Rise (Rise & Fall Duet #1) - Grahame Claire Page 0,53

Eric. I haven’t told him.”

What the hell? How? Why? Anger on her behalf filled me. What idiot would stop purchasing the best dog food in the city?

“Why?”

She hung her head in defeat. The woman, who to the outside world was unstoppable, was more vulnerable than she let on.

I gathered her in my arms and pressed her head to my chest. “You’ll find a bigger and better customer. And this one will realize what a fool they were.”

She jerked back and stared at me. “It was my fault. Not theirs.”

“Still makes them a fool.” I pulled her back against me. She was warm, a comfort to me when I was supposed to be that for her.

“I booked a piano lesson for Eric with the extra money we were supposed to be getting,” she mumbled into me.

My chest squeezed. This was a woman who was used to handling everything on her own. I understood the magnitude of these confessions because if I were in her position, I wouldn’t be able to make them.

I appreciated that she trusted me to share her worries.

“Beau can teach him.” My instinct had been to offer to pay for the lessons. I’d learned enough about Lexie to know that would only make her angry. She took pride in being self-sufficient. I respected that.

“She can?”

“Our father made her take lessons as soon as she was old enough to sit behind a piano.” And my sister had hated it. But if I explained Eric’s desire to learn, she’d set aside her feelings and show him everything she knew. If she was in this country long enough.

“I don’t know if I can cancel the lesson.” She hadn’t let go of me.

While I was well aware just how much she didn’t need me, I liked being there for her.

Again, it was on the tip of my tongue to tell her I’d handle it. Keeping her exactly where she was—in my arms—had become more important than controlling everything.

“Be honest. Most people respect that.”

She burrowed against me. “It’s hard to admit failing.”

I hooked a finger under her chin and forced her to look at me. “I lost two deals this week.”

She smacked my stomach. “You don’t have to say that to make me feel better.”

“I told you so you’d know I understand.”

“Who wouldn’t do a deal with you? You’re the prince of real estate, right?”

I despised that term. Judging by her tone, she wasn’t impressed with it either.

The truth of why I’d been unable to complete one of the deals was too difficult to admit. I’d just told her to be honest, yet I couldn’t tell her I was no longer able to purchase or sell property for reasons I hadn’t uncovered.

She’d been forthcoming with me.

I couldn’t do the same.

“It’s . . .” I didn’t want to lie, but the words to explain wouldn’t form.

She placed a hand on my chest. “Personal. I get it.”

I hadn’t realized how tense I’d become until I exhaled in relief. “Complicated,” I amended.

I’d allowed Lexie and Eric into my space, but I couldn’t let her all the way in to my innermost workings. I didn’t operate like that. My burdens didn’t belong on the shoulders of the people I cared about.

I froze. Looked down at her in my hold. Felt my cheek against her soft hair.

I’d had more arguments than pleasant conversations with her.

But it was true.

I cared about them.

I tried to recall the exact moment it had happened, but couldn’t. Perhaps it was the ice cream. Immediately, I knew that wasn’t it. Not completely.

It was them.

The way they shouldered through life with a smile. Their work ethic. Their kindness to others.

Them.

A part of me wanted to shove them out the door and never let them back in. I didn’t have room to care for anyone else.

The bigger part of me wanted to lock my door. Keep them in so I would always feel the way I did when they were around.

Feel.

It had been a long time since there’d been a ripple of any kind of emotion in my soul. Especially a pleasant one.

Lexie and Eric had given me something I didn’t want. Feelings clouded judgment. They got in the way of the focus I so desperately needed to keep. They were a distraction.

But while everything around me crumbled, they seemed to be the only thing keeping me sane.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Lincoln

“Well, this is interesting.”

I put my finger up to my lips in hopes of shushing my sister.

She smirked at the sight of Lexie sound asleep against me.

I checked