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Mildred turns and shushes him. “You’re not helping.”
Brooks relaxes and leans back again, the side of his body brushing against mine under the hot water. His hand that’s been toying with my hair drops to my shoulder. “Why would you want your sister to be with someone who treats her like garbage? I’m honestly wondering.”
Mildred huffs an annoyed sigh. “Listen, you probably do well for yourself and everything … But as Vanderbilts, we’re accustomed to a certain … level of comfort.”
“So she’d be better off with billions of dollars than someone who treats her with love and respect?”
Prestons chuckles. “Todd will grow up a lot once he finally gets his trust fund.”
Mildred gasps. “Preston!”
He grimaces. “Oh shit, I wasn’t supposed to say that.”
My eyebrows shoot up at his comment. “Wait, Todd hasn’t received his trust fund? Why?”
“You’ve done it now,” Mildred whisper-yells.
“I’m sorry, baby!” He grovels.
Brooks and I look at each other; he looks just as confused as I am. We wait a moment for them to finish arguing before I ask my question again, “Why hasn’t he received his trust?”
Mildred glares at Preston and he begrudgingly explains, “Well, Todd was rather … reckless … with money and girls throughout high school. My uncle and aunt were terrified to send him to college because of it. They worried he’d be in the press all the time, causing drama. My father sat down with Todd’s and they came up with the idea to put a marriage clause in his trust. They thought it would help him make better decisions.”
The blood drains from my face as I start putting the pieces together. “That’s right when he started dating me.”
Preston glances at Mildred, then back to me. “You were always so responsible, and sweet. Our families sort of encouraged him to date you. Thinking you’d be a good influence.”
I swallow, my throat feeling thick and dry. Tears sting my eyes, but I don’t let them fall. “Why didn’t he just marry me and get his trust fund then?”
Mildred ends her silence. “He has until he’s twenty-seven to get married. But his dad pays him way too much for the work he does remotely.” She rolls her eyes. “So apparently he hasn’t been very motivated to get his trust before then.”
“Did his parents make him follow me to Kansas, too?” I ask. Mildred and Preston’s faces grow serious and they avoid my gaze. “Well, that answers that question,” I say bitterly.
My feeling of shock and hurt slowly turns in my gut until I just feel angry … really angry. “You kept this from me and let me waste seven years of my life thinking he cared about me?”
She has the good sense to look ashamed. “As your big sister, I just wanted you to be taken care of.”
I stand and start to get out of the hot tub, and Mildred stands too, grabbing my arm. “Please! Try to understand. I thought he’d grow up by now and want to settle down.”
Pulling my arm away, I step out of the hot tub and grab a towel. “Settle down, or settle?”
Brooks gets out of the hot tub, taking my towel and wrapping it around me. I’m thankful for his assistance since my hands are trembling.
Mildred and Preston quickly step out of the hot tub and grab towels. “Molly, please. I’m sorry. Explaining this all out loud definitely makes it sound …”
“Crazy? Insane? Inexplicable?” Brooks offers, his voice deep and demanding. He’s standing between me and my sister, like a bodyguard. Solid as a brick wall, unmoving in his desire to protect me.
Mildred’s chin quivers. I’m not sure if it’s because she’s cold or if she’s trying to hold back tears. “Well, yes. All of those things.”
I scoff. “You didn’t think I deserved to have what you and Preston have? Is the measure of a man really his net worth?” I throw my hands up in frustration. “Ugh, I can't even continue this conversation.”
Mildred and Preston both start speaking at once, but Brooks holds a hand up to stop them. “I think it’s best we end the evening here.” His tone is firm, and no one bothers arguing with him.
Preston urges Mildred toward the patio door. She’s reluctant, studying my face and looking like she’s about to speak again. Preston gives her one more nudge, and she silently turns and leaves.
Chapter 21
Brooks
