Page 4 of Fall for You
But honestly, it wasn’t like she’d been treated badly. To hear her talk, she was the family Cinderella. In reality, she’d always been Dad’s little princess. She could do no wrong and get away with murder…
All while he’d had to prove himself time and again.
So yeah. He loved his dad—and his mom, obviously—but he still didn’t relish being compared to the old man.
“How are things back home?” Antony’s voice sounded a little distant. Like maybe he was in the middle of fixing his bike or about to brush his teeth or something.
“Maybe you should come visit and find out.”
Antony grunted at his big brother’s teasing.
“Mom would love it if you could swing Christmas this year. You wouldn’t even need to buy her a gift. You’d be plenty.”
He laughed and conceded, “Christmas might be doable.” He went silent for a beat. “Yeah, I could maybe make that work.”
Dallas bit back a laugh—mightandmaybewere two of Antony’s favorite words. He never liked to fully commit to anything. Didn’t want to lock himself in. The guy was a cheetah and had to be free to roam.
But Dallas wasn’t about to let him get away with it, so he pressed. “I’ll take that as a yes, then?”
“Uh…yeah, maybe.”
“No, I’m looking for a plain oldyes. It’s just three little letters, dude. Come on, you can do it,” he goaded.
And Antony finally gave in with a sigh. “Okay, fine. Yes. I’ll be there. You happy?”
Dallas grinned. “It’s not aboutme, it’s about my mama and her happiness.”
“Ourmama.” Antony got a little snippy. If there was one woman on this planet Antony would do anything for, it was his ever-loyal mother. She’d defended him on more than one occasion. No matter what he’d gotten up to, she was his biggest supporter, and he knew it. “Now, enough talk about Christmas. Update me on real-time life, bro.”
Dallas gave in with a sigh, swiveling in his chair to look out the window again. “Things are the same. Nothing new going on around here.”
Was it just him, or had that come out sounding…depressing?
Antony didn’t call him on it. “Anything new on Willow?”
Now that had Dallas straightening, fidgeting with his tie and gazing out the window with narrowed eyes. He’d told Antony all about Willow’s weird behavior, and his younger brother had been just as concerned as he was.
It really wasn’t like Willow to be secretive.
And he’d tell himself that Bailey and Brandon were looking out for her except…well, they both had a lot on their plates. Bailey with her new boyfriend and running the inn, and Brandon with his new family.
He couldn’t blame them if they didn’t notice Willow’s weirdness.
“…she didn’t say a word, but she got weird.” Antony was still talking, and Dallas had to catch up.
“Sorry, who got weird?”
“Willow.” Antony’s voice grew closer again, like he’d just put the phone back to his mouth. “She called yesterday just to say hey, and I asked her what she’s been up to…”
“You didn’t tell her what I said,” Dallas confirmed.
He didn’t really have to.
“Of course not.” Antony’s response was quick and annoyed.
As it should be. The other three were talkers. Big talkers. They loved nothing more than to hash things out, clear the air, and—in Brandon’s case, at least—keep the peace.
But he and Antony were a different breed. They’d taken after their dad like that.
