Call You Mine (The Baker’s Creek Billionaire Brothers #4) - Claudia Burgoa Page 0,27

to kill them because I don’t trust them.

Pierce is right. It takes more than seven months to get over my past. More so when I’ve no fucking idea what the future will bring.

“Take it from us,” Henry says. “Tell her how you feel now. Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.”

“I thought you weren’t afraid to speak about your feelings,” Pierce cuts in.

Talk about things biting you back in the fucking ass. “You’re just assuming that I love her. I’m attracted to her. She’s hot.”

“Denial,” Hayes intervenes.

Before they can continue giving me some words of wisdom, the rest of the Aldridge family make their way into my sanctuary. Not only my house, but my room. I want to kick them all out, but when my sister-in-law, Leyla, hands me over baby Carter, my nephew, I can’t help but smile.

He came to us last month. They named him Carter after our brother who lived for the moment. Maybe I should take a page from his book. I’m done doing the right thing for everyone. Maybe I should take the fucking year off and do whatever the fuck I want.

Chapter Twelve

Beacon

My brothers and their wives are easy to deal with when I’m sober. I either make them uncomfortable, or I act like their latest lecture has been life-altering. It’s hard to do either one when I’m drunk.

It’s easier to let them fuss around me. It’s a whole troop against me, and I have to let them “take care of me.” Let them be a part of my world. They are cute, but let’s see if they do this next year when we don’t have to play happy family to save the town.

While the IV’s saline solution flows through my veins, I hear Henry complain about my poor behavior and Blaire blaming my brothers for ignoring me for years. They understand I’m a loner, but I should let them into my life.

No. I’m not a fucking loner. I just don’t like to be with people who don’t stick around. A fight for another day. Something I’ll bring up around next November when we all have to leave. They are just not part of my tribe. Disagreeing with them will start a discussion I’m not planning on having with them tonight.

For the time being, I listen to everything they have to say. My only response is a few grunts and plenty of nods. During this “we’re here for you” campaign, everyone is fussing around me. I try to limit how much I talk, making them believe I’m too tired and ashamed to contribute to their conversation.

Once Hayes and Blaire decide I’m not dehydrated or drunk, we move to the main house where they feed me.

It’s dark outside when I’m free to go, but as I make my way toward the door, Henry says, “You’re not alone, kid.”

“We are here for you,” Pierce agrees.

Someone should remind them that I am not a kid anymore. Also, they have to stop saying that we’re in this together. They can say all the shit they want, but I’m not sold on their newfound family.

I’ll decide when this whole “we’re all in this together” is real and not some bullshit they keep saying.

Listen, I’m not a cold asshole.

My brothers tend to be a lot like my father. They seem like they give a shit, but they are always looking after number one. Don’t believe me? I can give you the best example. Our brother, Carter, was diagnosed with melanoma stage four during his senior year of college. No one was there for him. Only his best friend, Blaire, and I were with him.

Hayes was in London, too busy to pay attention to his younger brother. Henry and Pierce didn’t learn about it until Carter was almost dead. Vance was busy with school and training with the general (his grandfather). Mills was in college and training to become a hockey superstar.

They can say shit, but I know that when things get rough, those guys walk away.

It’s a short walk from our place to where Grace is waiting for me.

“Good evening, Beacon,” Mrs. Heywood, the owner of the bookstore on Main Street, greets me. She’s also Tucker’s grandmother-in-law. (That’s a real thing among the Deckers. It makes them family.) By the logic Grace’s family lives by, the Heywoods are like my grandparents.

I wave at her. When I spot her husband, I decide to get closer. A few years back, he had a stroke, and even though he’s doing well, he needs assistance more often than