AllFreeNovel
Share Us
But it’s not the same.
Even though we all worked our fingers to the bone when we were kids, learned how to run the ranch, we never wanted for anything.
We never worried about where any kind of income was coming from. On Christmas morning, there were always piles of gifts under every tree for each one of us.
And the parties… The infamous Steel parties, where barons of Steel roast were served along with Dom Pérignon and Uncle Ryan’s best Bordeaux blends. Practically the whole town was invited to feast on the Steel riches.
It’s a part of my life. It always has been and always will be.
It’s not a part of Jesse’s life. Or Maddie’s. Or Callie’s or Rory’s, for that matter, although it will be once they marry into our family.
I open my mouth, ready to tell him that I understand, but then I realize that’s not what he needs to hear.
“I won’t insult you by saying I understand, Jesse. But thank you for telling me this. Iwantto understand.”
“I didn’t tell you all this to make you feel sorry for me,” he says with a growl.
“I know that.”
He sits up. “Do you? Because the last thing my family needs is your family’s pity. But here’s the thing, Brianna. My family’s well-being depends on the success of this tour. And I can’t be distracted. And frankly? You’re a distraction.”
My God…
Now Idounderstand, and I feel like a big dirtbag for trying to manipulate him.
I reach for his hand. “Jesse…”
He holds my hand for a moment, gazes deep into my eyes, and for a split second I think he’s going to smile, but he doesn’t. He snaps his hand away. “Do you understand what I mean? I can’t get my head wrapped around you right now. I need my head wrapped around the band, our music, our performances.”
“My God… I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have come.”
“You’re here now, and you brought Maddie with you. I’m not going to insist that you leave because Maddie is looking forward to this trip. Although, I really ought to send you both home after the thing with Zane Michaels.”
“I’ll talk to Maddie. I’ll make her understand that neither of us can be a distraction, and that includes her. You can’t be worrying about her trotting off with some celebrity.”
He touches my cheek then, trails his lips around the shell of my ear. “Thank you. Maybe you truly do understand.”
“Thank you for opening up to me. I…”
“Please. Don’t say what I think you’re going to say.”
I love you.
I keep the words to myself. It’s way too soon.
It was a mistake to come here, but he’s right. I can’t take this experience away from Maddie. So Maddie and I are here for the duration.
And I need to make sure Jesse is free from distractions.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Jesse
I’m tempted to ask her to continue sleeping with me just as a physical release, but as I said before, she deserves better.
Plus, I need her looking after Maddie. Donny and Callie will be going back to the States once we leave the UK, and Rory will be too busy with the band.
I’ll have only Brock to watch over Brianna and Maddie. He can do it. He’s changed a lot since he got serious with my sister. He was probably the worst womanizer of the bunch, but somehow, he and Donny both got tamed by two of my sisters.
