Page 15 of Great Pretender
This is the twenty-first century. People aren’t like that anymore.
“Maybe not, but I had my head screwed on. I didn’t come from a wealthy family, and neither did your mother. You have, and I think it changes your perception of life and some of the important joys you can experience from finding that special woman who can complete you.”
All I can do is stare at him. “Dad, there’s nothing you can say to me that will make these terms of yours any less crazy than they are.”
“If you had your head screwed on, you wouldn’t be gallivanting about town with these types of women.” He points to the picture of Tiffany. “They’re not interested in long term or even a relationship, and that’s why you do it.”
“Yes, but that particular night, I was wasted and didn’t know I was being filmed by paparazzi.”
“Excuses for something like this won’t cut it.”
“So, you’re seriously going to make me do this if I want the team?”
“It sure beats the other thing everyone else wants me to do.”
“What’s that?” I lift my chin as if I could defy him.
“Get rid of you. They didn’t want you here in the first place. This is my company and my team—my legacy. And you are my son, my biggest legacy. I want you to have the thing I class as the epitome of my career in this sport. It ends here for me. I’ve had a long, happy career, and I’ve been proud to see you follow in my footsteps. I want your legacy to continue here.” He nods with determination. “Continue where I leave off and be your own kind of great. But if I’m pushed, I won’t mess things up by giving you something you don’t deserve.”
I’m touched by the pride he speaks of, but I’m pissed at this plan.
It’s not right.
“Dad, I’m grateful for the way you see me and for the chance you’ve given me here. But I don’t want to get married. I don’t have plans to do so, and I don’t think you or anybody else has the right to impose such a thing on me.”
“You’re quite right. And, it’s an unusual request, but it’s what I want. If you want the team, you’ll do it. If not, then I’ll let you know now that Georgiou will have it and Roger will run the managerial side of things.”
That declaration there is what I feared. If Georgiou and Roger take control, I’d be the first person they get rid of.
“Jesus, Dad.”
He pulls a small brown envelope from the inside of his jacket pocket and sets it down before me.
“What’s this?” I ask.
“The contract.”
“A contract? An actual contract?”
“I need to know that you take this as seriously as I do.”
I bite the inside of my lip to keep myself from making any further comments. I already know it will fall on deaf ears. And it won’t be in my best interest. When Dad gets like this, there’s no talking him out of his decisions.
“I’ll give you until next week to think about it,” he adds. “You can get back to me by next Friday. I’m not going to tell anybody about this. This is just between us: you and me. If you meet my terms, then it’s smooth sailing. If not, then, well… you know.”
I can’t believe this. I really can’t.
I have to find a wife.
Me…
6
Piper
Dad smiles when I enter his living room. That’s a good sign. It means he’s okay today. What’s even better is, he’s reading the newspaper, and the TV is on in the background tuned into the news.
It was awful when things were bad with him. Before he lost the house, he’d just sit in silence, grieving for Marsha, my stepmom.
