Page 5 of Billionaire Enemy's Baby
It’s weird to be back here. Not just in Beaufort, or even in South Carolina, but in America at all. I’ve been in London for so long that this feels alien to me. A part of me wonders if I should have just stayed in England after I was done school, but that internship was a God send. So was the well-paid work that came afterward.
It’s taught me everything I know, and will now take me forward with my next plans.
Taking over the world!
Well, the business world anyway, in New York City.
The plan was to start my own innovative tech business there which would really put me on the map. I couldn’t wait to get started. If I didn’t have this party with my family then I might have skipped a visit to Beaufort completely.
But actually, it’s a nice place, isn’t it? I had forgotten that. Over the years I’ve just thought of it as the typical small-town America. A town I didn’t want to return to. But being here again fills me with a familiar excitement.
The small little church, the lazy river running through the place, the palm trees… it’s a unique place and I’ve actually missed it.
I’m suddenly really glad that my baby brother, Luke, is graduating. It had forced me to return and reminded me that I actually had a good time while I was here. It’s also been forever since I hung out with my oldest brother, Wyatt, and even longer since I’ve seen Grayson. Funny, because being only a year and a half younger than me, me and Grayson used to be the closest.
I’ve missed him. I don’t think about them all that much in London, but here it’s obvious.
“Josh? Is that you?”
But before I can see any of my brothers, the moment I set foot outside my childhood home, my mom greets me. I have a feeling she’s been hanging out in the garden all morning waiting for me to arrive. It doesn’t matter that I told her what time I would arrive based on my flight and everything.
She’s been waiting anyway, missing me.
I get a little choked up as I run towards her for a hug. I had missed her too.
“Mom, how are you? You’re looking great. It’s so wonderful to see you.”
She murmurs into my chest. I can’t really hear her, but it doesn’t matter. I get the sentiment. Dad steps out the door and laughs when he spots us.
But I can see the happiness shining in his eyes. It must be great for them to have us all back together. Shame it won’t be for long. I don’t know what my brothers are planning, but obviously I’ll be headed to New York soon.
Not that I want to ruin Luke’s party by mentioning that right away.
“Yo, Josh.” Wyatt appears out of the garage, covered in oil and God knows what. I guess he’s never quite given up his hobby of tinkering with his motorbikes. “It’s been a while.”
As we high five, guilt flows through me. I really have kept myself out of the loop for far too long, haven’t I? I don’t know what’s going on with anyone.
“Grayson and Luke are in the kitchen, hitting the beers already,” Wyatt informs me. “I’m sure you want one as well. It’s been a long ass flight, right? About eight hours, am I right?”
“Urgh, tell me about it.” I roll my eyes. “See you in there, okay?”
I hear Luke and Grayson before I see them, bantering and taking the piss out of one another. It makes me laugh a lot; it takes me back to a simpler time.
“Ah, he bothers to arrive,” Luke declares holding his drink in the air, a gleeful smile on his face. “I didn’t think we were ever going to see your face again.”
“You come back with a British accent?” Grayson joins in. “Come on, let’s hear it.”
“’Ello, Guvnor,” I declare in a poor attempt, but it gets them chuckling.
“Okay, so no then,” Grayson cries out. “You could have just said no. That was awful.”
“How’s England?” Luke asks curiously. “We haven’t heard much about London at all.”
“Er, where do I begin?” I grab a beer, pop it open, and take a long swig. “It’s been amazing. A real learning curve for me. I now know exactly what I’m going to do next, which is awesome. As soon as I get some meetings set up, I will be taking over the tech world.”
“Oh yeah?” Grayson’s eyes glaze over. I suppose that shouldn’t be much of a surprise. He’s always been more of a creative spirit. It used to be rare to see him without a guitar. I wonder if that’s something that still makes him happy now. “Sounds fascinating.”
I roll my eyes. There’s no point in outlining my whole plan right now because it’ll just bore them. Luke is more similar to me, but tonight is all about him so I don’t want to make it about me. They will see anyway, soon enough.
