Chapter 24
BYRON
After training on Sunday morning,Simpson ribs Brandon about some chick. His head snaps toward me, his eyes wide like a fucking deer about to be crushed by a truck.
What did I miss?
Brandon and I were no angels when it came to girls. The past six months, though, something seems to have clicked. While I never swore off girls, Giana came into my life at the right time. I wanted security, something safe, and I understand my oldest brother wanting to be in a relationship rather than having one-night stands. It calms your world.
Brandon hasn’t mentioned anyone special, but as far as I’m aware, he hasn’t been looking. This was always going to be the year we were one hundred percent focused on basketball. This year, we want a damn championship ring.
“What the fuck are you on about, Simpson?” Giana is away, and I’m tense. All I can think about is that dickwad ex being around her. I’m not in the mood for Simpson’s bullshit.
Simpson pulls a weird face—one that screams You don’t know shit. I look at Brandon, and he shakes his head.
“He doesn’t know, does he?” Simpson bursts out laughing. “Man, BJ is going down tonight.”
I stare at Brandon. “What the fuck is going on?”
I’m pissed Simpson knows something about my best friend before me. Brandon and I tell each other everything. We started college together, and I took him under my wing as a freshman. With his family so far away in Australia, he stays at my house more than he goes back home. He is part of my family, and I’m closer to him than any of my family except for Charlotte. But the last two years, she’s wanted to break my balls for any little thing I do to step so much as a toe out of line, so yeah, I’m probably even closer to him than Charlotte.
Simpson coughs, “Charlotte,” then practically sprints out of the locker room. The guy has always been a jerk. I’d rather play a full game with a raccoon on crack than be on the court for a minute with him. I turn, expecting my sister to be walking into the room, but it’s just Brandon and me.
“What’s that dickwad on about?”
Brandon drops his bag to his feet and raises both hands before they fall to his side again. “We wanted to tell you together…”
“Huh? Tell me what?”
He bows his head, unable to look at me.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?”
He lifts his chin and meets my gaze directly. Christ, who died?
“Lottie and I are together.”
What? “How do you mean?”
“We’ve been seeing each other a while now.”
The fuck? I clench my fists as a ball of anger grows in my chest. Every muscle in my jaw tightens, and I’m unable to speak. I clench my teeth, picturing my best fucking friend with my sister in ways I can’t erase from my memory because I know the sort of thing my friend likes when it comes to sex. He’s bragged about it. And now he’s with my fucking sister? Both have lied to me. Not to mention, he has broken the code that I took seriously. Family is off-limits. They took him in, and he took advantage of our friendship.
“You fucker,” I grind out.
I push him, and he stumbles back. I shove him harder, and his hands remain by his sides, even as he stumbles. He bows his head again so his blond curls hide his face.
“I know you hate me right now.”
“You have no fucking clue,” I yell.
I’m trembling with anger. The one thing I can’t stand is being lied to. I feel like I just lost my best friend.
Slowly, he lifts his gaze. “I wanted to talk to you alone, but Lottie said we should do it together.”
I shake my head. Either way, I still would have been majorly pissed. How had I not known? There were no hints he ever liked her. At times, she was a freaking bitch to him like she is to me. “Fuck!” I spin around, trying to breathe. I turn back and glare at him. “Did this start when you were both in Australia?”
“We became closer then, but the first time was three years ago when we were in college.” My eyes want to pop out of my fucking head. “We had a few nights together over the years, but things recently ramped up.”
“And you never had the decency to tell me.”
“Because I thought you’d react like this.” His eyes are full of apology. “I love her.”
I see red. I give him one final shove, then collect my bag and storm out of the locker room.
Giana… fuck Italy.
If I ever needed a sounding board for my frustrations, I’d go to Charlotte. The person I’d usually turn to is the one Brandon is banging. I inhale a sharp breath, trying to calm the fuck down. I have never liked surprises, and this one takes the fucking cake.
Inside my car, I hit the accelerator and drive toward the city. There is one person who could calm me down, and it’s been a few weeks since I’ve seen my new little niece.
“Hey, Siri, send a message to Franklin.”
“What do you want to say?”
“Please tell me you’re home. I’m on my way to yours.”
Even though it’s Sunday,Franklin sits in his favorite armchair in designer trousers and a white shirt. He swirls whiskey around the ice in his glass and crosses his legs, revealing his black leather Gucci loafers. There’s no mistaking his billions. Every inch of him is clothed by famous designers, including his Harry’s of London over-the-calf socks.
“I’m lost what to do. Frustrated and…” I run my fingers through my hair. I don’t mention Brandon and Charlotte. “Why do I feel like I’m at a crossroads?”
“Hmm. Penny mentioned your impromptu trip to Italy.”
I lean back on the wide white leather lounge chair. “I’m not suggesting I rush over to see Giana again.”
“Absolutely not,” Franklin agrees. “The way you assess or see something before deciding on an outcome depends on what you believe. Our subconscious sifts information, and we receive it in a biased way based on our fears and beliefs. It’s why I might view and react to a situation differently than you. Sometimes, we need to redefine our process of thinking or overthinking a situation. Change our pattern?—”
Penny walks into the room with Summer in her arms. “In other words, you’re in love and don’t know how to handle it.” She offers an understanding smile. Her gentle green eyes make me feel better about being here. “We all go through it. Make decisions we regret, make fools of ourselves. Did I ever tell you about Frank and my previous roommate?”
“This is not the time for storytelling, Penny.”
The way Franklin snaps has me wanting to hear it.
She giggles. “Stark naked with a sheet around his head and his package hanging out.”
What?
My shocked expression causes Franklin to down his drink. “Now is not the time.”
“I think it is,” I goad. I look to Penny for more information.
“Perhaps Frank will share his stories, including the one that happened at my parents’ house, with you another time. My point is, don’t be afraid to be guided by your heart. Not everything we do in life needs to be calculated and with a desired outcome.” She rolls her eyes at her husband, as this is how my brother has always lived his life. “And, more the point, you all think Frank is a perfectionist and that is how he won me over. He’s not perfect, and his mistakes and admittance of his bad judgment is why I gave him a second chance.”
Frank raises his glass to his wife. “You still found me irresistible.”
Penny glances down at her daughter and rocks her gently in her arms. “I did. Yet I was wise enough not to let your charm sway my decision in breaking up with you.” Jesus, I wasn’t expecting this conversation. “But your vulnerability at Hugh’s wedding made me see how you were willing to change. You showed me that you were willing to be flexible with all the things that were nonnegotiable in your life when it came to me. And now I know nothing in your life is more important than Summer and me.” She smiles lovingly at Franklin. He stands, closes the distance, and kisses her, then tentatively kisses Summer on the cheek. He stands behind his wife and looks at me.
“Take everything Penny said and apply it to your life.”
“How?” It’s why I’m here.
Penny tilts her head at me. “What is nonnegotiable for you, Byron? While I never asked Frank to give up his work or international travel, I asked for him to be flexible with it and to prove that I mean something to him and not to put his work first all the time. To be there when I needed him.”
“Basically, to stop being a selfish asshole.” I grin at Penny.
“Right. But I think all Hendricks have the selfish asshole gene.”
Franklin perks up. “Excuse me?”
“Not in a bad way. It’s why you’re all determined and successful. It takes a special person to succeed, and you need to be a little selfish to achieve the highest of goals.”
“What she is saying…” Franklin says casually, “… is we have what it takes, so go get the job done.”