Her Mischievous Prince (Book 3)

Three

Jaxon

It's not that I'm purposely being an ass, but going on vacation with my father outside of business is so foreign to me that I'm actually f*****g dreading the coming weeks. We used to travel as a family, but that was when he and mom were still together. However, those trips were never really just for the four of us because we were always surrounded by other people such as his colleagues and friends. So really, I don't know how things will end up once we're all there, but I'm pretty sure my dad's going to be expecting a lot from me and my brother and that thought alone already makes me feel exhausted.

I was supposed to leave Sky's beach house early this morning, but I just didn't. I wanted to enjoy the moment when I don't have to act as if I'm the perfect son where I don't have to be subjected to doing things for show. I don't hate my father and I think he doesn't hate me, but we're just very different from each other that we often don't see eye to eye. Whenever that happens, we end up getting worked up about it and he starts throwing company responsibilities my way making it hard for me to juggle tons of s**t all at once. It even came to a point where I was forced to sleep about only one to three hours a day for weeks and when it became too much to handle already, I marched into his office one day, f*****g sleep deprived and made a proposition that I'm going to work my ass off and that I'd be a slave to him, no questions asked, as long as he lets me continue with the things that I love to do. I made a promise to take his company more seriously and provide excellent results if, in turn, he loosens his grip on me a bit.

Of course, I regretted that instantly because my father milked everything he could from me whenever I'm absolutely free from other obligations. He'd come up with ways to keep me tied down to his agendas whatever they are and since I'm the stupid one who agreed, I can't say or do s**t about it. "You look like s**t," Maddox called out with a smirk pulling me out of my thoughts. "True, but not as shitty as you do. Seriously, Maddie, I have no clue how Sydney doesn't find your face repulsive," I teased back, playfully splashing water on him. "What gives?" He questioned as he watched Sky and Maverick ride the waves while we both sat on our boards. "Nothing serious just thinking if I'll live another day if I suddenly don't show up to this family vacation s**t dad planned." He laughed shaking his head. "f**k, well that's messed up right there. I remember the last time all three of you were stuck together for days, s**t really hit the fan." I nodded with a wide grin because I also remembered that time. I remember how I ended up having a huge bump on my head, my brother with a broken nose, and my father fuming with anger for hours in his black suit. It was one of those out-of-town business deals me and my brother were forced to go to.

"That my friend might just happen again, but this time I swear I'll be able to dodge the pan. I'll Mr. Miagi that s**t," I chuckled tapping on the side of my nose. "Sure, whatever you say karate kid! Wait, remind me again why Mr. P. whacked you with a frying pan that time," He sniggered. He knows exactly why, but Maddox being Maddox, he probably wants me to admit how stupid that day was which I don't mind. We both like talking moronic s**t like this. Let's just say, he and I always like to d**k around, while Maverick and Sky tend to be the serious ones. "Cause I allowed Lee to engage in a fistfight in his drunken state while I took in bets. The worst part was they found out that I didn't bet on Lee. Neither of them talked to me for days," I shrugged. "Always a fucker!" Maddox roared holding onto his stomach as he laughed loudly.

"Hey, I love my brother, but you and I both know that he's pretty much a wimp back then. If you were in my shoes, you'll probably do the same," I admitted holding my palms up as a means of defending myself from any type of judgment. "No, I won't. Only someone as messed up as you would do such a thing," he snorted. "Also, true," I grinned, looking back to where Maverick and Sky are. "Listen, relax a bit will yah. You'll make it like you always do. Anyway, it's not like it's a business trip, and also, technically it's still today if you make it there before midnight. And when you get there, just hide the pans, tell Lee to stay away from brawls, and the most important thing is to keep your mouth shut cause you say the dumbest things most of the time," Maddox playfully stated, tapping the back of his hand lightly over my chest and this time, It was my turn to answer with a snort. He's right though, as long as I make it before midnight I won't be breaking any rules. Smart bastard! "So, are we surfing or what?" Maddox sniggered before lying on his front to paddle through the waves. "Surfing!" I howled, paddling after him.

I arrived at my father's lake house at exactly a quarter past eleven. I kicked the bike stand and got off of it right when the door to the house cracked open revealing my father with a disappointed scowl. "Hey, dad!" I greeted as cheerfully as I could. "How nice of you to finally join us especially when everyone's already asleep," he said and I walked towards the wooden steps. "Sorry, dad I had some last-minute deals, but you didn't give a specific time, you only said be here today. It's still today. No promises were broken right?" I answered, looking at him with puppy eyes. "Smartass! I oughta smack you in the head, but I don't think Elvie will appreciate that. Settle in for the night, but just so you know, this conversation isn't over," he sternly warned before turning his back on me. A sigh of relief escaped my mouth as soon as the door closed thinking that things could've ended differently minutes ago, but judging from his actions, he seems to be in a good mood which is why he let my tardiness slip for the very first time. Maybe this marriage thing is doing him some good after all. I just hope I don't hear anything traumatic for the rest of the night or I'm out of here.

I took a good look at the front of the house and felt that I wasn't ready to come in yet. It's been a while since we visited this place and though it hasn't changed much, being here feels so different now. I've had pretty damn good memories, but as I grew older, the house lost its appeal somehow. Since my head suddenly wanted to take a trip down memory lane, I decided to lean on my bike and light a cigarette. I really should f*****g quit smoking, but something tells me it's not going to happen in the next three weeks while we're here. I tilted my head up to look at the stars when I caught a slight movement on one of the guest room windows upstairs.

It retreated as soon as my head tilted up, I'm sure whoever it was, didn't want to be seen and has probably heard everything from the moment I arrived. I don't have a f*****g clue why that made me smile, but I did while looking up which will probably freak whoever's up there out. I took one last puff dropped the cigarette in front of me and stepped on it, before picking it up to throw it in the trash. I rubbed my hands together and took a deep breath before heading inside straight to my bedroom. Let the mayhem begin.