Page 28 of The Love Ambush
“Great. My car’s in the garage right this way.”
As we follow Brodie, he and Levi chat in low voices. Sophie and Emily tell me the story about Emily thinking the plane was going to crash, arguing with each other about the order of events and who said what.
I really want to know what Levi and Brodie are saying to each other, but there’s no way for me to listen in without being obvious about it.
Levi glances back at me. “Gentry was just saying she’s never been to Denver. I can’t believe you haven’t had your sisters out here.”
I was not just saying any such thing. Emily must have told him. Still, I appreciate his attempt to bring me into their conversation.
“I’ve been busy making the big bucks,” Brodie says. “Besides, Gentry hates to travel.”
“She does?” I ask. Brodie and I have never had long conversations about our hopes and dreams, but he must remember the posters I had of foreign places on my walls when we were growing up. I’ve always dreamed of seeing the world.
Brodie looks back at me, outwardly easygoing as always. “You never go anywhere. You’re a homebody.”
I don’t bother explaining that I’ve been chained to my home by two teenagers who’ve needed me for the last two years and before that, I was working to put myself through art school.
“I don’t get that at all, man,” Levi says. “I think it’s a lack of opportunity, not a lack of desire. Right, Gentry?”
I nod, because of course he’s right, but something in my chest twists. Does Levi remember the posters on my walls? Did he listen when I talked about studying abroad or backpacking around Europe?
“Well, she’s here now,” Brodie says without looking back at me. “She can see Denver as we drive past it on the way to Yuletide.”
“How long is the drive?” Sophie asks.
“About four hours. Daphne and her parents are already at the resort.”
“Ugh. I’m not sitting next to Emily.”
I glare at her, but she ignores me. Emily threw up once last night and hasn’t complained of even a stomachache since. Sophie’s just trying to stir up drama, and I don’t need Brodieknowing his baby sister was drunk with a predator less than twenty-four hours ago.
For all his laid-back attitude, Brodie is fiercely protective.
Brodie stops next to a Range Rover that costs more than I make in a year. He must be doing better than I realized. Which is a huge relief, because Sophie’s looking at colleges and her top picks are out of state.
“Pile in, gang,” Brodie says as he unlocks the doors.
I head for the front passenger side, but Brodie links an arm around my neck and pulls me back. “Sit with the kids, Gent. I need to catch up with Levi. I haven’t seen him in over a year, and I talk to you like once a week.”
“I was hoping we could talk about the kids.” I’ve been putting off talking about it because he’s been stressed with work and wedding planning, but I need to get things squared away with him before he leaves on his honeymoon or whatever it is he and Daphne are doing after the wedding. He’s been vague about the details when we’ve talked. “We need to start putting more away for college, and you know how expensive—”
“We’ll have time for that later,” Brodie says. “Levi, man, you’re up here with me.”
“I can sit with Sophie and Emily,” Levi says. “You and Gentry should talk.”
Brodie’s arm tightens around me. I don’t think he likes his best friend siding with me. “Come on, man. I haven’t seen you in years. You don’t want to sit with the kids.”
“I sat with them on the plane,” Levi says. “We’re buds now.” He fist-bumps Emily, and even Sophie smiles as she rolls her eyes.
Brodie blows out a breath. “Fine. But we’re switching up when we stop for gas.”
We’re on the highway, pop music a low hum, before Brodie speaks up. “We’ve only got a quarter tank, so start talking, woman.”
I bite back a sigh. He’s stressed about the wedding, I’m sure, and when Brodie is stressed, he armors up to avoid anyone seeing his cracks. In his case, the armor is asshole-ish behavior. I’d hoped getting engaged might have meant he’d matured a bit, but that’s clearly not the case. Still, the money he sends is a lifesaver, and I want us to be able to work together.
“The kids still don’t love that I’m their guardian. They’ve been talking about moving out here and living with you.”
He huffs. “That is not happening.” He glances over at me, panic sliding into his expression. “That’s not happening, right? You’ve told them that’s not happening?”
