JAKE
BNR848
Disclaimer: The publicly recognized, and much beloved characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plots are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
CHAPTER 20
They'd celebrated well into the night. The sunburn forgotten, the need for sleep secondary. Though they'd gotten less than five hours of sleep, the next day both he and Emily had a bounce to their step. He had three more days of work before spring break and he could not wait.
He arrived at Marlowe Prep early. Made his way to the teacher's lounge, poured himself a cup of coffee and called his mother. She was ecstatic at the news, yet disappointed he had yet to tell his father. Jake understood she feared his father would feel left out, but assured her it would not be for long. He asked if she wanted to read the book; she declined. They would read it together she'd announced.
The rest of the week was a blur. Black Pawn had sent the contract to Blair and he had signed it on Thursday. He was now officially contracted to them for the rights to his book. Before he knew it the week-end was upon them. His scheduled lunch with Hudson was Saturday and he begged Emily to come along. She called him a baby and refused to accompany him. He and Hudson Palmer needed to talk without referees.
Hudson Palmer was two years older than the Castle twins. Rich, and good looking he'd lead a privileged life. But he'd met his match with the Castle brood. Lily Castle had beaten him up in sixth grade after he tried to kiss her. He'd gotten a black eye from Lily, a two day suspension from school, and a lecture from his mother he'd never forgotten. Though younger, the twins seemed to enjoy always getting in his way. Jake Castle in particular had relished being a thorn in his side. Truth be told, he had always been jealous. The twins were smart and funny. Lily was brilliant and stunningly beautiful. A close knit family, Rick and Kate were always there for them. His mother always made time, but his father could not be bothered.
It had all come to a head his senior year. Fancying himself a ladies man, he had planned to ask a pretty new sophomore to the winter formal and had made no secret about his plans. His elaborate scheme had fizzled when Jake Castle had beaten him to the punch. The girl had opted to go with Jake rather than him. He had felt humiliated. He had no doubt Jake had purposely sabotaged his plans. The rest of the school year he'd made it his mission to make Jake Castle's life a living hell.
Jake arrived at the snotty restaurant to find Hudson Palmer nursing a drink. Hudson waved him over and shook his hand.
"Before you say anything, my mother made the reservations."
Jake laughed, ordered a whiskey neat, and settled in. They'd never really been friends. Hudson had attended endless Castle birthdays parties and they'd gone to the same school, but friends they were not. The meeting felt forced and disingenuous. When the second drink arrived Hudson declared a truce.
"Jake, we can sit here and drink ourselves into a stupor or we can talk."
"Your mom wants us to work together. I'm not so sure that's possible. I really don't like you," declared Jake as he took a drink from his glass.
"Well, at least we can agree on something. I never liked you much either."
They were at a standstill. Nothing was going to get resolved.
"Look Jake, I promised my mother I would try to patch things up. I'm sorry I tormented you in high school. But you had it coming," asserted Hudson.
"Oh for Christ sake, I asked a girl to a dance!"
As they stared at each other then suddenly started laughing. Jake informed Hudson he'd dodged a bullet and he should have thanked him for avoiding the date. It turned out she was annoyingly talkative and spent all night on her phone. Hudson eventually apologized for the five months of torture he'd imposed. They shook hands agreeing to let bygone be bygones. Three hours and several drinks later they agreed to meet at Black Pawn Monday morning.
The week passed by in a flash. Emily used the time to catch up on her reading, while Jake spent most of his time at Black Pawn. He and Hudson had butted heads a few times but for the most part, Jake had to agree Hudson knew what he was doing. Hudson and Gina were still trying to convince him to publish under his name, but he was still hesitant. His argument held no water, Hudson explained. His true identity would be known and people were bound to think whatever they wished. Either way there would be no hiding the fact he was Richard Castle's son. His book would determine how good a writer he was, not his name.
Before long the end of May neared and with it Reece and Sydney's wedding day. The ceremony had been breathtaking. Held at the Tribeca Rooftop, the views were stunning. Sydney radiated beauty, and Reece pranced with pride at his lovely bride. Sydney's mother had outdone herself; every detail was seen to, nothing overlooked. Just before the bride and groom departed, Jake caught an exhausted Harold Wetherton talking to his father.
"Well Rick, I just spent $85,000 to make this official. Hell, they've been inseparable since junior high."
"Been there, my friend. But at least you only have one daughter. Kate's never been one for big shindigs but the day Lily gets married… Let me just say, good thing I'm rich," a laughing Castle declared.
As Jake sat there, in his new tuxedo and Italian leather shoes courtesy of his father, he knew the time was right. He'd felt awkward with Gina and Hudson at the wedding, knowing his father was the only family member not in the loop.
He walked around looking for his mother, finding her surrounded by Lanie, Lily, Alexis, Emily and an exhausted Charlie on her lap. He bent over, kissed her cheek and smiled.
"My little boy. You and Reece looked so handsome today. I haven't cried this much since you two graduated kindergarten," Kate declared.
"Well, that was a special occasion. Nothing like your children mastering the alphabet to render you to tears," he mockingly replied.
"Don't be a smartass Jake, your mom was being sweet," Emily added as she swatted him.
"Sorry. I just wanted to ask if it would be alright if we came over tomorrow for brunch. I'd like to talk to Dad." There was no need to explain. Alexis announced it was about time, and his mother kissed him.
The wedding had started at six, but they'd been up at the crack of dawn prepping and calming Reece down. At midnight they'd finally headed home, tired, tipsy and starving. Sunday he and Emily crawled out of bed at ten. They showered and while Emily dressed, Jake took the galley copy of his book, placed it in an envelope and sealed it. An hour later they were walking into his parents building.
"Well, well, well. You two look like you've been run over by a bus," a too cheerful Castle greeted at the door.
"Morning Dad."
"Your mother has forbidden me from making my world famous smorelette this morning. Something about too much win last night. I swear, you'd think you all were seventy," declared Castle.
"You're seventy-five Dad," corrected Jake.
"Details, details. What are you a mathematician?"
Jake placed the envelope down, joining his father in the kitchen. Emily and his mother sat viewing wedding pictures on their phones and revisited the prior day's events. They marveled at Sydney's gown and Mrs. Wetherton's wedding planning. The entire event had gone off without a hitch. Castle whipped up a delicious brunch to be enjoyed by all. Eventually, losing patience with her procrastinating son Kate spoke up.
"Babe, Jake needs to talk to you. Why don't you two move to your office, while Emily and I clean-up?" Kate and Emily stood, took the dishes and walked to the kitchen.
"Well, seems we've been given marching orders. Shall we?" Castle stood and headed towards his office.
Jake took the enveloped he'd placed on the counter and followed his father.
"Is everything okay Jake? Whatever it is son, you know your mother and I are here for you." A concerned Castle announced.
"I know Dad. This isn't anything bad, as a matter of fact it's a good thing. Actually, a great thing if you think about it." He was waffling.
Castle took a seat as Jake paced. He tightly clutched the envelope and pondered his words.
"Dad, I want to be a writer!"
"Why Jake that wonderful. You've always been a great story teller…" a smiling and prideful Castle declared.
"No, no what I mean is I am a writer."
A bewildered Castle looked at his son, noticing the thick envelope in his hands. Jake sat next to his father and pulled the pages out of the envelope.
"I've written a book. It's in its final editing stages. I know you're probably disappointed I didn't come to you, but I needed to do this on my own. I hope you understand. Just my luck it ended up on Black Pawns door. Gina read it and figured out it was me, I was using a different name. I signed with Black Pawn Dad, they now have two Castles under contract. Alexis helped me out with research; I asked her not to say anything. Lily, Reece and Lex already read a rough draft, they approved. I hope you do too. Mom hasn't read it. She's been after me to tell you." A contrite Jake confessed.
"Jake, I could never be upset at you wanting to make your own way in the world. Of course, I wish you'd let me help, but your mother and I raised you to be independent. I can' rightly be upset if you followed through with that. Son, I will always be proud of you. You four kids are my pride and joy. Now, are you going to let me read that?" Castle added as he pointed to the pages in Jakes hands.
Jake handed his book to his father, rose and walked towards the door.
"I'm gonna go help mom and Emily."
Rick took the manuscript and smiled, noticing the title page with the scratched off name and the hand-written Jake Castle. He turned the page, read the first few words and cried.
"Jackson Hunt was a spy; but his son was a hero."
THE END
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