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“It’s the only time your brother listens. He cares what you all think of him. You know that.”
It was true. He didn’t need his mother to remind him that, but it was nice to hear.
Before West met Abby in Aruba, his brother was burning himself out and ignoring everyone. He knew it wasn’t on purpose, but the siblings did all talk. It was hard not to when Laken and he dealt with a lot of their businesses and West wasn’t returning calls or emails.
One by one, his mother rounded everyone up, found out information and ordered West on a vacation to get his act together.
In West’s eyes it might have been the best thing to happen to him, looking back.
“I know he does,” he said.
“What’s going on with you?” his mother asked.
“Not much,” he said. “Just working.”
“Thomas still being a dick?”
He laughed at his mother’s description. He’d never said that to her, but Laken knew, which meant Laken had said it.
He’d never hold it against his sister either. They had each other in a place where they needed some moral and family support for years.
“It seems to be in his nature,” he said.
“If you spoke up, it’d stop,” his mother said.
“Nothing to say,” he said. “Thomas is no different than someone else would be in his position at any other company. Just because my last name is Carlisle doesn’t mean I get special treatment.”
“Of course it does,” his mother said.
“Mom,” he said. “Let it go. I know West values me and I respect him and his decisions. My time will come when it comes.”
The last thing he needed was someone pushing him. He’d dealt with it enough with the women he dated and didn’t need it from his mother.
“Fine,” his mother said. “I’ll drop it. But maybe now that you see West is doing well, some of my other kids will realize they can have a personal life along with a career.”
And this was normally the other topic his mother started with.
The last thing he was admitting was he had somewhat of a lunch date in two days. He had no idea what Lilian thought of it, and until he knew more, he’d just keep it to himself.
“We can’t all be as lucky as West,” he said. “Abby is great.”
“She is,” his mother said. “And if you tried you’d find your own Abby.”
“Night, Mom. I’m getting some dinner.”
“Bye, Braylon,” his mother said, laughing as she hung up the phone.
That was easier than it normally was and he wondered what she had up her sleeve. Or maybe he was just reading into things more.
5
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Lilian wasn’t normally late for her lunch, but the one day she didn’t want to be, Stella needed something from her.
It’s not like she even had a way to reach Braylon and tell him either and she didn’t want him to think she was standing him up.
She was rushing round as fast as she could and just when she was about to give up hope that she could get the work done on time, Stella caught her at the copier. “I’m leaving for the day. Have that on my desk first thing in the morning.”
