Enchanted (The Accidental Billionaires #4)(40)

I slammed my fist down hard on the table, making both of my brothers jump. “Fuck! I didn’t want to give her up at all. But it’s impossible to make somebody care about me the same way I care about them. I’m not going to talk to her again. It’s pointless.”

My brothers exchanged a look, and I knew that they both thought I’d lost it.

I didn’t get angry.

I didn’t get upset.

I didn’t lose it over a female.

Hell, I hadn’t really had a woman in my life for way over a decade.

Truth was, I didn’t have Andie, either. “It was a really pleasant two weeks. Andie did a lot of good things for me during that period of time. Now, let’s drop it. I just need to get the fuck over it.”

“If you need a distraction, Seth and I are on our way to the docks to see one of my new vessels,” Aiden said. “Do you want to come with us? We thought we’d throw some burgers on the grill at my place afterward.”

I opened my mouth automatically to say no, and then I closed it.

For years, I’d denied myself the company of my brothers unless I had to be around.

If I wanted to be honest with myself, I’d missed them.

I didn’t want to hang out with them only when I felt obligated to be there. I didn’t have to do that anymore.

It was time for my relationships to change with all of my siblings. Maybe I’d never get over the instinct to dole out advice and keep them safe, but I could start doing that as a big brother instead of a parent figure, right?

“Yeah, I think I’d like that. If you don’t mind, I’ll stop by for some food at your place, too.” I looked at Aiden. “I think Mexico gave me a taste for more than a cold sandwich.”

Aiden nodded. “Maya’s been asking about you. We’ll all be glad to have you there.”

“You’ll have to fill me in on the commercial-fishing business and what you’re doing. I’d like to catch up on both of your lives.”

My brothers looked stunned, and I watched as they tried pathetically to hide that shock.

Jesus! Had I really been that bad? Had I distanced myself so much that they were surprised that I actually wanted some details?

The short answer was probably yes, and I hated myself for not being a more active part of their lives after they’d grown up. I’d been there when they’d actually come to me, but I hadn’t exactly reached out the way a big brother should.

I added, “I could use a little advice on my portfolio, and some information about buying myself a jet of my own. Eventually, I might decide to do some traveling. And I’d really like to take as much work off Evan as I possibly can.”

Maybe I wouldn’t be traveling with Andie, but I was starting to appreciate the value of getting away and experiencing other parts of the world.

“You’re actually going to spend some of your money?” Seth asked, sounding surprised.

I shrugged. “I have a shitload of it, right?”

Aiden grinned. “We all do.”

“I think I’m just starting to realize that I’m filthy rich,” I confessed. “It’s taken some time for me to see it as real instead of a fantasy.”

“Oh, it’s real. And we’ll be more than happy to help you spend some of that money,” Seth said with a grin.

I looked from one of my brothers to the other, realizing just how much I’d missed by not being there with them, especially after we’d received the money and had no reason not to work things out in our heads together. “I want to be a better man, and a better . . . brother. I might need your help.” My voice was hoarse with emotion.

Their expressions were deadly serious as Seth said, “Noah, you’re one of the best men I know. I wouldn’t change you.”

Aiden nodded his agreement.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. Obviously, my siblings were going to easily forgive the mistakes I’d made in my life. “When Mom died, I promised that I’d keep my head down, work, and make sure you’re all okay. I guess I never saw the signal when that should have ended and I should have become a brother again.”

“Because that’s who you are, Noah,” Seth said quietly as he and Aiden both stood. “You give, and give, and give, without hesitation. There was never a pause, so obviously you couldn’t see it. Do you think any of us are ever going to criticize because you cared too damn much, or were so single-minded about making sure that we were okay? No. We aren’t. We just want you to let us care about you now, too. You don’t have to take every one of our problems onto your shoulders anymore. Hell, we don’t have any problems, really. We’re filthy rich and happy.”

“Then help me think like a rich guy, and catch me up on reality,” I requested.

“We can do that. It’s the least we can do,” Aiden agreed as he slapped me on the back. “It’s going to be good to have you as a brother again, Noah.”

For some reason, I felt like a ton of bricks had been lifted off my shoulders.

Maybe because I realized that I didn’t have to be the head of the family anymore.

I didn’t have to have all the answers.

I didn’t have to make sure everyone was happy.

I didn’t have to push my own feelings aside to take care of everyone else.

I didn’t have to solve everyone’s problems.