Something Real (Whiskey Men, #2)(16)

“Yeah, if you can watch Ollie.”

“You know we’ll watch Ollie.”

I let out an excited breath. I might as well tell him; he’s going to find out sooner or later. “And I’m taking Lilian.”

He laughs. “I thought you were trying to help me out. Hell, you’re just trying to get you—”

I interrupt him. “Don’t you dare finish that sentence.”

“A date. I was going to say date, that’s all. Shit, Ford. Are you sure about this?”

I’m smiling ear to ear. I feel more lighthearted than I have in a long time. “I’ve never been so sure about anything in my life.”

He groans. “I have a feeling I’m going to regret this but sure, yeah, I’d like to stay here. We’ll have to go over things before you leave, and I’ll give you a list of people to make sure you introduce yourself to while you’re there, but sure, if you’re up for it, I'm game.”

“I owe you, brother.”

He snorts. “I’m not so sure about that. I get to stay at home with my wife. You’re going to Vegas to work. We’ll just call it even.”

“Sounds good.”

We talk a little more, and I’m hanging up as I pull into my garage. I barely get into the door and my phone dings. I see the group text I have with my brothers pop up. Austin’s message reads,

Ford took me to spy on his assistant on a date. He’s got it bad for Lilian. You guys should have seen him. He’s whipped.





The first response is Beau.

You’re the CEO, Ford. You know better.





Lucas is next.

I already gave him hell about it earlier today. There’s no changing his mind.





And then Austin. He may have thrown me under the bus with that text, but he’s the first to come to my defense.

This is a good thing guys. Fuck. Let the man live a little.





There’s no response from Huddy. We include him on the group text even though he never responds. Usually because he’s stationed somewhere with no service. Usually once a month, we get some random text from him, letting us know he’s alive.

I like the message from Austin and then send them all a middle finger emoji before shutting off my phone. Nothing is going to bring me down tonight.





Lilian





I worked hard the next few days to get everything caught up since I’d be out of the office most of the day on Friday. I feel like I don’t let out a breath until I’m seated on the Blaze brothers’ private jet and Ford and I are on our way to Vegas.

The crew is preparing for takeoff, and Ford and I have not said much since we’ve sat down. “Having second thoughts?” he asks.

I shake my head. “No, I’m excited to go.”

He turns in his seat and leans forward. “Something’s bothering you. Spill it.”

I’ve never talked about my private life at work. I’ve definitely never had any heartfelt conversations with my boss either. But I need to talk to someone. I have to get this off my chest, and it’s only right he knows. “It’s Carrie.”

“Is she okay?” he asks, concerned.

I wave it off. “She’s fine. They are due to get back from their honeymoon this weekend, and she’s fine. But she called and talked to me last night and…”

I let my voice trail off because I’m not sure how to say it.

He reaches across the arm rest and puts his hand on my wrist. “Tell me. You can talk to me.”

I let out a sigh and lean back, closing my eyes. “Gosh, I haven’t talked about it in a long time, but after our parents passed away and it was just Carrie and me… she had extreme nightmares.”

His voice is deep and thoughtful. “I can imagine it was hard for both of you.”

I peek at him through my lashes, and his eyes are filled with concern. I turn my head to look at him fully now. “Yeah, it was, but maybe harder for her. She was eleven. After that, she would have panic attacks if I left her alone. She couldn’t go to school for weeks, she was in therapy trying to learn how to deal with it all, and it helped, but she still had these feelings that something bad was going to happen… to me. That I would leave her. I could barely leave her side. I had to hire someone to sit with her so I could work at the diner at night when she was asleep just so I could make money. It was a mess for a long time, but she got better. A lot better…”

“But?”

I smile sadly. “No, no but. She did get better. She started to excel, she really started to do better after high school and when she met Philip. She still has panic attacks, but he can usually help her through them. He’s really understanding and helpful.”

He nods. “That’s good. That has to be a relief for you.”

I nod. “It is. But she called me last night and told me about a job offer Philip was given. His company wants to promote him, and it’s more money. It would be out of state, but he doesn’t feel like he should turn it down, not with them just starting out.”

Ford is quiet, searching my face, and I see the second he reaches a conclusion. His voice is husky. “And if they go, she thinks you should go too?”