Page 166 of Wild Card

“When it involves Willow, I’m your first call.”

Mom’s eyes glint before she dips her chin with a little grin. Was that approval?

“Wynn came to Sterling and Stacy this week. He’s made a proposition.”

It wouldn’t be weird for Joseph to approach Mom. She was supportive of his relationship. But to Dad? “What kind of proposition?”

His anger has subsided. Not sure if it was my powwow comment or the fact I’m in his grip. “He’s asked they split Rylee’s balance so he doesn’t have to take the full hit. He’s suggested they use the wedding fund toward her debt.”

“Guess that makes sense. But it means he’s decided to call off the wedding and not just postpone the engagement. Is that why he showed at my house out of the blue? Was he expecting my forgiveness or my sympathy?”

“He’s worried. Said Rylee has been irrational and blames you.”

“Me? For what? She’s had every opportunity I did. Not to mention, she was sleeping with my boyfriend before we broke up!”

“You always had everything she wanted,” Mom offers remorsefully. “We didn’t help with spoiling her the way we did.”

Dad stares at her with sorrow and something so painful my heart aches. He still loves her and he’s hurting.

She draws in a breath and focuses on the napkin she’s picking at. “She didn’t expect you to come to her wedding, but insisted on sending the save-the-date. She reached out to Chase, and he refused her request for Wyatt to be in the ceremony. Lynden and Rosie have been cutting her out. The day we saw Bex in the mall,” she stalls, her mind spinning in a way I know from growing up that she’s regrouping. “Let’s just say, seeing Bex made her realize she wasn’t getting her way.”

“I guess we now know why she’s placed the blame on me. Dad, what are you thinking?” I question him, knowing this is ultimately his decision.

“That’s why we’re here.”

Talon grumbles and Ford slices his eyes to my dad in a way that has me holding my breath.

“I should say, that’s why I brought it to Talon first.”

I elbow Talon to let up on the overprotective act. “And?”

“Mom and I agreed. We’re lifting the restriction on Rylee’s trust and paying Joseph the full amount she racked up under his name.”

My chest clutches and I squeak in surprise. Ford’s gaze comes to me and transforms into hilarity. “Squeak,” he mutters and Rowan giggles.

“They must be pissed.”

Grandpa and Grandma have strict restrictions on our trusts. They set them up to have staggered access at different ages. Chase and I received one-quarter payments at twenty-five and used it to live off during our schooling. We both had scholarships to supplement our income. But Rylee chose not to continue hereducation after her degree in business management, claiming she wanted real-world experience.

They kept quiet until she turned twenty-four and had been through four jobs.

My grandparents are generous, but they are also practical. Rylee wasn’t coasting through life living on their hard work without doing something to provide for herself. They moved her age requirement to twenty-eight with stipulations.

“Lynden and Rosie have agreed these are extenuating circumstances.” Mom watches Dad for support.

“The money isn’t the problem, but it’s time Rylee learns some consequences. She’s moved back into the house with your mom, and our arrangement will come with conditions.”

“What does any of this have to do with me?”

“We wanted you to understand where we’re coming from.”

“And make sure you agree,” Mom adds to Dad’s explanation.

Talon’s arms tighten into a vice. “Princess, they want your approval.”

“Why would you need my approval?”

“Because we love you, Wills, and this isn’t another instance of us taking your sis-,” she bites her lip and rephrases, “Rylee’s side.”

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