become a bit of a family tradition since she came along. I don’t mind it. I’ve always liked Diana. She married my father seven years ago and she’s proved to be a sweet woman. This morning I’ve stopped by to disappoint her. I’ll be absent from the breakfast table. I figured I’d deliver the news in person.
Diana is coming down the spiral staircase as I round the corner into the living room. Her face lights up when she sees me. Diana is a pretty woman with blonde hair that she always has in an elegant updo and warm brown eyes that twinkle when she smiles. She’s always well put together even in the house. She’s twenty years younger than my father. I love Dad but I’ve often wondered what a nice young woman like Diana sees in him. He can be a miserable, controlling lord of the manor at times… all the time.
“Bryce. You’re about two hours early for breakfast. Are you that hungry?” There goes the twinkle in her eyes. I assess her carefully. The twinkle isn’t quite as bright this morning, however and her smile seems a little strained.
I chuckle and walk into her open arms to give her a peck on the cheek. “I’m afraid I’ve come to disappoint you, Diana.”
“Oh no. You’re not staying?”
“I’m afraid not. Something important came up.” There was no way I was going to turn down an invitation from Abby. My heart practically galloped out of my chest with excitement when she extended the offer for breakfast at her place. I’m going to her place already, after one date. After she pretty much told me to get lost many times before that date. I’ve made more progress than I ever dreamed I would so soon.
Diana eyes me curiously. “Is everything okay?”
“Everything is amazing.”
“Amazing, huh?”
I grin down at her. She’s waiting for me to spill the reason for my chipper mood. I can’t. Not yet. It isn’t that I don’t want to share with her. I know she’ll be happy I’ve met someone. It’s my father who’s the problem. If the tyrant finds out that I’m seeing someone who doesn’t vacation on secluded islands or party on fancy yachts, he’ll be livid. Basically, he wants me to marry someone from our social class. The only exception is the chief of police’s daughter, Charlie. I’ve been dodging Dad’s attempt at matchmaking for months. I don’t know what his new obsession is with getting me and Chief Traverse’s daughter together.
I’m about to tell Diana bye and be on my way when I hear footsteps coming our way. My hope that it’s my stepsister, Holly, vanishes when Dad appears. Michael Marshall, the mayor of Oak Valley is an imposing figure in his mid-fifties. He’s held up alright over the years. The only significant sign of his age is his salt and pepper hair, which is still full and luxurious. I always assumed he’d age horribly considering that he’s always miserable. The scowl on his face has been there since I was born. At least I know I have good genes. I look a lot like my father, but I have my mother’s eyes.
“Bryce, my boy. What are you doing here so early? You’re here all the time. You might as well move back in.
“No thanks Dad. This place isn’t big enough for the both of us.”
“What are you talking about? There are three floors.”
Yes, but his ego takes up about two and a half. No space for a long-suffering son who wants to live his own life, away from his controlling parent’s ruling thumb. “My place is just fine.”
He doesn’t seem pleased. I don’t have time for a discussion about possibly moving back into the family mansion, so I turn to Diana. “I’ll see you later. Tell Holly hi for me.”
“You’re leaving already?” Dad asks.
“There’s somewhere I need to be.”
His brows pull together into a deep scowl. “What’s more important than family?”
I sigh. If he launches into another lecture about family duties, I’ll lose my fucking mind. I’ve been getting those lectures since before I hit puberty. I can recite verbatim a few of them. “Dad, I really have to go.”
“Hold on a minute. Did you give what I said any thought?”
“You say a lot of things, old man. You have to be more specific.” He hates it when I call him that. That’s why I make it my duty to call him that. There’s nothing I can do to hold back my smirk when he