"How have you not earned it?" Ronan snapped back. "How else do people earn this kind of shit? Prove you're smart. You did that. Pass their tests. You did that."

His eyes were dark and a little hurt. "Fuck, man. Do whatever you want. I don't need a babysitter. Or someone looking at me like I'm poison just because I was born into this fucking family." He looks away back out at the water, wondering where it ends.

"And I was offering to say what needs to be said to my father so you can have what you have earned, no strings attached. No having to deal with me. Just go get your fucking education. Fine, do it your way. No skin off my back."

He storms back to the beach and starts to get dressed. "I'll get you home. Get dressed."