“Good point,” he agrees and runs a hand through his hair. “Send a text with the town’s information and the date to Sophia. I’ll meet you in Baker’s Creek.”
“What about the funeral you suggested?”
He sighs. “I guess people are expecting that from me.”
I arch an eyebrow. “Which people?”
“Father and I haven’t spoken in years, but we ran in the same circles. Everyone knows I’m William’s child.” He rises from his seat and walks around. When he stops, he says, “I don’t want anyone I know there. Let’s do it in Baker’s Creek. We can make an excuse about the wake. Maybe something like, he only wanted us—his sons—present.”
“Sounds like a plan.” I agree and check my watch.
I’m all tapped out for today and my flight doesn’t leave until tonight. Maybe I’ll go to the airport, and while I wait for my flight, I can call the other four.
“Have the others agreed to see you?” he questions before I leave.
I shake my head. “None of them have answered my calls.”
“Who is next on your list?”
“Honestly, I don’t have an order, but we should contact Pierce,” I answer.
He scratches his chin. “Give me a second. I think Mills is in town.”
He pulls his phone closer, pushes a few buttons, and the speaker comes to life. The dial tone is the first noise heard, followed by some beeps.
“It’s Sunday,” an annoyed female voice answers the phone. “What do you need?”
“Where are the Orcas playing this weekend?”
“They’re at Madison Square Garden,” she answers screaming, “GO DEEP!”
“How do you know?”
“Because I’m here and you’re interrupting the game. You owe me a pair of tickets for the next home game, since you’re ruining it.”
“I’ll get you season tickets, Ms. Aragon,” he says, rolling his eyes, “If I ask you to call Stewart to ask him for a favor?”
“What do you need?” she grunts.
“I need a word with Mills.”
“Aldridge?” she asks curiously. “You told me you weren’t related.”
I arch an eyebrow, and he shrugs answering, “It’s complicated.”
“Well, your non-relative has been out for the season … no, no, fucker, the net is the other way.”
I can’t help but laugh. This woman is passionate about her hockey.
“So, he’s not here,” my brother confirms.
“He’s here, but not playing. If you’re related to him, get me an autograph, and I might forgive you for breaking the rules.”
“Well, I might have to live without your forgiveness, won’t I?” He says and hangs up the phone.
“Do you have his number?” he asks me.
I try it, and the call goes to voicemail.
Fucker 2: Mills, I’m in New York. Can we meet?
Mills: No, I don’t give a fuck if the old man is dying.
Fucker 2: HE DIED YESTERDAY. Henry and I need to speak to you.
Mills: Where do you want to meet?
“Where can we meet?” I ask Henry.
“I have work to do,” he responds.
“I’ll ask him to come here. In the meantime, order some food,” I request.
Fucker 2: Here are the details. How soon can you arrive?
Mills: I’m on my way. Apparently, the fact that my old man died gives me a pass to leave the arena early. Lucky me.
Four
Hayes
Dad was a moving body. His home base was Baltimore, where he shared a place with his wife and newborn, me. He traveled every other week to New York, but while he was doing business with the Merkel Hotels and Spas, he was also sharing his life with Debra Merkel—and Henry.
Needless to say, the Merkels trusted him. Mom’s theory is that they were hoping to fuse both families—through marriage. He was working his way to become the CEO of Aldridge Enterprises while managing some of the Merkels’ acquisitions. During those deals, they wanted to buy a resort in Aspen, and they sent Dad to close the deal.
He closed the deal and also hooked up with their Colorado lawyer, Sara Bryant. During the process, he acquired a brewery too. His excuse to return to Colorado. Hence, he had to buy a house in Denver and establish yet another residence. It had nothing to do with business and a lot to do with his new mistress and his son, Pierce.
And then, we were three.
So, while we wait for Mills, Henry suggests contacting Pierce. Even though they don’t get along, he knows how to reach out to him. According to Henry, he is one of the partners at Bryant LLP, which is the Pierce family’s firm. I can’t believe they still handle the Merkel’s hotels in Colorado. Instead of calling him, Henry sets a video conference.
His hair is jet black, his nose has a small hook on the bridge, but he has the same green eyes we all share. He has a fucked-up temper like Henry. I guess we all do. And just like me, he doesn’t want to do shit with our father or his inheritance. He claims to be too busy to deal with any family affairs.
He doesn’t specify if it’s Aldridge family affairs or any family in general. Do any of us stop working to be around our families?
I love Mom, and yet, I haven’t taken any time off to visit her in Sweden.
“You’re not the only one who has to work,” Henry says, squeezing a stress ball. “I get it, Pierce. You don’t give a fuck about him—me neither. However, we have to at least see this through and close that chapter.”
“So what if you miss a weekend at the slopes,” I say, as I look at the snow mountains behind him. “Where are you? Aspen?”
“My life isn’t any of your business,” he says. “Baker’s Creek is a place I would rather avoid. I don’t want to attend his funeral. Who cares about his last wishes? He never cared about any of my wishes. Nothing he leaves me is worth the trouble.”
The door to the office opens; it’s Mills. He’s a couple of inches taller than me, and he’s the blonde of the family.
“Great, fucker one and two are here,” he says. “We’re having a fucking family reunion. Where are the rest?”
“Who is that?” Pierce asks.
Henry moves the monitor, so he can see Mills. “Oh, the jock. I heard your career is over. You should be the one taking on Aldridge Enterprise and Dad’s assets. Aw, you can be just like Daddy.”
“It’s not fucking over, fucker number three.” His voice makes the entire room vibrate. “I'll be back next season.”
“Original, you know. We do all have actual names. Fucker has nothing to do with them. But what can I expect from you, a stupid jock?”
Mills is smart, but he grew up in Vancouver, Canada, where hockey is a religion and not just a sport. The guy knew how to skate almost at the same time he learned how to walk. It’s understandable that growing up in such a culture he’d end up playing hockey.
“Can you two stop the nonsense? You’re grown men,” Henry orders.
It’s always been like this between them. I guess it’s because they’re only a few months apart. Daddy didn’t stay in Colorado long enough. I’d like to blame the Merkels for trusting him to work in their best interest. Dad acted in his own interest. The deal in Vancouver fell through, but Marie Tremblay became part of his life, giving him son number four.