Crown Jewel by Fern Michaels

“C’mon, you already know it all,” Max said.
    Ricky reached for a second vegetable wrap and laid it on his plate. Overhead, a small cluster of birds took wing, settling in a ficus tree at the side of the pool. He put on his sunglasses. He homed in on Tyler. “Let’s see if I remember it all. You got kicked out of Penn State, got reinstated, then kicked out a second time. You did a year in a community college and finally graduated from Florida State when you found a mentor who could see past your bullshit. That’s when you got your act together. You were arrested twice, once for speeding on your motorcycle while under the influence and causing a pedestrian injury, the second time for drinking and driving. You totaled your car, and your mother refused to buy you another one. You lost your license for six months and did two hundred hours of community service.”
    â€œYou, Max…” Ricky shook his head as though it were too much to handle. “Looking at you, I would never take you for a brawler. I guess you both had a lot of aggression in you owing to a lack of a male role model. For all your excellence in academics, you were disciplined twice in high school and once in college for settling disagreements with your fists. I don’t think there’s any point in going over the list of young women who accused you both of various things, none of which could be proved. You both need to learn to respect women. In fact, I damn well insist on it.”
    â€œThe apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” Tyler said, reaching for one of the vegetable wraps. “What was your excuse?”
    Ricky eyed both young men through the dark glasses. “I didn’t have an excuse. I was out for a good time. My fame and celebrity came too quick and went to my head. I thought I could do no wrong and that the world owed me everything. You see, I did have a mentor, my brother, but I chose to ignore him. In the beginning. Like I said, I had no excuse. Do either of you want to say anything?”
    â€œAt least you’re honest,” Max said grudgingly. Tyler said nothing.
    â€œIt’s the only way to go. Tea or coffee?”
    â€œIce tea,” Tyler said.
    â€œCoffee,” Max said.
    â€œNice place,” both boys said, looking around.
    â€œYes, it is nice. You both grew up in nice, normal homes, too, so don’t try throwing any guilt in my direction. You will never, ever, be able to put one over on me if that’s your intention. Been there, done that. I’ll know what you’re thinking before you think it yourself. Are we clear on that?”
    â€œCrystal,” Tyler said.
    â€œPerfectly,” Max said.
    â€œI have some business to take care of. Enjoy your lunch. Swim, do whatever you like. I’ll be back by three. I’d like your answer then.”
    Ricky was almost to the French doors when Tyler called out, a snarl in his voice, “What are we supposed to call you?”
    â€œAs I said when you first got here, just use my name. In case you’ve forgotten it already, it’s Ricky.” He offered up a jaunty wave as he headed into the house and out the front door to his car. He had no destination in mind. His leaving was simply a means to let his sons talk privately. All things considered, the boys had handled the meeting rather well, he thought. He, on the other hand, was a little short of a basket case.
    Sunglasses in place, baseball cap pulled low over his forehead, Ricky drove down the winding roads until he came to the first shopping center he saw. He turned on his blinker and parked outside a Target store. At last he could shake and twitch. What did they think? They looked like okay guys to him. For the most part they had their shit together now. He could tell. Still, he’d read suspicion in Tyler’s expression, and he couldn’t blame him. He wondered if either one noticed that at one point his chest had puffed out