Wyatt shifts on the couch next to me. He understands that I have major beef with Knox. He knows how it all started, but he was too busy being a teenage boy to really care. I’ve left them both out of the ridiculousness of our shared college experience, although they’re aware that Knox and I never made up or got along the whole time.
After sipping her herbal tea, Mama carefully sets the cup on its saucer in her lap and focuses on me. “You’re the one who convinced me to enter this competition, remember? You had a whole set of arguments and even though I wasn’t sure about it, you sold me on it. And Wyatt. Now you just want to back out? Because of the Everhearts?”
“You don’t understand, Mama. You can’t possibly kn—”
She raises a stilling hand and I promptly shut it. “I’ve known Flynn since we were in grade school. There’s nothing that you can tell me about an Everheart, doll. I don’t know if we’ll ever win against them, but here’s what we’re not going to do—we’re not going to let them run us out of this competition. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, ma’am. I understand.” I lower my head and rub my temple. I want to win more than anything in this world. Mostly because we need it. We need a bigger place to solve our menu constraints. To hire more staff to accommodate our growing clientele. To ensure Mama is set and her medical insurance needs are met. But I’m not sure I can beat Knox. I’ve never beaten him in anything. And it burns me up that I have to try. He doesn’t need this at all.
“Mama, how do you think Knox knew we made it into the competition? When the producers called, they told me there were seven other families, but they didn’t give me their names.”
She raises her eyebrows, then picks up her teacup, taking a sip. “Flynn’s reach is far and wide. Even though this is his son’s endeavor, he would ensure no rock was left unturned to secure Knox’s place. Just as he did over ten years ago when he got him into that fancy school.”
I’ve always wondered how my mom knew about Knox’s dad and the bribery. I’ve come close to asking her but when I hinted, she quickly changed the subject or made vague references to get me off the trail. I suppose it doesn’t matter because if she said it, then it’s so, but I do wonder how we’re so connected to that family in the most ridiculous ways. Here’s another chapter to add to the long saga of the Townsend/Everheart conflict.
“As much as I don’t want to work so closely with Knox again, you’re right, Mama. I can’t let him win by default.” I rotate right to face Wyatt, the third member of Team Townsend. He’s been quiet throughout, and I already know he’ll do whatever Mama tells him, but I want to hear it from him. “Well, brother, what say you?”
His face splits into a huge grin. “I say let’s kick some Everheart butt.”
Punch… Me in the Face
1 business-saving competition
1 Asshat
1/2 bottle red wine
1/2 bottle Topo Chico, any flavor
1 funnel
Gain entry to business-saving competition. Add Asshat. Place funnel in mouth and pour wine and Topo together down throat.
Yield: 1 drunk-enough Rowan to make it through this nightmare.
CHAPTER FOUR
Gauntlet thrown.
San Francisco in the spring is cold. Just like San Francisco in the winter, summer, and fall. The only difference is whether there’s rain or not. We didn’t have a ton of free time during school, but when we did have a few hours for leisure, we usually spent it in San Francisco. My friends, Senné and Monique, and I scoured the superior dining scene as far as our dollars would take us. Some, like Knox, had cash that took them a lot farther than the rest of us.
My favorites were hidden treasures far from the wharf and other tourist spots, those with spectacular views and even better food. Certainly, someone just out of high school from Texas would be a tourist, but I quickly made Northern California my home.
When Daddy would visit, we would go visit his cousin over in the Oakland Hills. She had a huge house with lots of balconies and the views were breathtaking.
I’ve done enough reminiscing, so I close the drapes in my high-rise hotel room and get down to business, reading through the notes I’ve been making the past three weeks. I didn’t come to San Francisco to sightsee; I came to win. I make a few annotations on my list of possible competitions they may throw at us along with dishes we could make, then close my laptop.
My room adjoins Mama’s whose adjoins Wyatt’s. I’m assuming the other contestants are in this hotel too, but I’ve been hiding out in my room, preparing. If I can be honest with myself—and if I can’t, who can I be honest with?—I don’t want to run into Knox any sooner than I have to. I’m not that keen on seeing his brothers, Weston or Declan, either.
Before I knock on Mama’s door, I check my watch. I’d love to call Sue and see how everything’s going back at the restaurant, but they’re two hours ahead of us which puts them right in the middle of dinner service. I’m not 100 percent sure, but I don’t think she’d appreciate a check-up call from me. Instead, I open my door and rap on it and wait for Mama to unlock her side. She doesn’t respond right away, so of course I think the worse and bang on the door. When she doesn’t answer, I race into the
