Page 100 of The Love Ambush
“I’m not sure. Maybe.” He steps out of my reach, swallows hard, and forces a smile. He’s not fooling me. He’s still pale and swaying. Something is very wrong. “It doesn’t matter. Will Sebastian go for someone who’s already part of the family?”
That cannot be what’s freaking him out. “I don’t think that’s going to be the part he takes issue with, man. She’s an in-law. It’s not even in the neighborhood of incest.”
He blows out a breath. “Good. He’s looking for you, by the way. Wants to talk to you about the budget on the Kilpatrick build.”
Sebastian wanting to talk about the budget could be a two-second or a two-day conversation. I don’t have time for either. I need to fix things for Gentry, or she is never going to forgive me.
The very thought makes me want to punch myself in the face, so I take it out on my brother. “Cover for me or I’m going to tell him about your evil schemings to fix him up with his cousin-in-law.”
Deacon looks as shocked as if I slapped him. “Levi. Et tu?”
I pack my laptop into my bag and grab my keys and wallet from the desk. “Where is he?”
Deacon crosses his arms over his chest. “I’m not afraid of you, Levi, but Sebastian scares the shit out of me. You want me to cover for you, you’re going to have to do more than threaten me.”
I’m probably over-reacting. I probably have time to talk to Sebastian. It’s not like Gentry’s father is going to show up on her doorstep today. But no amount of logical reasoning is making me feel better. “I’m in love with Gentry Lendew, but I fucked up. I need to fix it now, or I’m going to have to move to California to avoid bumping into her and breaking my heart over and over again.”
He stares at me for a long moment before his face splits into a huge grin. “Why didn’t you say so? Of course, I’ll cover for you. I’ll help you serenade her or line her street with flower petals if you want.”
Some of the tension that’s been making my chest ache since Gentry said we were done eases. “Thanks, Deacon. You’re an asshole, but I love you.”
He slaps my back. “Love you, too, dirtbag. Sebastian is in the front room. I’ll distract him while you sneak out the back.”
I let him go down the stairs ahead of me, then hurry down on light feet. I make it to the kitchen and am reaching for the knob to the back door when a gruff, familiar voice shouts my name.
I could still run. He probably won’t catch me.
“I’m faster than you, and I’ll shove your face in mud if I catch you,” Sebastian says.
I turn to find him leaning against the door jamb between the kitchen and the main hallway. He smirks. “Sneaking off to your other job?”
I’m so shocked I fail to cover my reaction. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
He steps into the room. “You aren’t as covert as you imagine you are, Levi. I’m pissed you didn’t tell me yourself, but I don’t have a problem with you making extra money on the side. As long as you’re available when I need you, and I need you now.”
Despite the feeling of urgency making me shift from foot to foot, having my big brother tell me he needs me gives me all the warm and fuzzies. “This isn’t about my other job. This is about Gentry.”
Sebastian rolls his eyes. “Couldn’t you seal that deal on your trip?”
Again, I’m shocked.
Sebastian grunts. “Knowing what all you chuckleheads are up to is how I keep this company running so smoothly. This crush you’ve had on Gentry has been distracting you, and it’s fucking with my business. If she hasn’t thrown you a bone yet, she’s not going to.”
I wince. “Such a gentleman.”
“I’m not trying to impress you with my chivalry. I need your help, and that’s more important than some woman who thinks she’s too good for you.”
“She is too fucking good for me,” I say. “But apparently, she likes me anyway. The problem is her deadbeat father has shown up and is causing trouble for her and the kids.”
His scowl settles into a look of concern. “What kind of trouble?”
“That’s what I’m trying to figure out. He’s had no contact with any of the kids for four years, and now he’s talking about moving back here and living with Gentry and her sisters.”
Sebastian grimaces. “That sounds suspect as fuck.”
“Which is why I need to figure out what he’s up to. The sooner, the better. While I appreciate that you and the business need me, I’m guessing it can wait one more day.”
He runs a hand over his full beard, nodding. “I can grab Deacon. He’s not doing anything. He can sit on her house and keep an eye out for any issues.”
