Page 15 of You're To Blame 2

“Math is of the most importance. If you need help, let your father know he’ll hire a tutor.”

I scooped a spoonful of peas into my mouth. “I am fine. Chelsea is helping me.”

His eyes narrowed. “You aren’t speaking of the same girl who caused Mason’s accident?”

I swallowed hard. “She didn’t cause his accident. No one was to blame. Lightning struck the branch that knocked Mason over the edge.”

“Is it the same girl?”

“Yes. But like I said, she had nothing to do with the accident.” I squeezed my eyes shut. “Mason and I may have argued over her, but she did nothing wrong. I blamed her because she was the center of our disagreement.”

“Mason, told me you both liked the same girl.”

My brow furrowed. “He did?”

Their bond was a lot tighter than I imagined.

“Yup, he said you tried to move in on his girlfriend.”

“Whoa, whoa.” I waved my hands.

“Sorry, grandfather. Mason and Chelsea were never together. If anything, I spared his feelings. The only reason I didn’t ask her to be my girlfriend, was because I didn’t want to upset Mason. Chelsea wanted to be my girlfriend. Mason tried to kiss her, and she rejected him.That’s how we began fighting on the hill. You know let’s drop it.” I rubbed my brow.

He sighed. “Is she moving to London with you?”

“Chelsea has agreed to move wherever I go. We will probably attend Harvard together.”

His brow rose. “Nonsense. You will attend the University of Oxford.” His stern gaze held mine.

“I don’t want to argue about my future. You can’t make me run this company. Hire someone else to run the London office. The football scouts will be in attendance at my game next Friday. My goal is to go pro. Not to run the company.” My heartbeat thudded my chest. I thought it would burst through my rib cage. I was worried mainly about what he’d say. It felt good being honest about what I wanted.

“Next week, before you return to the states sit in on a few meetings. I’ll also invite the most important people in the company over for a dinner party. You never know, Tate, you might enjoy learning about the company that feeds this family.” His blue eyes darkened and he slammed his finger against the table. “The company that pays for your exquisite lifestyle. This is your legacy, Tate.”

Shit, that went well.

“Grandfather, I am capable of living on my own. That is the point I am trying to make. I don’t need your money to survive.”

He grimaced. “Oh, you don’t need my money. So, you can do without your trust fund when you turn eighteen. If you aren’t able to become a professional football player, will you live off your girlfriend’s family oil empire like her father does?”

I shook my head and held up my hand. “Her mother and father don’t live off of their parents’ money. They live off of the income they work for everyday. They lived in a small town. Lived off of the bare necessities. I admit, I’ve behaved frivolous when it came to spending money. Chelsea and I will manage. Next summer, I will ask for her hand in marriage. We will live in an apartment off campus.” I rubbed my brow.

“Maybe you forgot how far you’re willing to go for love because grandmother died years ago. But I would do anything to make Chelsea happy.”

“Then you’d be willing to run our empire and produce heirs that will carry on our name. Your children will grow up and run this company too. Your father knew that before you boys were born. Not sure when he went all liberal, but I won’t stand for it.” He shot out of his chair.

“Five suits await you in your quarters. Monday the chauffeur will drive you to the office. The remainder of the week, you’ll engage with the staff. You will begin working at Forrester enterprises June first of next year. Get your rest. You have a long week ahead of you.”

He turned on his heels and vacated the dining room.

“Fuck,” I roared, shoving away from the table.

Why did I come here? I darted out of the patio doors. Turning my face to the sky, I exhaled. The night sky was riddled with stars. I wished Chelsea and I could lie under the stars at the lake house. I was a bitter asshole for so long. Holding her in my arms would bring me peace. Why did grandfather mention Chelsea’s family empire? She made it clear she didn’t ask her grandfather for anything. I was sure the only luxury she’d be willing to utilize was the jet. Was grandfather, right? I’ve indulged in the finer things in life for so long, if I didn’t have my family’s resources at my fingertips, would I be able to survive?

I peered into the distance. I’d try. Chelsea didn’t give a shit about the money. She only cared we’d be together.

Sunday, I studied for two exams I’d make up once I returned home. I spoke to Chelsea. Didn’t make sense to alarm her. I had no intention to run the company.

My jaw twitched continuously on my drive into the office. This was ridiculous. I wasn’t saying I didn’t feed on power. Almost everyone did. I fed off a different kind of power. The energy from the crowd always gave me strength. I’d play grandfathers game this week. Once I returned home, I’d make arrangements to purchase a condo in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The moment graduation was over, Chelsea and I would hop on a plane and start our new life. Grandfather couldn’t make me do anything I didn’t want to do.

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