Trade It All(71)

Dale looked back and forth between his wife and his youngest son. “Is everything all right?”

Sophie had nodded and said, “Why don’t we all go into the living room and sit while we talk?”

She led the way and soon they were all gathered around where she and Lance were seated. “Lance why don’t you tell them what you discovered?”

Asher was the first to speak. “Dad said you’re in trouble. What’s going on, Lance?”

“If it’s financial, I could look over your books and come up with a plan,” Grant said.

Ever the problem solver, Ian said, “If it’s illegal, don’t say anything to anyone. Except us. Knowing exactly what you did will help us choose the best lawyer.”

Dax stood near the door, arms folded across his chest. Present, but silent.

Dale followed Lance’s gaze and said, “Whatever issues you two boys have, it doesn’t matter. We all need to support each other.”

It was what his father had always said, but they were just words. The unstated expectation that they should deal with things on their own had made that sentiment unnecessary.

With a nod, Dax confirmed his support, which was interesting since he didn’t have any idea why he’d been called there. His presence was a testament to his loyalty to the Barringtons.

And to me.

“Thanks for coming, Dax.” He looked around at his brothers. “Thank you all for coming, but I’m not in any kind of trouble.”

“Bull,” Asher said harshly. “Something’s wrong. You look like shit.”

Giving Lance another once-over, Ian asked, “Are you on drugs?”

Their mother shook her head in reprimand. “Really, Ian? Must you always think the worst? Let him speak.”

Lance shook his head. “Of course I’m not on drugs.”

“Are you sick?” Grant asked looking genuinely concerned that he might be.

“No.”

“Is guilt keeping you up at night?” Dax asked gruffly. All eyes turned to toward Dax and he shrugged. “Willa’s not having a good week either. You know why, don’t you?”

“Yes,” Lance said abruptly. It wasn’t easy to hear that Willa was unhappy and he was the cause, but he was about to change that. He liked Dax even more for the way he came to Willa’s defense.

He’s loyal to her, too.

You chose well, Kenzi.

“This is about Willa?” Ian asked incredulously. “I thought the two of you were dating now.”

“We are. We were. I messed up,” Lance answered.

“I can’t believe you called us here for this,” Asher said to Dale.

Dale gave Asher an authoritative look that always put him back a step. “Sit down, Asher. In fact, why don’t we all? Lance obviously wants our help.”

Grant rubbed a hand on the back of his neck. “I don’t know what you expect us to do, Dad. This is between him and Willa.”

“Sit,” Dale said.

The Barrington men sat down in the couches and chairs around where Sophie and Lance sat. Kenzi encouraged Dax to sit with them.

Asher nodded at the open love seat beside him, “Get your ass over here, Dax. You wanted to be one of us. Welcome to the Twilight Zone.”

Once everyone was seated, Sophie said, “Lance has had an epiphany.”

Lance stood up and began to pace. The entire scene was over the top, but he thought back to the night Dax had asked the family to help him plan his proposal to Kenzi. Lance had learned early that Barringtons handled their own problems, but maybe, just maybe, that was changing. He wanted his family to feel as invested in Willa’s acceptance as they had in Kenzi’s. “I’m in love with Willa.”

Asher’s phone rang. “It’s Emily,” he said to no one in particular before answering it. “He’s fine. Everyone is fine. Lance has temporarily lost his mind, though. The emergency was he wanted to tell us that he loves Willa.” Asher listened to whatever his wife was saying, then responded. “I know you knew that. We all knew it. The only one surprised seems to be Lance.” He listened again, then pressed a button on his phone and held it up. “Okay, you’re on video chat now.”

Emily waved from the screen of the phone. “Lance, I’m so sorry I couldn’t be there. The doctor told me to try to get more rest. You must be over-the-moon happy.”

Not yet. “Technically, she’s still not speaking to me. That’s why I’m here. I messed things up with her the first time. I’m very close to losing her a second time. I needed some advice so I came to see Dad, but Mom is also a good sounding board.”

Dale crossed to stand behind his wife. He bent down and kissed her cheek. She raised a hand to hold his. “When it comes to love, you spoke to the expert.”