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“But you love your job.” Tears were forming in her eyes.
He sat down next to her on the loveseat and took her hands. “I love you more.”
“Bass.” A tear slipped down her cheek, and he brushed it away with his thumb.
“Who’ll take over your job?” Gus interrupted their sweet moment.
“I’ve left that decision up to Dad.” He nodded at their father then, who stood and took the place where Sebastian had been standing.
Their attention turned to the head of the household.
“I’ve thought long and hard about this decision, and I’ve decided Skylar will move into the position of president in Sebastian’s absence.”
“What?” Gus burst out. “Why? I’m the next oldest. It should be me.”
“Augustus.” Dad gave him a scolding look. “With the issues you’ve had over the past few years and your upcoming court date, I have to think about what will be best for the company at this time.”
“This is crap.” Gus stood and stared his father down. “Nothing I ever do is enough.”
“Gus.” Skylar looked as if her heart was shattering for their brother.
“What do I have to do? Tell me, Dad. Because I’ll do it.”
“You’ll still have your position as vice president for the time being.”
“For the time being? What does that mean?”
“It’s dependent on this law suit.” Dad stepped closer to Gus and lay his hand on his shoulder, looking him straight in the eyes. “I know you want to be taken seriously in this company, and I want that for you. I do. But as I’ve told you before, until we see that you’ve changed … until you’re ready to settle down and be serious, this is how things are going to be.”
Gus looked devastated, like the weight of the world had suddenly settled on his shoulders. He looked around the room at his family, from face to face, and stopped on Sebastian. “Congratulations on your engagement.” He turned and began walking out of the living room.
“Augustus,” his father called after him.
He turned and locked eyes with their father. “I’ll be going now. It’s obvious where I rank in this family.”
“Gus,” Skylar begged. “Please, don’t.”
“Kick some butt as president, sis.”
And then, with no further arguments or angry scenes, he turned and walked out of the house.
The room was silent for long minutes. Skylar was weeping, and Mom took her into her arms and let her cry. She was so tender when it came to their brother.
“Where will he go?” Genevieve whispered.
“I don’t know. He has the law suit to deal with, so he can’t stay away for long.”
“I feel bad for him.”
Sebastian put his arm around her and leaned back against the loveseat, pulling her into his side. She turned into him, resting her head on his chest, and her palm over his heart.
“I just hope he doesn’t do anything stupid,” Sebastian said.
After some time, when Skylar’s tears had subsided and the sadness of Gus walking out had dulled a little, Mom stood and brushed her hands over her slacks to smooth them out. She looked over at the two of them with a smile.
“What do you say we teach Genevieve how to make Granny’s truffles.”
Genevieve sat up suddenly from her place in Sebastian’s arms, and he immediately felt the loss of her warmth. “Oh, I’d love that.”