I pull it out of my pocket to show him. “That and a nice conversation with our father.”
Declan’s brows tug together. “Our father?”
“Turns out whatever inheritance he has is contingent on him attending AA meetings too.”
My brother drops on to the leather sofa. “Shit.”
“Yup. My thought exactly.”
“Isn’t that…triggering?” Iris sits down next to Declan and clasps his hand.
I shrug. “I spent thirty days getting over my daddy issues.”
“And?”
“Turns out the only person I was hurting is myself, and safe to say masochism isn’t my kink anymore.”
Declan’s smile is small but powerful. “Teach me your ways.”
“Oh, you can plan on it once I get Lana back.” Until then, nothing else matters.
“What do you think your grandpa offered him?” Iris asks.
“There’s still six percent of the company left uncontested.”
“I knew Grandpa wouldn’t let him walk away with nothing. He always had a soft spot for that piece of shit.” Declan rubs at his stubble while staring off into the distance.
“We’ll figure it out.” I pull out my phone. “Are either of you hungry? I was thinking about ordering delivery.”
“Wait. You’re staying?” Iris frowns.
“I still have a few things to sort out before I head back to Lake Wisteria.”
“Like what?”
“How the hell I’m going to get to keep the lake house.” I already spoke with the real estate agent and told him to hold off on accepting any offers, so it’s only a matter of time before I figure out a solution.
Declan’s frown deepens. “You can’t keep it.”
“I have a meeting with Leo tomorrow to see otherwise.”
His chest falls from his heavy exhale. “And if he tells you that it’s impossible?”
“Then I’ll find a way to prove him wrong.”
“Cal…”
“What?”
Declan leans forward on his elbows. “You don’t need to come up with a solution on your own. We’re here for you.”
The pressure in my chest releases like a popped balloon. “Don’t go all soft on me now that I’m sober.”
His lips twitch. “Asshole.”
“That’s more I like it.”
Iris’s glassy eyes make me laugh.