Page 14 of The Love Ambush (The Sullivans #1)

“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.

Somewhere I read that swearing actually reduces pain. “Mother-fucking fucker,” I mutter. “What the actual fuck was he fucking thinking?”

“Gentry?”

I spin around, hand to my chest to keep my heart in my body.

“Sorry,” Levi says, hands raised. “Are you okay?”

I force a smile, but it feels tight. “I’m great. Just enjoying this fresh mountain air.”

“Right.” Thankfully he doesn’t call me out either on the fact that we aren’t actually in the mountains yet or that the only scent in the air is gasoline and grease.

“I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation with Brodie.

He shouldn’t be bailing on you like this.

I can talk to him and make him understand—”

I hold up a hand. “He’s got enough on his plate right now. I’ll talk to him after the honeymoon. I’m sure we can work something out.”

Levi’s jaw sets, and he crosses his arms over his chest. “He’s being an asshole, Gentry. The more of us that get on his case about it, the more likely he is to see reason.”

I want to be angry with him for meddling, but mostly, I just feel bad that he’s being pulled into my mess. “I appreciate the offer, but I can handle my brother. You’re here to enjoy your vacation and your time with your best friend. Not to worry about us.”

Levi stares me down for a few moments, clearly thinking about what he wants to say. Instead, he shakes his head and looks away. “Brodie and his wild schemes used to be a hell of a lot more fun than this.”

“What?”

He meets my gaze and gives me a sad smile. “Take as long as you need back here. I’ll make sure they wait patiently.”

He turns and walks away. I want to believe him, because I need more time to get my shit together before I head back out there, but I know my siblings too well. There’s no way they’re going to wait patiently.

I give myself five minutes of deep breathing exercises before I head back around to the front of the building. I’d love to stop inside and grab some snacks, but I’m sure Brodie’s eager to get on the road.

Except he’s not standing next to his behemoth of a vehicle tapping his watch and looking annoyed, he’s laughing as he gestures wildly, telling some story to Levi. Even Sophie and Emily are smiling, clearly enjoying whatever tale Brodie’s spinning.

My brother has always been able to captivate an audience.

While he’s distracted, I hurry into the store and stock up on some favorite snacks for me and the kids.

When I walk back out, everyone’s in the Range Rover, but it’s not Levi in the passenger seat, it’s Emily. She smiles and winks at me as I walk past her to the back door. Sophie’s in the third row, earbuds in, eyes on her phone, so I climb into the middle row next to Levi.

“Finally,” Brodie says with a heavy sigh. “I’m on a schedule here, you know.”

“I know,” I say. “But I’m ready to go the rest of the way. No more stops.”

“Good,” Brodie says. “Because I’m not stopping even if you ask. It’s been three days since I’ve seen Daphne.”

I look at Levi, who’s frowning at the back of my brother’s head like he’s annoyed. Did he want to sit up front? He probably wants to catch up with Brodie.

Brodie backs out of the spot and heads out of the lot toward the highway.

I poke Levi in the shoulder, and he looks over at me, still scowling. I point at Emily and mouth, want to switch?

He shakes his head and leans back in his seat, his shoulders relaxing as Emily laughs at something Brodie says. She’s always loved her big brother and, apparently, she’s unbothered by what she overheard him saying earlier. She forgives him so much more easily than she’s ever forgiven me.

“What have you got here?” Levi grabs the plastic bag I set between us and starts digging through it.

I grab the bag back and put it on my lap. “Snacks for me and the girls. If you’re hungry, you should have gotten your own snacks.”

He pulls a huge bag up onto the seat from the floorboards. I didn’t notice it next to his feet. “Oh, believe me. I did. I forgot to have breakfast this morning, and I’m starving.”

“I guess so.”

“How about you?” Levi asks, oddly intent. “Did you have a good breakfast?”

“Really good,” I say. “Bagels.” He doesn’t need to know how I got them.

His smile lights his eyes. “Good. I’m glad.”

That’s a weird thing to say, but before I can question it, Sophie leans across the seat between us. “Can I have those chips you got, Levi?”

He grins. “You mean the ones you asked for ten times?” He pulls out a full-sized bag of chips and passes it back. “Here.”

“Sophie,” I say. “I’ve got lots of snacks. Why don’t you eat what I bought?”

Sophie, head bent over her phone, doesn’t hear me or pretends not to.

“I’m sorry,” I say to Levi. “You didn’t have to buy them snacks.”

“It’s not a problem.” He opens a bag of tiny cookies and pops three into his mouth. “Road trips are the only time I allow myself unlimited junk food and, if some of the bag isn’t mine, I can look giving instead of gluttonous.”

He’s being too sweet. And my first thought is that he must want something.

For my parents, and with many of my ex-boyfriends, kindness was always a precursor to a request or a demand.

Or a way to make up for not being present or for being too harsh.

Problem was, the behavior never actually changed.

The kindnesses and gifts were always just manipulations.

Levi smiles at me, and I hate myself for second-guessing him. Levi and I have thrown plenty of sharp barbs at each other since he moved back to town, but he hasn’t done anything cruel.

Is he right? Have I been judging him without giving him a chance to show me he’s changed?