“You know how private I am,” he hedged, glad to have a legitimate reason to discourage his brother from coming. “I’m not sure I’m on board with having them here.”
Wesley snorted. “They wouldn’t film at your place. No offense, but I can’t imagine that footage of you reading the newspaper and heading off to work would be particularly thrilling. I could have it written into their contract if that would make you more comfortable.”
Michael tugged a hand through his hair. “I don’t know, Wes. I’m really busy trying to turn this school around. I don’t have a lot of free time.”
“You won’t even know I’m there,” he promised. “All I need is a place to stay, although it’d be great to spend some time catching up in the evenings. I understand if you won’t be able to though.”
Damn, why did he have to make this so hard? Couldn’t the guy take a hint? He simply couldn’t have Wesley coming to Haven Bay when Bex and Izzy lived here. Especially not before he convinced Bex to open up of her own accord.
He took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to say no this time.”
Silence fell between them.
“You what?” Wesley asked, as though he’d never heard the word before.
Michael swallowed hard. “I’m sorry, but you can’t stay with me.”
“Why not?”
“I just told you why.”
“Mm.” Wesley made a thinking sound. “No, you didn’t. I don’t buy it. There’s something else going on here.”
“No, there’s not.” Michael’s voice rose in pitch until he barely recognized it. “It’s just not a good time.”
“It’s been months since we saw each other in person. It’s a work trip, so you don’t have to worry about entertaining me.”
His teeth ground together. “I said no.”
“I heard you.” Wesley’s tone tightened with anger—an uncommon emotion for him. Usually his brother was as unruffled as they came. “But I don’t understand why.”
“Because I said so.” Fuck, he sounded like a child. No wonder Wesley didn’t believe him. He’d never been a convincing liar.
“Michael.” There was a warning in his voice. “If you don’t tell me what’s going on, I’m going to have to come there myself and find out, but you don’t want that, do you?”
Michael lurched to his feet and pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. “Drop it.”
“Have you ever known me to drop anything?”
“Trust me on this.” He shifted his fingers to his temples and massaged. “I’ll explain. Just give me a week.”
“Now,” Wesley ordered in his bossy big brother tone. “I’m not playing around, Mikey.”
Fuck, he hated when Wesley did that. Reduced him to a child again with the stupid nickname. As though he wasn’t an adult in his own right and able to make his own decisions. But it worked effectively. He squirmed. His brother would learn the truth eventually. Did it matter if it was now or later?
“Please.” Wesley’s tone grew pleading, and Michael couldn’t hold out anymore. He’d be a terrible brother to withhold a truth like this. Especially when Wesley stood in good stead to become prime minister. He couldn’t let him be ambushed.
“Okay, fine. Bex is here.”
“Bex is in the bay?” Wesley sounded as surprised as Michael had been by the discovery. “I figured she’d gone overseas. She always had big dreams, and with the money Mom gave her, well…” He trailed off awkwardly.
Michael winced. “Yeah, about that.”
“About what?”
He took a deep breath, preparing to say something he couldn’t come back from. “She has a daughter.”
“A daughter?” he echoed. “She’s with someone? If you’re worried about me getting hurt feelings, you don’t need to be. We’re in the past. I was with Penelope for almost as long as Bex, and you know we’ve been broken up for plenty of time too.”