Page 29 of The Love Ambush
“Yes, I’ve told them that’s not happening, but it might be nice for them to visit for a week or two in the summer.” Partly because they should have a relationship with their older brother, but mostly because I’m certain two weeks with Brodie will disabuse them permanently of the idea they’d be happier living with him.
“I work sixty-hour weeks, Gentry. And I’m going to be a married man. I can’t have kids around when I’m home. Daphne works as much as I do, and we don’t get enough time together as it is.”
I glance back to make sure the kids aren’t hearing this, but Sophie has her earbuds in and Emily’s chatting quietly with Levi about some band she likes.
Brodie’s answer doesn’t surprise me, and it sets up my next question perfectly. “I hate to bring this up now, but do you think you can send more money? Sophie wants to level up in gymnastics, and you know that isn’t cheap.”
“Why does she want to do that? She’s not going to get a college scholarship at her level, is she?”
“Probably not. She wants to do it because she enjoys it.” And she needs some fun in her life. She’s been having a hard time at school, and it’s about more than her recent breakup. I’m hoping it’s just typical high school drama, but she doesn’t talk to me. “I would cover it myself, but my car needs some work and the fridge’s been making weird noises, so it’s probably going to need to be replaced soon.”
He glances in the rearview mirror and lowers his voice. “I can’t send you all money anymore, Gent.”
My heart thuds painfully against my ribs. “What?”
"You have a job that makes good money, right? And Sophie’s old enough to work. It won’t be long before Emily can get a job.”
“I make decent money, Brodie, but I have to pay for my nursing classes. Plus, the house repairs, car repairs, and everything the kids need… It’s a lot.”
“So downsize in house,” Brodie says. “Adulting is tough. I get it, but—”
“This is about more than adulting,” I say, way too loudly. Behind us, the car goes silent. I pause, waiting for Emily and Levi to start talking again, but Brodie is restrained by no concerns of being overheard.
“Daphne and I are buying a house,” he says. “And she has dogs, one of whom has special needs. We want to start our life together with a clean slate, and I can’t be supporting a family that’s not ours.”
I glance back in the rearview mirror to see that Sophie has taken out her earbuds and is leaning forward. Emily is wide-eyed and completely ignoring Levi’s attempts to draw her back into conversation. I have no idea how long they’ve been listening.
“We should talk about this later,” I say, because our sisters do not need to be worrying about money on top of everything else.
“I’ve got a jam-packed schedule for the wedding,” Brodie says. “And my position isn’t going to change. I get that it sucks thatMom left, but we shouldn’t let it ruin our lives. If it’s too much for you, send the kids to live with Aunt Geraldine. She said she’d take them in, didn’t she?”
Behind us, one of our sisters gasps. And the other one mutters, “Fuck.” Pretty sure I can guess which is which, but I take nothing for granted anymore. “Brodie—”
“If you want to keep them with you, step up and ask that boss of yours for a raise. Or move out of Catalpa Creek. You’d have a lot more opportunities in a big city. I know it seems harsh right now, but when you meet someone and decide you want to have a life not saddled with our train wreck of a family, you’ll understand.”
“Brodie,” I say through clenched teeth, practically panting with anger. “Shut the fuck up.”
He glances in the mirror and winces. “It’s not like we don’t all know our family is a train wreck, right? They’re old enough to know how the world works, and you aren’t doing them any favors sheltering them. You can get a job, right, Soph?”
“A job?” Sophie squawks. “I won’t have time for a job with gymnastics. And I’m taking all AP courses this year.”
“Brodie,” I say. “I get it. You aren’t sending money anymore. Let’s move on.” This is beyond the pale even for him. I have a feeling there’s something he’s not telling me. Which doesn’t make me want to punch him any less.
He swerves onto an exit ramp. “I tried to tell you we should talk later, but you insisted on talking about it now.”
“If I’d known how the conversation was going to go, I might have agreed.” I’m so angry and frustrated and fucking scared my hands are shaking. Thank goodness Brodie paid for our flight and our rooms while we’re here. Otherwise, I’d be far worse off.
I’ll work on changing his mind, but now isn’t the time.
Sophie will just have to wait a few more months to level up in gymnastics.
Brodie pulls into a spot at the gas station, and I get out. I need some space before I scream something at him I’m going to regret, so I hop out and head toward the gas station shop. Sophie and Emily can join me if they want, and there are two grown men with them to handle their needs. I have no reason to feel guilty, but I still do as I hurry around the back of the building.
What I need is a run or a punching bag, but since I have neither, I put my hands over my mouth and scream into them. I get that Brodie didn’t choose this. He wanted the kids to go to our aunt’s after Mom left. I even understand him wanting to dedicate his money to his future with Daphne, but couldn’t he have given me more warning?
I just have to convince him to give me six months so I can figure something out. I scream into my hands again, but I’m not feeling better. I kick the concrete side of the building just hard enough to release some rage but not hard enough to hurt myself.
It’s still not enough.
