Page 106 of Rebellious Hearts

Alex shook his head as I told him about the dinner we had together, the time we spent with Richard as a couple, and how he was so serious about signing because he believed that we were the kind of team he and his wife had been.

“I don’t even know what to say,” Alex said. “What went wrong?”

I racked my mind to try to figure out the answer to that question. What exactlyhadgone wrong?

The truth had come out, for one. The fact that Sofia didn’t love me when I’d already been in love with her.

But fucked if I was going to admit that to Alex.

“Richard found out,” I finally said. That was the truth. “He pulled the plug, and that’s pretty much that. I’m sorry.”

Alex shook his head. “It’s a disappointment, but it’s okay. We’ll figure something out, find another location. Another investor. I want to expand, so we’ll do it somehow.” He glanced at me. “How did Richard find out?”

“Does it matter?”

Alex hesitated. “No… I just haven’t seen you this worked up over something. It’s a pity about the project, but you’re usually the type that will say if it’s done, then leave it behind. And you seem… upset.”

I shook my head. “It’s just that a lot of people out there need help, and now they’re not going to get it.”

“What do you mean?” Alex asked with a frown.

“Sofia pointed it out to me. The town really needs rejuvenation. They really need a lifeline, something that will help them back up after they’ve been knocked down for years. She’s so serious about helping people, Sofia. She doesn’t care about the money. Her pay is pretty great, of course, because she’s fucking good at her job here, but when you see her out there between the people, reaching out to those in need, simply because it’s the right thing to do…”

I stopped talking, realizing that my thoughts had trailed off from the main topic we were discussing.

Alex studied my face. His expression had changed to something I didn’t quite recognize. It looked almost like… sympathy.

“Ben… are you in love with her?”

I snorted. “Who do you think I am? You know me. I don’t do love.”

“No,” Alex said. “You don’t. But the way you’re talking about her. The way you describe what’s important to her…”

“It doesn’t matter,” I said, brushing Alex off. “She doesn’t love me, so it’s a moot point.”

“Why don’t you tell me what happened?” Alex asked. “And I’m not talking about the business side of things. I’m not talking about Richard and the contract and the project. Tell me about Sofia.”

I hesitated. Was I really going to lean on my brother, tell him what went on in my head, in my heart? We’d never had this kindof relationship. Alex and I had always been rivals. He’d been the first to get adopted, he’d been the strong one, the one to be chosen to run the company. I’d always seen him as the guy I needed to beat if I were ever to have some worth.

But the way he looked at me now wasn’t with disdain, disappointment, or frustration. The way he looked at me now was like he really cared.

“I don’t know, man.” I sighed. “It’s complicated.”

“Women always are.”

“I just thought it was real, you know? I thought she loved me, too.”

“And you’re sure she doesn’t?”

“Pretty damn sure.” I scoffed. “She said so herself.”

Alex raised his eyebrows. “She told you that?”

“Well… no. She told Amy that.”

“And you overheard?”

“Yeah.”