“I’ll tell him.” I nod. “Did you get the money I sent this week?”
“I did.” Lucy lets out a sigh. “You don’t have to give me so much. We have more than enough to make the move.”
“I made you a promise three years ago, and I’m not going to stop now. I’ll always be there for you, no matter what.”
“You’ve had to do so much for me and Roman, and it’s all my fault. I wish you didn’t have to put your own life on hold for me.”
“Hey,” I say. “None of that. I chose to do this. If I had to go back in time, I’d do it a million times over. I just want to make sure you two are okay.”
“We’re fine, Rae. Stop worrying.”
I nod, trying to hide the emotion clouding my eyes. “I’ll see you soon.”
“Couple of days,” Lucy says, smiling.
When I hang up the phone, I feel better. I can deal with Sawyer ignoring me. I can deal with Benji being rude to me. I can deal with anything, because it means Lucy and Roman will be safe in Woodvale.
That’s why I’m here. It’s why I took a job at my father’s business. It’s why I went back on my promise to Sawyer. It’s why I’ve put up with my narcissistic, money-hungry, oil-and-gas-loving parents, even though I’d rather be designing gardens.
It’s why I didn’t run away like Sawyer did.
I love my sister more than anything, and I’ll make sure she’s taken care of. Always.
And I’ll do the same for Sawyer, whether or not he wants to accept my help. I don’t give up on my family. Never, ever, ever.
My phone starts buzzing again, and dread squeezes my heart. My mother’s name flashes on the screen. I pick up, steeling myself for a tense conversation. I took two months’ vacation from work, but I haven’t told her where I am, or what I’m doing. She doesn’t know I just drove halfway across the country to set up a new life for my sister.
“Mom,” I answer.
“Darling, how are you? Your father and I were wondering if you’d come by the house to talk about the position on the board. He’s been itching to have you accept.”
“Mom, I’m on vacation. I took two months off, remember? Plus, I already told you. I don’t want the board position.”
I hate lying about where I am, but in this situation, I have to. My parents didn’t approve of Lucy getting pregnant—and they certainly didn’t approve of her keeping Roman. Lucy called them cold-hearted when they kicked her out, but I prefer to think of them as set in their ways. Deep down, I still believe they mean well, even when they’re hurtful.
My mother huffs. “He’s been holding this position for you for a year, Rae. You’ve more than proved yourself. Your father wants to retire within the next few months, and he would like to know that the company is in good hands. You owe this to us, Rae.”
Heat rises up my neck. Owe it to them? That’s not how I see it. I did them a favor by going to work for my father. I put my dreams on hold and changed the whole course of my life. I don’t owe them anything.
“I don’t want to be on the board, Mother. I already told you, once Dad retires, I want to start my own business.”
“The garden thing?” I imagine her waving a hand, dismissing my silly ideas.
“Landscape architecture.” I try not to seethe as I speak through my teeth. “Remember that beautiful garden you stare at every day? I designed it. I know I could make a business from it.”
“Of course, honey. Well, in any case, your father and I are waiting for your acceptance. We can announce it to the board at the next quarterly meeting.”
“I. Don’t. Want. It.” I enunciate as clearly as I can, pinching the bridge of my nose. “And I’m not even going to be in town. I’m on vacation.”
My mother isn’t listening. “I’ll have to delay the dinner party I’d organized, then. When did you say you’d be back? I asked the Beauforts to come over. I was hoping you’d be there.”
I try to contain my frustration. I know she means well. She does. With Sawyer gone, and Lucy disgraced—in her mind, at least—I’m their last best hope at a good daughter. She’s been trying to set me up with the Beaufort’s son for the past year.
William Beaufort, rich gazillionaire with a perfect, veneered smile and an impeccable résumé. A Beaufort-Montgomery union would be the next great corporate power couple.
Barf.
We went on one date about six weeks ago, and when I got home, he sent me a message.
Hey beautiful, he’d written, Thanks for a great night.
The message was followed by a photo. A picture popped up of William Frederick Beaufort the Third, in the nude, hiding his junk as he flexed in the mirror. Rippling abs, muscles carved from stone, and a come-hither look on his face.
He looked like he’s taken that picture a thousand times for a thousand different girls. I’d been revolted and hadn’t spoken to him since.
A dinner party with him and the parents doesn’t seem like my idea of a good time. I don’t exist to stoke the pathetic flame that will never exist between William and me. I’m not here to make my parents happy.
I’m here to find Sawyer, and finally tell him my side of the story. I’m here to give Lucy the future she deserves and provide a stable support system for Roman. I’m here to start a new life with my family together, for once.
When my siblings are reunited, I can go back down to Houston and tell my parents the truth. I can beg them to come meet their other children again and try to bring my family back together. Then,
