Father & Son: Book two of the Jensen Family Series (42 page)

“Thank you baby.” He leant over, pushing
her backwards so he could kiss her. “As we’re both awake and I’m home earlier
than normal, I suppose I should fuck you.”

“Well if it’s a chore.” She rolled her
eyes and made to turn away.

“It’ll never be a chore. I’m happiest when
I am with you. I’m even happier when I’m within you.” He laughed when she
snorted out her own giggle.

“Oh my God, you are such a cliché.”

“But I’m a drop dead gorgeous, tall, dark
and handsome cliché.”

“I’ll give you that.”

“Gavin’s been expelled.”

No hello. No how are you? Paul frowned at
his phone as he took it away from his ear before steeling himself. “Say that
again.”

He heard the frustrated sigh on the other
end of the line before “Gavin. Has. Been. Expelled.”

Bristling at her tone, he snapped “There’s
no need to talk to me like a child.”

“I thought my words the first time around
were abundantly self-explanatory.” She spat.

“What did he do?” Paul chose to ignore her
last comment.

“He’s been fighting. Again. He’s been
suspended three times already and this last fight was the final straw.”

“Why haven’t you told me he’s been
suspended before now?”

“I didn’t think you’d be interested.”

“He’s my son. Whatever he does is of
interest to me.” Paul snarled.

“Honestly Paul, you’re so wrapped up in
Suzanne and moving house, if I had told you every tiny aspect of his life, you
would have bitten my head off.”

“Suzanne has nothing to do with this and
that’s not the first time you’ve mentioned her in conversation. Just because
I’m with her now and no longer fucking you, there’s no need to make her your
scapegoat.”

Carmen hissed her disapproval and
considered hanging up. Deciding against it, she reigned in her temper “The
school want to see both of us. Tomorrow. First thing.”

“I’ll leave tonight.” Paul ended the call
and sat back in his chair, hands gripping his hair as he contemplated the
ceiling. “Fuck.” He whispered to himself.

“Everything ok boss?” Colette, his
personal assistant at Jensen Incorporated stuck her head around his door.

“Yeah, I won’t be in the office tomorrow.
Something’s come up.”

“Will you be telling your father or would
you like me to do it?”

Standing, smiling at her, good old
Colette, always willing to take a bullet for him. “I’ll tell him.” He squeezed
her shoulder in thanks as he walked past her.

He hovered for a while outside Michael’s
office as he finished a phone call. As the phone landed in its cradle, he
walked, without knocking into his father’s office. “I won’t be in tomorrow.
Gavin’s got himself in some sort of trouble and my presence is required.” He
said without preamble.

“Very well. Make sure your appointments
are rescheduled before you leave today. If there’s anything I can do to help
smooth things over for the boy, just let me know.”

“Er, thanks.” Paul slunk from the office.
His father had developed a good relationship with Gavin over the years and it
still stunned him that Michael would go that extra mile for a child he hardly
knew while basically ignoring his own offspring.

Suzanne was disappointed that he had to
leave. They were due to have dinner with her parents, not one of Paul’s
favourite pastimes as both her mother and father had made it clear they were
unhappy about their union but Paul did it for her without complaint and he
would be unfailingly polite.

She’d arranged the meal while packing as
they were preparing to leave for Spain at the weekend. A long overdue holiday
and one which Gavin was supposed to be joining them in. She packed a few
essentials into an overnight bag when he called her to say he was heading to
Gloucester and handed it over to him as he stopped by their new home together.
A rather nice, modern looking detached house in the Coombe Hill area of Kingston.

Apologising as he held her, marvelling at
how well she took everything he threw at her. He swore he’d be gone for two
nights tops and be back in time for their flight with or without his son. He
kissed her deeply before letting her go.

He let himself in when he reached
Gloucester. It was late, he was tired and everyone was in bed. His son’s light
was still on and he made a detour before heading to the spare room and bed.

Gavin, now fifteen and touching six foot
looked up through bruised eyes as his door opened. He braced himself for a
telling off but he needn’t have bothered.

“I hope the other guy looks worse than
you.” Paul stated.

Heaving a sigh of relief, Gavin sat up
straighter in his bed. “I broke his nose.” He shrugged. “He probably looks
worse.”

“Are you hurt anywhere else?”

“No.” he answered but held out his hands.
“I split my knuckles open again.”

“Again?”

“Yeah. Happens every time I punch
someone.”

“Perhaps it’s a sign that you should stop
punching people.” Paul suggested.

“I’ll stop doing that when they stop
pissing me off.”

“Want to tell me about it so I don’t go
into this meeting tomorrow completely on the back foot?” He sat on the edge of
his sons’ bed.

Shaking his head, Gavin massaged his sore
knuckles. “It was stupid. I should have walked away but then he called mum a
whore and I flipped.”

“I would have flipped at that too. Did you
tell the head that?”

“Yeah but he didn’t believe me and it
doesn’t take much for me to lose it.” He admitted.

“Are you saying you are the one in the
wrong?”

“Yes.”

“Shit.”  He sighed but his admiration for
his sons’ honesty was evident. “You know you can talk to me about anything at
any time? I’m not likely to lose it and start shouting and I’m always at the
end of a phone.”

“Yeah, thanks dad. Sorry.”

Rising, Paul picked up his bag “Goodnight
son. Try not to worry. I’ll sort something out.”

The following morning, dressed to impress
in Versace, Paul accompanied by Carmen and Gavin sat waiting for the head
teacher. Paul began to get annoyed when the man was late but his agitation was
soothed when the head breezed in, full of apologies.

“So sorry to keep you waiting. My son had
a nose bleed on the way to school and I couldn’t get it to stop.” He stretched
out his hand. “Very nice to finally meet you Mr. Jensen, it’s a pity it’s under
such circumstances.”

“I’m hoping we can sort something out.”
Paul shook the others hand.

He sat and opened a file in front of him.
“Unfortunately Miss Young, Mr Jensen, Gavin’s expulsion is conclusive. I’ve
called you in because I think it’s important to discuss his educational options
from here. I have made some calls and there are two other schools willing to
trial Gavin. I feel perhaps the mix of pupils here wasn’t a suitable match for
him and he may continue to excel academically elsewhere. Your son is an
exceptional student. In that way he gives us no bother whatsoever. When it
comes to things like sport and outdoor time in the quad however, it’s quite
another matter. He is competitive and combative and his temper is quite
something to see. I am happy to help you obtain a placement in another school
but I also strongly suggest you seek some sort of counselling for his temper.”

Sitting in Carmen’s car after a hefty
session debating what would happen from here, the family sat quietly contemplating.

“Counselling for his temper?” Paul finally
spoke.

Gavin looked up at his father from the
back seat. He was quite proud of himself for keeping it together in the head
teachers’ office as he explained in minute detail what had happened the
previous day even though going over it again started his blood boiling and he
found himself clenching his fists.

Looking across the car, glancing at Gavin
before facing Paul. “I think it’s an avenue we should explore.”

“I don’t need counselling.” Gavin blurted
causing both his parents to turn and look at him.

“The only reason you haven’t been arrested
is because of your age. I think your mother is right. You need help beyond what
we can give you.”

“That’s fucked up.”

“Watch your mouth young man.” Carmen
admonished. She turned back to Paul. “I’ll look into it and let you know. Now,
this first school can see us Monday.”

Shaking his head as he checked his phone,
“No good for me. They’ll see us today or he goes elsewhere. In case you’ve
forgotten, Gavin and I have a plane to catch on Sunday.”

“He isn’t going to Spain with you.” She
wasn’t surprised when they both responded with:

“What?”

“Do you think,” She addressed her son,
“That I will reward your current behaviour by letting you flit off on holiday?”

“Come on Carmen, you can’t withdraw his
holiday.” Paul attempted to cajole. They both turned as the rear door of the
car opened.

“You’re such a bitch.” Gavin spat,
slamming the door with such force that it rocked the car, before storming off
at a run.

Jumping out of the passenger side, Paul
ignored Carmen’s shouted “Leave him.” And took off after his son. Leather soled
shoes and a Versace suit were not the ideal clothes to go chasing after a
furious and incredibly fit fifteen year old.

Finally catching sight of his son as he
made to jump a wall, he called his name, albeit slightly out of breath as he
slowed to a stop.

Shocked that someone had actually come
after him, Gavin jumped down off the wall and faced his father. “I’m surprised
you kept up.” He sneered.

“You underestimate my determination.” Paul
grinned. “I always get what I want. Don’t forget that.” Leaning a hand on the
wall, he paused to properly catch his breath. “I’m pretty sure I heard mum
drive away, looks like you and I are walking home. In that time, you can think
up a suitable apology for calling her a bitch. She loves you son and is trying
to do what’s right for you.”

Gavin was silent as they began to walk.
“Does that include taking away my holiday?” He eventually asked.

“I think so. I’ll try and talk her around
but I wouldn’t get your hopes up.”

“I thought you always got what you want.”
Gavin chanced a glance at Paul and saw him hide his grin.

“I usually do, however in this instance, I
have a feeling I’m going to come up short.” Shoving his hands into the pockets
of his jacket, he continued. “Look at it from our point of view. Do you think
you deserve to be allowed to come away with me?”

“I suppose not. I have been in a bit of
trouble lately but I work hard at school, I’m never late with homework, I get
good marks all the time, doesn’t that count for something?”

“If you hadn’t got expelled, it would
count for everything. I think it’s time for you to show some contrition. Maybe,
she’ll give in.”

Gavin reached for his key as they neared
the house. “She won’t give in. She never does.”

Paul left for home later that evening
having made sure his son had a school to go to and failing miserably to change
Carmen’s mind about Gavin going to Spain.

Laying on his bed after a further argument
with Carmen over his refusal to apologise, Gavin repeatedly threw a tennis ball
in the air, making sure to hit the ceiling, safe in the knowledge that the
constant, rhythmic thumping would drive his mother crazy, he began to brood. He
had been grounded for an undetermined length of time which meant even though
they lived in the same house, he was forbidden from hanging out with Novak.

Every time he replayed the argument with
Carmen in his head, he became angrier and threw the ball harder. He couldn’t
even listen to music as she had removed his stereo and anything he could
possibly use to amuse himself.

His bedroom door crashed open, thumping
against the wall, making him jump. He threw the ball with more force than
necessary causing it to ricochet off the ceiling. He wasn’t quick enough to catch
it on the rebound and it thumped into his stomach.

“Dude, get up, we’re going out.” Novak,
larger than life and grinning from ear to ear stood in his doorway.

Rubbing his stomach, he slowly sat. “I’m
grounded.” He stood and lifted his t-shirt, the red splodge from the ball
evident.

“What did you do?” Novak asked, leaning
down to look at the red mark.

“The ball hit me.”

“Why didn’t you catch it?”

“Because you scared the fuck out of me by
nearly breaking my door down.”

“Dumbass.” Novak grinned. “You are free
for a few hours. I have to go and watch some art house film for school. I
convinced your mum that it would be educational for you too and she said ok.”
He reached out and messed up Gavin’s hair. “I think there were conditions but I
took off before she could get started.”

“You rock dude.” Gavin laughed. “How the
hell did you manage that?”

Looking confused, Novak cocked his head to
one side. “I’m charming.” He stated.

“You are a God.”

“Damn right I am.”