Coastal Runaway (Coast to Coast #1)

Eight

eight

Luke

My father wasn’t thrilled about my average grades at Columbia, and he was even less thrilled that I would degrade myself by transferring to a school that wasn’t an Ivy League. Not that he called to tell me that, but I could tell by the lack of response to my email that he wasn’t pleased.

Yes. Email.

He was currently on a three-month long honeymoon with his newest twenty-five year old wife and often didn’t have cell service. At least, I told myself that’s why he didn't call.

You would have thought that the Chief Financial Officer of a leading company in the tech industry would have needed to be more available, but I guess not.

I learned at a young age that my father would never show love the way that Mr. Kelly loved his children. He grew up on the Upper East side in New York where old money spoke louder than words, and love was shown by paving the path to a successful future.

To Sean Cavan, you were only worth the power that you held and the dollar signs in your bank account. He refused to even invest in KavTech unless the company was partially named after him—the company's success had to be a brand of the Cavan name.

I had to push myself to be successful knowing that I would never make him proud. I thought that he would break a smile when he learned that my post-college plans included applying to law school, but instead I got a lecture about carrying on the Cavan name by taking a junior leadership role at the east coast KavTech offices.

He insinuated that the Kelly’s didn’t have the killer instincts that it would take to make the correct financial decisions for the company.

I told him that my plans weren’t solidified just so he would leave me alone. That seemed to appease him for the time being but I knew that it was going to be a fight when graduation came.

On Sunday, I found myself seated at the huge dining table in Mr. Kelly's mansion in the Hollywood Hills. With the majority of his kids in the area, Mr. Kelly hosted dinner every Sunday that he was in town.

Apparently, he bought this Hollywood Hills property after his kids took over the Malibu house. He wanted to keep his distance from the college shenanigans but still give his children a nice place to live. The wealth that this family, and mine, had was unmatched. It allowed us to have access to anything that we needed, but not without consequence.

Running a multi-million-dollar company that had locations spanning from coast to coast meant that our dads were often gone. When paired with the absence of maternal figures, you got seven kids who practically raised themselves and had entirely too much freedom. As long as we stayed out of legal trouble, we had the world at our fingertips.

“Luke! It’s so great to see you, son.” Mr. Kelly said, patting me on the back. “I’m glad we were able to get you out here. All of the kids back together again. Love to see it.”

Mr. Kelly smiled at me with nothing but sincerity. He may have been considered an absent father since he spent a few months a year at the other offices, but he always made sure that he was present for the big things. No one could ever say that Mr. Kelly didn’t love his kids.

“I invited your father out here to spend some time, but you know him. Bora Bora has more appeal than work.” He rolled his eyes.

I laughed, attempting to ease the tension and hide the pain that I felt in my chest at how my father refused to spend more than a few hours with me at a time, “It’s okay Mr. Kelly, I would probably choose white sand beaches over work any day too.”

He chuckled, “Honestly, me too. But duty calls. I’m just thrilled you decided to continue in business. Hopefully KavTech will continue the Kelly and Cavan tradition if you decide to join Owen after graduation.” He nodded towards Owen who was deep in an animated conversation with Keegan. She had a huge smile on her face, one that she seemed to give everyone else except for me.

I nodded hoping that someone would join our conversation and change the subject. I knew Mr. Kelly meant well and was unaware of my plans to apply to law school instead of taking over my father’s half of the family business, but it still stung to think that he would be disappointed in me too. Luckily for me, the conversation shifted as Nolan started telling his dad about the upcoming football season.

I was surrounded by all of the Kellys, minus Ryleigh, who was somewhere camping in Wyoming. I finally felt a sense of home after feeling so lost for so many years.

After dinner, we said our goodbyes to Mr. Kelly and we were walking to the cars when Nolan pulled me aside.

He eyed me hesitantly, “Hey man, I’m going to head to Lindsay’s for a nightcap, so is it okay if you ride with the girls?” He was talking to me like I was an easily frightened dog ready to attack.

“Bro, chill out, I think I can keep the peace for a short car ride home.” I said, extending my hand.

He smiled at me and slapped my hand before heading towards his Audi SUV. I turned on my heels and headed towards the blue Jeep that Keegan creatively named Baby Blue on her and Nolan’s sixteenth birthday. Keegan, Nolan, and I shared so many great memories in this Jeep. Keegan looked at me from behind the wheel and gestured towards the back seat with a head nod.

“Wow, I’ve been downgraded. I see how it is.” I said as I hopped over the wheel well and slid into the back seat.

Maeve giggled, “being assigned the front seat is a privilege you have to earn back.” She winked at me over her shoulder as Keegan took off down the driveway. She drove as if we were on the run from the law; weaving in and out of cars as they honked at us for cutting them off.

“I see your driving has not improved. At all. ” I emphasized, grabbing the exposed bars of the Jeep’s roof which pretty much permanently stayed off these days.

I remembered the day that Mr. Kelly took the twins car shopping. Nolan wanted some small sports car in order to parade around girls. Keegan said that she didn’t care about what car they got, but the moment that she laid her eyes on this Jeep, it was game over.

I’d like to say that Nolan put up a fight about it, but the hearts in her eyes when she hopped in and pretended to drive won him over. We both always had a soft spot when it came to Keegan.

“Oh come on now, don’t tell me you lost all of your sense of adventure during your time with those rich snobs in New York,” she teased, making eye contact with me in the rearview mirror. She looked straight into my soul—and notably not at the road—when she added, “what’s life without a little danger anyway?”

I held her stare in the mirror, “I’m not afraid of danger, Tig. I’m not the one who always plays it safe.”

“You have no idea how I play anymore.” She winked and sped faster down the highway.

I watched her and Maeve laugh, and talk over the blasting music until we turned into the driveway of the Malibu house. I finally caught a glimpse of the girl that I used to know; one who was full of life. She may act like she’d changed, but she was still the same carefree girl who drew you in with her light and love for life. My heart clenched at feeling the loss of what could have been.