33. Xavier

CHAPTER 33

XAVIER

I haven't seen Ella in two weeks and it's killing me. I know it's my fault that I haven't seen her, but I didn't think it would be too difficult to cut back a little. I find myself reaching for my phone throughout the day and hoping she's messaged me, only to remember that we aren't supposed to be talking as much. Not to mention, I'm so horny. It seems I've gotten used to a more frequent and consistent sex life. I'm counting down the minutes until I get to see her this afternoon, but not just for the sex. I miss her.

Two hours on a Sunday is all I'm able to offer this week. She was busy this morning, with book shopping and brunch with Millie I believe, and I have work tonight. I hate it, but I guess it works in our favour and goes along with the whole ‘spending less time together' arrangement. I'm finishing up with a few bits of housework when my phone rings. I look at the screen and it's my mum.

"Mum, hey," I say as I answer it.

"Hi Xav. How are you, dear?" she asks.

"Yeah good. Just tidying the house before heading out this afternoon. How are you?"

"I'm alright. Hey, listen, I'm calling about your dad."

"Dad? Is he alright?" I ask.

"Yes, yes, he's fine. Well, sort of. He's had a little bit of an accident and has hurt his back. "

"Oh shit. What kind of accident?"

She sighs. "He was trying to lift a keg at the pub of course, and he completely threw his back out." I can almost hear her eyes rolling through the phone.

"Of course he was. I've told him so many times he needs to stop. How is he doing?" The man is coming up to 70 and yet he is still determined to try and do everything himself.

"I think his pride is hurt more than anything. You know what he's like." I murmur my agreement. "But he is on bed rest for a while and will require physical therapy for a few weeks to get better."

"Damn, he must have really done something."

"He sure did. Anyway, he wanted to talk to you about something and was hoping you'd be able to swing by the house this afternoon before your shift."

"This afternoon?" I ask. I'm supposed to be seeing Ella this afternoon. I've been looking forward to it all week.

"Yes, he said it was pretty important."

Important. Could this finally be the moment he hands over the reins? Shit. I have to go see him. Ella is going to be so disappointed .

"Okay. Yeah, that should be fine. I'll come around at say, 3pm?"

"Perfect, I'll let him know. Thanks, Xav."

"No worries, Mum. I'll see you later."

"Bye!"

I end the call, my mind spinning with possibilities. I'm not going to get my hopes up because this has happened too many times, but this could be the moment. Years of hard work and persistence could finally be paying off. Though there's one thing I have to do first. I pull up Ella's contact details and call her. She picks up after two rings.

"Hey, you," she says as she answers the phone. I can hear a lot of people in the background so she must still be at the bookstore.

"Hey, right back. "

"What's up?"

I sigh.

"How mad are you going to be if I have to cancel this afternoon?" I ask.

She's quiet on the other end of the phone for just a moment. "Has something come up?" she asks quietly.

"Yeah, my dad hurt his back at work. He's fine, on bed rest and needs some physio, but he wants to meet with me before my shift tonight. Mum says it's important and I don't know if I'll have time afterwards to see you before starting work."

"Oh. Well, yeah of course you have to go. I hope he's okay. Do you know what he wants to talk about?"

"She didn't say. I'm hoping today is the day. So, keep your fingers crossed for me I guess."

"I will. You'll have to keep me posted."

"Definitely. I'm really sorry for cancelling, I promise I'll make it up to you soon."

"It's fine," she says. I know it's not fine, but she wouldn't admit it. "Maybe you can come over this week sometime if you have a night off."

"Yeah of course, I'll let you know soon what my availability is like." Christ, it sounds like I'm trying to schedule a bloody business meeting.

"Sounds good. Well, I guess I'll have to go and find a book to read this afternoon instead." She chuckles.

"I hope you pick a good one," I tell her.

"I'm sure I will. Give your dad my best wishes. I'll talk to you later."

"Sure thing." I probably won't tell him, mostly because neither Mum nor Dad know about Ella. "Enjoy the rest of your night. Bye."

"Bye."

I breathe out a deep sigh. I know she's disappointed, I could hear it in her voice. I'm disappointed, too. Hopefully our schedules match up this week and I'm able to go and make it up to her.

I have just under two hours until I have to be with my parents, so I whip up a quick lunch and then get to finishing the housework before driving over to their place. It takes about 20 minutes to get there and I'm feeling nervous. I really hope this is it. I pull into the driveway and take a deep, calming breath before getting out of the car and heading up to the front porch. I don't bother knocking; instead I open the door and yell "hello" as I walk in.

Mum comes bounding down the hallway to greet me. I wrap her up in a hug.

"Hi, my son." She reaches up and pats me on the cheek. She's always done that, ever since I was a child.

"Hey, Mum. How's he doing?" I ask.

"Fine, grumbling like the old man he is."

"You're older than him."

"Semantics. You'd think he was on his death bed the way he keeps going on. Typical man baby."

I laugh. My parents have been married for over 40 years and I've never known a couple like them. Still just as in love with each other today as they were when they got married.

"Sounds about right. Is he in bed?" I ask as I nod my head toward their bedroom.

"Yep, go on in, he knows you're coming."

I swallow hard as I walk down the hallway and stop outside their bedroom door. I give myself a quick internal peptalk and walk in. Dad is sitting up in bed, propped up by a few pillows, with his laptop open on a pillow in his lap. The man really doesn't know the meaning of rest.

"Still on your computer, do you even know how to relax and recover?" I ask him.

"If you must know," he says, "I'm actually watching a movie, not working. So, shush." He shows me the screen and I have no idea what the movie is, but I am genuinely shocked.

"Oh, well jokes on me, then. How are you feeling?" I ask.

"Bit sore. And I tell you what, I'm already sick of being in this bed." He grumbles.

"I bet. I can't recall the last time I heard of you being in bed later than 7am."

"Mmm." He groans in reply.

"So," I start, as I sit on the edge of the bed. "What did you want to talk about?"

He sighs and closes his laptop, putting it aside. "I know you've been at me to retire for a long time," he starts.

"I haven't been at you, I've just gently encouraged you."

"Same shit."

I laugh.

"You've been working really hard, and I can see how much the place means to you."

I nod. "I want nothing more than to continue your legacy. Jimmies is my second home."

"I know, mate. I really thought I had a few years left in me, you know? But as soon as I felt my back give out, I knew it was time. Your mother and I have decided it's time."

My heart is pounding so hard I'm surprised he can't hear it.

"Are you telling me… you're retiring?" I ask.

"Yes. It's time for me to hand over the reins. Jimmies is yours, Xav."

I choke out a laugh. Finally, I've been waiting years for this moment. Years of planning and new ideas and possibilities. Years of proving myself and doing everything I can to make him see I'm worthy. It's really happening .

"Thank you. I'll make you proud, I promise. I won't let you down." I'm surprised to feel myself choking up and getting emotional.

"I know you will. You're a good man, Xavier. I know you think I haven't been listening to you and your ideas for a while, but I have. I've been keeping a catalogue of everything you've suggested and everything you've done, waiting for the right moment. Selfishly, I just needed to be ready. With the right focus and motivation, which I know you have plenty of, I can see you bringing the place up to a standard I was never able to. I'm excited to see what you're going to do."

My eyes well up and I hastily wipe the tears away. "This means so much to me, Dad. Truly."

"I'd give you a hug, but it hurts." He laughs and the winces from the pain.

I chuckle and then stand up to plant a big smooch on his slightly wrinkled forehead. "Rest up. Spend this time in bed to come up with some fun things to do during retirement."

"Yeah, yeah. Oh also, I took the liberty of having your shift covered tonight. Go and celebrate with your friends or something. A lot is going to change from now on, I hope you're ready knuckle down and give it all you've got." He winks at me.

"You know I will. Jimmies is in safe hands. And thanks." I know exactly who I want to celebrate with tonight. "I'll pop in after the lunch shift on Monday and we can talk business," I say.

"Sounds good, I won't be going anywhere." He gestures to the bed.

I smile at him and leave the room, closing the door gently. Mum is standing in the hallway, eyes gleaming and silently clapping with glee.

"Oh, I'm so happy! I've been waiting for this moment for years!" she says as she pulls me into a tight hug.

"Me too, Mum. Me too."

I hastily say my goodbyes and once I'm in my car, I pull out my phone and make a call.

"Hello?" she answers.

"Hey Ell, so it turns out I have the night off…"