My Brother’s Best Friend

Father Instinct

SKIP

“CLYVE, listen to me, brother. I told you to take a break for a month or so. This is a tricky job that you need to focus on. Anyway, whether you’ll work or not, no one can kick you out of the board,” I groaned in irritation.

Clyve had been training himself by day and studying online by night. His determination to learn about business made me a proud brother, but I wanted him to enjoy his life as well.

I knew it was hard for him especially without Dad to guide him like I was. He could’ve just taken a business major if he ever planned to be on board, but I knew he loved different things. Running a business was like stepping into another world for him.

“You’re a broken record. You know that, right? I told you I don’t want a bloody break,” he groaned from the other line.

“Just don’t be too hard on yourself because everything is under control. Don’t rush, ‘kay? Why don’t you just come over and buy an art gallery or teach.”

“Brill! Now you say something good. Look, I know you don’t trust me that I can handle business-”

“Why’d you say that? I trust you, Clyve. And you just handled things on your own. I want you to take things easy because the last time I heard, you didn’t even take a shower before going to the office.”

“Of course, that bloody caretaker! Don’t worry about me, I’m doing fine. Once I’m done with this six-month training, I could use a vacay.”

“Good. Take care, okay?”

“Oh, come on. I’m not a bloody eight years old for God’s sake.”

I burst into laughter. “I wasn’t thinking like that. I just want to tell you to take care. That’s it.”

“Fine, arsehole! You are living a perfect life with a perfect job, and a beautiful woman at your disposal.” His voice lowered.

My heart ached. This wasn’t what I wanted him to feel-to feel pity for himself.

“You do have a great life, a hefty of money, and a position on the board, but how would have a beautiful woman if you haven’t been taking a shower or shave? And let my app to good use, you arse.”

“I want a relationship, and not a fuck buddy or a one-night stand, mate. I’m not that kind of bloke.”

“Well, you can start by looking for a date, brother.”

“Just shut up, and stop mocking me.”

“I’m not mocking you.” I burst into laughter again that my eyes started to water. I knew he was annoyed, but I missed this.

“Whatever! Anyway, say hi to Are for me, yeah?”

“Sure thing. And as if you two are not chatting every day.”

“I know, and she sent me a new picture of Ry-Ry.”

My brow arched. “What picture? When?”

“Before you call me. Why?”

Clyve knew everything about Rynna. Since we came back from Seattle, I told Mum and him about everything. There was no way I would keep my child away from my family. I was glad he and Mum were eager to hear more about Rynna. Clyve even said she had the combination of me and Are.

“Seriously? Ry-Ry did not send it to me, and sent to Arella alone?”

“So? What’s wrong?”

“I sent her a selfie in my office earlier, and you know I’m not good at that thing. And she replied with a voice message thank you, Skip. That’s it.”

Clyve laughed. “Wow! You’re such a baby when you get jealous.”

“I am not.”

“Yes, you are, brother.”

“Go ahead and laugh at me. Talk to you later. And mate, please get a life. Bye!”

I quickly dialed Arella.

“Hey, hottie.” She sounded smiling or maybe flirty.

“Hey, love. I heard from Clyve that Ry has sent you her picture.”

“Yeah, and?”

“And she didn’t send me one, why?”

“Because you will tell her no, Ry,” she was even mimicking my voice.

“What exactly she’s doing?”

“Okay, don’t freak out.” Her warning alarmed me completely.

“What was exactly she was doing on that picture, Reigh?”

“Her Aunt Alys bought her a skateboard, and they were in the park when she took a selfie.”

“Love, did she wear protective gear?”

“Um…”

“Arella, answer me or I will call Alys right now.” My heart pounded.

I stood up from my chair, loosening my tie. I knew I didn’t have the right as her Dad, but I was still her father. No matter how great they did in taking care of Rynna, I could still fight to have full custody of my daughter, but I would not do such cruelty and broke a family who did all their best for her. And the fact that Ferry called me to look after her family when he went to the Middle East for a job put me at rest that he trusted me, and I would never going to break that.

“You need to calm down, Skip. She only got a little cut on her knee.”

“A bloody cut? So I was right, after all, that Alys did not let her wear a gear.”

“Jeez, Skip! She’s fine, and enjoyed her practice.”

“Yeah, Reigh. And she got hurt as well.”

“Skipper, Alys is already cleaning her scrape. She chose not to send you a selfie because you will tell her not to. See? Now you’re freaking out.”

“I’ll talk to Alys about this later.”

“Skip…”Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

“Fine. Why a skateboard though? She could choose a bike with training wheels.” I just loved Rynna, and no parent would ever want to see a child got hurt under her or his watch.

I got back to my seat, rubbing my temple. I know I was overreacting. I just wanted to be a father to her, and to teach her how to skateboard, ride a bike, and send her to school. And I also wanted her to call me Dad, but, it was near impossible because she got her own. I was still grateful that I got a chance to get to know her more.

“Well, apparently she’s just like me and Alys. I used to skate when I was a kid.”

I calmed down a bit. My brow arched. “Really? Why haven’t you told me about that?”

“Well, we didn’t have much time to talk about me on a skateboard. We kind of busy with something else,” she was whispering. “But we have a lot of time to talk about it, right, hottie?”

I blinked, trying not to picture out naked Arella in our bed with her hair askew. “So, how’s your new lab?” My dad closed the deal before he died, so the head chemist and the staff transferred from France to the new lab here in New York.

“Oh, dear. It’s great. It’s modern though, and the people here seem to be friendly. I just wish Maj is with me, you know.”

She may have a new job, but it felt different to work with someone you already knew. I’d been in her position.

“You can do a little convincing, Reigh. She could meet new French people there. Anyway, have you thought about the name?”

“I did and already submitted this morning.”

“Really? Without telling me.”

“You’ll know it, boss of the boss.”

“Stop calling me that, love. I will spank you tonight.” My brain instantly flooded with a lot of naughty thoughts. I just couldn’t get enough of Arella and never a night we didn’t make love and fuck before we went to sleep. And I just loved to see a smile on her face before she fell to slumber.

“I’ll see you later, Skip. Got to go back to work. I love you!”

My phone dinged. 1 Image received.

* * *

JUST AS I placed the two wine glasses on the table, I heard the door unlocked open and clicked close. I ran my fingers through my hair and made my way to the living room.

“Skip? What’s that amazing smell?” Arella shouted from the door, kicking off her heels.

“You’re the smell expert. Guess what is it?” I wrapped my hands around her waist and kissed her lips. I missed her already, and all I wanted was to make love with her, fall asleep, and forget about the dinner I prepared, but I knew she was starving. One thing I learned about her was that she was lazy to cook, so I had to teach myself so that we were not going to die with high cholesterol from the takeout food.

“I get it you missed me. And I missed you too, hotsome.”

I smiled and gave her another kiss. “You wouldn’t drop it, would you?”

“It grew on me. So why would I?”

“Fine, Sinderella. Care to tell me the story behind that username?”

“I don’t know.” She shrugged. “Maybe because I felt I have a lot of secrets. Can we talk about it later?”

“Sure, love. I know you’re starving.”

“Anyway, it smells like butter, garlic, pepper, and thyme?” Then she moved to sniff me. “And you, my love, smells delicious, but I know you’ll be my dessert later.” She caught her lip between her teeth.

Good lord! Something strained down there.

“Good plan. Let’s go and feed you well because we have a long night, and I need your strength for something else.” I threw her bag to the couch and led her to the kitchen.

She was grinning when she saw the table with our dinner. A lit candle and flowers I picked up from the flower shop before I headed home.

“Since when did you become romantic, Skipper Linton?”

“Since I met you, love.”