Page 31 of The Tempo of Truth (The Monsters Duet #3)
Winnie
My house was quiet when I finally made it home.
I arrived alone after repeated attempts to get Ky to come back with me.
He refused on the grounds that he didn’t want to accidentally bump into my Uncle Win while dressed like a gigolo.
I thought he was being childish until I heard Helio tease him about looking like he was ready to debut as a professional wrestler.
Since neither of us wanted to explain why he was running around the city without a shirt on to our son, we parted ways at the hotel entrance, and I hurried home, hoping to catch Lowe still awake.
I was a bit envious that he stayed asleep and hardly moved while my uncle was his babysitter.
Then again, I remembered being scared of getting in trouble with the stern and stoic man.
Winchester Halliday was the sort of figure who made you want to act right and stay off his bad side no matter what.
I followed the faint scent of cigar smoke to the terrace where Lowe’s mini soccer field was set up.
My uncle had made himself at home, sitting in my favorite chair, head tilted back so he could look at the stars while he puffed away on the expensive tobacco and swirled a glass of whiskey in his hand.
Even with him being retired, he was still a Halliday, and leisure time was rare.
I’d rarely seen him look so relaxed and at ease.
I threw my clutch and matching heels into my bedroom and changed out of my very wrinkled clothes.
A hint of guilt crept underneath my skin as I tossed my torn stockings in the trash and looked at the lingering red spots scattered across my chest and between my thighs.
I was an obedient teenager when he raised me.
He never had to worry about me sneaking out of the house or doing anything that would shame the Halliday name.
My grandmother’s harsh lessons were too difficult to unlearn, meaning I never gave him a hard time, even with my Aunt Channing encouraging me to live my life more like a normal teenager.
Tonight was the first time I’d come home late with no explanation after causing a ruckus that was most definitely going to rattle the longstanding view of who the Hallidays were supposed to be.
I stepped outside after changing into loose sweatpants and my favorite old jersey.
Win offered to pour me a drink, but I declined.
The gin martinis from the bar were still floating around in my system.
“Sorry, I’m late. You could’ve kept Lowe at your place with the kids.
You didn’t have to bring him over here and stay until I got home.
He sleeps better with his cousins close by, anyway.
He’s been having bad dreams about school starting. ”
The very handsome older man shrugged, indicating that putting Lowe down in his own bed for the night was no problem.
“That’s why I brought him home. No one can avoid the things that make them uncomfortable forever.
He needs to adjust to being in his own bed and treat sleepovers next door as a special treat.
Besides, I don’t hate having an hour of quiet time every now and then.
Your aunt has been obsessed with some reality TV shows lately.
I can’t tell what it’s about other than there are a lot of people wearing minimal clothing while loudly trying to have sex with each other.
I don’t get the appeal at all.” He sipped on the glass of whiskey, eyes locked off somewhere far on the cityscape.
“Heard you put on quite a performance at the retirement event tonight. Do you think that’s appropriate behavior during someone else’s farewell party?
I know those old guys on the board of directors get under your skin, but they have nothing to do with an employee who was loyal to Halliday Inc.
for many years. If you can’t properly appreciate those who stick around through thick and thin, you’ll lose them to an employer who does. ”
I blinked slowly in horror. From the minute Oliver Byrd started trying to schmooze me and I heard all the annoying gossip coming from the surrounding guests, I totally forgot I was there to be the face of the company for someone who devoted their life to it.
I really had lost the plot and decided I was the main character.
Sometimes, acting my age really did end up biting me in the ass and proved that I still had a significant amount of maturing to do.
I sat in the lounge chair next to Win and sighed.
“I knew you were going to hear about what happened tonight. But I didn’t think it would get to you within mere hours.
” I pushed my hair out of my face and tilted my head back to look at the stars.
“I’ll personally apologize for my behavior to the retiree and offer a little something beyond his basic retirement package. ”
Win grunted his approval; I felt, rather than saw, him turn his head to look at me.
“I know you aren’t a kid anymore, Winnie.
You’ve done a brilliant job raising Lowe, and you’ve worked hard to prepare for the challenges you’re going to face as you move forward.
I don’t care if you drag Halliday Inc. through the mud or send all those grumpy board members into cardiac arrest. What I do care about is your well-being.
You’ve never been able to think straight around Kyser Kent.
Do you know what you’re doing where that man is concerned? ”
I turned my head to the side until our eyes met. His gaze was serious, and I could see deep concern for me between each blink.
“Hmm…I’ve always known when it comes to Ky.
” I’d been in love with him since I was a teenager, and nothing had changed.
“I want to be with him. I want Lowe to get to know his father. I want Ky to realize his life doesn’t have to be over just because he isn’t playing soccer anymore.
” I knew I was very greedy where Ky was concerned.
“Did you come home for the company or Ky?” Win’s tone held a touch of accusation.
I smiled at him, gently waving away a puff of cigar smoke that the breeze blew in my direction. “I came home because everything and everyone I love is here, and I want Lowe to finish growing up here.”
Win sighed heavily and asked, “How can you trust that guy, Winnie? You still don’t know if he conspired with your granddad to kidnap you.
Have you considered what you are going to do if someone else with money comes along and offers him a chance to get back into a club?
You’re doing business with corporations and families who have just as much money and influence as we do.
If they want Kent out of the picture because they think it’ll make you easier to deal with, what guarantee do you have that he won’t be swayed by whatever they offer him to leave?
I’d hate to see you and Lowe end up heartbroken because Kent chose his first love over you. ”
I pulled my legs up and wrapped my arms around them.
I wiggled my bare toes that dangled over the edge and quietly said, “That’s a risk I have to take.
For what it’s worth, I don’t think he will walk away from Lowe, regardless of the situation.
If he weren’t ready to have a relationship with his son, he would’ve never agreed to my ridiculous rule that he could only have contact with Lowe if he didn’t ask for money.
Do you know how rare it is to find someone willing to ignore a Halliday handout?
” I contemplated seriously before telling my uncle, “He picked his mother over his first love at a critical moment. I wouldn’t underestimate how much Ky values his loved ones. ”
Win chuckled. “I do know how rare it is to have someone in your life who isn’t interested in the family fortune. The reason I forced your aunt to marry me was because she didn’t want anything to do with any of my money or connections.”
I rested my cheek on my knee and stared at the man who raised me.
“I do hope Ky finds his way back onto a football field. I want the person I care about the most to get the chance to do what they love. But I won’t pave his way.
You did that for him the first time around, and it ended terribly.
He’ll have to figure it out on his own.”
Win arched his eyebrows and asked, “What do you love the most, Winnie?”
“Lowe and the rest of the family, obviously.” I smiled at him.
“I also love changing what it means to be a Halliday. You started the trend when you walked away and began using your inheritance and personal funds to bankroll major charity projects, and when you welcomed Uncle Alistair into the family, even though he’s only half Halliday.
And let’s not forget how majorly you shook things up when you married Aunt Channing.
Really, I’m just doing my best to follow in your footsteps.
I want the generation coming after me to see that they can succeed on their terms and that there is more to being a Halliday than living up to expectations that have been placed on us since the Revolutionary War. ”
Win set his glass down so he could reach out a hand and ruffle my hair. “If I don’t say it enough, I’m proud of you. Your aunt and I truly appreciate the young woman you’ve become. I trust your judgment on family matters and within the company.” He gave me a pointed look. “For the most part.”
“You’re worried about how reckless I act when it comes to Ky, aren’t you?” Tonight was a prime example of letting my desire overrule my common sense.