Page 57 of So Close

It was only a matter of time until Levi got his answer, Auburn knew. Easier to just give it to him upfront. “I’m going to buy Beachcrest from Trey and Carl.”

“But she needs to raise the down payment,” Chiara said. She shot Auburn a glance that clearly said:We’ve unleashed the big brother beast.

Levi swore under his breath. “You should have told me.”

His expression was fierce. He had one of those male faces that was hewn from stone. If Auburn didn’t know firsthand how much he loved her, she’d be scared of him. She figured he terrified most women—which would account for why he didn’t date.

That and the fact that dating would require him to take time for himself. Away from Cape House and the responsibilities that rode on his shoulders. And Levi had turned self-sacrifice into a fine art and a way of life.

When Auburn was a pre-teen, Levi had been a pretty fun guy. A bit of a partier, in fact. Auburn often wondered if that part of him still existed in there, buried deep under the seriousness.

“Youknowwhy I didn’t tell you,” Auburn said quietly.

They stared at each other for a long moment, during which the stubborn streak they’d inherited from their father burned in two sets of blue eyes. Then Levi looked away.

“If I hadn’t just done the renovations, Cape House would have cash,” he said, and Auburn could see the unhappiness behind his eyes. “But right now? I could maybe eke out another $25K. And it’s yours, for what it’s worth.”

“No way,” Auburn said. “That money isn’t just for you and Cape House. It’s for all of us.”

Levi—and Cape House—had put them all through college, paid their medical expenses, taken care of them through every possible bit of life drama. It had been the roof over all their heads at one time or another.

And Auburn, no matter how much she loved Beachcrest, knew Cape House came first. Protecting Cape House was paramount, at least until Hannah went to college in two years.

“I’ve got some financing possibilities lined up,” Auburn said.

“Tell me it’s not Patrick,” Levi said fiercely.

Trey shot an appraising gaze in Levi’s direction.

“Not Patrick,” Auburn said quickly.

“What about him?” Levi tipped his head in Trey’s direction.

“I’m not in a position to do that,” Trey said.

Levi gave a tight nod at that. “You want to sell and get out.”

“I do.”

“There’s one lender who’s, um, interested,” Auburn said. “Interested” was definitely too strong a word, but she wasn’t sure how riled up she wanted to get Levi right now. “But Kee and I thought we’d do this Bootstrapper thing as a Plan B.”

“I’ve got a little saved,” Mason said, startling them.

They all turned to look at him.

“Fifteen thousand.”

“Holyshit, Mace,” Auburn said.

He shrugged. “Was thinking about getting myself a place. But it can wait. I know you’re good for it, sis.”

“No.” Auburn didn’t even hesitate. “I won’t take it. It’s time for you to have a place of your own.”

She could feel Chiara’s murmured assent. Auburn didn’t delude herself that owning a house would fix everything troubled in Mason, but it would at least help. Give him something to care for, or about. He’d been fourteen when their parents had died, and he’d never fully rallied.

“I’ve got ten,” Chiara said.

Auburn shook her head. “No. No to all of you. I’m going to do this some other way. I’m going to figure it out, but I’m not going to figure it out by stealing from your dreams.”

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