He nodded. “I hear you and thanks.”
The waiter came over and took their orders, an ahi tuna salad for Chloe and cheeseburger for Linc. After the server took their menus, she met her brother’s gaze.
“We need to talk,” she said.
He nodded. “I know. I’ve been high-handed and difficult, but you don’t understand why.”
At least he’d given her an opening to ask. “Then tell me, Linc. Why do you hate Beck so much? And why won’t he explain anything to me about his past with you?” she asked.
Her brother’s eyes opened wide. “You asked him directly and he refused to tell you?”
She nodded. “He said something about it not being his place and not wanting to change how I saw you. So I’m here and I’m asking you to tell me yourself.”
He drew in a deep breath, and she could see how difficult this was for him, making her wonder just what both men were hiding.
“Okay, look, I’m going to sum it up, but it isn’t pretty and he’s right. You won’t look at me the same way after you hear it.”
“Linc, you’re my brother. There’s nothing you can say that will change how I feel about you.”
He gestured for the waiter, who walked over. “I changed my mind. Can I get a Macallan on the rocks?” he asked, and when the server was gone, Linc met Chloe’s gaze. “Beck and I were roommates freshman year. We both had girlfriends and the four of us hung out together.”
She opened her mouth to tell him she remembered Lacey, but he held up a hand, and she understood he just wanted to get the story out. So she sat forward and waited as he continued.
“One night, Lacey went home for the weekend, and I was at a frat party. I was so drunk I barely remember how I got home. Beck was working a late shift like he usually did because he needed money to pay for things at school. And his girlfriend, Jenna, resented the times he couldn’t go out.” Linc ran a hand through his hair, more upset than Chloe was used to seeing him. “Like I said, I don’t recall much but I woke up to Beck coming into the room. I was naked and so was Jenna, beside me in bed.”
“Oh, shit.”
He nodded somberly. “I kind of remember a woman crawling into bed and telling me she was back. I swear to God I thought it was Lacey. You know how I feel about Dad and his cheating. I’d never do it intentionally. But it happened anyway because Jenna wanted his attention. And boy, did she get it.”
Just not the way she’d wanted, Chloe was sure, and she swallowed hard.
“Are you certain you two …?”
He nodded. “I found a condom wrapper on the floor.” He shook his head. “At least she thought ahead and made sure she couldn’t get pregnant,” he said, not meeting her gaze.
Chloe sighed. “Beck must have been hurt,” she said softly. “And you? That bitch used you! Couldn’t Beck see that?”
Linc shook his head. “Not at the time, and with the way things have been between us all these years, he probably still hasn’t forgiven me. In the meantime, he’s undercut me on deals since we’ve been in business. And right before Dad died, he approached Beck with a land deal. Dad, with his dementia, put up a piece of the company if he didn’t come up with the money.”
Chloe’s hands shook, and she put her drink, which she’d just picked up, back down on the table. “What?”
“As you can imagine, I was in a hell of a position after Dad died and Beck, the asshole, didn’t make it easy on me. So there’s a lot of bad blood.” Linc leaned forward, arms on the table. “Now can you see why I’m worried he’s using you to get back at me?” he asked just as the waiter put down his scotch.
Chloe processed while Linc was served his drink. Once they were alone, she took a sip of her club soda. “I’m sorry you and Beck were taken in by a girl with an agenda and lost years of friendship. I’m really sorry she used you the way she did.” She frowned, wanting to strangle the woman for what amounted to having nonconsensual sex with Chloe’s brother. But she wouldn’t make Linc uncomfortable by pointing that out.
“But as for Beck and Dad…” She glanced at the table before looking up again. “I can’t imagine Beck deliberately using Dad. Did Beck know Dad was sick? Because we agreed to keep it quiet.”
Dipping his head, Linc groaned. “To his credit, he didn’t.”
“And he wouldn’t use me, either.” Of that Chloe was certain. “We have a genuine friendship. He was there the night Owen dumped me–”
“Which you wouldn’t let your family do,” Linc reminded her.
She ignored that bit of truth. “I didn’t want anyone’s pity.” And she’d needed to be alone to process things. “And Beck was there when I was depressed. He even came to you to help me out. And he encouraged me to follow my dreams,” she said, her voice rising. Catching herself, she lowered her voice. “Does that sound like a man with an agenda?”
“Lunch,” the waiter said, approaching them with plates in his hand.
He served them while Chloe and Linc silently watched. She was waiting for them to be alone before she finished this private conversation.
Once her ahi tuna was in front of her and Linc had his burger, she glanced at him. “I need you to answer me.”
“No. It sounds like Beck cares about you,” Linc said, and she knew what that admission cost him. “One more thing. I know I’ve said it a million times, but let me say it once more. I just want what’s best for you.” He drew a deep breath. “And if that’s Beck, I’ll deal. I’ll do what I can to make things right with him. For you.”
A lump rose to Chloe’s throat. Pushing her chair back, she walked to Linc’s side of the table and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Thank you. I love you, Linc. And your being willing to do that for me means everything.”
He hugged her back. “I love you, too.”
She sat back down and picked up her fork. “The thing is, you’re not going to have to accept Beck in my life long-term. He has no intention of ever falling in love or getting married. Not that I’m thinking of marriage,” she rushed to assure Linc. “But what we have is temporary. After that, time will tell if we can remain friends.”
Linc studied her in silence for so long she squirmed in her seat. “What?” she asked him.
“His sister died when he was eighteen, right before he left for college. I know that fucked with his head. It was just another reason he didn’t give Jenna what she wanted back then, although I doubt he realized it at the time.”
She nodded. “That’s the problem. He’s holding on to his pain, not willing to let anyone get close except the family he already has.”
“Seems to me you’ve already gotten that close.” Linc picked up his burger. “Are you going to let him push you away?”
“Oh, my God, Linc, are you really trying to convince me to keep Beck in my life?” She opened and closed her mouth in complete shock.
A grin lifted his lips. “I promised Jordan I’d get over myself and stop being an ass. On the ride here, I realized she was right. I want you to be happy.” He shrugged. “Now let’s eat. We can talk more over dessert.”