Page 12 of Learning to Trust

“Well? You haven’t answered my question. Why do you drive a granddad car?”

“Are you kidding? Have you never held that kind of power in your hands? Felt the rumble of the powerful V8 beneath your ass?”

"I have actually—in college. I drove a 1969 Camaro that Dad gave me on my 18th birthday. I wrapped it around a tree about a month later and almost killed my damn idiot self. I was showing off to friends and speeding. I had no money at that stage of my life and was dependent on Dad's generosity. He wasn't so generous the second time. The replacement was a beat-up Datsun that rattled more than an old steam train and struggled to reach forty miles an hour. It broke down at least once a week, so I had to learn how to fix things for myself because Dad refused to pay for it to be repaired at a garage. I did a lot of walking back then while I saved enough from my allowance to pay for parts. It effectively clipped my wings because boys weren't interested in me once they saw the wreck I drove. They all whined about how I should tell my rich daddy to buy me something decent. It didn't take long for me to learn; they were only interested in money and appearance."

We slid into the car, me into the driver's seat, and I smothered a groan when my ass landed on the buttery-soft leather. I brought the engine to life, and the sexy rumble was enough to give any sane man a hard-on.

"Pretty shallow. Maybe your father did you a favor."

“Maybe.”

I backed carefully from the garage, and as I continued down the driveway, David pushed a button on the remote he kept in the drink’s holder, and the garage door lowered. I pulled onto the street and headed toward the location of The Coffee House.

"Money was definitely what grabbed their interest. When they learned how wealthy Dad was, they assumed I would have money to burn. They hadn't counted on him being a tight-ass who only gave me a small allowance of about the same amount as they earned or received. They didn't stick around long when I said I couldn't afford to go out drinking every night."

"I can imagine they thought your father was pretty harsh. I'm guessing you did too but forcing you to survive on an allowance like the others would have taught you to survive in the real world and value money."

"Yeah. I thought he was a grade-A bastard at the time, but with maturity, I understood and even agreed with what he'd done. When I came into my trust fund, which was millions that Mum had set aside for me, I had respect for money and had no intention of wasting any. My home and this car are my only indulgences. I was over-generous with Tristan because I was afraid he'd leave me, and in the end, it made no difference. I'm going to have to learn to protect myself against men who only want me for my money."

“I don’t know how you avoid it happening. They do say love is blind and we all do stupid things at times. But I can guarantee you; your money holds no interest for me.”

“I kinda guessed that. I imagine you had everything you desired growing up with Heather.”

I laughed. "That couldn't be further from the truth. Aunt Heather ensured I earned anything I really wanted unless it was my birthday or Christmas. Like you, I had a small allowance, and also, like you, I drove an old car. She taught me to respect money and make it my servant, not the other way around. I was an only child, and when I inherited Mom and Dad's estate at age twenty-one, I almost had a heart attack when I saw it was a fucking fortune. I finished college, bought an apartment downtown, and the locksmith business. Now, I have the inheritance from Aunt Heather, and I have enough money for ten lifetimes without needing to work. I could be a beach bum for the rest of my life, but I love what I do. I love my life."

“Was buying the business and becoming a locksmith a hard decision? You know, going against what everyone expected?”

"No, it wasn't. I spoke with my aunt about what I wanted, and she said I should take heed of my head but always follow the path my heart sends me down." I glanced to where David sat, his forehead furrowed. "What's going on with you?"

"I've just had the week from hell to top all the previous weeks from hell. I worked so hard to prove to my father that I was a worthy CEO and that he could retire. I really hate my job and the company. I want to get out of the toxic environment and concentrate on developing worthwhile apps that help people. Not just games that cause addictions."

“Quit.”

“Just like that? It’s not that easy.”

I turned into the parking lot of The Coffee House and pulled into a space. After putting the car in neutral, I switched off the engine. As the soft tick of the motor cooling filled the cabin, I unclipped the seatbelt and turned to face David.

"Yes, just like that. You know, my aunt said something that has stuck with me, something I hear whenever I have a difficult decision to make. She said, "You only have one life, and it goes by too damn fast, so live it the way you want and fuck what anyone else thinks." David, you have more than enough to support yourself for a dozen lifetimes. You don't need your father's money, and it sounds like you don't have a great relationship, so do what is right for you. The last thing you want on your death bed are self-inflicted regrets."

David leaned forward and pressed a kiss to my cheek, sending tingles zipping straight to my dick.

"Thank you. My sister and I barely tolerate our father, and the lack of caring is mutual. I needed to hear that it was okay for me to make a decision about work for me instead of everyone else."

“Always. Let’s go eat.”

We climbed from the car, and I gathered his hand in mine when he stepped to my side. We walked into the café hand in hand.

***

David bit into his croissant, and while devouring a forkful of banana pancake, I watched his throat work as he chewed and swallowed.

“Would you rent an office downtown and start your own business or company to develop the apps you have in mind?”

"Most likely, I'd lean toward a small business and employ someone part-time as a personal assistant to take care of administration and accounting. I'd hire a firm to do the advertising and marketing when the apps are ready. I'll set up an office at home and run the business from there. If we get busy, I'll increase the assistant's hours." David locked his eyes on mine. "I'm tired of begging and pleading to get anything done. I might be CEO, but it's in name only. If I go out on my own, there will only be me to answer to and blame for any stuff-ups. I think I will speak to Dad on Monday and formally give him my resignation."

“So you’ve made up your mind to do this? Your father won’t be happy.”

"He'll just have to deal with my decision. Your Aunt Heather was right—it's my life, and I'm sick to death of living it the way everyone else thinks I should. If I keep doing what I have been, the stress will kill me before I hit forty."