Page 35 of Convenient Rivals

Gregory could see his hands shaking, but he wasn’t sure why he was so nervous. None of this was his doing. His friends just wanted to help him, that was all, and they might even have a better suggestion for him. The one thing Gregory would not share with them was about hooking up with Oscar. They wouldn’t judge him for it, but it added a layer of complexity to their arrangement, which his brothers didn’t need to know about.

He hoped Jason was okay wherever he was. It was clear Grant had freaked him out, and Gregory was curious what their history was, because they definitely knew each other somehow.

“Take it from the beginning,” said Langdon, putting the tea down. “I know some of it, but Charlie doesn’t, and I know you’ve not told me everything.”

He sighed and then explained how he’d given Barty a quarter of a million a few months back after his parents had demanded he pay it. He didn’t mention how Sebastian had helped by investing in Knights Corner. Gregory didn’t want to cause any issues between Charlie and his fiancé.

Langdon was getting red again when Gregory told them about Barty being beaten up, but he was incredulous when he explained what his father had done in getting the debt moved over to Gregory. He’d kept that part from Langdon before, but they knew everything now.

“Make sure I’m never in the same room as your dad,” he said.

Gregory was taken aback for a second, but knew Langdon was deadly serious.

“Maybe don’t beat my father up at the wedding.”

“Are you seriously going to go through with that?” asked Charlie.

“I don’t have a choice.”

“There’s always a choice, Gregory.”

“Sebastian would lend you the money,” said Charlie.

“No. I have to do this myself.”

He wasn’t taking the risk of anything affecting Charlie’s relationship with Sebastian, and money always did that.

“What about borrowing money against the flat, then? It’s still an option, isn’t it?”

“Too late for that. Oscar already paid a quarter of a million, and you saw how Jason reacted. I’m not doing that to him. He needs stability.”

They all nodded, knowing how awful Jason’s childhood had been.

“Why would you marry that man after what he did to you?” asked Charlie.

“He’s apologised for that, more than once,” said Gregory, feeling compelled to defend Oscar. Where had that come from?

“Let me talk to Grant. There has to be another way,” said Langdon.

“No. You’ve just started to build a relationship with him. Don’t get involved in his business.”

“Hmmm.”

“Please, Langdon.”

“I’ll drop it for now, but there has to be a way other than marrying Oscar Montgomery. Although I would pay to see your mum’s face when she finds out.”

Gregory groaned. He wasn’t looking forward to that. She’d made her feelings very clear when they attended the Christmas ball together. His father had just looked at him with disgust, but that was nothing new.

“I’m going to stay here for the rest of the day. I need to think.”

“It’s Christmas Day. Sebastian’s cooking,” said Charlie, looking hurt. He was hosting Christmas in their new home.

“Someone needs to be here in case Jason comes home, and you should all be with your men. I’ll be fine.”

“I call bullshit,” said Langdon.

“Please. I just need some thinking time. I’m supposed to be getting engaged in six days.”

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