Aunt Viola raising me was a blessing. Never overbearing, I respected Liam and Vi very much and still do. They also gave me something I'd never known before – a true love and passion for each other. My parents had appeared to love each other, but it was never blatant. Viola and Liam were much different. They were openly affectionate and genuine. Their love spilled over onto Maggie and me.
Since I'm an Iverson, I was subjected to private school, chauffer, body guard and an obscene amount of power. Every person in my grade school had a chauffeur and house help. The best thing to come from school, besides education, was Oscar Emerson.
Oscar came from a very wealthy Texan family; his father and uncles owning multimillion dollar oil companies and refineries. Since Oscar was from a socially acceptable family, Grandfather embraced the friendship. We played baseball together, baseball being the one extracurricular activity my family enjoyed. When Grandfather found time he would join us or take us to a game.
High school was the beginning of the rebellious years, much to the dismay of Grandfather. I lived up to the family obligations with the company and social events. However, I often did unacceptable things and definitely multiple unacceptable women. College brought out similar behavior, but also brought my cousin, James, and I closer.
James Iverson was the only son of Uncle Henry and Aunt Anne. He was also the shame of the family, at least in Grandfather’s eyes. James worked in the pharmaceutical area of the company. He was a cocky bastard but he was loyal and I loved him.
College life also introduced me to Dixon Haywood. He was one hell of a sports player; football, baseball and wrestling. He was huge and overwhelming for most people. What most didn’t know is that Dixon was a nothing but a jokester and a great guy.
After College I took my place next to Grandfather and worked endless hours at his side. He was adamant that I learn and be a part of everything, something which thoroughly infuriated Uncle Henry.
My life was planned by Grandfather. Except for my personal life, where he didn’t have the same control. We fought about it endlessly. He even went as far as to set up meetings with prominent girls in our social circle, attempting to make me a one woman man with a purposeful relationship. When I would bed these girls and leave them, Grandfather finally gave up. Though, he never held back his disapproval.
I followed his business plan. The rest of my life is mine.
Chapter One
Memories
Aidan
Hearing my phone ring on a Saturday morning, I looked up to the nightstand clock. Nine in the damn morning was not a welcome wakeup time. I groaned and reached for my phone.
"Hello," my greeting muffled by a pillow.
"Are you still fucking sleeping?" Oscar barked. "Christ, Aidan, it’s after nine in the morning."
"You’re the one that had me out all night." I rolled over to my back, rubbing my face.
"Well get your ass up! We are playing some ball today and you need to join us, so wake the hell up and meet me outside of your building in thirty minutes," he ordered.
"Who is us?" I asked quickly before he hung up.
"A couple of the guys and a few I work with," he answered. "Now, get your ass moving. You have thirty minutes!" The phone went silent.
I groaned and headed to the bathroom. After taking a five-minute shower, long enough to rinse off and scrub some shampoo through my overgrown hair, I got dressed and went to the kitchen, grabbing a banana and some milk. I ate fast and chugged.
My cell phone pinged. Oscar.
I’m waiting.
What a little bitch. Shaking my head, I grabbed my glove and cleats and headed out the door.
We arrived to the field and were greeted by familiar faces, including James. I was completely caught off guard when a large familiar guy appeared in the group.
"Dixon Haywood?" I grinned.
"Well if it isn’t Aidan fuck-em-n-leave-em Iverson!" He laughed.
"What are you doing here?" We clasped hands and shook. He was still as strong as ever.
"I work with this * over here," he pointed to Oscar.
"You’re a doctor?"
"Nope," he smiled widely. "I’m a nurse."
"Well, I didn’t see that one coming," I chuckled. "Get much shit for that?"
"Nah, I’m scary," he wiggled his brows. "Alright, bitches, it’s time to pulverize the other team." He waved for us to follow him out onto the field.
It was good to see Dixon again. We had lost track of each other after college. Once we beat the other team pretty decently, we sat around on benches drinking beer and catching up. Seems that Dixon had thought about becoming a doctor but, when he realized how much the nursing field could use a man his size and how much he loved doing it, he just went with it. I was envious of Oscar and Dixon; they got to choose their careers, their lives. They weren’t burdened with being an Iverson.
"Hey, we’re out of beer," Dixon frowned. "We should head to my place and watch the game. I’ve got plenty of beer there," he smiled and then looked at us for a response.
"Aidan?" Oscar raised his eyebrow to me.
"I think that I need a shower before I go anywhere," I laughed.
"Oh hell, you can shower at my place if you are that concerned about it," he grinned widely.