CHAPTER NINE Chad

"Where you off to, son?" Dad asked when he saw me clothed in something other than board shorts and a tank top.

I was in my head while I filled my water bottle and checked the fridge for something to eat before my trip to town. After pulling my head out of the fridge, Dad was still staring at me, waiting for an answer.

"Sorry, Pops. What'd you say? Lot on my brain this morning."

"I asked where you were heading," he said. "You have the Jeep keys," he added, gesturing to my hand. "You going out?"

I grabbed a fork on my way to the kitchen island where he was seated, last night's leftovers in my hand. "Going to see about getting my valet job back."

He glanced at his watch, nose pinched up in displeasure. "Leftover Pad Thai at nine A.M.?"

"Even better," I muttered with a mouthful. "No time to waste in case my boss hires some other college kid."

"How about you go over to Cole Hicks' house and apologize instead?"

I lifted my head so I could share a proper glare. "Apologize for what?"

Dad's disappointment was evident as he shook his head, the corners of his mouth pinched. "For being unprofessional. How about that, for starters?"

"I don't want to work for a person who dims my shine, Pops," I said. "Valeting at the hotel for the summer won't kill me," I added.

"And then what?" he asked.

"Not sure yet."

I swallowed the last forkful and headed for the sink with the plastic container in hand. After rinsing it off, I turned around and found my father looking at me disapprovingly.

"I love you, son. You know that, right?" he began. I nodded my agreement. "And you know I only want the best for you?" I nodded again.

I walked the ten steps from the sink around the island, stopping behind him, and wrapping my arms around him while I stuck my chin into the crook of his neck.

"Yes, Pops. I'm well aware of your intentions."

Dad gripped my arms that held him from behind. "I worry about you, son."

"And I appreciate that very much, but I'm working on things, Dad. Working on them my way. Can that be okay for now?" I asked.

"For how long then?" he asked, gently pushing like he tended to do.

"Give me the summer, Pops," I stated, kissing the top of his head. "Let me pick up the pieces from Clint and then I promise I'll focus on my future. I earned the college degree, didn't I? I asked you to trust me about that, right?"

"Yes, you did," he agreed. "I've got connections, Chad. Let your old man pull a few strings."

"And look where that got you," I pointed out, reminding him of the new neighbor and that busted opportunity.

Dad was about to respond when his cell phone buzzed. He held up the face of the iPhone to show me the caller ID. The screen read C. Hicks. My eyes widened when he picked up.

"Hello, Cole," Dad said.

I heard the distorted voice on the other end of the call; the voice sounded like Charlie Brown's teacher from a childhood cartoon I'd watched, muffled and garbled from where I stood, directly behind Dad.

"Uh-huh," Dad said, turning to face me. "Yes, I could do that, but he's standing right here, Cole."

I took a step back, slowly shaking my head. I didn't want to speak to Mr. Uptight. There was more talking from the other end of the call before Dad covered the phone with his hand and looked at me.

"He wants to talk with you," he whispered.

I scrunched up my nose, shaking my head, not wanting to talk. But I didn't want to seem rude and also knew my father would never tolerate me being anything less than respectful.

I took the phone from Dad. "Hello, Mr. Hicks," I said cautiously.

"I was just telling your father that I was too quick with my assessment of you, Chad," he began. "The whole Jack thing caught me off guard and I acted unfairly."

"I appreciate you saying that, sir. It's very kind of you to take the time to call."

"So, you'll give me another chance?" he asked, getting right to the purpose of his call.

"No, sir, I'm going to have to pass on that," I answered. "I was just leaving to get my old job back, but I appreciate the call and the opportunity."

My father's eyes expanded to two times their normal size after hearing my side of the conversation; the side that his face clearly revealed wasn't what he wanted to hear.

"Well, thank you for taking my call. Have a nice day, Chad," Mr. Hicks said.

"And you too, sir. Yes, nice talking with you as well."

I disconnected the call and handed the phone back to Dad.

"He called to offer you the job again, didn't he?" Dad asked. I nodded and picked up my keys. My father was practically apoplectic. "And you just turned him down?" I nodded. "Just like that? And after he reached out and apologized?"

"He didn't apologize," I stated.

"He wanted to," Dad insisted. "He tried. He called."

"But he didn't. If he felt he was wrong enough to call me, he could have apologized, Dad."

"But…"

I held my hand up. "Love you, Pops, but I've got a job to earn back."

I turned and walked out of the house. I imagined my father was probably watching me leave, his brain ready to explode, but he kept quiet.

The sun was shining, a wonderful sign from the universe. Today was going to be a great day; I could feel it in my soul. I started the Jeep and glanced in the rearview mirror. "He could've apologized," I said.