Page 64 of Fumbled Beginning

“We needed the time away. Am I not allowed to take a vacation?”

“I find it ironic that you went on that little trip right after I paid to have the roof replaced on the house.”

“You offered to pay the bill.”

“Because you were complaining about not having any money.”

“Is this about your hurt feelings? Because if it means that much to you, I’ll come to one of your games. But you’ll have to help me out with the cost of the ticket. The airlines keep jacking up their prices, it’s almost impossible to find a good deal these days.”

“Unbelievable.” When I glanced at JP, he looked like he was fighting like hell to keep it together.

“What is your problem? I said I would go, didn’t I?”

“What about calling me, Dad? Have you ever thought about just calling me to check and see how I’m doing?”

I put my hand over his, partly to get him to calm down, the other to show support.

“The phone works both ways, son.”

I bristled at how fast this dinner went downhill. JP brought me thinking maybe, just maybe, we could at the very least enjoy a simple dinner. The night was turning into a shitshow and now I understood why he was so agitated about coming here.

“I’m going to get the dessert.” Vicky stood abruptly and rushed back into the kitchen.

The food was barely touched; I don’t think anyone cared about dessert.

Once she was out of earshot, Greg glared at his son from across the table. “Why are you being so rude?”

An aggravated sigh left him. “You really want to go there, Dad?”

“Yes, I want to know why you are always so pissed at me?”

“Maybe because you only call me if you want something, and the only way you’ll come to my games is if I pay you to. You don’t think that’s fucked up?”

He rubbed his forehead. “I don’t have the kind of cash lying around that you do. I don’t think I ask for very much.”

“Really, Dad?” JP’s eyebrow rose. “Then why did I get an email from the mayor, asking if I could meet with the two of you when I was in town to discuss the Amphitheater project? I had no fucking clue what she was talking about, but she was under the assumption that I was going to attach my name and help fund your latest little venture.”

Greg held his hand out. “Before you go shooting it down, hear me out. We’ve already secured a few investors, but we’re still short on cash. I was going to talk to you about it but things kind of went sideways before I could broach the topic with you.”

JP’s stare was murderous.“I’m not giving this project a single cent.”

Greg’s head reared back. “I already told the mayor we could count on your support.”

JP stood from his seat. “I’m fucking leaving.”

“Where are you going to go?”

He pulled out his phone and handed it to me. “Can you look online and find us a room nearby? I’m going to grab our things.”

“Sure.” I unlocked his phone and started searching for a place to stay. A little distance would do the two men some good.

“You’re really going to leave like this?” Greg said to JP’s back as he started walking away. “What am I supposed to tell the mayor?”

JP paused to face his father. “Tell her I said hello, and good luck.”

CHAPTER20

JP

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