Chapter 2

Jim

Another meeting. I left one to fly and come to another. It had been a while since I've been back in Minnesota though. The place where I grew up and always had considered home. Well at least what feels like a lifetime ago it did. The truth was me and my family had outgrown the midwest and even though the memories were always pleasant it didn't quite feel like home anymore. My two kids were scattered over the globe. Brandon had made a name for himself in Washington and he was accomplishing all the things I knew he would. Brenda had surprised me. I've always been proud of my daughter but she also had the tendency to drive me insane. She was a fighter, stubborn and we were so much alike in that aspect, we butted heads a lot. But even after all the drama with her on and off, she was doing brilliantly. She had found something that she truly enjoyed, had lived overseas in London for six years on her own. She had an amazing resume and our little Brenda shined bright under those stage lights. Both my kids were always destined for great things. I would have risked it all to help them get there.

When Cindy and I relocated to Hong Kong it was great for awhile. Sometimes we felt like college kids again. Kids out of the house, with a move that big there wasn't room for empty nest. When I got the call to run things in LA, it was an offer I couldn't refuse. Cindy had hoped I was on my way towards retirement but truthfully I had waited what seems like a lifetime to be more than the middle man. So when this unreal promotion practically fell in my lap, we were moving to Beverly Hills like we had done so long ago. It was hard to believe I had power now, millions of dollars, two incredible kids and a wife I still can't stop staring at.

Earlier in LA I had dreaded that board meeting. As I walked down the long corridor, watching employees scurry around me with fear. I don't know when I had become this man. It happened without me really even trying. I had always been a good business man. I knew that, at times I was overlooked, but when I took over things in Hong Kong things had really turned around. It was brutally competitive and I quickly learned how to be a shark in infested waters. As I began walking to the boardroom, the persistent throbbing inside my head refused to leave, all because I was about to encounter the one man I've been avoiding for the last four years.

Dylan McKay.

As I entered the room, I kept my gaze to myself and took a seat at the opposite end of the table. To distract me from being in the same room as him, with intent of focusing on our agenda. As soon as I had sat down my phone rang, Brenda's name appearing on the screen.

With reluctance, I answer, dreading the call if this is what I think it is.

"Hey dad."

"Hello, now is not a good time," I quickly tell her, keeping my tone neutral, aware all eyes are on me and everyone is listening.

"I know it must be your daytime, and you're at work, but dad," she hesitates, only confirming my fears. "Please, it'll only take a moment."

I don't say anything, listening for the words I'd been dreading since the day she was born.

"Dad, Austin proposed."

I close my eyes, torn between my only daughter getting married and my approval of the union. I only approved when he asked me for her hand in marriage because the kid will treat her well, and somewhere in the back of my mind, I know just how hard it is to find a person with honorable intentions. He has a strong head on his shoulders, respects my authority, and he's studying to be a doctor. He comes from a wealthy family in England that have royal blood down the lines and from what I have seen, he's been good to my daughter.

Austin said he would only propose marriage with the blessing from Cindy and me because he understands the importance of family and would never want to jeopardize Brenda's relationship with us.

Unlike others in this very room.

He loves Brenda and promises her a life full of stability and love. How could I say no to that?

"Congratulations." Is all I say.

"I know dad. It's a lot to take in. Do you think we can talk about it when you're free? I know the time change is rough but I had to tell you. I love you."

"I love you too."

I hang up the phone, my eyes lifting to meet Dylan. He has aged a little, sporting a beard of all things. Even as I look at the man before me, I still see that little shit of a bad boy. Earring in his ear, motorcycles, Porsche speedster and leather jackets. I still see the boy who made my little girl feel things deeply way to early for my liking. The boy who at one time I even looked at like another son. The ones that stole her innocence and almost got her pregnant. Also the same boy who ripped my little girls heart out and dated her best friend. The boy who is a cheat and a liar like his old man. Drugs and alcohol, no matter how much I put that aside and tried to give him a chance he always proved me right every single time. He wasn't good enough for my Brenda.

His stare is penetrating, full of contempt. I am the one who stopped things from going any further with my daughter that second go around, if I hadn't who knows where Brenda would be. Dealing with an addict, probably married, maybe a kid by now. In this awful on and off, who knows. He blames me, that much is clear. Perhaps I would also act the same if someone tried to get in the way of Cindy and me. But Dylan can blame himself too, I didn't act alone for no good reason.

It's been a while since I've last seen him, only passing at corporate events. We never breathed a word to each other, and I did my best to stay away from him.

When he got married, I thought finally, he's put Brenda and Kelly for that matter behind him. Then tragically that ended. Another ramification of being Jack McKay's son by the way. I felt sorry for the kid to be honest. He had seen a lot of trauma for someone his age and I wasn't surprised to hear he up'd and left. I was also not surprised that he ran to her. They had always had this force between them. This connection that scared the crap out of me when Brenda was 16…17…and on. But I kept my feelings quiet. One year turned into two…two turned into three and before I knew it Dylan and Brenda had been living together in London, playing house. Then what he did in that third year is still unforgivable in my eyes. He took an innocent girl, broke all our trust, and for what? He broke her once in high school, then he almost ruined her.

My mind begs not to remember the night of the accident. The call we received telling us our daughter had been admitted into the hospital with a broken arm and a concussion. The panic from the unknown and the possibility we could lose her. All these events stemmed from his demons, his drinking his utter disregard for his own safety and life. This time it wasn't us giving Dylan an intervention, he was taking my daughter down with him. I'm glad she walked away. And I did what I had the power to do from my side and was equally relived Dylan chose his money and freedom over her. I didn't have to do much. Dylan had gotten his money a long time ago but what people didn't know was when he was living in London with Brenda, he made me in charge of it again. Wanted to make sure he was okay for a while, wanted to make sure he wouldn't blow the whole thing. So as the nurse told me Brenda claimed she was driving that car, Dylan only held for a couple hours with minor injuries with a blood alcohol level well over the legal limit. I knew I had to do something. Dangling jail time and seizing his account if he didn't leave her alone. Leave her to live her own life, not drag her down to his pathetic level. It seemed like an easy choice for him. My daughter on the other hand, took a little bit more convincing but with the loss of Toni and his addictions, it didn't take as much as I would have thought either. Don't get me wrong I wasn't an idiot. I knew that boy loved my daughter, he may have married someone else but there wasn't a doubt in my mind that if Brenda had come home after that summer from London, he would have never met Toni. That fateful night cleared any sympathy I once had for the boy. He could have killed my daughter and my time for feeling sorry for Dylan McKay was over.

The meeting starts with the same old agenda. Jensen dragged matters longer than necessary, barely giving anyone a chance for input. Dylan made a few points, all of which were valid though I did not acknowledge nor converse with him on any matters.

Time dragged and out of boredom, my eyes lazily fall onto my phone screen, where I see a notification from Brandon, of all people. He almost never posted anything. On his post he shared what looks like Brenda's neighbors post, Anna. It's a picture of the ring and a caption saying look at that…I'm getting a brother. Congrats sister!

It's official. It's gone viral. It would only be a matter of time before everyone found out, including the man sitting across the table from me. I send Cindy a quick text.

Me: I got the call. It's official.

Cindy: Yes, it is. How do you feel?

Me: I don't know.

Cindy: How is the meeting going with Dylan there?

Me: Thankfully uneventful, I'm going straight from here to the airport, I'll call you when I'm in my hotel in Minneapolis.

In a single glance, my focus is pulled across the room. The force is strong, like a gust of wind before the storm. Dylan's attention is on his phone. For a moment, his body freezes mid-movement as his upper lip curls back.

Then, his expression shifts. The vein on his forehead pops, and his muscles tighten around his face and neck. Baring his teeth practically, his fingers tap fast against his phone with urgency. And suddenly, his eyes shut momentarily, breathing ragged until they snap open.

"Are we done, gentlemen?" He grits, barely able to control his anger.

Everyone appears confused by his outburst, remains silent. Grabbing his phone, he pushes his chair out and rises, storming toward the door until I call his name.

Dylan's body stiffens, the grip on the doorknob tight. His hand falls off the silver handle, and at a slow and agonizing pace, he turns around with an unnerving stare. There is tension in his jaw. His chin held high with a pinched mouth. He loathes me, this much I knew. And I'm certain his resentment runs deep just as mine does.

When Dylan left London, he came back here with his money as promised and who was driving that car he never admitted but he came back to Beverly Hills an addict. He struggled but got clean, he started this business and needed financial backing. He was supposedly with Kelly again, something I heard from Brandon's broken heart and trying to be a better person. My company helped Dylan build his company into a billion-dollar empire. And this is how he repays me.

"Leave her alone." I demand, my equally penetrating stare as hard, "It's over."

Not a single blink, nor flinch. His silence speaks a thousand words.

As is his exiting the room, a scorned man who just found out the game is officially over.

The penthouse suite at the Marriott is just as I remembered. Oversized, especially when you're all alone. I remove my jacket, then yank my tie off and pour myself a much needed drink. It's been a long day, one I would like to forget.

With my drink in hand, I sit on the plush white sofa and call Cindy.

"Hello there. How's good old Minnesota?"

I chuckle softly, "Remind me again how I managed to live here for so long? It's snowing outside."

"What's new?" She retorts, a small laugh following. "I guess you don't want to hear about the blue skies?"

"Don't make me jealous," I threaten in amusement. Taking a deep breath, I tilt my head to each side, trying to ease the tension in my shoulders. "Speaking of jealousy, we need to talk about something which happened today."

"You said it was uneventful, what happened?" She says concerned.

"Dylan knows."

Cindy takes a deep breath, a long winded sigh accompanying it. "It was bound to happen. You can't hide these things forever. So how did he take it?"

"How do you think?"

"If he is anything like I remember him to be, I'd say not well."

"He stormed out of the meeting," I say, my voice low.

"He's hurt."

"It's been four years, Cindy."

"Jim." Cindy breathes, but much like me, we're both lost for words. "Feelings that strong, don't just disappear," she maintains, always an advocate for love. "Everyone grieves the end of a relationship differently."

"Brenda has moved on?" I quiz, failing to see her point. "So why hasn't he?"

"I don't doubt Brenda's love for Austin, but I also remember what it's like to lose love, to force the pain away. If that meant saying yes to another man…"

"What are you trying to say?" I interrupt her. "She is only doing this to forget Dylan exists?"

"No, I'm not saying that but it was her first love Jim. You don't just forget it. When we had that fight in college, remember, we broke up and I started dating Adam." I growled, so yeah maybe time doesn't heal all wounds. "I'm just saying that's what I did. Thankfully you came to your senses. In the end, Brenda, will follow her heart. If she said yes to Austin, she must see a future with him."

"And if Dylan is anything like me, which you like to remind me often, he will go back to London and fight for what is his." I argue back. Cindy has an annoying habit of reminding me how both Dylan and I are strong willed, stubborn, hot headed, prideful and loyal.

"Jim honey, you have to let her choose who she loves. You cannot make that decision for her," Cindy reminds me sternly. "The first time you stepped in, we almost lost her, she moved out, wouldn't speak to us. Then…this last time, we almost lost her again. I will not lose my daughter because you think she deserves better."

I know that. Brenda is headstrong and will fight for what she wants. She's stood up against me more times than I can count. I guess she got that argumentative gene from me.

Four years is a long time. But out of sight, out of mind. Brenda appears happy, her life back together. I don't believe she would say yes if she didn't want a future with Austin.

My phone pings with a text message.

"Hold on honey, let me read this message."

Richard: Dylan has scheduled his return to London, with an open ended ticket for this coming weekend. He's asking for a leave of absence. What do you want me to tell him?

I pull back the phone back to my ear as my lips press together in a slight grimace. My eyes shut to allow myself to reflect on our conversation about Brenda, but just when I attempt rationally, my anger comes roaring back to life.

"Is everything okay dear?"

"He is going to London."

"Jim, leave him be," she almost pleads. "Let the chips fall where they may."

"He will not touch our daughter again." I demand, clenching my fist against my knee.

"Hmm my dad said that about you at one time. But look at you now? He loves you."

"I've always liked your father. I will not change my mind on this."

"You're stubborn," Cindy concedes. "Jim, we can't lose her. She's going to have to make these choices for herself. Just like I made. You know my father loved Adam."

I let out an annoyed huff, Cindy is always the sensible decision-maker between us. More than I care to admit, I let my temper and feelings get in the way, especially when my daughter is involved.

"Why do you like him so damn much?"

Cindy voice smiles, "Dylan isn't a bad guy Jim. He never has been. Sure he's made mistakes, he hasn't always picked the straight and arrow but he's always respected you…well until you tried to ruin his life twice."

"Cindy…he drove our daughter drunk and crashed." I say in between clenched teeth.

"You don't know that…Brenda said she was driving. Dylan was just as devastated about that crash as we were. He loves her Jim. There has been no closure."

"I would say saying yes to another mans proposal is closure."

"I know…but if Dylan needs to hear it in person than there isn't anything you can do. Dylan is successful and has his life together now. You can't judge the man he's become on the mistakes he's made."

"Why do you have to be so damn right all the time?"

"Because I'm your wife and you love me." She says lightheartedly.

"I miss you." I breathe.

"I miss you too."

"See you tomorrow night. Love you."

"I love you too."

We hang up and I take a deep breath. My mind whirling around about this whole thing. When I said I didn't think Brenda would do that, say yes to someone just to forget about someone else. I'm suddenly reminded when she said yes to Stuart Carson, on a damn whim, after 3 weeks of dating. She is impulsive. Melodramatic and stubborn as hell. So I do the only thing I know how. I call her, congratulate her like I should have earlier on the phone and surprise her and Austin with first class tickets to LA this weekend so we can properly celebrate. If my plan works. Dylan will be on his way to London and Brenda and her new fiancé will be on their way to LA.

Oh Jim. This will probably be the only time we see into Jim's head (I think). As you can see, he really is a meddling shit head. BUT his reasons do make sense. Look at Dylan season 9 and picture him in London with Brenda. Would you want that self destructing Dylan anywhere near your daughter? And is it fair to say Dylan's guilt from the accident, whether he was driving or not, Brenda knowing that he's hit bottom would be a reason to break up? More will unfold with that back story but the plot thickens. Leave me some love. I'm working on What happens in Vegas right now. There is two chapters left and I would like to finish it off. Review my loves! Please with two scoops of butter pecan with BD on top!