Page 74 of Mexico Can Choke On It
“No shit.” Gavin’s eyes narrow with laser precision, his expression shifting into what his competitors call the “Brinkman Bullshit Detector.” “You’ve been off since we got to Mexico. What’s going on? And don’t tell me it’s nothing, because I’m not leaving this table until I drag it out of you.”
This is Gavin’s superpower: weaponized silence. He simply sits there, sharp hazel-green eyes locked on you—until your nerves snap and the truth spills out. Same eyes as Petra. Same ruthless tenacity.
Tell him the truth. In a matter of days, I’m leaving the company.
“Amanda moved out,” I say instead.
Gavin’s eyebrows shoot up. “As in, you’re over?”
I nod.
“When did this happen?”
“While I was in New York. I came home to an empty closet and a note.”
“And you’re just now telling me this?”
“It’s not exactly cocktail party conversation,” I explain, keeping my voice level. “She wanted a ring. I wasn’t prepared to give her one.”
“Let me get this straight. The woman who sat through sixteen hours of your mother’s Christmas gala planning, who learned golf just to join your father’s corporate tournaments, who basicallyran your entire life for you… asked for a commitment—and you balked?”
When he puts it that way, I sound like a heartless cad. But he doesn’t understand how empty the relationship was, how it was built on mutual benefit rather than any genuine connection.
“That’s essentially correct.”
“Fucking hell, Bryce.” Gavin shakes his head. “No wonder you’ve been walking around like you swallowed a lemon. Does Sterling Senior know yet?”
“Not yet, no.”
“Well, that’ll be a fun conversation. ‘Sorry, Father, I’ve failed to fulfill item six on the Sterling heir checklist: acquire suitable breeding partner.’” His imitation of my voice is eerily accurate.
The mention of my dad sends a wave of discomfort through me. This is my chance. Time to rip off the Band-Aid.Tell him about Sterling Industries now, you coward. Just get it over with.
“Listen, I’m here for you.” he says, softening his voice. “I mean it. If you need anything, consider it done.”
I nod, throat tight. “Appreciate it. But you’ve got your hands full with the wedding. And I have Pip to keep me company.”
Gavin exhales, running a hand over his jaw. “I’m starting to worry that all this luxury and seeing the wealth gap firsthand is backfiring. The last thing I need is for her to rebel again, skip out on college, and decide slinging drinks in a dive bar is the life she actually wants.”
Something protective flares inside me. “She is making an effort to support you. I wouldn’t write her off quite yet.”
“Since when are you onTeam Petra?”Gavin asks. “Yesterday, you looked ready to strangle her for picking up Miss Muffy.”
“I’m not siding with Petra. I’m simply stating that being here can’t be easy for her.”
“I love my sister, but she’s got to finish that art degree, no matter how ridiculous it is. After that, I’ll make sure she gets an MBA and a real job. We can’t have her ending up like that pretentious artist, Echo. What kind of name is Echo, anyway?”
“An absurd one,” I agree, grateful for the subject change. “That entire spectacle last night was preposterous.”
“Total bullshit. And if being hismusemeans laying a finger on my sister, there’s gonna be a problem,“ he says. “But Fiona thinks it’s highbrow, so… she wants a Jackson Pollock burlesque show, she gets it. That’s the deal with marriage, right? Compromise.”
“That’s what I’ve heard,” I reply dryly. “I wouldn’t worry about Petra. That girl’s a fighter. She’ll finish school and make you proud.”
“Let’s hope she doesn’t throw any real punches this week. Fiona’s been on edge about having her here. She’s convinced she’ll sabotage the wedding on purpose.”
“Petra would never. You know that.” The defense comes out more forcefully than I intended.
Gavin studies me for a moment. “Yeah, you’re right. She’d walk through fire for family. Even if she’s the one who lit the match.”
