cutting me off? I have a very generous trust fund, I don’t need your money.”

His father laughs. “God, I hope you pay attention in law school, because you definitely don’t have the natural acumen I’d expect from my own blood. You gained limited access to your trust fund when you turned eighteen. I must assume you didn’t take time to read the paperwork you signed in detail. Your grandfather put a safety clause in it, to protect our family fortune from exactly the kind of reckless behavior you’re exhibiting right now. I have the right to freeze your trust fund indefinitely if you don’t fulfill a number of conditions. For example if you don’t graduate college. If you don’t take your rightful place in the family’s firm. Guess what other reason would allow me to freeze your trust fund?”

Topher sounds angry and I can’t blame him. “So you get a say in pretty much every aspect of my life?”

Rupert Mumford nods. “I’m glad you aren’t as stupid as this conversation has led me to believe so far. And before you think you can make it on your own and play hockey? Let me tell you Toph, you aren’t good enough. Or did you think you made the team because of your talent? The only reason why you were selected when you tried out, is that I donated two hundred thousand dollars to your school’s athletic department.”

My heart hurts for Topher.

I can’t see his face from here, but I can hear the hurt in his voice.

“Dad, you can’t be serious. You can’t ask me to break up with Bay. I love her and my feelings have to mean something.”

His father’s response isn’t a surprise at this point. “Adulthood is made of hard choices, son. It’s up to you if you want to lose your birthright over an unsuitable match. If you insist on marrying Bay, you better be prepared to make it on your own out there.”

“I’m not breaking up with Bay.” Topher says with the same tone he uses when someone opposes him in a Greek council meeting.

His father laughs again, as if the ugly confrontation they just had hadn’t happened. “You don’t have to end it now. Look, as your father I might disapprove of your choice of girlfriend. But as a man? I get it. Bay is stunning. I told you, get her out of your system. You have another eighteen months before graduation. Just please, don’t bring her here anymore. Your mother and I will do our best to put on a good front this time, but she doesn’t belong with us. If she’s as smart as you say, she probably knows that she’ll never fit in. One last piece of advice, Toph. Don’t try to get your mother to change my mind about Bay. In case you were wondering, she was the one who asked me to have this conversation with you today. Now, let’s try to have a good Christmas. Edith has made her famous eggs Benedict for brunch and I’ve been looking forward to them for weeks.”

I jump, scurrying away when Rupert Mumford moves toward his office door.

Out of all the awful things he said, he’s right on one thing; this Christmas is going to be awkward. I wish I’d followed Lake home now, rather than coming here.

BAY

I ignored my ex’s message and instead I FaceTime Lakyn.

“Bay,” she beams at the camera. “I see you made it safely back to school. How are you? You look beautiful.”

“Ha,” I snort. “Funny you should say that, since we look exactly the same.”

That makes my sister giggle. “You don’t say? I hadn’t noticed. But no, let’s be serious. I was thinking about you.”

I settle down on the padded seat of my windowsill. “Of course you were. You must have sensed that I was about to call you.”

I resist the urge to laugh at Lakyn’s eye roll. “Oh, not again with your twin sixth sense, Bay. If you really had it, you’d know how ridiculous I think it is.”

The one thing I know is that no matter how difficult life can seem, talking to Lake always makes me feel better.

She really looks beautiful. Relaxed, happy, loved.

“How is Bridgeport?” I ask her. “I can’t believe that I’ve never been there, it’s just three hours away.”

Lake turns the camera on her phone to show me the view from her window.

Golden sand almost as far as the eye can see and the turquoise sea glistening in the distance.

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