“Your father can teach you. It’s the perfect time for you to step in and for things to be transitioned over to you.”
Beck started to say Not gonna happen, but then snapped his mouth shut. He rubbed his forehead. “I have obligations in San Diego,” he finally said. “A business to run there. I can’t let down Cade and Marco.”
But the truth was, they could run Conquistadors themselves. They didn’t need him. They’d still want to repay the money he’d provided to help them get started and that would be tough, but he wouldn’t let him. And the idea of going back to San Diego and never seeing Hayden again made him want to punch a hole in the wall.
Maybe he should stay here. Maybe it was the right thing to do.
He didn’t say that to his parents though, knowing that even a hint that he was considering it would shove that door wide open in their minds.
“This is your legacy,” Mother said quietly. “Your father and grandfather swore that the business would always be a private company and family-owned. There are thousands of people who rely on Whitcomb Industries for their livelihood. It seems selfish for you to stay in San Diego, running your little bar, which employs, what, ten people? While you race go-karts and surf in the ocean?”
Beck stared at his mother. He’d heard this before. His parents seemed to completely disregard the fact that for nine years he’d put his life on the line to serve his country. That he’d been a member of the most elite unit of the U.S. military, who all shared a willingness to sacrifice their time and their lives for a greater good. And they thought he was selfish?
Was he being selfish?
His brain was so fucked up just then, he couldn’t think straight. “Let’s talk about this later.”
Chapter 22
Hayden threw herself into work the rest of the week, and even though her mood was low and her body felt sluggish, she went to see Aunt Gina and Uncle Colin on Saturday as usual. She’d called Aunt Gina to see if there was anything she needed to pick up for them on her way and was surprised when her aunt said no, that Uncle Colin had gone to the grocery store just yesterday.
She walked in with some of her aunt’s favorite strawberries, anyway. “Hi! It’s Hayden.”
“On the patio, dear.”
She walked through the kitchen to check things out on her way to her aunt. Another surprise—it was clean. Well, relatively. Not spotless, but there were no dishes or leftovers sitting on the counter and the floor had been swept and mopped.
She stepped out onto the patio just as Aunt Gina took a few steps toward her with her walker. “Hey, you’re doing great,” Hayden said, hugging her over the walker.
Her aunt smiled. “I am. Feeling much better. Less pain, and stronger.” She made a face. “I’d really love to get rid of this walker but I don’t know if that’s going to happen.”
“It might. You’ve been going for your physical therapy?”
“Yes, and they are making me work hard.” Aunt Gina sighed. “And I do my exercises at home. I have to do them. Where’s Beck?”
Hayden’s heart bumped against her breastbone. “Oh. Uh. We aren’t seeing each other anymore.”
“What?” Aunt Gina’s face fell. “Why? He seemed like such a nice young man.”
Nice. There was a bland word to describe Beck. Okay, he was nice. He was also insanely charming, exciting, and fun, and so sexy he made her panties wet just thinking about him. Okay, inappropriate thoughts around her old auntie. She sighed. “Well, it wasn’t anything serious. I got some bad news at work this week and I realized I’ve been wasting way too much time on trivial things and not paying enough attention to business.”
“Trivial things? Like a boyfriend? A relationship? Love?” Aunt Gina stared at her. “You think those things are trivial?”
Hayden stared at her aunt.
“Love is never trivial,” Aunt Gina added sternly.
“It wasn’t like that with Beck and me.” Her heart squeezed.
“Well, no, because you wouldn’t let it be. That man couldn’t take his eyes off you, Hayden. But if all you do is work, how could it be anything more?”
“I don’t have time for anything more.”
“Oh, sweetie. That’s no life. I know we’ve taken up your time, but I’m getting better and…well, we want to talk to you about something.”
“Oh. Okay. Where is Uncle Colin?”
“He’s doing laundry, if you can believe it.”
“Wow. That’s great. It looks like there’s not even much for me to do. Here, I brought these for you.” She handed over the strawberries.