Page 79 of Riding High

He flung his gloves onto the floor of the ring and took the water bottle Henry offered him.He’d pulled on a shirt, but Jed was still bare-chested.He dropped to the padded floor, feeling utterly wiped, and lay back, his knees bent as he tipped water down his throat.Scared that Henry might see too much in his eyes, he placed his forearm over his head, hiding the top half of his face from his newest, but also oldest, brother.

‘The arrangements for the charity match all seem to be going well,’ Henry said from somewhere next to him.He moved his arm and glanced at Henry out of the corner of his eye.He sat a little way from Jed, arms resting casually on bent knees, his water bottle dangling from his hand.‘Eden is doing a fabulous job.She managed to secure Neon Alibi to play at the after-party next weekend.For free.’

Even he, someone who didn’t follow pop culture, had heard of the up-and-coming band.The demand for tickets had skyrocketed and they were on track to triple the profit they’d originally aimed for.She was, simply, so damn good at her job.Simply amazing.

‘I heard that the Bancrofts are being investigated,’ Henry said.

Shit, yeah.Jed released a low groan, thinking about his and Troyden’s very awkward conversation with Tara and Vince.It was a misunderstanding; Eden got it wrong; they would never steal money.The police would come to that conclusion.

Neither he nor Troyden were convinced but had agreed to give them the benefit of the doubt– they owed them that much– until the police investigation was concluded.Tara especially had been viciously scathing about Eden and ignored both his and Troyden’s request not to bad-mouth her.Their meeting left him with a sour taste in his mouth and the knowledge that, no matter what happened in the future, their relationship would never be the same.

‘Do you believe Eden’s or the Bancrofts’ version?’Henry asked.Eden’s.His reaction was quick and instinctive, and Jed wished he’d been as quick to respond the night of their fight.Shit, he was so screwed.

Needing to talk and think about anything but Eden, he changed the subject.‘When I borrowed your car, you said it was the only asset worth anything,’ he said.‘What did you mean?How much financial trouble are you in?’

‘I’m drowning.’Henry raised his hand, his thumb and index finger an inch apart.‘I’m this close to losing it.’

Jed frowned at him.‘Seriously?’

‘The Duke borrowed money from banks, loans I am now responsible for.I never fucking wanted the title or assets, but I’m the one left to deal with it.’

‘You sound… pissed off.’

Henry nodded.‘I am.Because… what did you call him?… the Fucking Duke died, and now I’m the one who’ll lose four hundred years of history.’Henry rubbed his face.‘You have no idea how lucky you are, Jed.’

‘How so?’he asked, disconcerted by Henry’s expression.

‘He didn’t acknowledge you, but you have no idea what a blessing it was not to have that prick in your life.’Henry started to tick points off his fingers.‘You have a family, a father and siblings, people standing in your corner.I have millions in debt, a house I hate and a mother who’s more worried about money than about me.’

‘If you are so broke, then why did you spend so much sponsoring the charity polo match?’Jed asked, confused.

Henry released a low laugh that held no amusement.‘Because I want the Bythesea name to be associated with something good before we become another aristocratic family to lose everything and before this place gets turned into a hotel, or a hospice or a country club.Because I wanted a way to spend time with you.’

Jed shuffled on the mat, unexpectedly moved.Henry was anything but the entitled wanker he’d believed him to be.And maybe he’d turned out to be a decent guy despite having a tosser for a father.

‘Is there anything you can do to save the Hall?’He knew better than to offer money.He knew Henry wouldn’t take any.

‘My last-ditch effort is to convert the stables into accommodation units.There’s a shortage of affordable, long-term housing in the area,’ Henry said.Jed sat up and raised his eyebrows.That was true, houses and flats were hens’-teeth scarce around here.‘Actually, Eden gave me the idea when she popped around for dinner last night.She’s thinking about staying in the area, but wants to get her own place.She adores Troyden, but she’s too independent to live off her uncle.We chatted about her renting a suite of rooms at Bythesea Hall.’

Jed stared at him, not sure what part of his statement to focus on.The fact that she was staying, that she’d had dinner with his brother last night, or that she was looking to permanently move off the estate?

‘What the hell was she doing having dinner with you?And there’s no way in hell she’s going to move into your place!’

Henry had the gall to smile at him.‘And how do you plan on stopping her, Jed?Aren’t you two done?’

He didn’t know what they were.‘She said that?’

Henry raised an eyebrow and Jed groaned.‘We had a fight and haven’t spoken since,’ he admitted.

‘Yeah,that’sa good way of finding a solution,’ Henry sarcastically stated.‘Well done.’

‘God, you’re annoying,’ Jed informed him.He picked the label off his water bottle and stared at the laces on his trainer.A bead of sweat rolled down his side, another down his neck.‘Did she say anything else?’

Henry lifted the bottle to his lips, but Jed suspected he was only drinking to give him some time to work out how to answer.‘No.’

A door slammed somewhere behind them, and they heard the grunts of a guy lifting weights in the far corner, earphones in, sweat rolling down his face.He felt his brother’s– he still couldn’t bring himself to say the word aloud– eyes on his face and met them.Henry’s expression was softer than he expected.‘Talking like this is weird, right?’

It was.