Chapter 3 3

♠ Austin Hames ♠

I had expected my mom to be elated so it wasn't a surprise when she'd thrown me into a tight mama bear hug as soon as I walked into the house.

Nor was I surprised to see my dad just sitting on the couch, devoid of any expression, while he stared at the newspaper he was obviously not reading.

No one needed to tell me what was running through his mind, because that was what was obviously going on in every other person's mind.

"I've missed you so much." Mom said for like the umpteenth time since I got here.

All I did was nod, because truthfully, I couldn't continue with the same reply of 'same here'.

"You've been gone for four years and you're not acting like you missed us one bit." Katie crossed her arms over her chest.

Since I wasn't sure how to reply to that, I just offered her a small smile, watching her shake her head.

Now that they were both done with their greetings, everywhere went silent.

I didn't need anyone to tell me it was time to greet my dad, Chris Hames.

With a throat clear, I sauntered towards him. "It's been long,"

His gaze lifted from the newspaper. "I don't know if you expect me to be blissed out at the sight of my son coming back for Christmas."

The way he said it made me feel like some kind of prodigal son or whatever.

But I didn't respond, giving him room to continue. "Still, you're home single because of whatever you claim to be doing where you're not going to see a potential wife."

Now, the topic that was always discussed whenever I got back home.

It wasn't coming as a surprise. In fact I'd expected it, and so my reply had been prepared.

The same I always gave every time he brought up the conversation.

I was way too busy to focus on a stable relationship, but they didn't care about that.

All they wanted was for me to get married.

Especially after my what happened with my previous fiancee.

"Li-"

"I know what you're going to say." He cut me off, dropping the newspaper beside him on the couch. "You're too busy to date and you're still young."

He scoffed. "Enough of that b*llsh*t already. You said that three years ago and the year before."

I had to resist the urge to roll my eyes at how dramatic he was being at the moment.

"You know," he continued, seeming oblivious of how uninterested I was in this conversation, "I had you when I was your age."

He was going to start telling the story he always told whenever I arrived.

"Which meant I was married a year before that and had been dating four years before so-"

"Dad please, I just came from the airport and I'm too exhausted for this conversation." I cut him off, knowing if I didn't, he could talk for hours and not care about how tired I was.

His brows pulled in dissatisfaction. "Do you still plan on playing basketball after your six month break?"

I ignored the irritated edge in his tone.

He had never liked the fact I had decided to become a basketball player when I'd graduated as the best graduating student in business and finance.

But being a basketballer didn't mean I didn't want to take over my dad's company.

I mean, I'm the only successor to the company (since Katie had said she wasn't interested in business), so I'd be dumb to not want it.

"It depends on how my ankle heals." Though I was starting to fear it might not be soon enough.

At least I had a second option of the company and all, so that was what I'd focus on.

"You'll never have a girlfriend," he stared ahead, his face becoming expressionless, "which means you'll never have a wife and you won't give me a successor."

My brows drew in confusion. "What are you saying?"

He leaned back against the couch, crossing his leg over his knee. "Since you might end the company's name without offering it an heir, I've decided to give the company to someone who would."

"Huh?"

"I realized that for as long as you're a player, you'll never get a girlfriend and so I'll give it to your cousin, Justin."

With that, my body tensed and my jaw hardened.

Justin Andrew was just a year younger than I was and was undeniably the one person I hated the most.

Although we were cousins, we certainly didn't share that type of family love.

While my dad owned a company, his dad owned one that was just a little lower than mine, and that obviously infuriated him a lot.

If dad was to give him the company, that'd ruin my life.

Not only would I end up jobless after retirement, but I'd also give him a reason to be better than I was.

And that was going to be terrible.

"You can't do that." My fist clenched, trying to suppress the irritation boiling in my blood.

"Yes, I can." He turned to me, still maintaining the indifferent expression. "I'm supposed to be retired at my age, but because of who my son is, I'm here still working to my bones waiting for you to retire."

"Justin is ready to take over your position," he continued, only fueling my anger, "and he's my nephew and also really trustworthy."

"You can't do it." I repeated through gritted teeth.

"If you're able to have a girlfriend," he quickly added, "a stable relationship of at least a year, then I'll let you have the company but look at you."

He shook his head. "You don't even have anyone so how can I trust that you'll have a successor.

"I've made up my mind that you'll stay single, so I'm giving the company to Justin."

And he did sound like he'd made the decision after much contemplating.

There was nothing I could say that'd change his mind. Even if I promised to have a girlfriend, he still wouldn't listen.

Except...

I drew in a breath, relaxing my shoulders and releasing my hands from the fist.

"I wanted to say this to you later, but I guess I'll have to say it now," with that, curious gazes turned to me, "I have a girlfriend."