Page 14 of You're To Blame 2

Grandfathers chauffeur drove through the wrought-iron gates. The gray, stone mansion hadn’t changed. It’s been years since I’d been here last. Mason was still alive. Our family celebrated Christmas with grandfather. He hosted a high society holiday party the week before Christmas. He knew everyone by name. At twelve-years-old, he introduced Mason and me too many influential business people. He said we needed to learn how to entertain, because once we were the CEO and CFO of our corporation, we’d spend most of our time hammering out deals and understanding what motivated a person’s financial decisions. He said the skill would prove invaluable.

Mason and grandfather spent a lot of time together. He was more inquisitive than I was about the family business. All I cared about was being the best player on our football team. We played football since we were little kids. Mason and I were the best players on the team.Coach said once we enrolled in high school, either of us could become the football captain. I wanted to become captain, which meant I had to train harder. I was the best football player in the state of Georgia. Football was still at the forefront of my brain after all these years.

Why couldn’t the weather reflect how I felt inside my heart, full of vibrant light? Instead, the gray skies hung over head threatening rain. Gardeners tended to the rich grounds. The driver rounded the circular cobblestone drive and halted in front of the oversized wooden door. The butler Benjamin walked out of the house and opened the rear passenger door.

“Master Tate, so good to see you. It’s been too long.” He smiled warmly.

“Hello, Benjamin. It has.”

His blond hair grayed around the temples. He’d worked for grandfather for years. This property had always been in our family. Grandfather didn’t move here full time until Mason and me were thirteen-years-old.

The chauffeur placed my suitcase in the foyer.

I stood in the foyer admiring the elegant crystal chandelier that hung above my head.

“Master Tate, I will show you to your sleeping quarters. Mr. Forrester will join you for dinner tonight. He had business to attend to this morning.”

I peeked at my watch. “At seven?”

“Oh, business never sleeps,” he chuckled.

I followed him up the wide, wooden staircase.

He opened the oversized door. I scanned the bedroom. There were still two beds in the dark blue room. I guess just because Mason wasn’t here anymore, he didn’t need to remove the other bed.

“If you need anything, dial zero on the phone on the nightstand. Myself or one of the maids will be right up. I assure you everything you need is at your fingertips. I could have the cook prepare breakfast.”

I turned and smiled. “That won’t be necessary. I ate on the jet. Lunch after a nap would suffice.”

“Very well.” His gray eyes brightened. “Enjoy your nap, Master Tate.”

“Thank you.”

He closed the door, and I quickly stripped down to my boxers. I was exhausted. Chelsea’s beautiful face came to mind.Get through the week, Tate and you can return to your woman.I rubbed my cock under the blanket as I closed my eyes.

∞

Dressed in a button-down shirt, tie, and slacks, I stood in the grand dining room staring at the ancient art on the walls.

“Tate, so good to see you.” Grandfather entered the room smiling from ear-to-ear. He pulled me into his embrace. He was a foot shorter than me. His hair was mostly gray with brown streaks.

He stepped back and extended his arm. “Have a seat.”

There were age lines across his forehead. He still had a strong jawline. Except for the gray hair, he didn’t appear to have aged that much since I saw him last.

“How was your flight?” He sipped a glass of red wine.

The servers placed the food before us.

“Long. I’ll adjust to the time change soon.”

“Good. I spoke to Brian yesterday. He said you are consumed with football. I wish he never stuck you boys in that sport for heaven sakes.”

My brow rose as I drank the glass of ice-cold water.Shit, this would be a long visit. He wouldn’t budge about me choosing football over running the business.

I smirked. What the fuck else could I do at that moment?

“I ran into a little trouble in calculus, but I am recovering nicely. That was the only class I maintained less than an A average.”

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