Page 75 of Until

“There would be none if it weren’t for your ideas and pushing Father to make those decisions,” I say.

“We’re not here to talk about that,” he says. “I had this idea to let Carina go to your ball, but I knew she wouldn’t just accept the invitation because she’s not like that. She’s a homebody and mostly just stays home caring for her grandmother.”

I nod, growing impatient. “Alex, get to the point. What are you trying to say?”

“I thought she would be perfect for you, so I sent her to the ball. I convinced her to do it by firing her and then offering to support her grandmother.”

“How could you do that?” I ask, horrified at what he said.

“I know, but I was trying to get my way. I know it was childish. I wanted her there at first to see if you’d get along like I imagined. The problem is that I started to develop feelings for her just from hearing about her. And then, when I met her, it got worse.”

“What do you mean it got worse?”

He looked away and took a deep breath.

“I fell in love with her,” he says.

The room feels stuffy suddenly, as if all the air had been sucked out. My mind reels from his news. He keeps his gaze steady as he waits for my reaction.

“Oh,” I mutter.

“She didn’t love me back. I think she fell in love with you that first night you met. She didn’t even know your name or what you really looked like, but she was head over heels. And that hurt. And I got stupid. I wanted to hurt you because my entire life had been you getting all the attention and love while I was pushed away.”

“But—”

He puts his hand up to silence me. “I know that’s not your fault. And I’m a grown man. I should be over this.” He sighs. “Somehow, all that insecurity and pain came flooding back. I wasn’t myself. The entire plan of sending her to the ball was crazy.” He looks away, and sadness covers his face. “I’m sorry.”

“But I wouldn’t have met her without you,” I say.

“She’s a good kid, Ryan. And I know we haven’t spoken in five years, but I think she’s perfect for you. I’m sorry about how things ended up, but I think she loves you enough that if you went to her, you could fix things. And maybe even keep your inheritance.”

“I’m not worried about that. I really don’t care about it anymore. I love her more than anything, but I’m tired of living according to Father’s plan. I’ve been stupid not trying to talk to her and discover the truth. I don’t always trust very easily, and I let that fear control me.”

“Then why are you still here? Go get your girl,” Alex says.

“What about you? Will you be alright?” I ask as I slide out of the booth and get to my feet.

He smiles thoughtfully. “She taught me that I can love. I didn’t think I was capable of that. So yeah, I’ll be fine. Right now, I just want my brother back in my life. And I want him to be happy.”

CHAPTER 29

Carina

THREE WEEKS UNTIL RYAN’S BIRTHDAY

An hour after Odessa has gone home, I’m staring at my phone, silently begging it to ring with a call or a text from Ryan. I can’t call again so soon.

The doorbell rings, and I groan. One of my neighbors has probably been locked out again. I drag my feet to the door and pull it open. Ryan is standing in the doorway.

My heart does a happy flip in my chest until I notice the severe expression on his face.

“Can we go somewhere to talk?” he asks.

“Can’t we talk here?”

“No, I’ve made a lot of mistakes, and I’m going to correct one right now.”

“Okay,” I say, confused. “Where did you have in mind?”

---