“I won’t interfere with her parenting,” I say.
Sophie shrugs. “Okay. We’ll just find someone else.”
“What can you do for me, anyway? You said it yourself, she hates me.”
Sophie grins. “She says she hates you all the time, dude. Clearly, she kind of likes you or she wouldn’t talk about you so much.”
“I’m not sure that’s how it works.”
“Trust me,” Sophie says. “I know my sister. And we can make sure you get enough alone time with her so that you can change that hate to love. All you have to do is agree to keep her distracted so we can get back to living our lives.”
I can distract Gentry a little, right? It’s not like I’ll keep her from doing what she needs to do to keep the kids safe, but I can make it seem like I’m keeping up my end of the bargain. And I really do need help convincing Gentry to give me a chance.
There are a million ways this plan will end in disaster, but I don’t have a better way to stay close to Gentry and the kids. If I’m really lucky, I can change Gentry’s mind about me. At a minimum, maybe I can make her life a little easier, at least for this trip. I shake hands with both Sophie and Emily, making a deal with the devils.
Chapter Seven
Gentry
Istep off the plane feeling calmer than I’ve felt in possibly years. Not only did I get a nap, but I had a long time to think. I’m a hard worker. I’m tough, and I love my sisters. I let Emily down last night, but I can be better.
As hard as they push me out, I’m going to push back, until there are no more secrets between us.
I might not be who they want as a guardian, and they might hate me forever, but I’m going to do what’s right and teach them to do the same. No more sneaking out to parties. No more older boyfriends. I’m going to be so involved in their lives, they won’t be able to eat an extra scoop of ice cream for dessert without me noticing.
I can do this. I just need to accept that my own life is over for the time being. Work, school, and child-rearing. That’s all I have time for anymore. No more poker nights. No more extra hours at the clinic. No more shutting myself up in my room to binge-watch reality TV when I’m stressed.
I can do better, and I will. Do. Better.
Not a single soul at CPS will ever be able to say I’m an unsuitable guardian.
I get past the crowd and turn to wait for my sisters. I fully expect Levi to be ready to escape from all of us as soon as possible.
Instead, he’s walking in my direction, my sisters on either side of him, all three of them laughing like they’re the best of friends.
Levi’s gaze is fixed on me as they maneuver through the crowd. The intensity of it makes me shiver, and not in a bad way. There is something intoxicating about having Levi Sullivan’s full attention.
He’s clearly charmed my sisters, just like he charms everyone. I just hope he hasn’t made them any promises. He cannot be trusted to follow through.
“There she is,” Levi says as soon as they’re standing with me. “How was first class?”
“It was lovely,” I say honestly. “Thank you. The girls and I should grab our luggage and hurry out to meet Brodie. He’s supposed to be picking us up.”
“Really?” Levi says. “He’s picking me up too.”
Of course he is. Brodie wouldn’t make Levi get a taxi. Still, I’d hoped Levi would want his space. “Great. Let’s go then.”
“See,” Emily says. “I told you she hates you.”
I stop and turn back to look at the three of them. Levi is smiling like he’s thrilled, and both Sophie and Emily are giving me their full attention, their smiles way too sweet for two teenagers who were royally pissed at me just a few hours ago. They’re definitely up to something. I have no idea what it is, but I’m certain I won’t like it. “I don’t hate Levi. Let’s go.”
“If you don’t hate him,” Emily asks, all innocence. “Why did you say he’s all surface, no substance?”
“She says that every time we see you out somewhere,” Sophie says. “She avoids you like you’re contagious. One time, we saw you at the library, and she made us hide with her behind that giant clown cut-out in the kids’ section.”
I’m blushing so hard my cheeks are hot. “We weren’t hiding. I was looking for my earring. I thought I dropped it.”
“We were definitely hiding,” Emily says, turning to Levi. “Gentry says you’re the type of man we should never go out with.”
