Page 13 of The Love Ambush (The Sullivans #1)

“You, too,” Levi says. “Can’t believe you’re actually getting married.”

Brodie huffs out a laugh. “My younger self can’t believe it either, but you’ll get it when you see the chick I scored.”

“Brodie,” Sophie squawks, still smiling. “You can’t say that. It’s sexist.”

Brodie shrugs, unbothered. “Trust me. She’s definitely my better half. As long as I acknowledge that, how sexist can I be?”

Brodie worked half a day at the office, so he’s in a suit, and he looks weary. Like it’s already been a long day.

He sends us money every month, which has made it possible for us to stay in Mom and Dad’s house. It’s fully paid for and has been since Mom paid it off with an inheritance from her parents when I was just a baby. Maintenance of the house is pricier than I’d ever imagined, though.

Brodie’s only visited a few times in the past two years, since I’ve taken over as guardian, but that’s more than he visited when Mom was still at home, so I don’t complain.

Brodie claps his hands once. “You got everything? Ready to go?”

“We’re ready,” I say.

“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 Brodie knowing 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?”

“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 that Mom 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.”