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He gives me a skeptical look but continues. “As I was saying, I’ve been trying to reach Chase, but he’s been dodging my calls.”
“Okay.” I draw out the word, unsure what to say. I mean, I know why Chase is dodging his calls, but I’m pretty sure that falls under boyfriend–girlfriend classified stuff.
He sighs, the look of defeat disturbing on his confident posture. “I know my brother and I don’t have the best relationship.”
I can’t help but snort.
We’re quiet for a moment before he tentatively places one of his hands on my forearm. “I’m sorry, by the way.”
His words affect me more than his touch. He doesn’t seem like a man to apologize all that often. But because of Chase, I can’t help but be suspicious. I feel my eyes narrow. “For what, exactly?”
“That day at brunch. What I said.” He pulls his hand back and runs it through his hair, reminding me once again of Chase. “I wasn’t expecting to see my brother, though I’d been calling him for some time.” He laughs, and I can tell it’s directed mostly at himself. “However, instead of taking the opportunity to tell him what I needed to say and hopefully make a plan, I acted immature and got angry instead.”
“I noticed.”
“Again, I’m sorry.” He lets out an exasperated sigh. “I’m not sure if you noticed, but Chase is damn near impossible to rile up. The kid can shrug off anything.”
I recall the devil-may-care attitude he affected when talking with his father a few weeks ago in his office.
“Yes, he can seem that way,” I say carefully, still unsure of this new Thomas.
“In my frustration at him not letting me talk, I took a cheap and uncalled-for shot at you, thinking if I couldn’t get to him directly, I’d get to him through you.” He looks stricken, and it reminds me of how he looked at brunch right after he’d insinuated about Chase and me sleeping together. “It worked, but instead of making me feel better, it will now go down as one of the more regrettable things I’ve ever done.”
“I see.” I’m not sure that I do, never having had siblings to fight with, but the man does seem sincere.
“I was an asshole,” he declares, surprising me further. More for the foul language than the self-deprecation. “There’s no excuse. Chase has a way of getting under my skin, but I’m a grown man, and I should’ve known better than to take it out on you.”
Part of me wants to say something witty and snide, tit for tat and all that, but my more rational and mature part recently learned a lesson on what can happen if you hold on to a grudge. Reaching out, I offer Thomas my hand. “Apology accepted.”
He takes my hand in his, a relieved smile on his weirdly symmetrical face. “Thank you. I want you to know that even if you don’t want to help me, my apology is truly sincere.”
Drawing my hand back, I tentatively get us back on track. “So what exactly do you need my help with?”
“I’ve been trying to reach Chase, but he’s got me blocked from his phone, his office, and his condo.”
I think of George and his guard-dog like position between the elevator and Chase’s office. “Have you tried emailing him?”
He nods. “Yes, but only to tell him that I need to talk to him. I honestly don’t know what type of tech security my father had in place before Chase took over. I didn’t want to write anything that could be read.” He leans back in the small café chair, blowing out a large breath. “I guess it isn’t any wonder we don’t have the best relationship, really. Our father did a number on us for sure.”
“Oh.” Not what I was expecting. “Well, I hate to tell you this, but normally when a person does all that, it means they really don’t want to see you. And please remember, no matter what, I’ll always be Team Chase. I’m not going to do anything to hurt him.” Even if it would be nice to reconcile the brothers. No one knows as well as I do how hard it is being alone. Growing up, and especially since my parents died, I would’ve loved to have a sibling to lean on.
“I get that, but it’s about our sister, Liz.”
“Liz?” I think of the bubbly, bouncing blonde that Chase loves. “Is she okay?”
“Sort of.”
My mouth drops open, and he hurries to continue.
“I mean, yes, she is physically fine, but her financial future is in jeopardy.” His brown eyes are serious once more. “And I need Chase’s help to fix it.”
“Why?” I’m back to suspicious.
He spreads his hands wide. “Liz is the one thing Chase and I see eye to eye on. I’d do anything for her. Even if Chase doesn’t believe me.”
I take a sip of my now lukewarm white mocha, remembering Chase’s affection for his sister. The easy camaraderie, the genuine love they have for each other. Far different from what I saw between Thomas and Chase that day at brunch. But looking at this man’s stupidly perfect face, I can tell he cares just as much. Just… differently.
And I know he’s right about Chase. He’d do anything for Liz.
