Sweet Billionaire Stepbrother(57)
“Sloane already told me she likes my son a lot and that she is developing deeper feelings for him. What could be more perfect? I’m hoping the two of them finally address their feelings at my party. It would make me a very happy man.”
“Right,” I said in a thin voice, hardly keeping my shit together.
Milton laughed. “Of all the things I’ve done in my entire life, I never imagined I’d play matchmaker for my son.”
Neither did I, Stepdaddy Dearest, neither did I. The man who’d adopted me as his daughter had no f*cking idea he was breaking my heart with his plans.
As soon as I’d seen Carmen and made sure she was okay, I’d finalize the plans I’d already set in motion before London. Thank f*ck I was smart and had a logical, rational brain. That’s what geeky girls were good at, right?
There was no place for me in this family anymore. It was finally time to move on because staying and watching Milton give Grayson and Sloane his blessing at his party would be the last straw and my heart would break completely.
26: Grayson
I’d been delayed in London and only just landed three hours ago, but at least I was still in time for the big party. I’d tried to call Layla everyday since she left London, but her phone kept going to voicemail. I’d put it down to jetlag and the lack of sleep while we were away. I blamed myself for it by having sex with her all the time and keeping her awake. Words cannot express how eager to see her as soon as I arrived at home.
But she wasn’t there or in her bedroom, and neither had she been sleeping much according to Alice. Apparently she’d been at Carmen’s bedside ever since she arrived, barely coming home to eat or rest.
Was Layla mad at me? If she weren’t at least a little bit upset with me, surely she’d have answered my messages?
After she’d left London, I’d moped around for a few hours, missing the f*ck out of her. Since I’d made my decision to confront our parents and tell them the truth a calmness had settled over me. Layla deserved more than the two of us sneaking around and I already knew she was the woman I wanted for the rest of my life. It was a no-brainer really.
Alice poured two cups of tea and set them on the tray with some sliced banana bread. I took the tray from her and followed her out onto the patio.
“When do you think Layla will be back?” I asked but couldn’t keep the worry out of my voice.
Alice shrugged. “I have no idea. Carmen’s mother went into a deep depression and she’s been hospitalized as well, so Layla is running between both of their rooms.”
I grimaced. Layla was in too deep for it to be healthy for her. I’d have to convince her to take a step back—when I actually got to see her of course. Alice took a seat and I placed the tray in front of her. As I sat down I took the cup of tea she handed to me.
“Do you think she’s okay?” I ventured. Was it something other than Carmen’s situation that was causing Layla to act like this? She was a sensible woman and she wouldn’t normally go this over the top and stay away from home. What Dad had said to her when she arrived in Sydney had been niggling the back of my mind as well.
“She’s running herself ragged, Grayson, but she won’t listen to me or anyone else. It’s as if something has gotten into her since she returned from London I can’t get anything out of her,” Alice said, sighing deeply. She was as worried about her daughter as I was.
I took a sip of tea as I contemplated what to do. I’d already made up my mind that I was telling our parents about us and nothing would change that. But before anything, I needed to speak with Layla and find out if she wanted us as much as I did.
“Will she be at Dad’s party tonight?” I tried to sound casual, but my anxiety was getting the better of me.
Didn’t Layla know how much I f*cking missed her? How much I was yearning to have her in my arms again? I’d sent her several messages, but I knew she hadn’t opened them.
“She told Taylor that she’d be here, so I can only hope she will keep to her promise. Milton would be so disappointed if not all of his children were here to help him celebrate. Apparently he’s looking forward to including Sloane too.”
“Yeah, I better get into the shower and get ready. I need to pick Sloane up in a couple of hours.” I pushed to my feet and looked around at the elaborate decorations all around the garden. “You’ve done a great job organizing the party, Alice. I’m sure Dad is going to appreciate all the effort you’ve put into it.”
“I hope so. It will all be worth it if it makes him happy. You know he likes to have all his family and close friends celebrate with him.” She placed her hand on my arm. “He’s had a tough time over the last few years, Grayson, so please go easy on him.”
I swallowed hard and nodded. Alice’s concern for Dad was genuine and heartfelt.
“He’s not as healthy as I’d like him to be and I don’t know what I’d do without him.” She dabbed at the corners of her eyes. “I’m worried about your father. He takes on too much work, it’s stressing him out. One day it’s going to make him keel over. Planning this party is the very least I can do to help him relax and enjoy life.”
Pulling her into a hug, I tried to console her. “I’ll arrange for Dad to have a check-up. I’ve already spoken to him about it and he’s agreed to go. So just enjoy tonight, be your beautiful self and leave the rest to me okay?”