Chapter 99
Sean, of course, ended up staying for dinner.
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He could not stop raving about Noelle’s cooking, and she blushed at the compliments. Post–dinner, Noelle tackled the dishes while Sean and Charles headed to the study upstairs to get down to business. Arnold, meanwhile, was huddled in a corner, his puppy–dog eyes fixed on the kitchen door, silently
pleading for Noelle, the lady of the hour, to notice him.
Once upstairs, Charles flicked a cigarette Sean’s way. “Let’s hear it.”
Sean smirked and let out a low chuckle. “You always know what’s on my mind.”
Charles tapped his fingers on the chair, his expression tight, “Believe me, there’s nothing I want less.” He paused before adding, “So, what’s the latest drama with the Smiths?”
“Oh, it’s my cousin again!”
“Is it Andy?” Charles’s lips curled into a half–smile, “What’s he gotten himself into this time?”
“Who’s Andy? The Smiths don’t even recognize that name!” Sean said with a half–smile. Talking about his cousin could fill books. “Why’d he ditch Banyan City for Brookville, huh?”
Sean was talking about their very own golden boy, Andy, who also went by Bob. In Brookville, the Smiths were adamant about calling him Bob and would not even touch the name ‘Andy‘ with a ten–foot pole.
Charles flicked his cigarette, “Since when do you care about the Smiths‘ drama? Why does it bug you that he showed up?” He remembered Andy, alright.
A couple of years back in Banyan City, he had bumped into Andy a few times. The guy was sharp, but he played by his own rules.
Sean scrunched his brow, annoyed by Charles’s couldn’t–care–less vibe, “You know I’m not into the whole Smith enterprise. They’ve backed off from me, but Bob’s got a screw loose or something. He’s always on my case!”
Sean ran his fingers through his hair, exasperated. Charles quirked an eyebrow, “So, you’re telling me you skipped town for a ‘meeting,‘ but really, you were ducking him?”
Charles let out a laugh. “Man, I’ve never seen you so spooked. You’re usually Mr. Cool, but after her, Bob’s the only one who’s got you all tied up in knots!”
Sean glared at Charles, frustration written all over his face. “Come on, we’re brothers, aren’t we? I’m in a real bind here, and you’re bringing this up now? Don’t forget, you had a hand in her leaving too!” Every time he thought of her, Sean’s chest tightened with a pain he could not stand and wished he could forget.
Charles’s eyes were dark and intense as he looked at Sean, his voice cold and distant. “You know, if you hadn’t brought it up, I would’ve totally forgotten she was part of our Hoffman crew.” He said icily, “I wasn’t helping you back then. You just weren’t right for her.”
A shiver ran through Sean’s fingers, and a shadow of sadness flickered in his eyes. “Then who is?”
“It’s definitely not you!” Charles snuffed out his cigarette with finality. “You made a promise to let her go. You owe her that much.”
Sean went quiet, took a harsh drag of his cigarette, and coughed so hard he nearly teared up. His hands,
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usually stained with bleach, were shaking and unnaturally white. “She probably still blames you, you know. You’re her big brother, yet you took my side.”
“That’s none of your business!” Charles’s brow furrowed. “Just because I haven’t called you out doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. She wasn’t right for you, and she’s not right for the Hoffmans either!”
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