“And he let Bryson grab you?”
“No!” Damnit, why is he being so dramatic? “Bryson went after me when he accused me of trying to buy this place out from under him… onyourbehalf. Which, by the way, you know if you buy shit with Finch money, it’shers.”
“Don’t try to change the subject, Grace. What happened when he grabbed you?”
“Dean went after him.”
“Good.”
“Not good. It’s what that douche canoe wanted. He tried to instigate a fight to use as bad publicity that would work in his favor.”
“Sounds like Bryson.”
“Right? So, we ran him off with a sledgehammer.”
There’s another pause, then Jackson growls, “Are you serious?”
“I might have also thrown it at him.” I wince. “Twice.”
“Jesus Christ.” There’s no hint of anger in his voice now. Only the typical big brother tone. “Did you miss both times?”
“Sadly, yes.”
“Try harder next time.”
“You got it. I won’t let you down.”
Jackson laughs and I’m catapulted back to when we used to have fun together. I miss those days. “You know I love you, right?” Sometimes I worry that he thinks I hate him. I don’t. I never could. “I’m sorry I keep being angry with you about dumb shit. It’s notfair. Mom just…” I let the words die because I don’t want to blame our mother for every rotten feeling I have. Some of it’s on me. “I’m done with all of it. Especially with her.”
“I know you are.” Silence stretches for a few heartbeats. “I don’t blame you.”
“What if she makes you choose between us?” I think that’s my biggest concern. Fuck the money. Fuck the headlines. Fuck the whispers and country club memberships and upscale dinners. I can walk away from all of it, lose everything I’ve ever known… but Icannotlose my brothers. “You know she’ll make you pick.”
Mason and me…. Or the Finch legacy.
“I’ve got to go,” he says, sounding tired. “When you get back from wherever you are, want to grab dinner?”
“Yeah.” My eyes water and throat tightens. “Absolutely.”
He’s quiet again, and then my heart hits the ground when he asks, “You’re never going to come back, are you, Gracie?”
“Of course, I will.”
Jackson’s quiet for a long time before he says, “Don’t.”
Tears fall down my cheeks because he’s not saying it to be mean. He’s trying to protect me again. He’s giving me his support to cut off our family and be on my own.
My brother clears his throat. “And, hey, listen, if that cocksucker gives you anymore trouble, call me and I’ll take care of it.”
“Okay.” I’ll do no such thing. If Bryson shows back up here, Dean and I will handle it ourselves.
“I mean it, Gracie. Don’t try to take him on. You have no idea what he’s capable of.”
Bryson doesn’t scare me, but I pretend to obey my brother’s wishes, anyway. “You got it.”
“Love you.”
“Love you too.”
