Be My One Regret

be my 1 regret / 24

THE DEVIL DOES GO DOWN TO GEORGIA....and brings his twin with him....

I sit awestruck. Literally. Dumbfounded that in a matter of months, my venture to attain my own individuality in the work world was taking another hit. My stunned head aches and threatens to split in two from the latest breaking news. Like a dump truck just ran me over. 

 "What the hell do you mean my dad is suing Townsend Jones?"

Standing behind me, Tanner massages my shoulders. "Baby, girl, relax. It's not as bad as it sounds."

Tucker's eyes dart from mine to Tanner's with severe fierceness. "Seriously? You're trying to candy coat this with her? Her dad is threatening to collapse our family business. That's your livelihood, dear brother. If it's taken away, who's gonna pay for your car? Or apartment? Or your anything?"

Something like guilt nudges in my chest. It wasn't the first attempt for my dad to try a hostile take over on Townsend Jones. There'd been many over the years. Obviously, unsuccessful. But still attempts. Messy ones. Heated ones. Aggressive ventures that had only led to more hatred between my dad and the Jones family. The Jones' were old money and were excellent at flaunting their effortless capability to own everything. My dad, however, was new money. And there was nothing wrong with that. He worked hard and earned it. Climbing his way from stock holder to company owner. Proving it constantly with his daring, ruthless tactics. Buying companies and properties. Just like our family home next to the Jones' compound. It was his way to piss them off. Which it did. But after 30 years of his ground breaking strives to capture and control thousands of lucrative capital, it still was nothing in comparison to the Jones'. They still could do no wrong. Strong arming their way thru a vast compilation of oil, motor industry, and future technology. Leaving nothing untouched in between. Townsend Jones was a force. A reckoning one. Thus keeping up with the Jones' had become a thorn in my dad's side. But with every year that had passed, it was becoming more than just 'keeping up', it was morphing into an ugly obsession. Not that he ever spoke out loud about it, but it was there. I knew it. Sensed it. Especially after my mom died when I became friends with the enemy's sons. And worse, getting pregnant by one. My failure pushed him harder. Drove his constant goal deeper, steadier. My dad wanted to be on top. No matter what. And the Jones family was the only thing from preventing that pinnacle being reached. It had been elusive. Like a unicorn. Until now. My dad had finally found a loop hole. And he was taking it. Which once again, he was testing my loyalty.

Damn it. I hate this. This was not gonna end well. I can feel it.

My brain welts from the rough punches, and  I rub my hands down my face. "I'm sorry guys. But I don't see why you're telling me any of this. You know my dad has tried this before. This is nothing new."

"Except that he might actually succeed this time." Tucker's strong jaw tightens even more. Frustration and wrath squeezing the tension under his skin. Even as he slouches into the couch, he looks vexed but afraid. And it's odd the somber in his demeanor as his green eyes warily slip to mine. "You need to talk to him. You need to fix this. And I know he'll listen to you."

The half-plea, half-demand tramples over me. Pushing. Penetrating. And problematic. I shift uncomfortably forward in my overstuffed leather chair out of the comfort zone of Tanner's warm hands on my shoulders. He takes no offense as he leans over me for a quick kiss on the cheek before rounding my side and sitting on the other side of the couch. Tucker on the left. Tanner on the right. It's a mind fucking moment. And as the terrible twins cross their one leg over their knee and stare at me with pensive expressions, I'm gripped by the ball wrecking emotion that knocks thru me.

Our uncommon friendship suddenly feels one sided. Like it's all up to me to save everyone. And I hate the allegiance for whom I love more that hangs in the balance. Because even though my dad and I weren't the best of father-daughter scenarios, I still weirdly loved him. He was after all, my dad. And the only parent I had left.