Perfect For Me: Road To Whatever (Perfect for Me #1)
Blue Saffire
CHAPTER One
I just want a shower and a few hours of sleep and I’ll be ready to handle the disaster that tonight is going to be. At least that is my thought before I push into my place and find my dad sitting at the breakfast bar. I groan inwardly and think about turning around to leave.
“About time you showed up,” I hear my father’s voice boom. I roll my eyes and step in the door, closing it behind me. This is not what I need this morning. I have been avoiding my dad for weeks now.
According to Nolan Chaney, Sr., I need to get my life in order and come work for him. I’ve had enough of the talk we are about to have. I could probably recite every word he is about to say before he says it, I’ve heard it so many times already.
“Hey, Dad,” I murmur, rubbing my palms over my eyes. At least I don’t have a hangover. Although, I can’t wait to shower off the smell of last night’s groupie. By the look on dad’s face I’ll be stuck reeking for a while.
“Nolan, when are you going to grow up and start showing that you can act responsible?” Dad is starting in right away today. Great.
“I wasn’t aware I wasn’t acting responsible,” I grumble as I head for the refrigerator for something to wash away my cotton mouth. I feel like I’ve been chewing on sawdust.
Dad snorts and folds his arms over his chest as he watches my every move. “You know, I gave you a break when you were in high school. I figured you were young and all the girls and the partying was just your way of enjoying being a teenage boy. Not to mention not having your mother around. That made things more difficult for all of us, but I figured you were taking it the hardest so I let it slide.
“Then there was college and the way you threw away your football scholarship. I didn’t give you a hard time about that either. You were just so angry at everything. I figured if you wanted to come home and go to school I would just make that happen for you. I even thought that it was best when you seemed to be doing so well.
“For Pete’s sake, you graduated at the top of your class, Nolan. I don’t understand what happened. What are you doing with your life?”
It’s my turn to snort. You would think that I rob banks for a living listening to my dad. Judging by the look on his face I’m starting to think he may actually believe that. I laugh to myself because I know he is just getting warmed up right now.
“Dad we both know what I am doing with my life. It hasn’t changed from the last time we had this conversation.” I start my search for something to eat because I know it’s best to get ready for the long haul. “Want an omelet,” I offer.
“No Nolan, I don’t want an omelet. I had breakfast with Mandy. I want answers from you that make sense and detail an actual future, Son. This band thing would have been fine when you were in high school, as a hobby to fill your time, but you are twenty-five now. You have responsibilities and two younger siblings. This …this craziness you are going through has them right in the middle of it and I can’t have that Son.”
“Dad, the band is not craziness. If you would come to just one of our shows you would know this. As for Mandy and Chris they are both adults and can make up their own minds about what they want to do. Football, school, hell even the girls were things I thought would make me happy, make me normal, or at least make you happy.
“But now the music, the band, that’s what makes me feel like I can be happy and I feel something… I don’t know, Dad. I feel like I’m on the verge of finding the perfect note and I can’t just quit now. I can’t just turn away; we are so close to what we all have been working so hard for. The band is my family. I can’t turn my back on my family to go sit in some office, Dad. I won’t do it.”
This has to be the most I have said to my father about the band, ever. It’s too early for this. I’m usually more prepared to ignore his efforts. I guess that was a part of his plan. Dad is nothing less than strategic. He is here to really make a point this morning and I really don’t need this. I already have so much on my plate concerning the band.
“Nolan,” my father sighs. “I know that the band means a lot to you, but you have to think about your future and your brother and sister’s futures as well. This can’t continue this way. The problem with you Nolan, is you lack vision, Son. You see everything from one side and one side only. Nothing changes with you unless you decide to focus on one new single detail. That’s why you let football go and that is why you fail to see that I have told you the band can still be a part of your life, just come and work with me to insure a future.”
“That’s the kettle speaking loud and clear,” I grumble.
“Fine Nolan, if that is what you believe then you leave me no choice. I spoke with Mandy and she believes that this summer is going to be a turning point for this whole band thing. I will give you ‘til the end of the summer, Nolan. If you don’t take this band to the next level by then I’m pulling all support unless you come to work for me.”
“Dad, you can’t be serious,” I rumble. This is an empty threat toward me. I have a trust that I aged into this year. My brother will come into part of his as well next year.
“Yes, son, I am very serious. I can’t have this band destroy my entire family and since you seem to be the ring leader and your brother and sister listen to you. I have no choice,” my father sighs. “I want the best for you all, Son. This pains me more than you know.”