Page 42 of Big Stick Energy
“But…” I do the math. “Theo is the one getting married. And you toldhim?”
He nods. “I did. And I’ll tell Tessa right after the wedding, when she’s calmer. You know how she gets.”
I do. We all do.
“Now finish your lunch, kiddo. It’s a long drive back to New York. Oh, look! There’s your ride.”
I turn my head like a dog looking for its owner. And sure enough, here comes Eric, striding across the dining room with a smile on his handsome face. He stops beside my chair and gives my shoulder a squeeze. “Afternoon! Is it okay if I join you?”
My father grins as if nothing is wrong and indicates the empty third chair. “Would you like something to eat?”
Eric is already shaking his head. “My mother filled me up with scrambled eggs and pancakes. I’ve had all the food I can handle. But I wouldn’t say no to a cup of coffee.”
My father signals for the waiter, and coffee is fetched and poured for Eric. He and my father exchange a few pleasantries. But at some point, I realize that Eric is shooting worried looks at me.
I pull myself together a little and try to contribute to the rest ofthe conversation. But I can’t say I’m sorry when the bill is signed, and I’ve accepted a hug from my father, who tells me to “take care of myself” in a more meaningful way than usual. And then Eric is finally wheeling my suitcase toward the Porsche and accepting his key fob from the valet.
Climbing into his car has me filled with relief. I fasten my seat belt and wait for him to pull away.
But that’s not what happens. He turns to me with a serious frown and says, “Darcy, what’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing,” I say, trying to rearrange my features into something more cheerful.
“Doesn’t look like it,” he says gently.
My acting skills clearly need work. “My father just disclosed to me that he’s having a health problem. It’s his heart. And he needs me to go see a cardiologist just in case it’s genetic.”
Eric lets out a low whistle. “Hell, I’m sorry.”
I shrug, like it doesn’t matter. Because itshouldn’t. My stupid father is probably going to be just fine. He’ll carry on for another fifty years, taking more than his share of everything, and thinking up new perks for his five-star hotels.
Eric reaches over and covers my hand with his. For a few precious seconds, the warmth of it is a balm to my soul. Then he puts his hands at two and ten on the wheel and steers the sleek car toward the exit road.
It’s midday, and traffic is light. We fly along toward home, but I’m still stuck inside my head. I’ve been so angry at my dad for so long. And now…
My phone rings with Darth Vader’s theme, and I let out a groan.
“Is that… a call?” Eric asks.
“Yeah. Sorry. It’s Sharp.”
He laughs. “Great ringtone.”
“Appropriate, right? If I don’t take it, he’ll just keep calling.”
“Go ahead, then. I’ll stay quiet.”
I hit accept. “Hello?”
“Where the hell is everyone, Kendrick?” The boss’s gravelly bark nearly shatters my eardrum. “I got a kid stuck in Helsinki with his thumb up his ass, no flight, no visa clearance, and NO ONE IN TRAVEL IS ANSWERING THEIR GODDAMN PHONES.”
I move the phone away from my ear. “Sir, they’re on vacation.”
“And off the fuckinggrid? WHO DOES THAT?”
“Everyone, sir. Because if we didn’t, we’d all turn into you. Now, what exactly is the issue?”
Eric lifts a hand from the steering wheel to slap it over his mouth.
