Page 36 of Love Defies Us

He twitches his lips before taking a sip of his beer.

“Why him?” Jasper’s words catch me throws me off. “Why did you choose him? I get it, he’s a rock star and he’s rich.”

I pause for moment debating whether or not I should answer his question.

“What’s up with you?”

His demeanor is rigid and edgy like sharp glass. He eyes me, then sips his beer. “I’ve been down about finals again.” He stares at me as if I butchered him, and he rubs his nose again.Liar, liar, pants on fire.

“Whatever,” I murmur under my breath.

He flags down the bartender and order five shots of Jack Daniels. I haven’t seen Jasper this down in the dumps since his grandparents were killed in a car crash three years ago. Whatever is going on with him, I hope he gets better.

Sadie

My dad barges into my office with his golfing clothes on. Sweat licks his face. He sits in the seat facing my desk and his ocean blue eyes swim with curiosity.

“You’re dating someone? The drummer from The Wakening of Gods?” He crosses his right leg over his left thigh. Tapping his pinky nail on the sole of his shoe. I straighten my spine and chew on the end of my ball pen. Dad never really cared who I dated. As long as they weren’t chosen by my mother. That’s one of the things I like about him, he isn’t controlling like her.

“Yes. Is that a problem?” I tilt my head to the side like the Leaning Tower. I haven’t spoken to her or him over a month, and I really, really, really, want to keep it that way. Over the last five weeks, I had time to think and I’ve forgiving my dad for giving Axel the CEO position. I’m not mad at him as I’m mad at my mom. He had every right to give the business to my brother. And I don’t want any bad blood with one of the most powerful men in the US, and I don’t want to give the world a reason to shit on my family. My mom is a whole different story, and it’s ugly and filled with endless pages fill with dark emotions. I wish I could rewrite her life story so she wouldn’t turn into a cold-hearted bitch.

He shakes his head and wrinkles his mouth. “Your mother has been blowing up my phone because she can’t get in touch with you. She wants me to put an end to your relationship with him.”

My dad’s expression flashes disdain and he looks weighed down as if he’s carrying boulders on his back. I lean forward, move some paperwork to the edge of the desk.

“Is this the reason you’re here, to stop me from dating him?” I chew on my lip.

“I don’t care who you date. Unless he’s treating you like shit then we will have a problem.” He removes his foot from his knee and places it on the floor.

Since when did you care about me?I want to ask him. But I refrain from doing it. Something tells me he’s here for another reason. So, I don’t respond.

His eyelids are heavy, and he rubs his chin. Yep, that’s his tell sign that he’s stressed out to the max.

“Spit it out, Dad.” I lean forward resting my elbows on the desk.

He lets out a loud breath and waits a few minutes. “I cut your mother off from my money. I’m finally divorcing her.”

It doesn’t surprise me that he would divorce her. I never thought my father took anyone shit. At work, people view him as cutthroat and cold-hearted. But now, he looks like a wounded animal. He’s doing it for himself and I get it. Being with someone toxic for years can wear and tear on your mind and body.

Do I hug him? No, I’ll just remain in my seat. We’re not the hugging type. My dad never hugged me a day in my life.

“I would say I’m sorry, but you should have divorced her a long time ago.”

“After the many, many affairs she’s had, I decided to walk away,” he answers.

My mouth hangs open and I stare at him as if he’s a deer in a headlight. He thrusts his fingers through his hair.

“I didn’t know Mom cheated on you. I’m sorry.”

I’ve never been cheated on, so I won’t know how it feels. And if Felix ever cheated on me, I know I’ll be crushed. I don’t know how I would handle it. I tuck the thoughts away. Felix would never do anything to hurt me in that way.

“There is something your mom wanted to tell you at the dinner table before you stormed out.” He rubs the back of his neck and twitches his mouth. “Do you know why I gave Axel the CEO position?” He studies my reaction, sits up leaning forward in the chair.

“Because he’s your favorite,” I say it so casually.

“He’s not my favorite.” I don’t believe his last words. “You’re not mine biologically.”

Did I hear him correctly?

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