Alpha Billionaire Series
Coming Home Chapter 8

HOLDEN

I hated how sad Makenzie was. But she was a smart woman, and she knew that this was what I had to do. The entire ferry ride, she sat in my arms, constantly muttering, 'Okay,' Telling herself that she would be fine. And she would be. We weren't breaking up. This wasn't the end of us. This was going to let us grow up so that we took responsibility for our relationship as adults and not as kids playing at being adults.

I drove around the island, thinking, not certain where I was headed. I didn't exactly want to go home, and I needed to give Makenzie some space and time to realize things were not over between us.

I pulled over at a beach and got out. I started walking up the beach, not sure what to think. I knew I was making the right decision, but I hated seeing my mother and Makenzie so sad. The ferry ride to Martha's Vineyard and back hadn't given us enough time, and I knew I could get Makenzie to understand if I could just explain. I needed more time to talk to her, and she needed more time to realize things weren't as bad as she was thinking they were. Ten days suddenly seemed too soon, and even if I had a month, it wouldn't be enough.

My phone buzzed. My chest tightened, and my breath quickened. I looked at it, expecting it to be a text message from Makenzie telling me she was sorry that she overreacted, and telling me that she wanted to see me again.

I was surprised and a little disappointed when it was Travis.

"A little birdie gave me some news. We should meet up. Come replace me at McIntyre's pub."

I guessed he had found out from Makenzie. Unless there was something else that he heard that I didn't know yet.

I texted a quick reply and got in my car.

McIntyre's was one of those fake old Irish pubs with dark wood paneling on the walls. It was the kind of place that served deep-fried fish with french fries and called it fish and chips. Other hit menu items included shepherd's pie and sausage with mashed potatoes, and a few more that people would expect to replace in Ireland. They served Guinness and that's what mattered the most.

"What's up, man?" I said as I slid into a booth opposite Travis. There was already a nice, tall, perfectly poured pint of Guinness waiting for me.

Travis lifted his glass and tilted it in my direction. "This is to you, future Army man."

"I guess Makenzie told you I've joined the Army," I said.

"Yeah. Don't tell my sister secrets. She can't keep them."

"What else did she tell you?" I thought Travis would be pissed if he knew I was dating his sister. I also figured he'd get over it. He was taking this really well. Maybe Makenzie hadn't told him about us.

He shook his head. "Nothing. Is there something else she shouldn't have told me?"

It was my turn to shake my head. "Just the Army. Going to fly copters."

"I didn't expect this of you. I expected you to go for the cushy life of a commercial pilot. You do realize that working is for chumps?"

"Says the man who has a job on Wall Street." I shook my head and took a long pull of my beer.

"Wall Street isn't working. Wall Street is managing my portfolio."

"And other people's portfolios," I added.

"Might as well make a commission on it."

"You know you got that one right."

I tipped my drink back toward him and we clinked glasses.

"This one is on me. We need to give you a good send-off. How long have you got?"

"Ten days and counting before I have to show up for boot camp."

"Ten days for your last hurrah. Wine, women and music, and then it's all yes sir no sir, and saluting people who were born beneath you. Are they gonna make you shave your head?"

"Hey, it's not like that. We all get the same opportunities in the Army, it equalizes us. They probably will shave my head." I ran my hand through my hair. Makenzie liked it a little longer, that was going to change.

"Are they gonna make you do one of those obstacle courses they always show in the movies?" Travis tossed out questions. Some of them I should have asked my recruiter.

"I have no idea what they are going to put me through. I've got to do some basic training and then it's officer training.

"Officer? Are you mister high and mighty?"

"Can't fly if I'm not an officer and can't be an officer unless I have that college degree."

"Degree is all taken care of. That's one box you can check off. When will we be seeing you again?"

I shrugged. "Not sure what kind of leave schedule I'll get. And the first one I definitely have to spend with my mother. She's a mess"

"Oh man, mothers but you gotta love them."

I agreed. "You gotta love them."

He bought another round, and we shared a basket of fries. We talked bullshit. Travis told me what he thought his future was going to look like.

"Is Eve going to be in it?" I asked.

He shook his head. "She hasn't bothered to come to see me on the island. Not once. She keeps saying she can't get time off from her job. If being with me was important, she would have found time." I shook my head and ate another fry. "Not everyone can take their last summer off."

"Sure, sure. And some people need to work for a living. You think I should call her when I get back to the City?"

"I guess it depends on how much you like her and want to see her."

He shrugged. "There are more women out there, and I'm still young. Why saddle me with just one at this point?" He stretched and leaned back.

"Remember when we were young, and girls were something neither of us was interested in?"

I laughed. "That was a long time ago. And that's changed."

"Are there women in the Army?"

"What kind of idiot question is that? Of course, there are women in the Army."

"Won't that be a distraction from flying?"

I shook my head. "I think you've had too much to drink."

"No, I'm good. One more, one last one." He signaled the waitress and ordered us another round of Guinness.

When the beer arrived, Travis stood and raised his glass high. "A toast to my best friend," he said loud enough to get the attention of the rest of the restaurant. "Glasses up, I said a toast!"

The other people sitting at their tables raised their glasses.

"To Holden Wells as he joins the Army."

There was a general muttering in response to his toasts, and everyone took a drink. A few people made a point to come over and shake my hand.

"You've made the best decision of your life," one man said. He introduced himself as an Army veteran. "Where will you be stationed?"

"Not sure yet. I'm off to Fort Benning, officer training."

"Next time I see you, I'll have to salute you."

I was joining a brotherhood that would expand my horizons and give me purpose. We said our goodbyes, and he left with his party. "Mr. Army man," Travis sneered.

"That's Officer Army man to you," I jokingly replied.

Travis slapped both of his hands onto the table and leaned forward. His face twisted into a grimace.

"I hope they shave your head and kick your fucking ass."

I flinched back. "What the f**k?"

"Makenzie told me everything, you asshole. I can't believe you've been fucking my sister of all people. She is stupid and you're ignorant. I hope you get what is coming to you." He pushed to his feet.

I stared up at him in shock.

"If you ever touch my sister again, I'll cut your balls off and destroy your family's fortune. This one's on you," he said as he upended the pint on my head and walked out.

Beer dripped down my face. I guess I grossly underestimated his reaction to Makenzie and I dating.

My last ten days on Nantucket were spent being coddled by my mother and texting Makenzie. Only she never responded.

I vacillated between thinking I had made the biggest mistake of my life or maybe I had made the best decision I could have. On the one hand, I obviously lost Makenzie, and Travis had clearly walked away from me, and our friendship. On the other hand, what kind of man was he that he was willing to give up a life-long friendship because I was dating his sister?

The Underwood family showed me their true colors and it was clear that I no longer mattered to them. So, they no longer mattered to me.