This seems to stun him, but only for a second. He scoffs. “Don’t start with me on her. You don’t see her at the city council meetings. She doesn’t exactly support what’s good for the community.“
“There it is.” I squat for the frame, and Will automatically does the same. “You don’t like that she makes your job harder.”
As we heft it back to the bedroom, he says, “That’s not it. I don’t trust her” —I drop the wood before he’s ready, making his next words strained— “and I don’t think she came by that house honestly. I mean, doyouknow what she does for a living? And how anyone can entrust their child toher is beyond me. I saw her coming out of the tattoo parlor with her daughter last week.”
A burst of anger shoots through me. “You can’t seriously think she let Lizzie get a tattoo.” God, the insanity of it. “And you can’t seriously hold their piece of shit father against those women.” I look pointedly at him, willing him to draw the parallels here.
His jaw clenches. “That’s different. You and I are nothing like Dad. Gia is basically a tiny version of hers, but sharper in every way. I’ve seen her hustle, and not that long ago. I know what I’m talking about here. And Brie?—”
“Brie’s important to me,” I interrupt with a rasp. “I don’t know if I’m the one for her, but she’s the one for me” —my heart stops for an instant.The one for me— “and if that’s a problem because of some grudge you had against their father, or a crazy conspiracy you have against Gia, then you’ve got two options: you can keep it to yourself, or I’ll see you at the monthly dinners with Dad, and only then.”
And I mean it. Regardless of where Brie and I stand, I won’t put up with Will’s bigotry.
He scrubs a hand over his jaw. “Okay,” he grits out. “Where’s your screwdriver.”
I’m suddenly aware of how fast I’m breathing, that my hands have tightened into fists, that I’m grinding my molars in irritation. Except it’s not just irritation at my brother.
What I said is true. Brie is the one. And, what? I’m going to let her ghost me?
No.I love her, but if she can never love me back, if she’s willing to just leave, then she needs to say it to my face. There’s a limit to my patience, and I’m there. I’m done.
And if she won’t come to me, then I’m going to her one last time.
“You know what?” I tell Will, “I’ve gotta go.”
With determination, I stride across the room for my wallet and keys. Next to the front door is the old shoebox I scrounged up while putting the cabin back to sorts. When I found it, I worried what would happen if I gave it to her. It could make or break our relationship.
But now, I’m past the point of worrying.
Will holds his hands up. “Hey, I mean it. I’m sorry.”
I turn. “We’re fine. But, really, I’ve gotta go. I have to talk to Brie.”
His brow furrows and he uses his thumb to crack the knuckles on the same hand. “All good?”
Rubbing the back of my neck, I say, “I don’t know. The silver lining is: if it isn’t, I won’t force you to get along with Gia.”
One eyebrow ticks up. “I don’t know what to wish for, then.”
“Wish for a close personal relationship with Gia. For my sake.”
Will flashes that million-dollar smile everyone seems to love. “I could wish for it all my days, it’ll never happen. But good luck anyway.”
CHAPTER 45
BRIE
I’min the kitchen when I hear a sudden, impatient knock at Gia’s front door. She and Lizzie already left for their spring break trip, and it’s too late for packages.
My heart starts to pound when I see the outline of a man distorted through the glass of the door. I know just by the way he’s standing who it is.
Sawyer.
I haven’t spoken to him all week. I should’ve called, should’ve sought him out, but I needed time to figure out what I want.
Gia’s words got through to me. I do push people away, and I’m scared. I’m scared of wanting him as much as I do, and I’m scared of having to leave before this even begins. I’ve had two more job offers this week, from prestigious private schools on the opposite end of the country. Nothing from Blue Ridge.
With a deep, fortifying breath, I open the door.
