“You can sure try, but I’m not planning on fighting back. I’m done.
You’re a lost cause I refuse to spend any more energy on. I’d rather redirect it to what’s important like my wife, kids, and brothers. You made your choice to be a miserable fuck, but that doesn’t mean I have to.” I walk away before I say anything else.
Mr. Yakura wanted me to consider my biggest fear and I was staring right at it.
I don’t want to become my father.
I’ve spent my entire life striving to be better than him, to the point of following in his same footsteps to usurp him. I spent far too much of my time trying to destroy him when I should have been focusing on what’s important.
I don’t plan on making the same mistake. Not anymore.
I return to the hotel expecting to find Iris in the room, but discover it empty of all her things. Did she get another room because she wanted to avoid me?
After what I said, I wouldn’t blame her. But if she thinks I’m going to have her sleep somewhere else, she’s mistaken.
Couples fight. We can get through this. But first, I need her to listen to me.
I check my messages, but none are from Iris. My heart beats harder against my chest as I call her cellphone and it goes directly to voicemail.
“Shit.” I throw my phone on the bed, and it bounces against a piece of white paper that blended into the comforter. I’m almost afraid to turn it over but suck it up. The message is my worst fucking nightmare.
Consider this my informal resignation letter. Formal notice will arrive on your desk this Monday at 9 a.m. —Iris
I crumple the paper before chucking it in the trash bin. I’m not letting her quit because we got into one fight about work, no matter how much she might want to. My words were harsh, uncalled for, and out of line, but that doesn’t mean she can quit without giving me a chance to make it up to her.
But first you need to find her.
“Shit.”
43
DECLAN
I can’t find Iris anywhere in the hotel. The only other place besides the park that I think she would go to is Rowan’s place.
I take a deep breath and knock against his door. The light above me turns on before the door swings open, revealing Zahra on the other side. She looks bright and cheery as always—like she gets her energy straight from the sun. I don’t know how my brother can stand it.
“Have you seen Iris?” I don’t bother with pleasantries.
“Umm, shouldn’t she be with you?”
I turn around and walk down the steps, not wanting to waste any more time.
“Hey! Wait!” Zahra chases after me.
I speed up.
“Stop!”
I don’t.
The sound of flip-flops smacking against the ground makes me grind my teeth together. I ignore Zahra calling after me, only to be stopped by my brother on his way back from his run.
He pops an earbud out as he scowls at me. “What are you doing here?”
Zahra stops beside me, trying to catch her breath. “Has anyone told you that you have very long legs?”
“Why are you chasing after my brother?”
“Because I wanted to talk to him, but he didn’t want to be caught.”
Rowan raises a brow at me. “Care to explain why you are running away from my girlfriend?”
I take a deep breath. “I don’t have time to chat. I’ve wasted enough of it as it is.”
“Then make time.”
“I’m trying to find Iris.”
“Good luck with that.”
I take a step forward. “Do you know where she is?”
“I’ll tell you if you do what Zahra asks and give her a few minutes of your time. It’s the least you can do after acting like such a dick to me earlier, don’t you think?”
My jaw clenches. “Fine. Speak.” I look down at Zahra.
“Can we go inside first? I need a glass of water.”
My short fuse burns down to nothing as I follow them back into the home I spent most of my youth vacationing at. The memories slam into me as I take in Mom’s porch swing, still hanging in the same spot years later.
“It’s my favorite place in the whole house.” Zahra shoots me a small smile.
Of course it is.
I ignore her as I walk through the front door. The place hasn’t changed besides a fresh paint job and more modern furniture. There’s still a doorframe by the kitchen that has our height marks over the years, with me being the tallest.
“It’s pretty weird coming back here after so long, huh?” Rowan leans against the kitchen counter, observing me as I take it all in.
“How do you stand living here?”
“It reminds me of some good times.”
“That makes one of us.”
The corners of his lips lift in a silent reply.
“Would you like anything to drink?” Zahra pops her head into the fridge.
“Water is good.”
She pours me a glass before making one for herself.
“So, would anyone like to tell me why I’m being held emotionally hostage here?”
Rowan looks over at Zahra and she only grins. “I lied when I said I had something to tell you. I was only hoping to stall you for as long as it took until Rowan got back so you both could talk this out, once and for all.”
Rowan shakes his head as he looks up at the ceiling. “You’re a pain in my ass.”
“I know, but you love me for it.” She kisses his cheek before disappearing up the stairs.
“She’s smart.”
“She’s a meddler is what she is. She hates when we fight, especially when it’s over my choice to stay here.”
“You told her about earlier?”
“I tell her everything.”
I take a sip of my water. “Interesting.” Safe to say Zahra probably thinks I’m the biggest asshole around.
He grabs a glass and fills it to the top with water. “How did the walkthrough go?”
“Why are you asking?”
“Because I care.”
“Even after I lashed out at you?”
He sighs. “Love isn’t conditional. I know Father made us believe that, but just because I get angry at you and vice versa doesn’t mean I don’t love you or care about you. Even if you do act like an idiot most of the time.”
“Who knew Dreamland would turn you into such a sappy fuck?”
“Dreamland and the people in it.” He smiles in a genuine way that reaches his eyes, and I can’t remember the last time I have ever seen him look this happy. Maybe never.
No one can control falling in love, and he happened to find it in the last place I expected. It’s time I accepted it and moved on for both our sakes. I’ve been punishing him for seeking out what makes him feel fulfilled, all because I felt like he betrayed me. I held on to the idea of him abandoning me like everyone else to manage my father and all the expectations that come with the company. Rather than support him, I held his happiness against him just like my father did countlessly throughout our lives.
You’re no better than him.
It is a sour feeling to realize the man I have spent my whole life resenting is the one I am slowly becoming.
It’s not too late to start making better decisions.
My mouth feels dry no matter how much water I drink. “I’ve made some mistakes.”