Chapter One
“My dad’s invited us to go to his holiday home next week,” Jace says rolling his eyes. He doesn’t bother looking up from his phone whilst he’s slouched on my sofa surrounded by beer cans.
“That’ll be nice, you can spend some time with each other properly then.” He grunts at me lighting a smoke despite me asking him not to in my apartment. I sigh and try again, “you can at least try and fix your relationship with him.”
“Sure.” He dismisses me.
“I really don’t understand your problem with him, he’s not unfair. Every time we see him, he always tries, he wants a relationship with you. You’re his son Jace you should at least make an effort. We can go, enjoy our time there and if we need to, we can always leave. It will be nice to spend some time together too.”
He gives me a slow smile after a minute of thinking, he brushes the hair from my cheek and says, “you’re right. We’ll head out in the morning, but right now I’ve got things to do, I’ll see you tonight.” He kisses me quickly and leaves. I don’t move instead I watch the door close with a heavy thud. Inhaling I look at the mess he’s left in my apartment and start cleaning it up.
The next morning we’re up early for what would normally be a long three-hour drive. Jace’s sleek Bugatti La Voiture Noire is filled with items we don’t even need causing the minimal space to feel even more cramped and uncomfortable. “Why have you bought a crate of beer again? There’s next to no room in here anyway, surely you could have gotten these from the supermarket when we get there.” He acts like he hasn’t heard me, I shift awkwardly with them on my knee, rolling down the window grateful for the cool air, when he guns the engine and turns the music up so high it gives me a headache. I hate his driving it makes me nauseous. He drives like he’s stolen it, taking corners too fast and overtaking drivers flashing his lights with impatience. “Jace please,” I beg. He doesn’t slow down, he looks at me smirking then accelerates throwing me back into my seat, my hand flying to my stomach. I don’t bother talking again, instead I pray that we make it there in once piece.
I practically dive out of the car as soon as we arrive. “Chill out babe. What’s the point in having a fast car if I don’t drive it properly? You’re alive, I don’t see your issue.” He walks away whilst I’m still trying to get my heart rate back to a normal rhythm. God he’s such a dick sometimes. Our relationship has changed over the three years we’ve been dating. In the beginning he chased me, he was everywhere I seemed to be, brought me big bouquets of flowers, he did just about everything to try and get me to agree to be his girl but we’re from two different worlds. He was sweet and kind, always put me first and made me feel like the centre of his world. I guess all of that wasn’t real, or it might have been whilst it was new and exciting, I’m not sure anymore.
Somewhere over the years things changed, he became disrespectful, cruel and manipulative. He comes from a wealthy family, everything he does is flashy in some way, over the top, proving that he’s better than others. In the beginning he was humble, he didn’t want anyone to know he had money, he didn’t like drawing attention to himself. He was shy and caring, supportive of me and how I had to work two jobs. It’s what eventually led to me accepting his constant date invitations. I had classes during the day, worked at the local cafe in the evening and the small coffee shop near campus on the weekends just to pay for my tuition. Jace strolled around in designer clothes, jewellery that hurt my eyes it was that bright and had a presence about him that just screamed money. Hence, we’re from different worlds.
But none of that mattered to him and after a while his status didn’t matter either, we were just a young couple in love. I don’t know what happened for everything to change but we’ve been drifting apart for a while and no matter how much I try and salvage our relationship, it never seems to be enough. I know he treats me like crap, I know he talks down to me, and I know he manipulates situations to get what he wants but then I remember that sweet boy who was adamant he wanted me and I can’t seem to bring myself to end things. I know that sweet boys still there and I’m sure in some way he still cares about me but with each cutting remark it’s getting harder to remember him.
“Grab my bags babe, I’ve gotta make a phone call.” My arms practically snap off trying to haul his bag into the house. What the hell has he packed. I dump it by the front door and look over at him watching as he leans against the porch railing laughing obnoxiously loud with a cigarette hanging from his lips, I can guess who he’s talking too. Kade or Rylan. His misogynistic friends who are equally wealthy. “Yeah, we just got here, I’m unloading the car now man.” He laughs loudly at whatever they said. “Nah, I’ll figure it out. Alright bro I’ve gotta go, catch you in a bit.” He puts out his smoke and turns to me. “You done?”
“Yeah,” I mumble.
“Let’s go find my dad.”
I trail behind him taking in the beautiful house. I’ve only been here a handful of times but each time it takes my breath away. The view is amazing. Silverlake Lodge is like nothing I’ve ever seen. It doesn’t look like a holiday home, you can feel the generations through every brick, every grain of wood. It’s stone and deep timber structure perches above the lake like it’s watching over it. The wide-open porch wraps around the front, perfect for late night drinks in the summer and cosying up in autumn watching the leaves change colour. Soft blankets and hot chocolate watching the snow fall in winter and breezy spring afternoons.
The water from the beautiful lake reflects on the floor-to-ceiling windows making it feel as though it’s part of the landscape. The whole lodge is dripping in old style wealth and beauty, the kind of beauty you’re afraid to touch. Inside is no different, you can see glimpses of rustic charm with modern furniture, it’s clearly been blended together over decades. It doesn’t matter where you go, the wealthy always seem to smell like money, only Silverlake Lodge smells faintly of cedar and lake air too.
I’m standing within walls that I don’t deserve to be in. I’ve stepped into someone else’s world, someone else’s history. Someone with massive amounts of wealth, and Jace? He strolls around like he owns the place, disrespecting each majestic inch of the property.
Loud footsteps come from the stairs, stopping at the bottom is Jace’s dad. The house and the views are not the only thing that takes my breath away. Mr Rowan Calder is someone you can only dream of, his black hair curls around his ears highlighting the crows’ feet beside his muddy brown eyes. His neatly trimmed beard is mottled with little grey hairs. He towers over most people and has a presence that fills a room without trying. Years of physical fitness has given him broad shoulders, but a heaviness settles over him like he’s carved from the same wood as the lodge.
He always has a quiet, controlled masculinity surrounding him that makes people lower their voices, he doesn’t smile much but when I’ve caught a quick glimpse of one it’s absolutely blinding. For a man that spends his time in suits in the city he looks like a completely different person here. As if he’s wearing a second skin or removing one. He looks wild, looking at the outdoorsy, natural man stood in front of me you would never know he sits in board meetings.
“Son, Cally.” He nods. “You’re here early.”
“Hi Mr Calder.” He looks at me and clenches his jaw. I always knew he didn’t like me. I guess I’m not the wealthy socially exceptional girl he was expecting his son to date. I quickly look at the floor twisting my dress between my fingers, a nervous habit I can’t seem to get rid of.
“Yeah, wanted to drop my bags and Cally off first. I’ve got shit to do,” Jace says. My head whips in his direction, he’s got shit to do? Since when? The whole way here he never mentioned leaving as soon as we arrived. Now he’s leaving me with his disapproving dad.
“You just got here,” Mr Calder replies.
“I won’t be long.” He turns to me and gives me a smirk. “you’ll be fine won’t you babe.”
My eyes peak at Mr Calder before I can help it. “Sure,” I say softly.
“See? She’s fine with it. I’ll be back later.” He kisses me quick before rushing out the door we barely came through.
The silence between Mr Calder and me is suffocating. I stand fidgeting unsure of what to do now. “Your rooms the one on the East side, it has a view of the lake. Jace normally sleeps in his old room in the West side but since you’re here together…” He says before walking off leaving me standing by the door awkwardly. I tilt my head to the ceiling and close my eyes, taking a deep breath. I pick up the bags and head to the room we’ll be staying in.
I spend hours on the balcony looking over the lake, it really is beautiful especially when the sun goes down. It’s not a cute little holiday pond, it’s huge. A deep, dark stretch of water that almost looks black when the clouds roll in. The secluded quiet gives off an almost hidden feeling, one where you can get lost in the trees and leave the hustle of the city behind. There are no beaches, no tourists, just water, trees and ripples from a boat that probably cost more than six years of my salary.
The private dock stretches out from the lodge it’s worn and weathered but still sturdy. A boathouse is tucked to one side, the rhythmic sound of water lapping against the posts softly, making everything feel calmer somehow. When nature calls and the wind picks up, the lake changes. Its water goes from a quiet calm to a restless, choppy and unpredictable flow that warns you a storm is coming. It’s beautiful.
I breath in the warmth it gives me and pick up my phone ringing Jace, it rings long enough that I start to question if he’s going to answer. Just before it goes to voicemail his amused voice comes through “yeah, what’s up?” Wherever he is it’s loud, I can barely hear him. The music comes through clearly enough I can hear each word. There’s loud laughter in the background and someone screaming about doing shots. Where is he? Jace come on man. That sounded suspiciously like Rylan but that can’t be right, he’s back in the city. Jace laughs and tells whoever it is he’ll be there soon. None of this makes sense.
Frowning I ask, “where are you? You’ve been gone hours. When are you coming back?”
“Bumped into some guys and we went for some drinks. It’s not a big deal babe. I’ll be back later.”
“Jace, I’m stuck in the house with your dad. Alone. What am I meant to do?”
“Chill out or talk to him. I dunno.” After a moment he sighs, “do you want me to come back, I’ve had too many beers, so you’ll have to come pick me up.” I can hear the irritation in his voice.
“How am I meant to get you, you took your car.”
“Dunno, get an uber.”
“What would be the point in me getting an uber to you just to get one straight back? We’re meant to be spending time together this week, you’ve been busy and I haven’t seen you much, plus you said you were going to try and get along with your dad.”
“I know babe, I didn’t plan on bumping into them but I’m already out now. I’ll make it up to you tomorrow. Promise.” I sigh knowing he’s not coming back. Jace man, shit. Come on! There are shouts from others and loud laughter. “Alright, alright I’m coming,” he says chuckling. “I don’t know what time I’ll be back babe, just go to bed if I’m not.” I don’t have chance to say anything else the line goes dead and deafening silence wraps around me.
After a while I get up and make my way downstairs hoping I don’t run into Mr Calder and have an awkward standoff with him. He really doesn’t like me. So far, the house seems quiet, I’ll just grab something quick to eat and then head back to my room. The coffee machine is loud enough it makes me cringe and I quickly make myself a sandwich before tidying everything away.
Just as I turn around to leave Mr Calder stands in the doorway making me jump. “Hi,” I squeak, feeling like a complete idiot. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you I just wanted a snack. Do you want anything? Or I could just make you a coffee, if you drink coffee. I could make tea instead if you don’t.” God Cally stop talking. I’m sure he doesn’t want to listen to your nervous ramblings.
He stares at me for a moment before saying, “no. Where’s Jace?”
“Oh erm... h-he ran into some friends. I’m sure he won’t be long.” My hands are shaking and I’m becoming exceptionally close to spilling my coffee on the floor. I watch his hands clench feeling even more uncomfortable under the scrutiny of his eyes. Of course he’s upset, his son’s dirt-poor girlfriend is here in his space when really, he wants to see his son and I’ve just come along for the ride. “I-I can ring him again and see what time he’s coming back.” I highly doubt he’ll have an answer, but I don’t know what else to say. I squirm under his attention; the tension he radiates is strong enough to make me hold my breath. He doesn’t say anything, he just turns and leaves then I finally let go of the breath I’ve been holding.
