Our Sick Inheritance (editing)

Chapter 12 - Insurance

With his phone pressed to his ear Nate kept his voice low. He was standing in front of Colin's desk across the room in his office, but it was far enough away from the door that he wouldn't be easily overheard. Colin had dismissed Anna and Harmony shortly after Nate arrived, yet he locked the doors behind him in case they chose to intrude. The sound of the click made Colin flinch it was as loud as the cock of a gun. Started, Nate turn around before he returned his attention back to his caller. Suddenly the silent tones of the room felt dense. Colin wasn't sure who Nate was talking to, but he figured it was his girlfriend Kayleen by the way he held the phone further from his face. Colin would prefer not to ever be witness to their conversations, but Nate didn't mind. He was closer to his son than anyone else on earth and Nate had stood by his side since he was a teenager. Colin felt truly grateful for his devotion and care.

As for Anna which he hid things from, Colin wasn't sure what exactly was going through Anna's mind with the surprise he gave her of their island. He was just happy she had gone to her room with a lot to think about and wasn't screaming at him instead.

"Yes, I will be there by New Years. I'm actually leaving here soon." Nate said not glancing up from Colin's desk that he was staring at.

"Yes, I'll be there to kiss you I promise. It's been a long week and you drove all day so get some sleep. I'll wake you up from your nap with a wonderful treat." Nate said.

As he headed towards the shelved wall that housed his favorite books, he couldn't help but glance towards Nate who was still staring at his desk. Colin made a mental note not to hold his son from his plans for too long. He was glad he had all the papers ready for Nate to do nothing more than sign.

"But if memory serves me well, I think I won a bet that promised me a night of peace and quiet, so we can send out wishes for a great year, together, alone." Nate looked up and glared at the books that stood on the shelves in front of Colin.

Colin was doing all he could to tune Nate out. He pulled out a book he wanted to read later and started to study the print on the inside of the jacket cover but didn't read a word. He could feel Nate's eyes on him, however Colin refused to look at him until he got off the phone.

Kayleen pretty much ran Colin's California resort. She did a great job because she was a good actress and proficient. Their relationship was private for Nate made sure it was all professional at work so there were any favoritism problems. Even though he kept Kayleen in his bed, Colin was sure Nate would fire her if she tried to steal money from his resort or ran her own crew in front of him.

Nate's girlfriend was liked more by Nate than anyone in the family. Anna and Harmony hated Kayleen because they thought she was fake, annoying, and bossy. Colin didn't blame them, he didn't care much for her either, but she was Nate's girlfriend for the last two years, so they were obligated to try. Before Kayleen, the girls had controlled Nate until they got into trouble. It was better than having a big brother because it made the girls feel important to have a body guard.

When Kayleen started to take up more of Nate's time, she started to take the role of mother with the two teenage girls and neither one of them were having it. Kayleen had put herself between Anna and Harmony's every visit which is why they stopped wanting Nate to escort them anywhere. Without reservations the girls had made their opinion about Kayleen known and Colin could see it upset Nate. This was not something he wanted his son to feel. The last thing he wanted to do was push Nate away and since he was devoted to Kayleen, so Colin made it clear to the girls to be polite in her presence or he was going to take away their beauty treatments. It didn't matter what the girls' opinion of Kayleen was because it was Nate's decision to be with her. As family everyone needed to be respectful. His own thoughts were hidden constantly about Kayleen especially when he was around her devious form. Each time Colin wondered why Nate wanted that woman then thoughts of Tessa filled his head like tar choking the road and he shut the train of thoughts off immediately.