Page 132 of Trusting You

“Angry and mean?”

Astor gives a hollow laugh. “Yeah. When it comes to Locke and me, he pretty much died when Mom did. Hasn’t been around much. I assume he’s only here because he’s concerned about Locke’s ability to live until the trust Mom left us kicks in.”

I shake my head. “I don’t care about that.”

“I know you don’t.” Her eyes soften. “I know. But anyway, he does. Because he can’t get his grabby hands on the money until Locke and I turn thirty. And convince us to give him some.”

“You say he wasn’t always like this?”

“Greedy? Miserable? An all-around asshole? Sure, he was all those things, but he channeled it into Locke’s football career and would at least be pleasant to us at dinner. But it’s why I’m so afraid, you know, for my brother. I don’t want Locke turning into him, and before Lily, he was headed for that route.”

“After what I saw back there, I’m glad Locke’s changing for Lily,” I say as the elevator doors slide apart.

Astor studies me with a penetrating look as we walk in.

“Not just for Lily,” she says, but leaves it at that.